Bastian
Chapter 3 - For Dignity

✧For Dignity✧

Bastian breezed down the winding road, leaving the chaos of the city far behind. The strait stretched out before him like a ribbon of silver, glinting in the late afternoon sun. The golden light bathed everything in its warmth, turning the world into a glittering wonderland, beautiful enough to embrace.

He drove a roofless cream-colored convertible, letting himself to melt in the beauty of the landscape. Dressed in a sleek tailcoat, he felt like the king of the road as he pushed the accelerator to the floor.

The magnificent summer estates amazed him profoundly  that littered the terrain as he got closer to the coastal city of Ardene. These residences belonged to the imperial and aristocratic aristocracy, serving as a reminder of the wealth and influence of bygone times. But there has been a change in the city in recent years. The mansions of the nouveau riche now stood beside the stately estates of the old guard as a result of the influx of new money. Due to a change in the balance of power, nobility who couldn’t adapt to the new circumstances were compelled to sell their homes to the highest bidder. His journey’s endpoint, Klauswitz, was one such event.

Bastian entered the Klauswitz family’s estate as the sky to the west started to turn mauve. The magnificently situated northern land, known as the Jewel of the Ardene, was formerly owned by a distinguished family with a lengthy history. It belonged to a noble family with a long history and rich tradition, but the outcome was disgraceful. They could no longer hold the land and it was purchased by Bastian Klauswitz’s father, Jeff Klauswitz, who was known as the railroad king of Berg.

Bastian felt a rush of adrenaline as he thought about the reunion that was about to occur. It had been two months since he last saw him at an award ceremony.

 As he pulled up to the grand entrance of the mansion, a piercing scream caught his attention. “Oh my God, Bastian!” It was his aunt, Maria Gross, who had just arrived in her own carriage. “Did you bring that lump of iron all the way here yourself?” she exclaimed, gesturing to his car.

Bastian beamed as he emerged from the car. He gave the waiting attendant the keys and replied, “As you can see.” He greeted her briefly before leading his aunt up the stairs and into the mansion’s marble-floored foyer. 

When they passed, the line of attendants on either side of the aisle bowed their heads in unison. This time, Bastian decided to behave himself, keeping a respectful silence and a grin as they moved into the giant hall.

“I’m not sure why you’d do anything your father would disapprove of.” His aunt began nagging as she moved away from the housekeepers after a little break.

“I have no idea. Perhaps he might feel sorry for his son who cannot afford a driver.” Bastian beamed brilliantly, in the cast of sunset light that peeked through the window.

Maria Gross looked at her nephew with a look of confusion, taking in his impeccable appearance. The neatly combed hair with pomade and the crisp white bow tie only added to the cool, collected air that was so unique to the Klauswitz family. From his striking facial features to his tall, lean build, and the way he carried himself, everything about Bastian was eerily reminiscent of his father.

The only thing that set him apart was the platinum blonde hair he’d inherited from his mother. It was almost as if he were a mirror image of his father, and yet, his father had rejected him for it. The irony wasn’t lost on Maria.

“If there’s anyone more interested in your fortune than you are, it would be Jeff Klauswitz,” Maria teased Bastian with a sharp wit. Rumors had spread that Bastian had inherited a considerable fortune from his mother’s family, the Illis, but he was notoriously tight-lipped about it. Even those closest to him didn’t know the extent of his wealth. He kept his cards close to his chest, like a Mistry against the world. 

“It’s only an old house and a trust deposit. It can’t be considered a scale of property.” A little, humble smile played on Bastian’s lips as he glanced blankly at his aunt. Maria could have been duped by his performance if she didn’t know the Illis family as well as she did.

Maria drew nearer and her voice became whispered. “I’ll respect your interests if you don’t want to prematurely show your hand. But keep in mind that you are the reason why your grandfather left the hilt in your possession.” The inability to read Bastian’s expression suggested that he didn’t fully get what she was saying. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

To her dismay, Maria wasn’t getting the answers of her quest, so she deftly changed the topic. “I heard there will be an announcement of Franz’s engagement at the party today,” she said. Bastian didn’t seem surprised by this news. His face reflected no hint of emotion.

“Count Klein’s daughter is the other person they talk of, do you know that?”

“Yes.”

“Then you are aware that your father must have had his lips stuck in his ears.” Maria Gross cast a critical glance at the last few stairs.

It was an open secret that even the dogs in the mansion knew that Jeff Klauswitz had nominated his second son, Franz, as his heir. He had always favored Franz, the son of an aristocratic mother, in his quest to raise his own status. Jeff’s happiness must have been at its peak, as Franz was betrothed to the daughter of a high nobleman.

“You too, hurry up and marry the bride who will become your wings. It’s as easy as picking one of the girls ready to throw themselves at you,” Maria said, gripping Bastian’s arm tightly.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind,” Bastian replied with a smile.

“That’s a very believable answer,” Maria let out a soft sigh. “Bastian, if I had to tell you in advance, it would be best not to pay attention to Princess Isabelle at all. Because the emperor will drop you straight down to hell,” she said, her voice serious.

Bastian laughed as if he had heard a bland joke, not taking her advice to heart.

“It’s hard to think about, I know. The emperor will have a different opinion even if you don’t feel anything for the princess”. Maria Gross took the final step up with a troubled look on her face.

Everyone in society was aware of the fact that Bastian Klauswitz, who had been chosen as an outstanding cadet that year, had captured the heart of the eldest princess of Berg, who had visited the naval college with her father, the emperor. She was aware of her impending death to the extent of her fledgling love, but the princess was still battling her feelings since.

“Didn’t the emperor see his sister, blinded by immature love and ruined her life? It would be hard for him to make a rational decision if he thought that his daughter might end up living a life like Princess Helen’s,” Maria said, her words ringing in Bastian’s ears.

Helen was a doomed princess. The memoirs of her, flooded back to Bastian’s as her aunt mentioned her name. He remembered the beggar Duke of the gambling board mentioning that name as well. 

Could it be that he was the husband of Princess Helen?

The story of a woman who secretly fell in love with her lover just before her engagement to the Crown Prince Lovita and ran away from the night peninsula was a common subject in cheap novels and plays. It was also a favorite of scammers who pretended to be her.

“Bastian?” Maria Gross called out his name softly as she stopped in her tracks while he got lost in the dump of his thoughts. 

“There will be nothing to worry about,” Bastian replied, his face relaxed and almost arrogant. He knew that marriage in this world was an excellent business opportunity, a lesson painfully learned by his father through his two marriages.

If he had to sell himself, he was determined to make the most profit. He could be cold and calculating, reconsidering his options. The immature princess had long been erased from his list of possibilities.

Maria Gross nodded in satisfaction and they continued on their way, making their way through a long hallway. Soon they arrived at the drawing room, where they could hear the exaggerated laughter of the guests and the sweet melody of chamber music.

Bastian entered the drawing room via the doorway with a confident smile on his face.

For the sake of Klauswitz’s honor, the revelation of news of the engagement tonight seemed better neglected.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“What if we use a log to block that door?” Tira suggested, her gaze fixed on the door to her father’s bedroom.

Odette paused in her work, looking up at her sister. The elegant and sophisticated half-finished lace veil seemed out of place in this rundown rental home. “What happens if you close the door?”

Tira shrugged, “I don’t really care what happens to father once he’s locked in that space. In fact, I prefer it that way.” 

“Tira.” Odette’s voice drenched with grief as she watched her sister’s tears spill over with anger.

“I can endure his drinking and gambling habits.  I’m used to it now, but I will never forgive him for what he did to my sister,” Tira cried out in anger.

With a quiet sigh, Odette stood up from her seat and walked over to Tira, offering her a comforting embrace. Tira let out a sad cry as if she had been waiting for comfort, as Odette held her tightly.

Odette had wanted to keep it a secret from Tira, but her father had ruined everything in the end. He had been quiet for a while, but it was only because he had been drinking himself into oblivion again. When Odette’s patience worn out, her father had told Tira about the nightmare of the night. It was a weak excuse, stemming from a sense of self-justification.

Did anything actually happen when he returned, though?

Odette lost all hope when she saw her proud father speaking in such a brazen manner.

The man who claimed to have won that obscene gambling game was the only reason Odette was able to survive. She was only allowed to leave after the officer humiliated her to the point of lifting the veil and revealing her face, keeping his word. His father did nothing but weep recklessly.

“Can I speak to His Majesty the Emperor about this?” Tira stopped sobbing and lifted her damp face to look at Odette. “Before he harms you again, let’s seek help from our uncle to assist you. Perhaps such a plea will be heard by His Majesty. You are nonetheless His Majesty’s niece.”

“That is not possible.” Odette tightly embraced Tira’s face as she firmly shook her head. Odette’s demanding voice was accompanied by an unusual lack of patience.

The daughter of a bug who had ruined her sister’s life, Odette knew all too well that she was nothing more than contemptible to the emperor. She knew that the pensions for the imperial family were the last courtesy to the bloodline left by the princess. If her father’s atrocities that dishonored the imperial family were to become known, they might lose even that.

“Come and wash your face. Let’s go,” Odette said impulsively as she looked at Tira’s tear-streaked face. She felt that staying in this house would only lead to more harm than good. Odette didn’t want to let her life and Tira’s life go down like that.

“Let’s go downtown. Take a walk and have dinner,” Odette suggested.

“Right away?’ Tira’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Why not?” Odette replied with a calm determination, cutting off Tira’s half-spoken concerns about money. Her gaze left no room for further explanation.

Tira, torn between the bedroom where her drunken father lay asleep and her sister’s face, finally made a dash for the bathroom. The sound of her hurried footsteps diluted the despair and sorrow that weighed heavy on their home.

As Tira cleaned up the traces of her tears, Odette prepared to leave the house. She donned her hat and gloves, and retrieved the emergency fund she had saved from selling her lace. She also remembered to put a small pocket knife in her purse.

“How do I look, sister?” Tira asked, her face slightly nervous, as she stood in front of Odette.

Odette carefully examined her sister’s attire, smoothing out the pleats on her skirt and adjusting the collar. Finally, when Odette had finished tweaking her hair, she nodded in approval. Tira’s face broke into a relieved smile, her spirits lifted.

Odette and Tira left their old house by the river. Their soft footsteps echoed in the clear purple twilight path.

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