Bastian
Chapter Epilog 3 (END) - Lifting the final veil

✧Lifting the Final Veil✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The morning of the wedding arrived, and Odette slowly opened her eyes to the warm rays of sunlight that flooded her bedroom. She stretched out her limbs, feeling a sense of anticipation and excitement for the day ahead. As she sat up, she realised that the bed next to hers was empty, but she couldn’t help but smile at the reason why. 

With a gentle yawn, she placed her feet on the cool marble floor then suddenly, her loyal furry companions burst into the room, Margrethe greeted her with a wagging tail, followed by their three playful puppy daughters in a joyful flurry. 

Adelaide, Henrietta, Cecilia. She scooped up each of her puppies, planting kisses on their soft, clean fur. The playful pups were still fresh from their bath the night before, the lingering sweet scent of soap gave them a refreshing smell.

 Odette adorned their necks with delicate lace collars that she had spent hours crafting just for this momentous day. The pièce de résistance was a soft pink ribbon tied around the neck of Margrethe, the most special and beloved pup of all. It was her own ribbon that Bastian cherished,  a symbol of their love that went beyond words.

A gentle rap on the door and a familiar voice was heard. “Ma’am, it’s Dora. Are you awake?” 

“Yes. Come in.” 

Odette answered the door, and gently put down Margrethe on the floor. Dora stepped into the room, her arms full with her freshly tailored wedding dress. Behind her trailed a line of maids from the Ardenne Mansion, each carrying an array of jewels and trinkets fit for the bride of the day.

“It’time to start preparing, Ma’am.”

Odette smiled shyly, blushing at the thought of the upcoming event. “It’s quite funny, isn’t it?”

“It’s not funny, ma’am. Just a little unpredictable.” Dora quipped back with a grin. And so, with their light-hearted banter, they began the preparations for the second wedding in a much more relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

The wedding was set to take place in the beautiful Ardenne, a location carefully chosen by Odette. Despite being a mandatory task, she poured her heart and soul into renovating the mansion, infusing every corner with her touch and sincerity. 

That mansion was a bittersweet haven, filled with memories of heartache and sorrow, yet still holding a precious meaning that she couldn’t let go of. She dreamed of starting fresh in a home that reflected her love for Bastian. And after much persuasion, Bastian finally gave in to her wishes and cancelled renovating the townhouse in Ratz.

Has he started preparing by now?

Odette smiled as she gazed down at the luxurious tub, filled with fragrant bubbles and scattered flower petals floating on its surface. Bastian had departed for the Ardenne just yesterday, as per her request. Despite the intimate nature of their wedding, with only close and sincere guests invited, she wanted to uphold a certain level of formality for the ceremony. Bastian didn’t seem to quite understand her reasoning, but he had agreed without hesitation.

The blazing midsummer sun climbed its way up the sky, Odette emerged from her morning bath and was escorted back to her chambers by the dutiful maids. 

As she slipped into her flowing wedding gown, her heart fluttered with a mix of nervousness and joy – a sensation she never experienced during her first marriage, which felt more like an obligation than a union of love. Today, she truly felt like a bride, and her heart fluttered with happiness.

Once the maids finished their meticulous work on Odette’s hair and makeup, Dora arrived holding a sparkling jewelry box. With grace, Odette stood up, adorned in her mother’s crown that had been retrieved by Bastian.

“There’s still a veil left, ma’am.” 

After she said that, a maid rushed over, holding a delicate box with a lace veil inside. Odette glanced at it sceptically, “Do you really think I should wear a veil on my second marriage to the same man?” she mused aloud to Dora. The thought of repeating such a tradition felt absurd and outlandish.

“There is nothing strange about this, it’s a wedding after all. Why not just enjoy everything?” Dora said.

Following the head maid’s wishes, Odette took her seat once again at the elegant dressing table. As she gazed into the mirror, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie with Dora in the days to come.

Dora signalled for another maid to approach, bearing a delicate lace veil that would soon cover Odette’s blushing face. 

And with that, Odette was escorted to her bride’s car, accompanied by four adorable pups acting as flower carriers to add a touch of whimsy and joy to the journey to Ardenne.  The picturesque scene was like something out of a fairy tale.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian fastened the garter’s buckle to the end of his shirt, pulling it taut until it was neat and in place. As he finished, Lovis appeared, rushing in with a thick envelope in hand. “Sir, Mr. Muller has arrived,” he announced breathlessly. 

“It’s still too early.” Bastian’s frown deepened as he slipped into his pants, the servants, as silent and swift as ghosts, brought the next piece of his attire.

“He said it was urgent to deliver this to you. Claimed it would be the best wedding gift.” Lovis explained.

“Well then” Bastian chuckled. Thomas Muller never failed to deliver on his promises. He had anticipated a delay, but it seemed that his gift had arrived sooner than expected.

Bastian strode towards the window, dressed to impress in a sharp tie. The summer sun was beaming down on the Ardenne sea, casting a sparkling silver sheen over the yachts leisurely sailing by with their crisp white sails. With a cigarette between his lips, he tore open the envelope Lovis had brought him, containing documents that would authorise the construction of an amusement park. Along with it were additional documents that would solidify his next business venture.

Bastian leaned against the window sill, his usually calm eyes changing to agitation as he reviewed the documents in his hands. As he reached the final page, his eyes widened at the painting picture before him – a bird’s eye view of an amusement park, the sketch in colour was so detailed that it could easily be mistaken for a photograph.

He turned away from the window, clutching the document in his hand, and let his gaze drift across the ocean. Memories flooded his mind as he recalled the days spent cleaning up the debris of his father’s once grand mansion. It had been months since the mansion, once known as the Jewel of Ardenne, had collapsed into complete nothingness. Now, all that remained was an empty plot of land overgrown with weeds, and he wanted to resurrect this forgotten piece of land by building an amusement park atop its ruins.

Not being well-versed with this type of work, he sought the opinions of experts and made one request clear: He wanted a beautiful Ferris wheel standing tall as the shining centrepiece of his park. 

If the plan was executed as shown in the aerial sketch, it will undoubtedly turn out exactly like that.

He had carefully kept the sketch in a special drawer. How his beloved would be overjoyed to see it. He could already see her beautiful face smiling like the girl he had been dreaming about. Thomas Müller was absolutely right; this was truly the best wedding gift he could have asked for.

As the momentous wedding approached, news trickled in of guests arriving one by one. Bastian took a final drag of his cigarette before donning his tuxedo and adorning it with a single iris in the lapel.

 Just as he turned to leave, word came that the bride had arrived. With quick strides, he left the bedroom and made his way to his second wedding podium.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Countess! Can you believe it? I had to officiate the wedding of the same bride and groom twice in the same place, season and all! It’s like going back in time,”

Countess Trier watched as Admiral Demel drained his champagne glass and erupted into jovial laughter. She sighed quietly, wondering if he had truly been drowned in the depths of the empire’s sea. His wife, Marchioness Demel, tried to silence him by filling his glass once more, but it was clear he had no intention of stopping his seemingly endless stream of babbling. Perhaps, he was just using it as an excuse to drink as much as possible.

“Why would they choose to live in this house? That child is just so strange,”

The Countess couldn’t help but express her annoyance and bitter complaints. She hoped that they would eventually build a new home and leave behind this dilapidated one. It was baffling and frustrating to her, who couldn’t understand Odette’s stubbornness. Here she was, surrounded by luxurious mansions across the empire, owned by her husband, yet she chose to settle in Ardenne-the house full of bad memories. 

“This mansion is so beautiful, and the scenery around it only adds to its beauty. I heard that they plan to renovate during their honeymoon, to completely erase any trace of Jeff Klauswitz.” said Marchioness Demel, optimistic just like her husband.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I still can’t wrap my head around why they chose to go on their honeymoon in Rothewein. What could they possibly have wanted to do in such a secluded village?”

Countess Trier shook her head in disbelief as she fanned herself. She had received word that Bastian Klauswitz had purchased the infamous Rothewein country house. A place that used to be Odette’s secret escape, now transformed into a honeymoon destination for the newlyweds. The couple announced their plans to spend their honeymoon there during the autumn and winter months. As someone who knew the conditions of that old house all too well, the Countess couldn’t help but wonder what could possibly attract them to such a place.

“Well, what can I say? They’re my favourite children.”

As she let out a sigh of surrender, the bride and groom materialised before her, ready to embark on their second round of marital bliss. A new beginning for the couple, filled with hope and love once again.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The wedding podium stood proudly, overlooking the breathtaking Ardenne sea. It held special meaning for the couple, as it was the same place where they had first tied the knot. 

As they had done years before, Bastian took confident strides down the familiar path towards the altar. Admiral Demel waited patiently, a warm smile gracing his face as he welcomed the groom to the officiating table.

After completing his grand entrance, Bastian turned to face the waiting crowd. Margrethe and the three adorable puppies in tow appeared as the flower carrier. And then, like a vision in white, the bride emerged from behind. Her translucent veil billowed lightly in the breeze as she stood on the flower path towards the vow platform. And there, waiting to escort her, was none other than grand duke Rainer himself.

Margrethe elegantly made her way towards Bastian, but her three rambunctious pups followed closely behind, running into the guests with their curious eyes and uncontainable energy. Only Margrethe managed to make it to the wedding podium where Bastian waited for her with a proud smile. After praising his extraordinary flower carries he welcomed Odette, his beautiful bride.

In the soft glow of sunlight, with a bundle of striking blue irises in her hands, she glided down the aisle to meet her groom. Bastian greeted his bride with a courteous smile before taking her hand. Together, they stood at the altar, facing Admiral Demel who presided over the ceremony. 

Odette’s eyes, demurely focused on the delicate bouquet in her dainty hand, slowly lifted. And there, underneath her transparent veil, as always, she met his ocean blue orbs waiting for her. 

His hand slowly touched her veil, gently lifting it up from her slender neck to reveal her rosy lips smiling softly and fresh blushing cheeks. His admiring gaze trailed over every inch of her beautiful face as it was unveiled, and finally settled on her sparkling turquoise eyes that seemed to hold galaxies within.

The moment her veil lifted entirely, a smile bloomed on his face like a radiant summer sunrise. Her smile was like a shimmering sea, touched by golden light and its beauty reflected in his eyes.

At last, he knew the name of the heart hidden beneath a thousand layers of veil. 

It’s ‘LOVE’

A pure love, true and honest, without a single trace of lie.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

– END. – 

“Finally, I have completed the main story translation of the Bastian novel. Thank you all for taking the time to read my translation, which, while far from perfect, has been a labor of love. I apologize for any shortcomings or inaccuracies, but please know that I have endeavored to provide the best translation possible. Please look forward to the upcoming side stories.”

-Moonvielle-

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