Bastian
Chapter Odette's Diary 5 - May 22nd (END)

✧Nursing Diary (END)✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

May 22nd

Admiral Klauswitz’s rehabilitation became a tale in the North Sea Fleet. Bastian became a role model for other wounded soldiers, inspiring them to persevere through their own recoveries. His recovery was deemed a success. He still had to be cautious with overly strenuous activity, but daily life was no longer hindered. We even took long walks together, exploring to the other side of the island.

He keeps a cane handy, but he never actually need to use it as we walk hand-in-hand instead. Being able to support him brings me great joy. Though his right leg suffered from nerve damage and would never fully regain its former strength, we were told that time would heal it enough for functional use.

Bastian gained weight, it almost the same as before and now his clothes fit nicely. His physical strength was gradually improving, and I couldn’t help but wonder if it was also helping him kick his smoking habit. Lately, he only smokes two cigarettes a day, and there are even days when he doesn’t smoke at all. I’m so happy that I could give him 200 kisses every night.

His mood had drastically improved since the official declaration of the end of the war. The military was pulling out all units except those stationed in the Trosa Islands, the once bustling island now quiet with only half of the soldiers remaining. 

We were supposed to take the last ferry, but an unexpected ceremony caused us to return home earlier than planned. In order to avoid any gossip, it would be best for Bastian and I to reunite quickly, but we have decided to keep our current relationship for now. Others may judge us, but we are determined to move forward together with our own thoughts and choices.

With Bastian fully healed, the final entry of my nursing diary draws near. On the 21st of next month, we will gather under the warm sun and celebrate his recovery. I cannot wait to see how my love, who has endured through the darkest of times, will shine the brightest on this joyous day.

Important Notes:

– Organize our official life and prepare to return home.

– Say thank you to our friends who have been taking care of us

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The North Sea finally welcomed spring into its embrace. Morning sunlight streaming through her window woke her up. The light danced around her bed, draping itself around her like a gossamer veil. She turned, and found Bastian lying with his head resting on his arm, gazing at her with eyes as bright as the spring sun.

“Good morning, Bastian.” Odette greeted him with a lazy smile. He returned her greeting with his own charming smile, but his eyes soon slowly trailed down her body, and fixated on her bare chest peeping out from the blanket. 

Blushing at his gaze, Odette’s cheeks soon turned red.  The same traces of redness adorned her chest and the back of her neck, and the memories of their passionate night came flooding back, casting a shadow over her thoughts.

Before returning home, Bastian’s aide presented them a bottle of chocolate-flavored whiskey. She decided to add a dash of whiskey to their dinner last night as a surprise reward for his success in reducing tobacco consumption. 

Unusually curious, yesterday she found herself drawn to that unfamiliar drink in front of her. Sensing her interest, Bastian quietly rose from his seat and poured her a glass. To her delight, the first sip of whiskey sent shivers down her spine, its smoothness beckoning her to drink further. She took another sip, then another, until she had lost all control. And just like that, she experienced the thrill of alcohol for the very first time in her life.

“Good evening, my lady.” With a mischievous grin, Bastian greeted the lady before him. The red marks on his neck and chest mirrored those on hers. 

Lost in her thoughts, a slight blush coloured Odette’s cheeks as she pulled the blanket up to cover herself. She wished she could forget every mistake she had made last night, but her memories were crystal clear. As she turned to lie down, Bastian snatched her waist, stopping her from leaving the bed. He laid her back in bed, and then climbed on top of her

Odette sighed and resigned as she looked up at him “Go ahead, tease me all you want.”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. I just want to express my deep appreciation.” He leaned in and placed a friendly kiss on her cheek.  To his relief, she broke into a cheerful laugh, her frown quickly disappearing. 

 “Consider yesterday’s incident a one time mistake. I won’t drink too much again.” she said with arms outstretched, pulling Bastian close in an embrace.

“You’re welcome. I’m very happy to have such a great drinking buddy.”

“I’m flattered.”

“I really mean it, Princess. It takes a special skill to drink alone as well as you do. Admiral Demel will surely be impressed.”

“What if I really intend to be Admiral Demel’s successor?”

“Well, then I’ll be a happy man.”

A brilliant morning dawned between their jokes and giggles as their breaths carried the warmth of their love for each other. But their playful banter was cut short as the blaring sound of the alarm clock shattered the lovely atmosphere, making her jump and push him away in surprise.

Odette scrambled to get out of bed while Bastian sat up with a sad smile at being left behind. The moment had passed too quickly, leaving him feeling despondent.

With a quick flick, she silenced the blaring alarm and rushed to the bathroom. After a refreshing splash of water on her face, she sat at her neatly organised vanity. She applied makeup and cream, taming her hair into a sleek updo. As she put on her nurse uniform, she transformed into a devoted servant to her country and its people, worthy of admiration from even the royal family themselves.

Odette came to the bed “I’ll be back, Bastian. I won’t have time to eat breakfast with you since I have to go to work soon. There’s some food I made yesterday, make sure to eat it. I’ll check when I come back, so don’t rush and have it with strong coffee.”

Bastian smiled at her as she made the request. “I feel like I’m living by warming your bed. Not a bad way to live.” 

The warm rays of the rising sun cascaded onto his bare skin as he sat at the edge of his bed. He smiled when Odette, with her bright eyes brimming with joy, filled the room with her laughter – it was like music to his ears.

As she bid him goodbye with a sweet kiss, Bastian remained in bed,  their once lively home fell into silence, like a hidden world beneath the ocean. But soon, the stillness was broken as he got up and made his way to the window, he watched her walking towards the fence adorned with fresh green leaves.

He stood there for a while longer, soaking in the warmth and light pouring through the glass, until her figure became nothing more than a small speck before vanishing completely. 

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian set the barbell down after completing his workout for the day. He had added more weight since last week, a promising sign of progress. As he exited the hot and sweaty fitness room filled with soldiers, he could feel his body buzzing with energy. 

After a quick shower and a thorough check-up later he returned to his residence. At home, the familiar sight of his cluttered desk greeted him. His gaze fell upon his latest task – he took up his pen and let his thoughts flow onto the paper as he penned heartfelt letters to the loved ones of Rayvael’s victims.

Lieutenant Caylon’s final letter lay unopened on his desk, addressed to his grieving family. In the end, he could not return to his family and had drifted into an eternal sleep in the frozen sea, and it pierced Bastian’s heart like a thorn. He couldn’t shake the image of Mrs. Caylon, waiting for her husband’s return with the same hope as Odette.

Bastian finally found the words to write to her. In his letter he told her of the bravery and dedication of her husband, how much he loved his family, and how deeply he was missed by all who served beside him. He also offered his own humble apology for not being able to bring her husband back home. Enclosed in the letter was a note of atonement – for surviving when so many did not – before sealing the letter with the Second Lieutenant’s military duty enclosed. It was a small gesture, but one he hoped would bring some comfort to Mrs. Caylon in her time of grief.

For the first time that night, he slept without any haunting nightmares. Every night, he diligently wrote a letter, even when he ran out of paper, his letters continued to flow.

In his letter to the unknown family of a fallen comrade, he recounted stories of the final battle-that all the brave crew members of Rayvael fought with unwavering determination until their last breath-they were hailed as heroes.

After bringing closure to the final hero’s story, Bastian organised his desk before heading out with a box full of written letters. Along the way to the post office, vibrant wildflowers danced in the soft breeze, enveloping him in their sweet and fragrant aroma.

“Great job, Admiral.” The receptionist smiled at Bastian as he handed him the letter he had been waiting for.

Bastian nodded in thanks and left the post office with a lighter step. Instead of heading straight home like he had planned, he found himself walking through a nearby field filled with colourful flowers. The sun was warm on his skin, the scent of blooming blossoms filled his nose, and he couldn’t help but pause too.

The gentle sea breeze caressed his face as he strolled along the path, soaking in the picturesque view before him and continued walking towards the sparkling sea. Despite his unsteady feet, he no longer needed assistance to walk, but still held Odette’s hand out of habit. He felt like a spoiled child when she doted on him, and he cherished every moment of her lovely care.

Lost in memories of winter’s past, Bastian reached the end of the road and gazed out at the vast expanse of deep blue North sea. The sun danced on the waves, creating a dazzling display that took his breath away. 

He looked at the endless horizon, taking in the beauty of the sea and the vastness of the land, his mind finally at peace after spending so much time on the open sea. His heart swelled with a sense of freedom, finally feeling completely at home on solid ground. 

As he retraced his steps, a wildflower colony caught his eye. Mesmerised, he knelt down and plucked a beautiful bloom from the ground. Then, memories of a woman whose smile was as radiant as the flower in his hand swam in his mind. He wandered deeper into the colony, carefully selecting each delicate flower as if they were fragments of his past.

He carefully selected only the freshest and most beautiful flowers, discarding any withered or damaged petals. With a practised hand, he artfully arranged them into a stunning bouquet. When the afternoon light began to tilt his masterpiece was completed. Holding it dear, he couldn’t wait to present it to his loved one.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian was nowhere to be found. Odette searched through every room of the house, but he was absent from the bedroom, study, and even the backyard. Perhaps he had gone out for a while? Calming herself, she changed into fresh clothes and made her way to the kitchen.

As she baked bread and chopped vegetables, the once blue sky outside began to turn a vibrant shade of red, signalling the approaching sunset.

She received word that Bastian had cut his daily workout short. She couldn’t help but think back to her conversation with Colonel Haller on her way home from work. After all, Bastian’s daily routine was far from exciting–rehabilitation and exercise taking up most of his time, with any free moments spent by her side. But he always left a charming handwritten note detailing his whereabouts when he went out without a schedule. It was these spontaneous absences were unlike the Bastian she knew, and it left her worried.

Odette paced anxiously in front of the window, her apron now discarded as she left their residence. Though Bastian was no longer a child and in good shape, her motherly instincts refused to let go of the nagging worry that gnawed at her. On their usual walks together on the other side of the island, they often encountered roads that were still rough and untended. In those moments, she would hold Bastian’s hands tighter.

With trembling steps, she walked down the street as the sun slowly descended on the horizon. Had he really gone all the way there alone? Her heart raced at the thought of him stumbling and falling, because his legs still numb. Asking for help won’t be a simple task in this deserted street. And what if he had fallen into the sea? Dread crept over her as she quickened her pace

“Odette.”

As her thoughts took a dark turn, a voice from across the road broke through her mind. She turned to see a figure approaching, his steps confident and strong like the evening breeze. It was someone she could only recognize by his silhouette from afar. Odette stopped in her tracks as Bastian closed the distance between them. It was hard to believe this was the same man who had once relied on her just yesterday.

Before her temper simmered, Bastian stopped walking. Her eyes grew wide as she saw the wildflower he was holding out to her

It was wildflowers, it must have been gathered by his own hand from the flower field for there were no shops nearby selling bouquets. 

When Odette was stunned, Bastian closed the distance with slow, confident steps. He finally reached her and presented her a bouquet of vibrant flowers.

Tears streamed down her cheeks, turning her eyes the colour of a fiery sunset as she accepted the gift from his outstretched hand. He studied her, observing every little gesture and not wanting to miss a single moment.

With overwhelming happiness, Odette looked up at Bastian and their eyes met. In that moment, his smiling face took on the blush of a boy having his first taste of love.

In this moment, she could draw a love story between a naval officer and a lady, starting from the most ordinary of beginnings. The officer and the lady met under the merging skies of day and night in spring. The evening of good times deepened the warmth in their eyes. 

Her smile shone more brightly as the flowers in her arms, and his embrace enveloped her, like a warm spring day. 

Whispering softly against his lips, she made a vow, adding yet another entry to her cherished nursing diary that had just reached its final page.

The last important notes

‘I will love you without regret.’

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