Bastian

Odette gazed at the pasture with a slightly puzzled expression. Several horses were casually roaming around the vast meadow that was enclosed by a white fence. Although she knew the stable was located around the area, it was her first time visiting it.

“Master, madam, are you here?” called out the stable workers as they hurried to greet them.

As Bastian conversed with the stable keeper, Odette took a closer look at the pasture. Although she didn’t know much about horses, it was evident to her that all the horses in the stable had exceptional pedigrees.

Odette was awestruck by the sight before her, but Bastian’s voice calling her name brought her back to reality. As she approached her husband, the stable keeper arrived with a snow-white horse.

“This is Shune, madam,” the stable keeper informed Odette. “She’s a three-year-old mare, but very docile and clever. You won’t find it difficult to handle.” After the brief explanation, Bastian was handed the reins.

“Let me know if you don’t feel confident. I’ll buy you a pony to practice on.” Bastian said.

Odette shook her head and walked towards the white mare. “I learned to ride horses when I was a child, but it’s been a long time, so I might have lost the feel of it.”

“When was the last time you rode a horse?” 

“I think it’s been about six years.” She fed a sugar cube to the horse offered by a stable worker, displaying her natural ease in handling the animal. It appeared that teaching her the basics would not be necessary as she seemed quite adept at it.

“There are no saddles available for women. Are you all right with that? “Bastian asked

“Yes. I’ve previously ridden in her father’s saddle. Although my mother detested it, I preferred it that way.” Odette rubbed the horse’s mane while softly grinning. Bastian was made aware of who this woman was by the sight.

Her mother was a princess even though she was a sinner and lived in exile.

If Duke Dyssen had not succumbed to his vain greed, she would have led a life of comfort, supported by the money raised by selling her jewels and the favor of her relatives abroad. As a distinguished hostess of a prestigious aristocratic family or even as the Queen of a foreign royal family, the future that Duke Dyssen had envisioned for his daughter could have been within her reach.

“All right, let’s take a ride.” Bastian flashed a glance after getting rid of his pointless thoughts, and the stable keeper moved the footrest.

Odette mounted the horse with ease, despite her improper attire. Her movements were graceful and nimble, and her posture was impeccable, revealing her natural athleticism.

As Bastian led the horse with Odette on its back, they walked slowly through the pasture. At first, Odette appeared nervous, but soon she regained her confidence from her childhood memories. The horse seemed to have no problem carrying her weight and even seemed to enjoy it.

Bastian moved away from the action and stood back to observe. Odette took the reins and slowly guided the horse around the huge meadow. She felt considerably more assured by the time she made it back to Bastian’s side.

“It appears that the madam is not in need of a pony.” The eyes of the stable staff widened as they noticed Odette progressively gaining speed.

“I believe we’ve practiced enough. How do you feel about it?” Bastian proposed.

 Odette’s eyes widened with surprise and joy, resembling that of a child receiving an unexpected gift. In response, Bastian motioned with his chin, prompting the workers to open the fence gate.

“Go ahead and run free,” 

Bastian  directed his gaze towards the other side of the road that led into the forest. As Odette’s eyes fixated in that direction, a mixture of excitement and apprehension was visible in her expression. 

“You don’t have to worry, Odette. I’ll follow behind you.”

As Bastian calmly reassured her, Odette’s expression transformed into one of relief. Her smile, unguarded and fresh, conveyed a sense of liberation, a departure from the burden of worldly concerns that had previously weighed her down.

Without hesitation, she took hold of the reins and urged her horse to pass through the wide-open gate. Gradually increasing their pace, they ventured deeper into the forest until Odette began to run with fervor. Bastian, observing her abandon all conventions, understood why she had no regard for riding in a lady’s saddle.

Over the wooded path lined with trees rising far into the sky, the sound of horses’ hooves started to reverberate. The branches with overgrown leaves rippled as the birds took flight after being startled by the presence. The shadows cast by the sunlight moved in time with that beat, resembling the intricate lace that Odette meticulously wove each night.

In order to gain a wide-angle perspective of the surroundings, Bastian kept a close enough distance as he followed Odette. The ribbons holding her hair in place came undone right as the breeze started to carry a stronger sea scent.

Like a bird taking flight, the white ribbon soared through the air and quickly vanished into the dense forest. Odette, caught off guard by its sudden departure, slowed her pace and turned her head in its direction. Realizing it was irretrievable, she refocused her attention ahead and continued her run.

The striking contrast between her luscious black tresses and pristine white attire heightened the significance of the moment, etching it into memory.

Bastian glanced at Odette, who had suddenly become alien, and his eyes progressively grew smaller. In the meantime, the forest’s edge was drawing near. Odette was running towards the light and he made the hasty decision to catch up with her.

The two horses simultaneously stepped into the brilliant sunlight and began running side by side. Horse hooves galloping along with the soft sound of the waves lapping against the sandy beach.

As they rode along the trail that followed the border between the woodland and the sea, Bastian’s attention was fixed on the woman who shone like the sun the entire time.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Theodora gingerly broke the seal on the envelope. The words scrawled inside were a chaotic jumble of misspelled words and illegible handwriting, but she managed to glean some sense of the message.

“It’s fanciful, not at all like Bastian,” remarked Theodora with a chuckle, as she meticulously perused the letter that had been handed to her by the maid.

After some time had passed, Bastian finally settled into his grandiose new mansion and began ostentatiously sharing his bed with his wife, as if flaunting their intimacy for all to see. This was the essence of the tale, replete with vivid descriptions of their extravagant displays of affection, which were both astonishing and nonsensical.

The news may not have been precisely what was anticipated, but it did serve to validate the efficacy of the spy who had been planted next to Bastian’s wife. This information would prove useful in the foreseeable future.

“Your recommendation was spot on, and I’m glad I followed it. Nancy, your niece Molly is exceptionally astute. I’m delighted with her,” exclaimed Theodora, as she discarded the shredded letter and commended the diligent efforts of her maid, beaming with a gentle smile.

The countenance of the other maid, who stood alongside her, soured visibly, but Theodora paid her no heed.

These two seasoned maids had been faithful servants of the family since their parents’ time, and they played a significant role in eliminating the daughter of the antique dealer, who happened to be Bastian’s biological mother. With their unswerving loyalty and invaluable contributions, it was evident that they were now entirely devoted to Theodora.

In their zealous pursuit of their mistress’s favor, the two maids had become fierce adversaries, but this cutthroat rivalry worked to Theodora’s advantage. Their fierce competition spurred them on to perform exceptionally well, demonstrating their competence and trustworthiness time and time again.

“Even as a young child, Molly had shown remarkable intelligence. If I retain her services, I’m certain she’ll be a great asset,” said Theodora, praising Nancy’s niece. Nancy’s face lit up with happiness upon hearing the compliment.

“How can you consider employing a child whose visage has already been peddled as a potential housemaid?” Susan interjected, her tone sharp and critical. Dejected by the rebuke, she glared at Theodora, who was watching the tension unfold with a serene expression.

Theodora rose to her feet, gesturing dismissively with her hand. “My dear Susan, I have my own methods for evaluating a person’s worth. Rest assured, Molly’s past is of no consequence to me,” she replied calmly.

“I haven’t hired Molly officially as my personal assistant, so there’s no need to worry. I’ll find another role for her,” Theodora reassured Nancy, then turned to address Susan. “However, we must keep a watchful eye on Duke Dyssen’s daughter. Do you think Molly is up to the task?” she asked, acknowledging the concerns of both maids.

Once the two women fell silent, Theodora made her way over to the window and pulled aside the heavy curtains, revealing a magnificent view of Bastian’s new mansion on the other side of the bay.

As she watched Bastian perform for the emperor, she thought if he was genuinely serious or merely putting on a show. This wasn’t the same Bastian she had known before. He was never one to make rash decisions for love, or at least, that was the impression she had always had of him. In fact, she couldn’t be sure if he even understood what love truly meant.

Carl Illis, Bastian’s grandfather, had once accused them of destroying the boy, but such an accusation was far-fetched. After all, Bastian had never been a typical child, with his unnervingly still gaze and other peculiarities.

As she gazed into Bastian’s eyes, it felt as if she was being drawn into a dark abyss, devoid of any glimmer of hope.

She knew that the young man before her had endured years of hardship and struggle, and she admired him for his tenacity and resilience.

But as she reminisced about the boy she had known before, the one she had pushed to the brink time and time again, she felt a twinge of disgust. How could she have treated him so harshly? How had he become so strong despite her actions? These were questions she couldn’t answer.

While Jeff Klauswitz may have been pleased that the antique dealer had taken his grandson with him, Theodora held a different perspective. She believed that even if it meant risking scandal, she would have preferred to stay within the walls of the mansion. Had she done so, she would have been spared the terrible disgrace she had endured.

Bastian was once like a helpless cub that they had released into the wild in order to protect their family’s honor. But he returned as a fierce and savage beast, causing people to hold their breath in awe. His mouth hung open, revealing sharp fangs.

Instructing Nancy with a cold voice, Theodora commanded her to be cautious and keep a close eye on what captivates Bastian’s wife. Pouring herself a generous serving of brandy, she sank back into her chair, drowning herself in the potent drink. “Perhaps Nancy can cozy up to that beggar princess and become her confidante,” she mused, her laughter ringing out sharply.

Theodora took another sip and pondered whether it would be horrible if everything in the hidden letter were true.

Perhaps, there were no better manacles than love.