Bastian
Chapter 166 - The Best Ending

✧The Best Ending✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Major Klauswitz is here to see you,” the maid said.

   Countess Trier sighed deeply and took off her reading glasses. She had barely been able to read the first page of the book she had picked out, which she now placed down on the side table.

“He said he would wait for you again today.”  Didn’t know what to do, the maid bowed her head.

   This was the forth day on the trot that Bastian had came to see her and each time, Countess Trier made her excuses not to see him. There was no good that could come from meeting him, but each day, he waited out the front of her town house for hours on end, as if he had nothing better to do.

On the next day, and the day after, Bastian appeared at the same time. Worried about what others might say, Countess Trier took to letting Bastian sit in the guest room until he had gotten bored and wondered off back home, but he still came the following day. Yet, he never waited for longer than two hours.

This time, she relented after Bastian left her a message through her maid, ‘Enjoy your dinner.’ He knew she was being untruthful but offered to vacate his seat so she could dine comfortably. His confident and gallant demeanor was enough to make her admire him.

   She was going to have to deal with the situation for fear of it spiralling out of control. “Get some tea ready,” she said with a sigh as she got up from her chair. “Please bring two drinks.” 

After staying silent for almost three months, it seemed like it was time to find out what his intentions were. 

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian watched the Countess walk down the stairs as graceful as ever and greeted her with a smile. He had expected it to take a few more days. Her impatience played into his hands quite nicely.

   Once the formal greetings were exchanged, the pair settled into high back chairs in the guest room, where a maid shortly came in with a tray laden for tea.

   “Why are you wasting your time with this old woman, Major? What business could you possibly have with me?” the Countess asked sharply.

   “I think you know why I have come, Countess,” Bastian said coolly.

   “To settle the divorce then?”

   “Yes,” even under the Countesses cold glare, Bastian remained resolute.

   “I assume you’ve brought the divorce papers with you.”

   “First, I would like to see my wife, Countess,” Bastian said, his blue eyes gleaming. The Countess simply shook her head.

   “Its over Bastian, you need to accept that.”

   “I tried.”

  “But?”

   “It didn’t sit well,” Bastian said humbly, as if taking confession.

   “Odette has found her peace, you need to do the same. Its what’s best for the both of you.”

   “I know you don’t trust me. I admit that I have made some pretty significant mistakes, but regardless, Odette and I have been married for over three years and I don’t think ending it this way is the best for anyone.”

   The light of the setting sun turned Bastian’s white uniform red. The Countess looked at him with a perplexed expression. She had prepared herself for a heated argument, but this was entirely unexpected.

   “What if Odette has found some one else?” the Countess put in, struggling to find genuine cause to refuse Bastian’s request.

   “You mean Count Xanders?” Bastian said monotonously.

   Countess Trier blinked in surprise, Bastian moistened his lips by sipping at the tea and did not take his eyes from the Countess.

   “Are you still having her followed?”

   Bastian wasn’t fazed by the question. While he had been conducting an investigation to try and find where Odette was hiding, he discovered something quite unexpected, Maximin Von Xanders had been staying away more recently. He played it off as some research for the botanical gardens. It was a detail that could easily be dismissed, but it niggled at Bastian.

Odette didn’t have many friends in the social circle, with only a handful who sympathized and offered assistance. Maximin von Xanders was likely one of those few, having moved in around the time Odette vanished. It didn’t appear to be a mere coincidence, so this was information that he kept in mind.

   “Why did you come to me, when you already have the resources to find Odette yourself?” Countess Trier said.

   “I thought it would be more polite to give you the opportunity to tell me, Countess,” Bastian said honestly. He was aware that the simplest way would be to hire a detective for background checks. However, he didn’t want to do that.

   Bastian had never truly treated the Countess with any level of respect or courtesy, but he wanted to make an effort to seek Countess Triers approval as the protector of Odette  and gain the rightful permission for a reunion.

   “And if I refuse?”

“I think I’ll come here everyday until the end of the week.” 

“After that?” 

   “I will track down Sir Xanders then scour every inch of Lausanne for my wife.”

   “Major Klauswitz!”

   “I am asking you nicely in the hopes to avoid any untoward incident that could cause harm to you and Odette,” Bastian’s conciliation sounded more like a threat.

Why would Odette give her heart to a man like him?

 The ache in her heart deepened as she recalled her meeting with Odette at Rothewein.

Odette had never mentioned Bastian Klauswitz’s name. Whenever she asked about her husband, she only offered brief or evasive responses. She merely drew a line and declared it was over, sealing her lips tightly like a clam.

At a glance, she seemed had put her past behind her.  owever, there were moments when she couldn’t conceal her emotions for her husband. A subtle smile graced her face, and she displayed a mischievous demeanor whenever his name was mentioned.

 Even the expression in her eyes occasionally betrayed a hint of confusion. The woman who had consistently carried herself with a maturity beyond her years, suddenly transformed into a woman of her own age in those instances. 

What Helene had passed to her daughter went beyond just pride and dignity; there seemed to be something deeper within her.

Still, Odette was much wiser than her mother.  She had a cool-headed mind, a child who understood the value of cherishing her own life. She could undoubtedly overcome her wounds and lead a fulfilling life. It would be unwise to dwell on and yearn for a man who was a part of the past.

   “Well then, I guess there is nothing more to say, Major, its time for you to leave,” Countess Trier announced, standing and showing Bastian the door.

   If Bastian started the investigation now, it would still take a few days for anything of note to come up. He could only expect that Countess Trier would arrange for Odette to be moved some where even more remote in that time, making it harder. Bastian got to his feet at that thought.

   He made a move for the door but stopped when he came level with Countess Trier and looked down at her. The two looked at each other in absolute silence, but he could see the tremble in her eyes. Bastian bowed his head without a single word. He went all the way down to his knees and he heard Countess Trier gasp.

The man who seemed like an arrogant warlord, knelt down. 

   “I will never let any harm come to Odette,” Bastian said humbly. The Countess simply looked at him in wide eyed shock. “All I ask is that you let me and Odette decide together the best outcome for our marriage. Please.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Finally taking that time off, eh Major? Good, live to fight another day,” Admiral Demel chuckled heartily.

   The rumour that Bastian was taking a leave of absence quickly spread around the admiralty. The fact that it was announced to be a recreational vacation was what was shocking. Most people would think he was taking time off to grieve for his late father. A lot of the other officers were worried about what was going on in Bastian’s head.

   “Well, you’ve made a wise decision. If you had continued to push yourself as you have been, I would have had no choice but to order you to take some time off,” Demel said, waving a hand dismissively.

   “I didn’t want to leave at such a critical time,” Bastian said, sounding apologetic.

   Admiral Demel shook his head reverently. “Don’t worry yourself, we’re well prepared here, there really isn’t any need to worry. So you be on your way.”

“I’ve reported the emergency contact information to higher-ups. If any urgent matters arise—”

“Do you think the entire Berg navy will collapse in your absence, Mayor? You need not concern yourself with that. Continue on your way.” Admiral Demel pat on Bastian’s shoulder and dismissed him with a light-hearted jest.

   “Thank you, sir. As always, I am indebted to you.” Only then did Bastian smile.

   “Ah, so long as you bring me back a bottle of decent whiskey. I hear Rothwein Whiskey is the best.” Admiral Demel laughed playfully.

   Bastian saluted and left the office. There was a trunk already outside the office, Bastian had no intention of waiting around and had planned on leaving the second he got done talking with Admiral Demel.

The Admiral stood by his office window, puffing on his pipe, watching the departure of his subordinate who was finally taking a well-deserved vacation. 

The sunlight streamed down onto the tree-lined avenue that led to the naval base’s entrance, casting a dazzling brightness upon the early summer foliage.

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