Bastian

“Are you sure?” Theodora asked, with a clipped laugh.

   The news had been delivered by Molly, through her aunt, about Bastian’s current habits. Since his return, she thought that Bastian would divorce Odette, but the reality seemed very different. Rumours were that he was spending every spare minute he had with his wife and that since they had been married for a long time already, they were trying to have kids, start a family.

   “Molly’s words seem to be more than just a rumour, madam,” the maid said, doing her best to defend her niece.

   Theodora sighed and went to stand by the window, nodding as she went as if to suggest that she knew all too well. She could see Bastian’s mansion from the window, across the water.

   “It feels like Bastian wants to put the past behind him and simply focus on being with his wife, but she has other ideas. Molly said she was willing to rekindle our connection, but acts like she is going to run away with more than her fair share of everything.

   “I’m sure she is not so dim witted as to do something so stupid, especially after what happened last time she tried to betray Bastian.” Theodora turned around and gestured. Nancy quickly came forward with a tray that had a cigarette and an ashtray on it. “There has to be something else.” Lost in thought for a moment, as she lit her cigarette, Theodora opened the window and blew smoke out into the cold air.

   Odette was no ordinary person. She was still young and naive enough to be easily manipulated, but she was still clever enough to hire a detective to gather evidence in order to save her own skin.  If there was a chance to get closer to Bastian again, there was no way Odette would ally with her. Things had gone wrong from the start.

   It felt like Bastian was content in living happily ever after with a woman that had tried to stab him in the back. He must have gotten a brain injury during his time away.

   “Should we try again with Molly or do you think she has played her part?”

   “No, let Bastian’s wife do what she wants for now,” Theodora said, stubbing out the half smoked cigarette and turning back to her desk. Deep sighs escaped her as she consulted the troubling letter again.

   Ella Von Klein had sent the final ultimatum; set a wedding date by Autumn or she would break off the engagement with Franz. Theodora didn’t blame Ella, in fact, it was surprising that she had been patient up until now.

   Franz was the first person to break the agreement, getting married after a years engagement. He was impatient to start a family, after finishing his successor training and becoming a fully established business man. Fortunately the Klein family had readily agreed and the problems arose soon after.

   Even though he had achieved his goals, Franz still kept coming up with excuses to postpone the wedding. His passion to his fiancee was tepid at best and now rumours were circulating that he planned to call off the engagement for good. It was becoming unbearably humiliating for Ella Von Klein.

   “Do you plan on using that woman as a spy again?” Nancy said cautiously.

   Theodora carefully folded up the letter and put it safely in a draw. “Well, she has already been exposed to the situation for a long time, I doubt she would be of much use now.”

   “Then…”

   “Get rid of her.” There wasn’t a hint of hesitation in Theodora’s voice.

   Even though the fire had been cast at her feet, Franz seemed utterly clueless. He probably hoped the engagement would be called off at this point.

   Franz had been so happy to be Count Klein’s son-in-law, at first anyway, his change of heart can be linked all the way back to when he first met Odette and ever since, he had been trying to ruin his own life. At this point, it could be considered an obsession.

   “Get rid…like Sophie Illis?” The maids voice trembled slightly.

   “Oh my god, Nancy,” Theodora laughed.

   “I’m sorry, madam, I misspoke, forgive me.”

   Theodora watched Nancy grovel with amusement. It had been so long since she had heard that name. She had given that same order back then too. It had been so many years ago.

   “If she really is trying to escape, we should help her. After all, it was me who broke the promise first, so I should repay the debt.”

   Theodora quickly scrawled something on a piece of paper, folded it up, sealed it with wax and addressed it to Odette.

   Bastian’s intentions didn’t matter, they couldn’t afford any more delays. To protect Franz, they needed to get rid of Odette as soon as possible and it was not a waste of money to help her along her away, so long as it looked like she left on her own two feet.

   “But madam, what if she has other tricks up her sleeve?” Nancy said, holding the note passed to her.

   Theodora smiled softly, as she cleared away the letter box. “Do you remember the name of the pharmacist?”

   “You mean the apothecary, Mr. Lev?” Nancy’s eyes twinkled.

   Theodora’s smile deepened as she thought about it. It had been such a long time since she had Lev by her side. They had known each other so well and spent so much time together.

   “Lev, yes, that’s right. It was Lev. Nancy, your memory is impeccable. I guess Molly takes after her aunt quite well.”

   Nancy understood the implication. Lev could handle poisons just as well as any medicine. Nancy nodded with a broad smile on her face and turned to leave.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Odette paced around the room restlessly. Her complexion was as pale as a sheet of paper. It had been several days already and nothing had changed. She could definitely feel the familiar pain, but for some reason, there were no other symptoms. Occasionally, when she felt unwell, she would be delayed by a day or two, but her cycle had never been delayed this much.

   It was a bad portents.

   Once Tira’s wedding was finished, and they were safely aboard the emigrant ship, Odette planned to leave right after her. She had memorised the trains heading for Felia, which ran from the port to the central station. She had to fight the desire to leave with Tira, she had to keep her sister at a distance, at least, until the madman had given up chasing her. Felia seemed like the most suitable destination for that.

   There was only ten more days left. Ten more days of praying that things would not slip up. Just ten more days to endure.

   “Madam, its Dora, there’s a call from Miss Byller.”

   At the very moment when her nerves felt like they were at breaking point, Dora came with unexpected news. Odette understood the importance of such a message and ran for the door, flinging it open to a stunned maid on the other side.

   “Ah, sorry Dora.”

   Odette didn’t pause to make sure the maid was not too startled and dashed down the corridor without looking back. By the time she reached the study a second later, she was out of breath.

   “Tira.” Calling out the name down the receiver, with a tremble in her voice, Odette heard sobbing on the other end.

[I’m sorry for my behaviour, sister, I didn’t mean what I said. I was just upset, I didn’t want to accept that we had to part ways like this.]

   “I know, Tira, its fine.” Odette could feel tears burning her eyes.

   [Will you come to my wedding? I don’t blame you if you don’t, but…I still want to start anew, with your blessing.]

   “Yes, yes of course I will come to the wedding,  You said the wedding will be held at Becker’s house, right? Give me the exact address, and I’ll go there…”

   There was a muffled noise that sounded like someone was trying to strangle a drowning cat.

   [The venue, the venue has changed though, did you know?]

   “No, what do you mean, why?”

   [Major Klauswitz sent a message to Nick. He said he would arrange the wedding to be at the fanciest hotel in Carlsbar. He is going to cover all the expenses and asked me to invite you to celebrate, but…why would he keep it a secret from you?]

   The words barely registered in Odette’s mind. Her hand holding the receiver quivered and lost its grip and dropped the phone, shaking started all over her body.

   [Sister? What’s wrong?]

   Odette could hear Tira’s soft voice coming to her from a distance, but her body did not respond. All she could do was collapse to the floor and try and suck in great gasps of air. Odette could see, perhaps this man’s goal wasn’t simply to get a child from her. 

He was prepared to kill her, drying up her blood, 

If so, his plan was proceeding smoothly. 

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Have you returned, master?” said Bastian’s maid as he turned a corner on the third floor. He replied with a nod.

   “I am worried for the mistress, she has not eaten anything and I thought she might have lost her appetite, but it seems like she is simply refusing to eat. She has given orders not to set the table for several days now.”

   Bastian let out a frustrated sigh and turned back around. The maid’s face, which showed genuine concern, held no clues as to why Odette would resort to a hunger strike.

   “It seems like there is something deeply bothering her and I thought that, well, if you could comfort her, master, it might help.”

   “Very well, prepare a meal.”

   “Now? It might be possible to prepare light refreshments, but…”

   “Fine, that will do, bring it to my wife’s room.”

After leaving a calm order, Bastian walked towards Odette’s room. He glanced down at his wristwatch, which showed 11 o’clock.

It wasn’t too late.