Bastian
Chapter 7 - Like a Searing Beam of Light.

✧Like a Searing Beam of Light.✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian was taken by surprise by what he saw for a brief period of time.

He questioned whether everything was merely a deception of the brilliant spring sun or it was a hallucination. But as the seconds passed and the light did not change, he realized that what he was witnessing was real.

He lowered his gaze slowly and took in the appearance of the unknown woman seated in front of him. His winning stake that night. She was the woman sold to pay off her father’s gambling debts.  Bastian knew that was impossible, but he didn’t push the issue any further.

The manager, who had been paying close attention, approached with a cautious question. “Is there a problem, by any chance?” Bastian didn’t answer, instead, he raised his gaze and looked out over the terrace railing.

The garden was magnificent, with flower beds arranged in geometric patterns and marble fountains. He recognized it as the garden of the Reinfeld Hotel.  Walls were decorated with plaster vines, and shadows cast from hanging shrub flower pots onto a table placed against a landscape backdrop. The manager stood out from the crowd with his unusual mustache and white hair.

Bastian’s gaze returned to the woman, taking in the details that confirmed he was not mistaken about the location. Her eyes, large and round, were clearer and more vividly blue-green than he remembered. 

The memory of the nickname for the man who had gambled away his daughter – the Beggar Duke – caused Bastian’s eyes to narrow in disgust. The thought occurred to him – what if all the lies the man had told were true? Though it seemed impossible, it was the only explanation for this confounding situation.

“Hi…Captain?” The manager’s voice broke the silence, his eyes filled with uncertainty.

“No.” Bastian straightened his posture, giving a succinct reply. The manager, relieved, quietly excused himself. 

The fantasy music in the hotel lounge reached its crescendo. Odette held her breath, overcome with the same hopeless fear as the night she was sold. Heartbeats pounding fast in time synching the piano melodies. A small smile played at the corner of the man’s mouth as he looked at her. The shadow of his officer’s hat obscured half of his face, but Odette could see the bitter ridicule in his expression.

“Are you Bastian Klauswitz.” As Odette was consumed by a feeling of humiliation that made her head spin, the man slowly removed his hat.

“I notice that Lady Odette and I have met before.”

The blue eyes and perfectly coiffed platinum hair scratched Odette’s eyesight like a searing beam of light.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian’s carefree glance switched from the garden fountain to Odette as the performer left the stage and the piano began to play once more, filling the narrow space between them with melodious sounds.

She was still looking down at the end of the table with a blank expression and was just as pale as the night he had won her. A dry chuckle came to his lips as he recalled stealing the emperor’s niece from the real Duke, reinforcing the ridiculousness of the circumstance.

He was only aware of the Duke of Dyssen’s status as a fallen aristocrat. Bastian didn’t think much of the information, so he didn’t feel compelled to look into it more.

As he sipped his moderately chilled tea, Bastian couldn’t help but wonder if he should have been more cautious. But even if he had known in advance, he couldn’t have disobeyed the emperor. The emperor knew that, so he could have pushed forward with this ridiculous marriage proposal.

Eventually, Odette raised her head and asked in a calm voice, “Did you know everything from the start?” Her expression was as cold as it had been that night, all traces of confusion erased.

“No, Lady Odette,” Bastian replied. He gave a gentle head shake and placed the teacup he was holding on the surface. The intentional use of force produced an audible and distinct sound.

“Sadly, my imagination isn’t strong enough to believe that the father who sold his daughter to a back alley gambling den is a real Duke and that the stake I gained there is the Emperor’s niece. I’m surprised to see you in this same position again.” In an effort to be courteous, Bastian slightly lifted the corners of his lips.

Odette was perplexed at first, but she quickly collected herself in no time. Even somewhat cold, those eyes were staring at him. She had a life of extreme poverty, yet she was still a woman who didn’t appear to have lost sight of her proud class consciousness.

‘Now that I think about it, the woman was that way that evening.’ Bastian thought to himself.

Where prayer and pleading had failed to clear the thick air of confusion and embarrassment, she instead spoke to him with a regal authority. As he learned of her noble lineage, he began to understand the woman’s bravery. 

The empty pride of the powerless,  an attitude that Bastian detested to the core.

You’ve got to be kidding. He said to himself.

The memory of that night became increasingly confusing as he thought about the marriage proposal. Bastian stared at the woman with a look of deep disappointment. The price he had paid for winning was the daughter of a beggar duke. He didn’t want to waste his emotions on this any more than was necessary.

The emperor, who couldn’t win but yet wanted to accomplish many things, was likely somewhere else. Bastian simply stared at the woman, his eyes fixed on her as the steam from his tea cup dissipated. Meanwhile, one song ended and another began, a beautiful yet boring and worthless melody, much like the woman sitting before him.

“I beg you to decline this marriage prospect.” Odette struggled to get her words out after finishing her thought. “Please inform His Majesty that you do not approve of me, Captain.”

Odette posed yet another courteous request as she turned to face Bastian, who was still silent. As soon as their eyes matched for the first time, she realized it. She was hated by Bastian Klauswitz, and he had no intention of marrying her for a surprising miracle.

The hope that the Countess Trier had spoken of never existed. As she came to realize this, a feeling of unbearable shame and humiliation washed over her.

The sudden marriage proposal was daunting, but at the same time, she felt a flicker of cautious anticipation. Even with such a rejection, she could not give up on her last unfulfilled wish. It felt as though the man known as a hero was a beacon of salvation shining through her hopeless life.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of doing that, Lady Odette,” Bastian said calmly, conveying his intention to refuse.

Odette, taken aback by the unexpected answer, hesitated, she sat upright. The decorations symbolizing his rank and position shone brilliantly on his pure white uniform, intimidating in their splendor.

“Are you aware of the public speculations about the Dyssen?” Bastian unexpectedly posed an inquiry in a low-pitched voice.

Odette finally said, struggling to move her lips, “I…I don’t know.”

“Then, why do you suppose I arrived here?“ His tone was unsuitable for speaking with a woman as he inquired with a hint of a riddle.

Odette called out his rudeness, “It would be good if you could quit talking in riddles, Captain.” Bastian raised his gaze and nodded coolly while checking the watch on his wrist.

“It means that I am making every effort to uphold the Emperor’s loyalty.”

“Do you not intend to accept this marriage proposal, I presume?”

Bastian smiled hazily and said, “I’m sorry, but that doesn’t seem to be an option.“

Odette could feel her cheeks burning like a hot stove, yet she did not give up and endured the embarrassing situation.

“I want us to act out the role of a couple that has made a commitment to wed until Princess Isabelle gets married.” Bastian said. 

“I do not intend to assist in misleading the imperial family as well.” Odette responded.

Bastian teased her, “I think you’ve misunderstood something, but that’s probably what the Emperor wants,” in an incredibly courteous manner.

A shield to shield the princess.

Odette knew that was the job that had been assigned to her; she wasn’t that naive. He must have had a motive for coming here though, just like her who is also here for a reason. She once more pretended to be moral on this subject. It was an appalling move, nonetheless.

“As you can see, I’m a soldier, and the emperor rules the empire militarily. I comply with his orders, Lady Odette.”

“Don’t you consider the gossip that will circulate and the harm your reputation in the meantime?”

“It makes no difference. In any case, I’m not a gentleman.” Bastian’s lips corners twitched slightly in a pout.

Bastian would do anything to protect what was his, relishing in the beautiful gifts bestowed upon him by the emperor by divine chance. This marriage proposal was no exception a deal that was too good to refuse.

“If you dislike me so much that you don’t want to see me again, I suggest Lady Odette go see the emperor yourself. I believe the emperor would listen to his beloved niece, who he had to step in to find a husband for rather than listen to a lowly naval officer like myself, don’t you think?” Bastian remained politely plausible even as he spoke words that crushed her heart,

Odette felt her eyes burn, but she did not avoid his gaze. A slender shaft of sunlight sliced through the awning’s cover and separated the two people who were still staring at each other.

“If you’re not going to do that, then I guess we’ve come to a decision.” After straightened up his uniform, Bastian ended the meeting by grabbed his officer’s hat on the table.

“One moment, please!” Odette exclaimed urgently as she watched him stand up. She knew there were many eyes upon them, but that didn’t matter anymore.

Odette approached Bastian, an envelope clutched in her hand. Recognizing the meaning behind her politely presented request, Bastian let out a sincere laugh for the first time since their tea time began. “Don’t tell me you’re going to pay for the tea?” Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NøᴠᴇlFire.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Yes, I don’t want to drink tea that is paid by the captain,” Odette replied. The blush conquered her cheeks and spread to her neck and earlobes before she knew it, but Odette still maintained her upright pride posture.

A wind blew through the hotel’s garden in between them. Bastian slowly lowered his eyes and looked at Odette. The gentle woman in his way bore the pleasant smell of spring flowers. It was a quiet afternoon, so peaceful you could almost hear the petals rustling in the breeze.

“Save your money,” Bastian let out a low sigh and put on his hat. “It wouldn’t be a bad idea to add to the Duke’s gambling fund, so that I won’t see the you there again.”

“What is that?” Odette asked, taken aback by his words.

“You lucked out to be sold to me that day, but there is no guarantee you’ll have such luck next time,” Bastian rebuked her as if she were an immature child. Despite his soft voice, his eyes shone with a chilling glow from beneath the brim of his cap, that sent shivers down her spine.

Odette felt overwhelmed by his presence for a moment. She knew she had to say something, but she didn’t have the confidence to do so properly. Odette had no choice but to stand there and take Bastian’s disdainful glance down her from an overwhelming advantage.

She never ever wanted to see this man again.

As that earnest wish turned into tears, he smiled slowly. “I anticipate our next meeting in a place befitting you, a lady of noble lineage,” Bastian said, leaving an elegant goodbye before turning around. 

Odette, standing rigidly upright, her eyes welling with tears as she glanced at his back. 

The man walked straight through the middle of the room and out the front door of the lounge without turning around once.

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