Bastian
Chapter 143 - A Broken Shard of Porcelain

✧A Broken Shard of Porcelain✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Odette sensed the presence of the man behind her, as quiet as he was, she could feel him there. It was a feeling, too vibrant for mere dreams.

Bastian had returned.

An unbidden sigh slipped from her. Engulfed in thoughts, she pulled Margrethe closer and hoped sleep would return.

She held onto the memory of Bastian’s voice and warmth that had swept away her solitary fears. She was surprised to find that she welcomed him, yet, she resented herself for feeling joy at him being there. Her feelings toward him had become a paradox, like the shadows that deepened in the presence of brighter light.

   Ever since she had first met him, since the afternoon when flowers bloomed, capturing her heart, she thought he was like the radiant sun. He shone through his own strength, brighter than anyone else, but in his presence, she could feel the shadow over her life, a shadow she had never felt before. It was a strange feeling that undermined the pride she had always felt.

   She always promised that, no matter what happened, even if she had to become a broken shard of porcelain, she would protect her heart, so that she could sparkle equally under his brilliance. 

Her dream, perhaps futile, was to be remembered as a beacon as he was. All she wanted was to be a presence just like that man.  Even though she felt ashamed of wanting to be her own luminary, she couldn’t stop feeling like that, even in the midst of adversity.

   Unable to sleep now that her mind was racing through thoughts. Odette opened her eyes and stared out at the moonlit room. Margrethe sensed Odette’s restlessness and looked up, whimpering.

   Odette did her best to try and sooth Margrethe, but the dog wriggled free of her embrace and started barking, shattering the peaceful night.

   Hurriedly, Odette got out of bed to grab the dog before she could make any more noise. Margrethe had padded over to Bastian’s side of the bed, but luckily he remained asleep, it was amazing what military types could sleep through.

   It was at that moment Odette realised something wasn’t quite right. She could see, in the moonlight, that Bastian was sprawled out on the bed, still clothed. Odette inched closer to see if he had been drinking, there wasn’t even the modest smell of alcohol.

   “….Bastian?”

   Odette called out his name softly and turned on the bedside lamp. Upon seeing him more clearly, her heart sank. He looked ashen faced, covered in sweat and his breathing was fast and laboured.

   “Bastian,” Odette started to call louder.

    She shook him and when he didn’t react, she turned to fetch help, but as she did so, Bastian had shot out and grabbed her wrist.

   Odette turned back to him, her heart leaping into her mouth and saw him staring up at her. Bastian looked at her with an empty and distant expression. He looked like a dreamer who had awakened, yet still dwelled in the realm of dreams.

   Odette had seen this before and knew she just needed to stay calm and let him come to his senses. Bastian closed his eyes, his face became more relaxed and the grip on her wrist weakened.

   Carefully recovering her wrist from his grip, she touched his forehead, he was burning up. She was astounded that anyone could survive temperatures that high. She didn’t want to wake him again, and rang the service bell.

Urgent chimes began to toll, disrupting the tranquility of the mansion in the early morning hours.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“I am sorry, but there is no room for negotiation,” Maximin said, maintaining his polite composure.

-But Count Xanders, to be dismissed because of one mistake is kind of excessive, don’t you think?-  the voice on the other end of the phone said.

   Maximin got up from his desk and walked to the window. The sky outside was billowing with grey clouds, indicating a snow storm might hit them soon.

   “Maliciously insulting a noble lady, a victim of a crime no less, and labelling it as just one mistake, is being overly lenient, don’t you think?” Maximin countered the man on the phone.

   One of the members of the artistic community had boasted about scouring the black market for a surviving copy that contained the rather problematic painting of Odette. He then went on to ridicule the junk dealer’s grandson who had spent an awful lot of money to have the magazines discontinued and then made fun of the beggar princess.

   When Maximin heard about this, he did not hesitate in acting. He found the young man, snatched away the magazine and threw it into the fire, much to the chagrin of the gang of young artists.

   “I have made my decision in accordance with standard regulations,” Maximin asserted himself.

   When the committee met, they agreed to have the problematic young man expelled and no sooner had the word got out, than Maximin was bombarded with calls from others to show some leniency. This was just one of the many phone calls.

  -How can you be so inflexible, are you trying to alienate yourself from social circle?- the caller said.

   “Hasn’t Major Klauswitz, who is also just another victim of this scandal, also being ostracised too? If the committee were to turn a blind eye to this, then it will only be seen as biassed.”

  -Who’s side are you really on?-

   “I am on nobody’s side, I only wish to protect the privacy and morals of innocent victims.”

-Look here, Count Xanders…-

   “I have to go, I will be late for my next appointment. I will see you at the next gathering,” Maximin said, ending the conversation.

   Maximin turned as he heard tiny footsteps at the door of his office and sure enough, Alma stood there, patiently waiting for him.

   “Please, come in my princess,” Maximin said.

   Alma came in with joy all over her face, she did a little twirl to show her daddy the new, sparkling dress she was wearing.

   “So, are we heading to the party now, daddy?”

   “Yes, that’s right. Sorry to have kept you waiting.”

   “Do you think the people at the party will think I’m pretty?” Alma said, turning serious.

   Maximin nodded his head enthusiastically. “Of course. Everyone will be surprised to see how pretty you’ve become.”

   “Like Lady Klauswitz?”

   “Ah, well, no, I don’t think Lady Klauswitz will be there.”

   “Why, is she sick?”

   “Do you want to see her?”

 “Yes, very much.  Lady Klauswitz doesn’t want to see us?”  Alma said, looking up at Maximin sullenly.

   Before he could say anything more, the phone started ringing and Maximin gave it a pensive look before picking up the receiver.

-It’s me, Count Xanders,-said Countess Trier on the other end. -I need to discuss matters of Odette’s situation with you. Could you spare some time?-

The name Odette had yearned for, Countess Trier, resonated from the other end of the line.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

They had avoided the worst, the medicine that Doctor Kramer had given Bastian seemed to be working and although he still had a fever, the doctor was confident they had overcome a major crisis.

“Let’s observe him a bit more; however, the threat of a grave condition seems to have waned for now.”

   “Thank you doctor,” Odette said, tired from being awake all night and all day. The sky outside turned a rosy red as the sun set. From the moment she had found Bastian collapsed at dawn, only now did the weight of reality descend upon her, as time’s passage whispered its truth.

   “Well, I did warn him not to overdo it. Fatigue, coupled with blood loss from the stab wound, has only made things worse, but, there doesn’t seem to be any tissue necrosis, so we should be fine. Tonight is crucial; if his fever doesn’t rise further, he may start recovering,” Dr. Kramer briefed her on Bastian’s condition as he packed away his instruments.

   “He must have been in a lot of pain, but he didn’t show any signs of it,” Odette said.

  “Well, he used to be a child who didn’t know how to care for himself, but he wasn’t this foolish; I think his impatience got the better of him.” Dr. Kramer’s eyes reddened as he gazed at the still-unconscious Bastian. He struggled to hide his emotions, but it became impossible. “The son of the woman who took away his mother and little sister’s lives, now tried to harm his wife and child. It must have been difficult for him to keep his calm. He must have been so desperate to see his revenge complete, that he pushed himself too far. Because is the only way to protect his family.”

   “What do you mean?” Odette said, confused.

   “Well, it’s probably how he felt…”

  “No, Doctor. That wasn’t what I meant.”  Odette looked at Doctor Kramer, the confusion on her face only deepening. “Are you saying that Theodora Klauswitz…killed Bastian’s mother and sister?

   “Oh, my poor girl, I thought you knew.” It was Doctor Kramer’s turn to look confused. “I’m sorry, Mrs Klauswitz, I’ve said far too much.” Doctor Kramer grabbed his medical bag and made for the door.

   “Please, wait, Doctor,” Odette called after him and rose from her seat.

As twilight colored the sky and the sea beyond the window, Dr. Kramer’s gaze fixed on Odette was as deep as the darkening scenery.