Bastian

Finally, Isabelle and Odette met. The reunion of the two cousins who had been involved with the same man was a much anticipated event.

   Sandrine, having finished exchanging formal greetings, approached the group where the conversation was taking place.

   “I was quite immature back then,” Isabelle was saying, a subtle smile on her face.

   “Well, you have certainly matured in your marriage, that and motherhood seems to have tempered you quite well,” whispered the young Countess Esher, covering her mouth with a fan.

   Sandrine smiled in agreement. It was much better than the childlike behaviour that once turned the royal family upside down due to her infatuations.

   “Yes, I can’t believe what a stupid mistake I had made. It was so uncomfortable to leave without being afforded the opportunity to apologise.” Isabelle took Odette’s hand, playing to the crowd that had gathered around them. “Although it might be too late, I still wish to express my sincerest apologies, Odette, truly I am sorry. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

   “I have already forgotten about it, your Highness, its alright, so please, don’t concern yourself with it any longer,” said Odette calmly.

   Isabelle’s goal was clear, to erase her shameful past and establish herself as a prestigious crown princess. Odette knew her role was to support her in this objective.

   “Thank you for your understanding, Odette, I hope that we can be friends now.” Isabelle extended her hand, capturing the attention of everyone, including the Crown Prince, Belov.

   What was once a reluctant marriage, blossomed into true love between the two. With the birth of their child, the alliance between Berg and Belov grew stronger, fulfilling the details of their arrangement.

   As if embracing this new chapter in her life, Odette bowed her head and kissed the back of Isabelle’s hand, a symbol of her fealty and unwavering friendship. Isabelle, unable to conceal her nervousness, finally beamed a radiant smile.

   With a pampered look, Isabelle turned to her husband. “When Major Klauswitz returns home, I want to invite the two of you as guests of the Belov family, may I?”

   The Crown Prince Belov agreed readily. “Of course, feel free to do as you like.”

   “I love you Nikolai, marrying you was the best blessing of my life.” Isabelle concluded the play with an emotional confession and a passionate kiss. Her love for the prince appeared as passionate as ever.

   Odette had done her job, played her role and left quietly. It was just as she was able to escape beyond the gathered crowd that she saw Sandrine’s face amongst them.

   “Great job, Odette,” she said, as she approached with joy. “It must have been pretty hard for you to go through that, but you held together quite well. I wont forget your contributions to Bastian in the end. Money is best for you, right?”

   With the end fast approaching, Sandrine was determined to remind Odette of her place in the grand scheme of things and in the end, Bastian would be hers.

   “Have a pleasant evening, Lady Laviere,” Odette said simply, trying not to rise to Sandrine’s bait and made her way to the balcony to get some fresh air.

   She stood there for a long while, with her eyes closed and her mind shut away from the world. She didn’t realise that she was no longer alone on the balcony until she opened her eyes again and turned to leave, only to come face to face with Franz Klauswitz.

He looked anxious, as he nervously adjusted his bow tie. Unable to contain his patience any longer, he gathered all the courage he could.

   “Have you thought about my offer?” The first dance was about to start and with his engagement to Ella von Klein, he didn’t have much time to spare.

   “If you’re talking about the art exhibition, I know I’ve already given you an answer to that,” Odette said, staring out to the darkness beyond him.

   “Odette, please,” Franz said, calling her name like a plea.

   With Bastian’s return scheduled to the end of the year, the ongoing conflict between the two would reignite, with Odette’s fate caught in the middle of it.

   “I would ask that you consider it seriously.”

   “No matter how much I think about it, my answer remains unchanged,” Odette said firmly.

   When they had met on a mezzanine overlooking the art exhibit, Franz had offered to whisk Odette away to some foreign land before Bastian returned. He declared that he would do everything in his power to make Odette happy, if she promised to be his woman.

   “Do not be misled, Bastian’s forgiveness was never granted. He simply postponed his retaliation, waiting until he could satisfy all his greedy desires.”

   Franz brushed his face repeatedly, removing his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. He displayed this nervousness on the day that he proposed to Odette and more recently in art exhibit when he tried to kiss her. Odette braced herself.

   “Even so, it has nothing to do with you,” Odette said, shaking her head and backing away a step. Franz’s laugh gave her goosebumps.

   “Don’t say that, I’m the only one for you now.”

   “Get away from me,” Odette near shouted.

   “But I love you, Odette, do you still not understand?” Franz blocked Odette’s retreat path, but the door out of the balcony burst open and Countess Trier was revealed.

   “Don’t look so surprised, dear,” the countess said, brushing past Franz to stand next to Odette. Flustered, Franz made a hasty exit.

   Odette let out a sigh of relief, the countess did not seem to notice.

   “I got an urgent call from Ardenne informing me that the hospital is urgently seeking you. You are needed this very instant.”

   “The…the hospital?” Odette said, nervously.

   “Yes, Duke Dyssen, your father, is in critical condition,” the countess said, her voice was as flat as if she was conveying the weeather.

   “Oh, I see,” was all Odette said, it was just another round of misfortune to pile on top of everything else.

The moon faded beneath the embrace of deepening clouds, as the weather whispered of an impending rainstorm.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

At the end of the bench in the hospital room, Tira crouched in tears. The dimly lit surroundings and the shadowy movements of the trees in the wind and rain, heightened the sombre atmosphere. Odette wearily made her way to Tira. The two sisters of Dyssen stood as the only witnesses to the unfolding scene.

   “Calm down, Tira.” Odette’s heavily fatigued voice broke the eerie silence. Only then did Tira raise her head to look at her sister. She bit her lip.

   “That doctors are saying we should prepare for the worst,” Tira said.

   “Maybe we should,” Odette replied calmly.

   Last spring, their fathers health took a sudden turn for the worse due to complications from years of being bed ridden. The doctors also emphasised the patience own will to live was a primary concern. Odette shared that concern.

   “He came to his senses not too long ago, this maybe our last chance to talk to him.”

   “I don’t think father wants to see me,” Tira thundered.

   “How long are you going to be so cowardly?”

   “Sister, I…”

   “At least keep our fathers death bed,” Odette said in a more stern manner.

   Tira had completed her schooling and was planning on moving out to Carlsbar instead of returning to the capital. She planned on finding a boarding house, securing a job and starting her life out there.

   Although this was contrary to Odette’s plans, she could do nothing but accept her sisters wishes, she was an adult now and could do as she wished. It was up to her to take responsibility for her life and make her own mistakes.

   “If you feel comfortable turning away from our father, you may do so, I wont stop you, but you will have to live with that guilt for the rest of your life. Take the chance to atone, before its too late, if not for you, then do it for father.”

   “I know, I would love to, but I can’t, not now, I just… cant.” Tira stepped back, shedding hot tears. Her trembling hands wrapped around her stomach.

   “Why?” Odette said forcefully.

   “Because, if I get father riled up, it could be dangerous…”

   “Again, Tira, just explain so I can understand.”

   “I mean…” Tira chewed her lip, considering the right words to say. “I’m…I mean, I’m sorry sister, but I have a baby.”

   The hallway fell into a deep silence and the only sound was that of the distant rain pelting windows and the roof. Just as Odette was about to say something, the bell to their fathers room rang out.

   Overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, Tira slumped onto the bench, wrapping her arms around her legs and pulling herself into a tight ball, let her tears and sadness flow freely. Odette watched her, her own eyes becoming blurred by water.

   A younger sister who was pregnant outside of marriage and her father on his death bed. The sheer weight of everything was unimaginable. It felt more plausible to believe that it was all just a terrible nightmare.

   “Mrs Klauswitz?” The nurse cried out from her fathers room.

   Odette had to confront the unavoidable reality. She hid her sadness as best she could as she confronted the nurse.

   “Tira, go to Countess Trier’s house,” Odette said sternly. Tira’s cries grew more intense, but there was not time to argue.

   Without looking back, Odette raced into the hospital room. Her father took precedence and there was no room for hesitation. This was the right action.