Bastian
Chapter 184 -  Peace and freedom.

✧Peace and Freedom✧

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Odette awoke in the sight of blinding white light. The summer morning sun, glimmering as if a diamond was strewn across a velvet sheet, filled her empty space beside her with warmth. She quickly got up, checking her desk clock, it was still a few moments before 6am; there was still time until Bastian left.

She felt the chill of the water as she splashed it onto her sleepy face, washing away the fog of slumber from her mind. After donning her bathrobe, Odette ventured out from her bedroom and heard the tranquil sound of running water from the bathroom. Her reflection greeted her back in the mirror, hair disheveled and feet bare. The area around her chest and neck, visible above the neckline, was adorned with kisses from Bastian.

 Her cheeks flushing a bright red, she quickly returned to the bedroom to get into a high collared dress. It did little to mask the love marks, so she had to extend her efforts to a little makeup. She gathered her hair in an elegant bun and found suitable shoes to complete her outfit before heading to the kitchen to make breakfast.

 Odette smiled as she left the room, her mood had been lifted and she was feeling much better. From the bathroom still came the soothing sound of water running from the shower. With thoughts of Bastian on her mind, Odette headed for his room to check. 

When she opened the door, it seemed as if all life had gone out of it;  his trunk had been removed from the closet and all his belongings were nowhere to be found. All that remained was his uniform hanging on the closet door, like an old soldier ready to march off to battle. He had already packed up, as if ready to leave earlier than

Odette crossed the room and approached his uniform. She could feel the rhythm of her beating heart as she glided her fingertips over his stellar badges and medals. Bastian seemed would return straight to the Admiralty, had he always been a busy man.

The five leisurely days in this quaint hamlet had felt like a beautiful dream, but all dreams must come to an end eventually and now it was her time to wake up. She did something reckless and foolish but she didn’t regret a single second of it. For the first time in her life, she faced her true feelings without fear of what they might reveal.

Odette went down to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. She hummed as she set about kneading dough for breakfast, and soon remembered the crumpled shirt from earlier. After thinking about it, Odette turned on her heel and padded back up the stairs where the morning light streamed in through the windowpanes like a dreamy melody.

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Bastian stopped changing his clothes and looked at the shirt held in his hands, feeling the comforting warmth of the iron that lingered faintly on its fabric. Odette had visited his room. He noticed the crisp pleats of his trousers, ironed with a perfect, sharp line.

Bastian donned his uniform with practised precision. Putting on each item of clothing without even thinking about it. His fingers worked on their own accord, fastening buttons, straighten lapels and knotting the tie. His mind drifted across the five days he had spent in the village.

   Moments of happiness shared with Odette surfaced and sat on the surface like a swan on the calm lake in summer. He looked about the room, not really taking it in and although he was checking to make sure he had not left anything behind, he did not see the room, only memories.

He stepped over and glanced down at his wristwatch–the long shower had delayed him and he could not dare to keep the Emperor waiting any longer. It was time to move on from the past, cut off any lingering attachments and head off to war.

Bastian adjusted his posture and grabbed his officer’s hat and trunk before leaving the room for the final time, stopped only by the sight of Odette at the bottom of the stairs, apron on and covered in flour without even drying her hair properly.  

 “Leaving already? I’ve just finished making breakfast.” Odette levelled him with a stern look. Her voice, delicate and melodic like the sweetest of songs, wafted up to his ears. “If you don’t feel that you’re pressed for time, please stay for breakfast before going.”

Bastian checked the time he already knew. He still had enough time to spare but refusing was the right decision; The longer he stayed, the deeper the pain will become, the harder it would become to part. But with one glance from her sweet stare, his frail spirit crumbled into dust

“I can spare a few moments,” Bastian said, betraying his true wishes. It would always be like this for all the remaining days of his life. 

“Would you like me to make some tea?” Odette offered as he made his way down the stairs.

   “No, I would prefer some coffee, thank you” Bastian said. He went to the front door and put down the trunk. There was no sign of the passionate lover who missed her anywhere. This was the limit. And she calmly accepted the line drawn by him. The ending of their story had already been decided and there was nothing to be shocked about.

“Fine, I’ll get the coffee ready.” Odette smiled. She was grateful that Bastian had allowed them to conclude their affair in the proper manner, not leaving any regrets or lingering doubts. The agony of her desires were pushed to the back, she would not let them ruin this perfect moment between them.

   “The table is set in the back garden. Please wait a moment.” Odette said and Bastian politely strode past her, his body language radiating a chill same that she had used as her weapon to keep people away from her, but was now wielded by him. 

Odette watched as the man, who had become a stranger to her in such a short time, silently left. She took a long, steadying breath and walked back into the kitchen then set back to work. The rhythmic clinking of cutlery slowly replaced the sound of his departing footsteps and she felt herself gradually calming down as she continued her meal preparation.

   She placed the shaped bread into the oven and pulled out the eggs for frying. Each time her gaze passed over the kitchen window, out the back garden, a pang of memory flooded her mind, but again, she pushed it to the back, desperate not to let anything spoil this last breakfast with Bastian.

   Bastian was now sat at the table, on the chair that he had repaired, looking up at the distant sky. He did not look toward her once. Even when she stood, staring for the longest time, he did not stir once. The chill of his demeanor and his unruffle and spotless appearance only added to her burgeoning feeling of loneliness.

Swallowing the surge of emotions, Odette set aside the ingredients to make an omelette and tipped the eggs into a pot of water and dumped it on the stove

She didn’t want this to be their last memory. 

She could understand Bastian’s coldness. She had been the exact same when she was forced to say goodbye to Tira. She had become more harsh and firm for the sake of her sister, a stance she took because she knew pity would not help her sister.

She truly wished for Tira’s happiness, and steeled to bear the role of the villainess if need be. She was sure that Bastian had done the same thing, and so she refused to let his kindness go in vain. 

   Odette rushed upstairs and in a frenzy, stripped out of the clothes she was in and desperately pulled on the blue muslin dress she had been wearing when Bastian first came round. She did not want to part ways like she had done with her sister, she didn’t want to be remembered in such a manner. Her resolve supported her weakening mind.

   Odette steadied her breath as she dumped herself in front of her dressing mirror, gold comb held in her trembling hand as she let down her hair.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The morning was still yet full of life, and the clock hands crept to 8 a.m. precisely. 

Odette placed the breakfast tray on the table between them with delicate care. Light filtered through the whispering leaves of the trees outside as if it was molten gold, its radiance splashed over her who sat across from him. To him it was like seeing her in a wedding veil again, just as she had been on that endless summer day when they first said ‘I do.’

 “Bastian?” Odette whispered, his name rippling across the air like a caress of the wind. As she tilted her head, the small pearl earrings adorned her ears glimmered beneath the light.

   Bastian averted his gaze like he had been caught staring at something sacred and took a sip of the bitter coffee. Memories he had not realised he had, tore at his heart when he looked at the sugar cube tongs, the wild flowers in the vase at the centre of the table or even from the tablecloth.

Lifting his head from a bittersweet sense of defeat, Bastian saw her smiling softly at him. Her graceful image washed away any remnant of their old grudge as they both realized the time for their  farewell was quickly approaching. His hand trembled ever so slightly as he moved the teaspoon; only the sound of a broken eggshell breaking the silence. He pushed the cup with the cracked egg towards her, “What does my fortune read today?”

Odette’s eyes reddened as Bastian’s words reached her. She had been hoping for gentle farewell, one that would have made her heart at peace. She truly wished for it. Yet she struggled to understand why she felt this way now.

Please stay a little while longer. It was her sincere heart. Don’t come any more. but now her wish had been granted.

Her fading gaze drifted to Bastian’s egg, so delicately placed into her open palms. Everything became a blur. For her had dedicated her life to masking her emotions and telling lies with ease; a skill that allowed her to hide away from the pain.

  “It is like the calm waters,” she lied  as she always did, doing her best. “Today you  will be met with peace and closure.” She wiped her tears and looked at him with a faint smile on her lips.

“Is that so?” Bastian nodded and smiled, as if the fabricated fortune might just come true. “Now let me check your fortune.”  He put down the returned egg cup and pointed to Odette’s egg. His eyes were very kind, with a bit of mischief in them. 

Bastian carefully considered the broken shape of Odette’s egg,  his kind eyes now replaced by a stoic gaze. “It looks more like a bird’s wing,” he spoke softly. “Then you will be free like the bird, soaring high in the sky.” he said, serene light dwelled in his now unsmiling face.

“Our contract ends today,” His words echoed as if this were his last word to her. The birds perched on the branches seemed to sense it too, as they silently took flight. Odette stunned in silence.

 “The divorce will be finalised and the official reason will be a simple change of the husbands heart. The originally agreed price  for your role as a wife over the past three years will be paid in full and I will calculate the extra year in the payout. I will also make compensation for all damages caused. My lawyer will be in touch soon.”

   “No, Bastian, please don’t do that,” Odette said, her hands came up as if in prayer. “I was the one who broke the contract in the first place and caused all the trouble, I don’t want compensation.”

   Bastian looked at Odette thoughtfully. “The decision is for my sake,” he insisted. “Money may not be able to amend for all the hurt that I have caused you, but my heart will feel lighter once I have taken responsibility for what I have done. So please accept it. That will be enough.” 

Bastian’s lips curved in a bittersweet smile, masking the wild cries that begged for release. He checked his watch once more—the military vehicle was on its way. The moment was soon upon him. The time had arrived for him to take his leave of this place and and make haste to the meeting point at the outskirts of the village.

   “I will flow like a peaceful river,” His voice sailed through the air on a gentle breeze, carrying with them an unspoken sorrow that betrayed his smile. The ice cubes in his glass clinked and cracked like delicate crystals falling from a world above.  “And may you soar freely like a bird.”

   Peace and freedom.  His eyes paused by the sight of the beautiful woman who had held his heart ever since the moment she lifted her veil.

   “You have done well, Lady Odette, I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

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