Bastian
Chapter 40 - Let's make an effort to win this time

✧Let’s make an effort to win this time✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Odette peered through the window nervously as the vehicle descended more into the mountain’s interior. Even under the brightest of skies, the dense grove of conifers that surrounded them emanated a foreboding air. In stark contrast to the oppressive heat they had left behind at the mountain’s base, a cool breeze whistled through the sky-piercing trees, evoking an unearthly mood.

The hush of the dense forest enveloped them, broken only by the measured hum of the car’s engine. Odette’s words pierced the stillness like a dagger, infused with caution and uncertainty. “Do we have the right way?” she asked, the first words to escape her lips since their departure from Ardene.

Bastian maneuvered the curving road with ease, his gaze fixed straight ahead and his chin inclined just a little. Odette couldn’t help but be annoyed by his callous attitude, as if she were nothing more than an annoying insect, even though she didn’t let it show. She told herself, “Don’t think about it,” and her eyes returned to the world beyond her window.

“Does a villa possibly exist in this area?” Odette wondered to herself. Yet she was skeptical, and decided against asking any more questions. In any way, talking to him seemed totally pointless.

In a blink of an eye, the dreaded weekend had arrived, forcing her to face the man she wished to avoid. However, there was a glimmer of comfort in the fact that they had been invited to the Demels’ villa in the neighboring city. This invitation meant that they wouldn’t have to endure each other’s company for long stretches of time. With this in mind, she believed that she could manage the situation as long as the man cooperated, and she was determined to do her part.

Odette closed the book she had only just begun reading with a quiet sigh. She deeply wished she had a servant with her instead of her so-called husband. Sadly, Bastian had insisted on taking the wheel himself. He claimed that the Demel’s family had enough staff and they didn’t need his own vehicle. Consequently, the maid and servant who were prepared to go with them were left behind.

The man in question had led a more aristocratic life than any other aristocrat, yet he possessed a surprisingly unpretentious and pragmatic demeanor. Some ridiculed this as a sign of lowly bloodline, but Odette viewed it as a highly commendable trait. However, her current feelings towards him did not align with this perspective.

“Ohh…”

Odette let out a soft exclamation when their car emerged from the shadowy embrace of the coniferous forest.

Bastian cast a quick glance at his wife, who was hastily rolling down the car window, and was now staring at the Demel family’s magnificent villa with a look of rapturous enchantment. The villa was renowned for its breathtaking view, and it seemed that Odette, like many before her, was completely under its spell.

Bastian slowed down the car as they drove down the driveway leading to the villa.

The water’s gleaming surface could be glimpsed beyond the rows of birch trees. The villa’s most prized possession was a lake that was formed when glaciers melted. The surrounding tall mountains were completely white from the yearly snowfall, which did not melt even in the middle of July.

The colors of objects here seemed especially rich and vibrant, perhaps as a result of the clean air. The fresh greenery, high and blue sky, and warm smile on the cold woman’s face all complemented one other.

Odette’s protest had been utterly absurd at this point. Bastian let out a laugh at its ridiculousness. It seemed that her objections had melted away like candle’s wax with the appearance of a single, stunning view.

Odette was a fanciful woman who often smiled with an air of pure innocence, much like a child whose eyes gleam with a sense of wonder and amazement, eager to explore and marvel at the world around them. Yet, as always, this flickering light faded as soon Bastian met her eyes. 

With eyes as wide and startled as a rabbit’s, Odette quickly averted her gaze from Bastian’s. Just then, the car pulled up in front of the villa, where the Demel family’s servants were waiting already. 

“Please do your part well today.” He said with a serious and intimidating tone.

While preparing to exit the car, Bastian reminded Odette of her role as his wife, chiding her as if scolding an immature child.

“I understand,” Odette replied with a hint of defiance. “I’ll do my best to be a ruthless winner. But before we begin, I have a question for you, Bastian.”

Despite her sharp retort, Odette maintained a facade of polite formality, unwilling to let her guard down.

“Go ahead.” 

“Is the advice to win by any means necessary still applicable when the opponent is you?” Odette asked, raising her metaphorical claws once again, though she knew it would be of no use. “I suppose I’ll have to rely on you for the answer since I’m not allowed to do the thinking.”

Looking at her with an amused and indulgent expression, Bastian laughed at her clumsy attempt to assert herself as an equal opponent, once again.

“Let’s make an effort to win this time. It might actually be fun,” He replied arrogantly before stepping out of the driver’s seat. Just then, the Marquis and Marchioness of Demel emerged, signaling their arrival.

Bastian gave a gentle sigh and courteously opened the passenger’s door, gesturing for Odette to take his hand. She followed his lead, perceptive and cooperative as ever.

“You both look absolutely stunning today! Like newlyweds, I must say!” Admiral Demel’s laughter boomed through the warm summer air as he observed the couple.

Casting a quick glance at each other, Odette and Bastian beamed with genuine affection, basking in the admiral’s compliment.

The couple, newlyweds of only a month, looked every bit like a pair of love-drunk bride and groom. Their appearance perfectly suited their roles, lost in a dreamy state of love and sheer fondness. 

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The young Count made a dramatic entrance as the final guest to arrive at the villa. He was accompanied solely by his young daughter, cradled in the arms of her nanny.

Marchioness Demel took the opportunity to introduce Odette to the Count, just as her husband Bastian had gone off hunting with the other guests. The two met in a moment that felt almost cinematic, surrounded by the lush beauty of the villa’s surroundings.

In a voice that rang with eloquence, the Marchioness of Demel introduced the Count to Odette. “May I present to you, Count Xanders. A relative of our family and a distinguished scholar who is currently studying botany at the University of Ratz,” she said, gesturing towards the young man. She then turned towards the nanny holding the young daughter, “And this is Mrs. Klauswitz, the wife of Captain Klauswitz, a naval hero and my husband’s favorite subordinate. They were just recently married last month.” With a gracious smile, she brought the three of them together, creating an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie.

With a gentle smile, Count Xanders greeted Odette and congratulated her on her recent marriage. “Maxime von Xanders. Mrs. Klauswitz, congratulations on your marriage.” His demeanor exuded both intelligence and warmth, making him seem every bit the scholarly gentleman that he was known to be.

“Odette Klauswitz. Thank you, Count.” Odette gave her a greeting that was flawlessly seamless despite the fact that it was a name she was not used to hearing often.

Marchioness Demel guided Count Xanders to the table under the pergola, she gestured for him to take a seat facing Odette. “This way, Maxime,” 

Only when the nanny had left the room with his sleeping daughter and gone into the mansion did the young scholar turn his attention to the tea and snacks, it was clearly visible how much he loved and cared for his daughter.

After a minute of interruption, the conversation around the tea table naturally resumed. Count Xanders, the final person to arrive at the social event after a lengthy absence, served as the topic’s main character.

Odette attentively listened to the cheerful chatter around the table while sipping the tea delicately.  It wasn’t until Count Xanders mentioned his recent return from an overseas research trip that she realized why his name had been unfamiliar to her in the high society circles of the capital.

“When Maxime returned to Berg, he hardly attended social gatherings, which led to speculations that he might have been afflicted with a serious illness,” Marchioness Demel remarked. Count Xanders, when confronted by the Marchioness, merely shook his head with a bashful grin.

“I wanted to prioritize spending time with my young daughter, whom I’ve been away from for some time. Children grow up so quickly, you see. This time won’t come again, so every day is precious and worthwhile.” His soothing tone and gentle demeanor radiated comfort and ease reminiscent of a warm summer afternoon, and his eyes, expressions, and subtle movements conveyed the same sentiment.

“Count Xanders has a gentle and charming demeanor,” complimented one of the guests.

“He is a wonderful father and sets an excellent example for those who neglect their family duties.” The Marchioness added.

Another guest jokingly suggested, “Perhaps we should gather all the hunting party attendees and have Count Xanders give them a lesson on fatherhood.”

Count Xanders’ ears began to slightly blush as compliments began to flood in from all directions. Odette noticed it and her lips curled into a soft smile. The man, a botanist, exuded a vibe resembling the subject he studied.

Odette lowered her voice, curious about Count Xanders’ wife. “But isn’t Countess Xanders with him, where is she?” 

The lieutenant colonel’s wife, sitting beside her, let out a startled look and slapped Odette on the arm. “Please do not mention the Countess’s name. She passed away during childbirth, and it was a great loss for Count Xanders. He went through a lot of pain and grief because he deeply loved his wife. Thankfully, he is finding solace in their daughter, who bears a striking resemblance to her mother.” Sᴇaʀch* Thᴇ NƟvelFɪre.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“Ah, I see…”  Odette’s countenance became clouded with shock as she learned of the tragic fate of Countess Xanders. She was at a loss for words, only managing to utter a brief in response to the lieutenant colonel’s wife. Just then, the group of hunters returned, their boisterous footsteps shattering the peacefulness of the summer afternoon.

With his hair tousled and sweat dampening his platinum locks, Bastian arrived at the tea table. He flashed a charming smile and extended his hand to Odette, who took it without flinching, despite the lingering scent of animal blood and gunpowder on him.

Marchioness Demel, a skilled hostess, made her way to introduce her guests with a bright smile. “Captain Klauswitz and Count Xanders, I believe this is the first time you two have met?” she inquired.

Bastian Klauswitz extended his hand for a handshake, introducing himself after the hostess’s introduction. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Bastian Klauswitz.” 

Although it was considered inappropriate for a person of lower class to initiate a handshake, Count Xanders showed no signs of offense. He appeared to be someone who valued sincerity over formalities. “It’s a pleasure to meet the hero you see in the newspapers, Captain Klauswitz.”

Bastian and Count Xanders exchanged pleasantries with a cordial handshake, and the Count expressed his admiration for the heroic feats Bastian had accomplished, as reported in the newspapers. The two men, who hardly resembled one another and appeared to be of another species, had Odette’s attention in a blank stare.

Her heart once yearned for a partner as comforting as the sun’s warm embrace, a tranquil union akin to a gentle stream flowing peacefully. A love that blossoms from friendship, creating a haven of comfort and solace for each other. But fate had other plans, and she found herself masquerading as the spouse of a man who was the polar opposite of her aspirations.

Odette’s eyes darted away, and she felt a peculiar sensation in her chest. The sun was descending behind the towering snow-capped peaks, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink.

As she gazed upon the breathtaking scenery, it dawned on her that she had traveled a great distance to get here. 

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