CH 125

“Lunch is prepared, madam,” the Duke’s butler announced.

Norma Catharina von Herhardt nodded with a smile. She looked around at her assembly with a cheerful countenance as the quiet hum of conversation came to a gradual end at the announcement of lunch. Odette had barely noticed, still staring absently at the tea cup in her hand.

“Well then, shall we progress to our seats?” Duchess Norma said, signalling for everyone to make their way to the luncheon table. She was paying an unusual amount of attention to Odette.

Understanding, Odette gently placed her tea cup on the table and went to escort the Herhardt’s dowager. It was rather unusual for Odette to play this role, normally it would be left to the highest ranking guest. This gesture was an attempt to not alienate the unfamiliar woman.

The ladies made their way to the dining room, with Norma and Odette leading the way. As they strolled down the lengthy hallways, with majestic tall windows on both sides, they caught sight of the sprawling estate belonging to the esteemed Duke. Its beauty was comparable to a heavenly paradise that unfurled before their eyes. Meanwhile, men gathered in their groups, all donning in the dusty browns of their hunting attire moving towards the forest behind the garden.

Odette could easily spot Bastian. He was engaged in conversation with Duke Herhardt. His distinctive, upright posture and restrained movements were constant, even on horseback. Odette got flashes of the night before, where they had exploded against each other. It felt like a dream.

“Mrs Klauswitz can’t seem to take her eyes off her husband,” a teasing voice broke through Odette’s daydream.

Startled back to reality, Odette turned to face Norma, who’s laughter carried a hint of playfulness.

“Even after three years of marriage, don’t you think it’s about time you woke up from the honeymoon? It’s quite fascinating.”

“They did spend two years apart, they must be deeply affectionate for one another.”

“This must be the best time in the relationship, what with having no kids and all,” a middle aged woman was prompted to say. A chuckle rippled through the crowd of ladies. Odette lowered her eyes, trying to hide the shy smile.

“Indeed, and come to think of it, shouldn’t Matthias hurry and get himself a nice wife like Odette, he’s missing out on such happiness,” Elysee von Herhardt lamented, watching her son depart. The conversation seamlessly changed towards the upcoming marriage of Duke Herhardt, slated to take place in the coming year.

With a sigh, Odette turned her attention back to the sunny corridor they were walking down, pondering her exit plan. A blast from a distant horn drew her attention back outside, to the hunting party, who were now at the edge of the wood. Though the distance made it difficult to make out the faces of the riders, Odette could still easily identify Bastian.

From their first meeting to the present day, memories raced through Odette across the bleak winter landscape. Their relationship had been a matter of convenience, holding hands in mutual benefit. How quickly they had turned to devouring each other and if it continued any longer, the scars were going to be deep. 

It was time to bring things to an end.

After carefully considering her thoughts, Odette made her way into the dining room. Taking her seat, she indulged in casual conversation with the fellow guests. As the meeting drew to a close, she contemplated the opportune moment to take her leave.

However, just as the full course was served, an unforeseen incident unfolded before her eyes. A whiff of oysters reached her nose, causing her stomach to churn in discomfort.

“Are you alright, Mrs Klauswitz?” the wife of a Judge said, as she sat next to Odette.

Odette nodded as she covered her mouth with napkin, doing her best to fight down the nausea creeping through her stomach.

“Oh, my dear, is something wrong with your health?” Elysee said.

“I am so very sorry, it’s only gastritis,” Odette said, swallowing uneasily.

“I don’t think so,” Elysee said with a strange smile on her lips. “Maybe it’s best for you to lie down in the guest room for a bit. I will send someone to fetch Major Klauswitz for you…”

“No, Duchess!” Odette said, a little more snappy than she intended. “I do not wish to cause such trouble, especially when it’s something so minor. With your permission, I think I will return to the hotel.”

“Alone, without your husband?” Norma said, she looked puzzled.

“Please, it’s bad enough to have caused a scene here, I do not wish to upset my husband’s day also. I would just like to return to the hotel discreetly.” Odette appealed to the ladies’ sense of honour. A plea that could not be ignored.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Duke Herhardt was the first to bag a prey, his bullet swiftly ending the life of a deer that was racing through the under-brush.

“Are you also interested in chasing games now?” Riette von Lindman quipped with a clap. Matthias didn’t respond immediately as he swung the head of the horse around.

Bastian maintained a respectful distance, listening in more than engaging. The gathering had been arranged by Riette, the Duke’s distant cousin. Matthias himself had no love for hunting and was using the gathering as a means to network his business and work out potential partners. Bastian also had no great interest in hunting but  he had been awaiting an opportunity to converse with the Duke, and now seemed to be the perfect time.

When Riette had caught a rabbit, the hunting party became more animated, with the beaters leading the dogs down near the river, where there would be a better chance for a duck shot. The calm forest quickly became disturbed with the sounds of bearing hooves and gunshots.

Bastian had been patient, only aiming for what he knew he could hit and one such target was a white waterfowl. Just as Bastian was about to take the shot, he noticed that Matthias was also aiming at the same target. Bastian yielded the prey, only for the Duke to miss. He wondered if the Duke missed on purpose.

“Wow, look at that, Duke Herhardt actually missed, what an entertaining day,” Riette remarked, causing the other men to laugh. On the other hand, Matthias just smiled.

Bastian lifted his gaze and watched the birds soaring across the sky. Although it piqued his interest as to why Duke Herhardt, a prodigy when it came to shooting, would choose to miss, he decided it was an unnecessary question.

Just then, a girl came bounding out of the forest, running toward them from the other side of the road.

“Wait, why is she here?” Riette said in surprise. As an uninvited guest made her way towards the hunting grounds, all eyes, including those of the servants and other companions, turned towards her.

Bastian observed that little girl with a suspicious glare. She seemed to be one of the servants of the Herhardt’s family, and despite the beaters trying to coral the girl away, she ignored them and approached Duke Herhardt. Bastian decided that the girl was of no concern to him and turned his attention back to the hunt. Matthias tried to steer the conversation and attention away from the girl, while the beaters handled her.

“Over in the forested area over there are where the deer usually can be found,” Matthias said and the hunting party started to move off in that direction. The winds began to stir, ushering in a fleeting moment of calmness that made everyone to draw closer together.

Above, the vast expanse of a cloudless, azure sky served as a serene backdrop. Bastian’s gaze turned slowly, until he met Matthias’s eyes, creating an unspoken connection between them.

“Major Klauswitz.”

Unexpectedly hearing his own name, Bastian quickly redirected his attention towards the person who had called it, fully engaged once again.

“Yes, your grace?”

Matthias gestured for Bastian to come over and pay attention to the conversation. The atmosphere shifted as every thought it was their duty to also listen in.

Bastian stood side by side with Duke Herhardt, at the back of the hunting party, the others seeing that there was nothing they could gleam from eavesdropping, raced off to the woods were the deer were reported to be.

“Ah, of course.”  Bastian replied with a polite smile

After that, the conversation, momentarily paused, resumed as Riette kickstarted a light-hearted discussion. Soon, the forest was filled with the lively chatter of the hunting party members.

Bastian found himself alongside Matthias, both of them leisurely riding their horses at the rear of the group as others galloped ahead into the thick of the forest. Seizing the opportunity, Bastian and Matthias continued their prior discussion in the peaceful, unhurried setting.