CH 113

The carriage went through the city centre of Ratz at speed. Odette was looking out at the scenery, barely able to take in any of the details of Boulevard Préve passing by the window. Making her eyes go funny, she turned to look at Countess Trier in the opposite seat.

“Thank you, Countess,” said Odette.

The Countess waved a hand. “It’s nothing, dear, you don’t need to show any gratitude.”

On her way back from visiting relatives in Ardenne, the Countess stopped by the House of Klauswitz. She had growing concern for Odette, who hadn’t left the confines of the mansion’s walls in weeks. She had intended to make a short stop, check up on the young lady, then be off again, but then Odette made quite the unexpected request.

“Is something the matter?” the Countess asked.

“No, not at all,” Odette said, “it’s just that it was so nice to see you after such a long time, so I thought it would be nice to do a little travelling together.”

A woman who was married to a rich husband, who collected cars like they were sweets, requesting a ride in a carriage? Odette had originally claimed that there was some important matter in Ratz she needed to attend to. There were too many holes in her story and despite that, Countess Trier pretended not to notice. She was worried about the thin and sickly looking girl.

The Countess made a disproving noise. “To hear such honeyed words from you. So, where is it you wish to go? If I’m giving you a ride, I might as well take you the whole way.”

“Oh, no, its quite alright, Countess, we’re almost there. You can drop me off here if you wish.”

There was only a month left until Tira would be leaving and Odette needed to raise more funds. She had gathered together some things that she was going to sell, but needed to do it discreetly, so as not to draw attention.

She could not take one of Bastian’s cars and a driver, that would have been to conspicuous and no doubt the driver would report back to Bastian. Taking a public car was also too risky, too suspicious.

She was feeling stuck, with no way forward, until the unsuspecting Countess came to visit, she was like a ray of golden sunshine on a rainy day. This was especially handy as Bastian would be tied up with work and wouldn’t be able to get out to visit Ardenne for a good long while.

The carriage finally came to a stop outside the Reinfeldt Hotel on main street. After bidding the Countess a fond, and hasty, farewell, Odette hoisted up her bag and made to leave.

“My dear Odette, if you ever need help with anything at all, come find me. I can’t promise I can do everything for you, but I will certainly try my best. Its better than struggling alone, wouldn’t you say?”

Odette could feel the warmth and kindness in the Countess’ words. “Yes, Countess, I will do that, thank you.”

Odette waited until the carriage was clear out of sight, then made for her true destination, the shady back alleys behind the city. A complex maze of narrow walkways teeming with gambling dens, shady establishments and illicit business’.

The pawn shop here was renowned for being discreet and putting a price on just about anything. Odette knew of it because of her father, who had sold her mothers heirlooms and even worn out shoes to pay for debts.

Using a vail to hide her face, Odette walked the all too familiar route and once she reached the pawn shop, she couldn’t help but look over her shoulder at the gambling den where her father had lost her to Bastian.

Odette stared at the entrance to the gambling den for a long moment. The kindness Bastian had shown her father back then had quickly turned to poison for Odette. Well, her debt was more than paid off now and she could not wait to leave him, she didn’t feel a single pang of regret at that thought. It was the right thing to do, it had to be done.

Taking a deep breath and letting all the emotion wash away from her, she pushed open the door to the pawn shop, clanging a bell as she went in.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“The document presented is a strategic report on the bidding for the railway concession connecting Felia and Belov. If we can acquire this section and merge it with the Berg Inland Railway, owned by Ellis, we can create a robust transportation network in the northern continent.” Bastian made his brief report, his blue eyes locked on Duke Laviere. With a hint of arrogance, he silenced the Duke’s laughter.

Every day, Sandrine’s pleas to Bastian Klauswitz for clarity on divorce and remarriage intensified. He couldn’t understand why such a woman would put so much effort into the grandson of a junk dealer, he chose to watch closely, eventually taking the initiative himself.

Bastian, clear about his objectives, displayed nonchalance. He greeted him, seamlessly transitioning into business discussions. Despite his secretary’s reports of his late nights at the company, he showed no weariness. His face, freshly washed, was the only hint of those long hours. His shirt, pristine and wrinkle-free, looked freshly donned.

The Duke felt as if the junk dealer’s grandson was toying with him. However, he chose to watch and wait. The hound seemed to have found another interesting prey, and considering the potential massive profits from this venture, he overlooked Bastian’s discourteous behavior.

The railroad business, which had started hand in hand with Ellis, was growing more and more prosperous each day. Laviere had a knack for being able to quickly gain ground, but Ellis was the driving force behind the venture. Over the years, the power dynamic had shifted and Bastian could see it. That was likely why he risked leaving Sandrine in such uncertainty.

“Before you sign, there’s something I need to hear from you,” Duke Laviere said, shifting the focus as he reviewed the report. Bastian simply nodded. “Well, I’ll get straight to the point, when do you plan on taking my daughter? As far as anyone can see, the deal should have been concluded, we have held up our end, so what exactly are you waiting for?”

“That is business between me and the Emperor, all you need to know is that our deal has not yet been concluded.”

“But it’s been two years, unless there are details I am not aware of.”

“Yes, that was the initial plan, but due to unforeseen circumstances,” Bastian shrugged, “so I have to maintain the marriage for now.”

“How much longer do you expect it to take?”

“I wish I knew, if its too much bother for you, you can explore other options.”

“Other options, you say?”

“Yes, other potential marriage partners that you might have considered before, just in case.”

After Sandrine’s divorce became public information, propositions flooded in. Most were from reputable families and several suitable matches were noticed amongst the dross. The problem was Sandrine, for some reason she had her heart set on Bastian.

“I thought you might have changed your mind because of the feelings you have for your wife, at least the public is in the opinion that you truly love your wife. If that is true, then yes, I will seek other options.”

“I understand your perspective, Duke.”

“Do you intend to cast Sandrine aside?”

“Of course not, Lady Laviere has always been my first choice once my dealings with the Emperor is concluded. It’s just difficult for me to give you the definite answer you seek. If that leads you to searching other options, I would not blame you and humbly accept what ever decision you make.”

Duke Laviere was convinced that Bastian was not the man to make his daughter happy. He could already imagine what her life would be like, living with this man, eternally craving his love, but never being properly satisfied and eventually withering away in loneliness.

“If the engagement is broken, I will take full responsibility,” Bastian said, unexpectedly. “If you go for the contingency plan, the collaboration will continue as it is, the same can be said if Laviere rejects my proposal and wishes to withdraw from the partnership, I will respect whatever decision you make.”

“So whether you marry my daughter or not, the deal stands?”

“It does not define the deal,” Bastian said with a smile. “If you find it difficult to decide, I can give you more time.” Bastian tidied up the documents on the table and picked up the investment agreement while leave the signature blank.

It felt like Bastian was being considerate toward the other party, but upon closer inspection, he had maintained control. The benefits promised to Laviere were just as much guaranteed for Ellis, but Bastian made the whole ordeal seem so alluring that the Duke could not risk not being a part of it.

What a fucking Berg bastard, the Duke thought to himself as he finally took up the contract.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Welcome master, the madam is in the solarium.” Lovis greeted Bastian with the report on Odette’s location. He did not bother to question why Bastian had not decided to stay in Ratz all weekend, it was not his place to pry.

Bastian barely made a noise in acknowledgeable as he walked past his butler. He had completed in two days what was supposed to have taken three and even for a young, healthy man, it was exhausting.

“Would you like to rest in your room for the moment? I will inform the mistress of your return,” Lovis said.

“No need, leave her be.”

“Then I will prepare dinner…”

“I’m going to run for awhile, lets talk dinner later.”

The butler bowed his head and backed away into the shadows as Bastian made his way upstairs. Bastian always found exercise good to refocus his mind, it was a long standing habit.

After changing, Bastian immediately left the mansion for the coastal walkway. He stopped abruptly just as he turned a corner of the mansion. Music was flowing from an open second floor window.

Slowly, Bastian raised his head in recognition, it was the family melody, and it was coming from the Solarium, where Odette was reportedly to be.