Bastian
Chapter 168 - Double-Edged Sword

✧Double-Edged Sword✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The wind gusted through the village square between them. The cafe was bustling with lunch time visitors, but Odette was deaf to it all. Her mind went blank and she felt like she was suffocating. 

“May I take your order?” A waiter approached their table, shattering the heavy silence. Even after giving Bastian the menu, he stood still, waiting beside their table.

She tried to suppress the urge to run away.Out in the countryside, people were very close knit. She had managed to make a success out of being a piano tutor because of how fast word got around. Odette couldn’t imagine what they would  have to say about this. There were already rumours going around about the circumstances of her coming to the village, alone.

   Odette’s mood darkened as she realised what Bastian’s appearance meant and she knew she would probably not be around to know what the rumours said.

“I think this is my first time meeting you. Are you familiar with Miss Byller?” the waiter asked bluntly when Bastian placed orders for both himself and Odette.

“Yes, I am,” Bastian replied. “Miss Marie Beller is my cousin. I came to Rothewein to visit her after a long time.”

As Odette’s heart began to race, Bastian, sensing her unease, fabricated a false narrative to avoid unnecessary trouble. Fortunately, the waiter believed him and left, wearing a very satisfied expression.

Odette thought hard about how to get out of this situation, and did her best to pretend to be calm.  However, her quivering eyes and flushed cheeks betrayed her inner turmoil. She secretly wished that Bastian would chastise her for fleeing like a coward, but he just kept looking at her with his cold, grey eyes in silence. Sometimes it felt like he was sincere, other times like he was putting it on those false moments that confused her, and became her sadness. 

 “You must forgive Countess Trier,” Bastian said. “I put forward a rather convincing argument and she seemed to agree with me.”

   “What argument?” Odette demanded.

   “That we should decide our future together, for ourselves. Forget about all the noise of the world, all the judgemental eyes are no longer upon us. We can talk, in confidence and come to our own conclusions, rather than looking to others to bring us together or break us apart.” Bastian said, his words steady as he graced her with his gaze, a curious blend of icy reserve and fiery passion, like a verdant kindling caressed by dancing flames, his stare was something she tried so hard to forget.

While she was still stunned, their ordered food was finally brought to the table. Odette suddenly lowered her gaze to the tabletop and released a deep breath, almost unconsciously.

A generously portioned grilled meat dish was set before him, while a fish dish with a subtly aromatic sauce was presented in front of her. The meal included bread and wine, and everything was distinctively tailored to her liking, Bastian had considered her tastes carefully.

“Let’s eat first, sis Marie” Bastian said, picking up the cutlery. “I think you’re already hungry, right?”

The man, donning a sunshine smile, effortlessly rendered all her painstaking efforts futile in a heartbeat. Left without the capacity for argue, Odette could only bring the icy relief of water to her parched mouth.

She knew that playing along with Bastian’s script might be her only chance to get out of his shadow finally, but she found her focus faltering in the performance of this play. It was like having an unexpected accident. Her mind was paralyzed and unable to think properly.  All she could do now was look at Bastian who was eating quietly.

   The past that she had so tirelessly tried to escape was once again her present and it looked down at her with a calmness she found unsettling. Her mind was paralysed and she couldn’t think straight. All from the presence of this one man.

   “I have always felt sorry for the way I left and I apologise for that,” Odette said, finally opening her stiff lips and speaking through a dry throat. “But my mind has not changed, not even now. So there is not reason for you to hang around.”

   “If you need time, I can wait.” Bastian said. His voice was as calm as the water that flowed through the village. Her heart felt like it was going to explode. She forgot what she wanted to say and she simply looked at  his unwavering eyes without saying a word, mouth agape. She felt like she had been caught in a trap. Like that tragic moment when the seeds of this heartache were first sown.

“I will wait for you, Odette, no matter how long it takes.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Count, Mr Karl Lovis is here to see you, says he would like to see the wildflower garden behind the laboratory,” the assistant said.

   Maximin frowned, he did not know Karl Lovis. He looked up at the clock, 4pm, his appointment with Bastian was meant to be about now, in the wildflower garden. Maximin guessed at the true identity of Karl Lovis.

   “Alright, you can let everyone know they can leave early today.”

   Once he got himself cleaned up, Maximin went out into the garden and found Bastian leisurely strolling through the flowers. Maximin recognised him easily enough, though he wasn’t in uniform and he hid his face under a low hat.

   He had been surprised to receive a call from Bastian, even more surprised when he told Maximin that he would be in Rothewein. He wanted to meet up, just the two of them, wherever and whenever Maximin decided.

   Bastian never let on what he wanted to meet him for and was so cool, they could have been discussing the weather. That did nothing to put Maximin at ease and only served to make him more tense.

   “It’s been awhile, Count Xanders,” Bastian said when he saw Maximin come out into the garden.

   The two stood facing each other, at a polite distance and exchanged polite greetings. There was no hostility in the way Bastian spoke and no amenity in the way he behaved. It was like he was a polite stranger.

   “I had always heard these gardens were beautiful, I don’t suppose you would be my guide,” Bastian said quite unexpectedly, but Maximin saw a small group of noble looking ladies, also exploring the garden, slowly meandering in their direction.

   “Yes, of course, right this way,” Maximin led Bastian along the garden path, around to a more secluded part of the garden.

   “I was just on my way back from meeting with my wife, when I thought I would take the time to also meet with you,” Bastian said calmly. “I had heard from Countess Trier and others that you have been a great help to my wife, I must extend my thanks, Count Xanders.”

   “Major Klauswitz, well, I had heard the two of you had split,” Maximin said, forcing his voice to sound cool and level.

   “For the time being, it doesn’t mean that she wants to divorce, I am still her husband and she is still my wife,” Bastian said, sounding a little defensive.

   “That may be so, but that doesn’t mean you have the right to claim her as your property. How about respecting Lady Odette’s wishes?”

   “Is that advice coming as a friend of Lady Odette?”

   “It is advice from someone who knows how to respect other people and how to show a little compassion.”

   “Then let me ask you this, Count Xanders, do you sincerely hold no feelings for my wife beyond friendship and compassion?”

   “That is entirely out of line, Major Klauswitz.” Maximin’s face went bright red.

   Bastian looked at him as calm as ever. “I believe I have my answer.”

For a considerable time, he had been aware that it was unlikely for someone to extend such extensive help solely out of friendship and fondness. Bastian wasn’t foolish enough to be oblivious to his feeling for his wife. Nevertheless, he recognized that Maximin was making a concerted effort to suppress his unacceptable feelings.

Because he was the person who will always hold the line until everything was done perfectly. Understanding and respecting Odette’s boundaries, avoiding any harm. The fact that Maximin had such dignity could be likened to a double-edged sword. 

What was extremely difficult for him was as easy as breathing for Maximin. It was both fortunate and frustrating at the same time.

   “I believe you to be a man of honour, Count, so I have no doubt you will not go beyond what is expected of you.”

   “What are you trying to say?” Maximin said, calm once more.

   “I am still Odette’s husband and I will not break any advances on my wife.” Bastian drew the line in the sand and made it as clear as possible.

   “Actually, I think it’s more down to Lady Odette to decide that, Major. You only came down here to try and rattle her cage, to break her composure before she has a chance to fully regain it. If a situation arises wherein the Lady Odette needs my help, I will be by her side, no matter what.”

   Bastian nodded solemnly. “Yes, well, I can’t fault you for your honour, no doubt upholding some promise to Countess Trier and all. I will respect you for that.”

   The two walked on in silence for a few paces, giving time for the tension between them to die a little.

   “You know, Lady Odette is currently teaching my daughter how to play the piano. Usually, she would stop and have lunch or dinner, would you like to join us?” It sounded like any ordinary dinner invitation, but it was more a dare for Bastian to say yes.

   “I appreciate the invitation, but I must decline.” Bastian said politely.

He was well aware that showing off could spoil their dinner, and he had no intention of willingly disrupting the joy of family of three.

At that juncture, they bid their farewells and went their separate paths. Maximin got into the car that had been waiting outside the laboratory, while Bastian strolled along the path leading to the entrance of the Royal Botanical Gardens.

As he watched Count Xander’s car pass by, he hoped for Odette to have a peaceful evening. 

Because tarting from tomorrow, the evenings might not be so peaceful.