Bastian

“Even if she gets married and has children, she will still be as stubborn as ever. It seems like I will be laid out in the coffin before Isabelle becomes obedient.” Countess Trier said sharply, projecting her voice over the din of the rattling carriage.

   “It’s alright, Countess,” a faint smile appeared on Odette’s face. The countess collapsed her fan and clucked her tongue.

   Isabelle, accompanied by her husband and son, paid a visit to Berg, where she received a grand reception, marking it as her first stately visit as Princess Belov, quickly followed by an evening ball.

   “It seems so, somehow,” the countess said, examining Odette with some concern.

   Odette had received an invitation to the ball and replied that she would not be attending due to health reasons, but Isabelle’s stubbornness refused to take no for an answer and so Odette found herself in a carriage bound for the palace.

   Isabelle’s insistence had a reason, she wanted to liquidate their past in front of everyone. It seemed like the empress had yielded to her daughters demands.

   “You should have followed your husband, its plain to see that Isabelle is just taking advantage of his absence to mistreat you.”

   Even though the Countess was clearly upset and infuriated by the situation, Odette couldn’t help but laugh.

   “I don’t see why you and Bastian had to separate like this, when your affection for one another is so clear. How can love letters be enough?”

   “Bastian just wanted me to live in peace,” Odette said, wiping cold sweat from her brow with a handkerchief.

   “Just look at yourself, dear, how can you call this living in peace?”

   “It was just a little cold.”

   “Nonsense, the fever is rising so high that your doctor could have fired an egg on you, yet you still deny it. How many times must this happen before you take it seriously?”

   It was true that Odette’s heath had been rapidly deteriorating since the start of summer, but she was never really in good health to begin with. The countess worried about what lay ahead for Odette.

   “Even if she is the Empress’ daughter, its no excuse to be parading around a sickly child for her own amusement.”

   “The Empress has been quite considerate, once Isabelle is done, I will return home.”

   “Ah, really…” the countess frowned at Odette, unable to understand how Odette could be so nonchalant.

   Odette sighed as she looked out the window. The carriage was moving through the turning intersections adorned with marble fountains. High atop the magnificent buildings in the distance, a shimmering trident, which symbolised the god of the sea, caught her attention.

   She fixated upon the navel castle, its grey hues glowing in the setting sun. Young officers would be making their way home right now, eager to be in the warmth of their homes and their partners arms.

   Odette saw a young woman sat by the fountain. She rose quickly, adjusting her attire and flushing a pink colour that was not from the suns late rays.

   “I bet you can’t wait to see him again,” the countess said. “Do you yearn for your heartless husband, even though he hasn’t taken any time for you in the last two years?”

   “It’s not like that,” Odette said, shaking her head. She watched as the woman hugged a young man in the dark blue of the navy uniform. “It’s just been hard for him to find the time. He had a lot of duties that takes him away a lot of the time, he will take a vacation when he is able.”

   “Do you really think that everything will come crashing down because one officer decided to take a little break to be with his wife? His career has consumed him and unfortunately, you have been pushed aside,” the countess snorted. “If your husband truly had a mind to, he would come to see you, no matter what.”

   “I have no doubt about that.”

   “You’re smart…”

   “I couldn’t meet him because things weren’t going well. Bastian was always so kind and devoted, taking care of my father and my sister.”

   “You really don’t like it when people insult your husband, do you, even when its the truth.” The countess flashed a mischievous smile.

   Despite the misunderstanding, Odette chose not to argue and resolved to being the committed wife, while also worrying about the consequences of a divorce would have. She realised it was beyond her control.

   As the palace drove into view, Odette took out a small vial from her bag, the medicine Doctor Kramer has prescribed. With the countess unravelling her shawl, Odette downed the contents in one gulp.

   Odette, the hero’s wife and the Imperial Lady both took a deep breath, contemplating the nights mission. The imperial palace, visible through the window, was adorned with brilliant lights that seemed to illuminate the very sky.

   Odette stepped forth from the carriage with a confidence and a smile, embracing the lights that pushed back the evenings gloom.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The military port on Trosa Island, located at its southern shores, was home to the North Sea Fleet. With its spacious facilities and dull grey colours, it was normally a sombre place, but today was different.

   “We will be there in about fifteen minutes, Major.” A nervous voice caught Bastian’s attention. He turned his attention from the window to the driver, who visibly swallowed.

   Bastian gave a nod, but didn’t say anything, refocusing on the paper he had been reading, before the world outside distracted him. It was Thomas Mueller’s report, which was unusually thick. Bastian took his time to go over the details.

He’s ready to start a new round. It was clear on one thing, if the last war was nothing more than a disturbance, this time was verging on an all out war. Something Bastian favoured more, as the lines of engagement were a lot clearer to follow.

   Once the report was done, Bastian moved on to the next document, which was about Odette and her recent activities. He examined this one closely. It was a glimpse into the competence of the constabulary. Well organised and meticulous in its details about the status of Odette’s father and sister.

   As always, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

   Other than being his wife, Odette’s life was rather plain and unexciting. She went about her duties as she should and nothing much more. She spent most of her time within the walls of the Ardennes mansion, keeping a very small social circle, with little interaction between Theodora and her son Franz.

   On the last page of the thin report, there was a picture of Odette and Franz attending a special exhibition at the museum, an opening ceremony from the previous month. Odette was admiring the paintings, while Franz was admiring her. Nothing problematic, but no doubt scandal would arise from it.

   An affair with her husbands half-brother.

   If only that was reason enough to get divorced and if only Theodora’s desperate engagement with Count Klein could be destroyed.

  While sorting through the reports, they pulled up to a checkpoint, beyond which the port teemed with activity. Once identities were confirmed, the driver swiftly navigated toward the dock there the transport ship waited.

Glancing at his wristwatch, Bastian gracefully stepped out of the car. The calm North Sea, devoid of wind and waves, shimmered in a chilling shade of blue.

   There was a good half-hour until departure.