Bastian
Chapter Side Story 1

✧Side Story 1✧

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The sound of a blade hitting wood rang out into the cool blue of the early morning. Diced and chopped vegetables quickly piled up on the kitchen table and once done, Odette turned her kitchen knife on the bread and toward the ingredients into a tasty looking sandwich.

   Odette checked the time, there was still plenty of it left as she neatly sliced up the cooled apple pie into equal shares and put it into the hamper with champagne. In all, it was a rather lavish looking lunch. The chocolate biscuits filled it up nicely.

   By the time Odette finished up the picnic basket, it was nearly time for Bastian’s return. Preparing a cool glass of lemonade and a towel, Odette went out into the front garden to await Bastian. Margrethe and her three puppies bounded after her, eager to be outside and running around. They bounced around her ankles with glee and yipped and nipped at each other in their excitement.

   “Stop, don’t eat that,” Odette said sternly as Cecilia tried to eat up a pumpkin leaf.

   She went to the garden and sat under the apple tree, waiting for Bastian. In the distance, she could hear the clock tower in the village square strike the hour, Bastian should be here soon. Odette turned her face to the brilliant yellow dot of the sun. It was mid autumn, the leaves had turned and the air was crisp, but the radiant warmth of the sun still felt nice on her pale skin.

   They were supposed to be on their honeymoon, but Bastian had to devote some time to administering the company. She understood, there were a lot of adjustments to be made in the post-war economic times. It could have been left to the board of directors, but Bastian was adamant in overseeing it himself. It was clear that he had made up his mind to pursue the path of a businessman.

   For the most part, Bastian had kept his promise to not overdo it and she was just glad that he rarely wore his military uniform any more, after giving over his leave of absence to enjoy his honeymoon.

Although he continued to work remotely through phone calls and correspondence, he made sure his job didn’t disrupt their honeymoon trip.

Don’t be greedy. Slowly.

   Odette rose from her seat when she saw a tall man, far off, walking down the road at quite a pace. It was Bastian, coming home after exercise. Sensing her excitement, the dogs started to bark and yip and jump up at the gate, also eager for their master’s return.

   “Bastian!” Odette called out, no longer able to control herself.  

   Bastian gave her a smile as he took the glass of lemonade and downed it quickly. After that he sauntered over to the quaint water pump nestled beside the flourishing garden. Odette’s eyes followed his every move as he refreshed himself, the droplets glistening on his skin, reflecting the rays of the setting sun.

“You look like you’re getting faster.” Odette handed him the towel she had prepared, her gaze swept across his freshly washed face and sweaty sportswear, it suddenly halted on a jagged scar that marred his handsome features

 “How do I look?” he said.

  “You look great, I shouldn’t have worried,” Odette said with a smile.

   Bastian was recovering pretty quickly from his injuries, his strength practically as it was before the war. Though his sensory slowdown and there was still some pain remaining, it did not seem to affect Bastian as much as it had done.

Odette wiped the remaining water off his face with a loving hand. Bastian leaned in and gave her an affectionate kiss, before turning his attention to the four excitable dogs.

   “I think we are going to need to put your maid up, Odette,” Bastian said, seeing Odette taking an empty glass and a wet towel.

  “Don’t be silly, where on earth will we fit a maid?”

   “We can rent out one of the nearby empty houses.”

   “No, don’t do that, I like things just the way they are.” Odette looked wistfully across to the house. “I wish we could stay here together, just us two. And the dogs.” If he made fun of her dream, she was going to cry. Bastian knew it well enough.

   Bastian took the glass to the kitchen, the dogs bounding after him as excited balls of fur and Odette in tow. Bastian gave a cheeky grin when he saw the picnic basket on the kitchen table. They had been in Rothewein for 15 days now, but not once did Odette want to go out on a picnic. 

Because the weather was hot, yet the autumn leaves weren’t pretty yet and thick clouds blanketed the sky. She had been waiting for the perfect moment,- a clear blue sky – to have their long-promised picnic. After all, it was a special event that wouldn’t come around again.

It may have seemed like an elusive stubbornness, but Bastian knew better than to argue with her. After all, this was something she had been looking forward to for a while. He was more than willing to make her wish come true, and more than happy to do so. 

   “Today then?” Bastian said, as she washed his glass.

   “Today,” Odette said with a childlike smile.

Odette approached him, wrapped her hand around his waist. After waiting for it so long, the moment she had dreamed of was finally here.

Bastian couldn’t help but admire his wife’s complex beauty. The elegance of a refined lady and the innocence of a bashful girl intertwined seamlessly, like a freshly bloomed flower in its prime.

“Go ahead and get ready.” Odette double-checked the clear sky beyond the window before giving a friendly command. A smirk spread across his lips as he leaned in and pressed a kiss against her flushed cheek.

Bastian responded with a booming laugh, tilting his head to kiss her flushed cheek. The gesture spoke volumes of his willingness to obey.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

It took a while before they were ready for the picnic. Odette was barely dressed, having spent most of the morning preparing the food and Bastian needed to take a shower to wash off the grime of work.

   Even when Bastian was done in the shower, Odette was still sitting in front of her vanity, fiddling with the curls of her hair. Instead of the short curls to the side, she arranged her hair in long wavy forms down her back, neatly bundled together by a soft pink ribbon.

Bastian had just finished his morning shower and slipped off his gown. Despite living in a modest one-bedroom house, it felt no different than their life at Ardenne’s mansion. Their lives had seamlessly blended together since their second wedding. He started every morning in Odette’s bed, making his own bedroom feel like nothing more than a large-lavish dressing room.

Bastian put on his bright flannel suit to match the gold tie Odette had given him. His cuff buttons gleamed with amethyst gems, matching the rich purple hue of Odette’s skirt. Glancing at his watch, Bastian noticed time ticking away quickly, yet Odette was still primping at the dressing table. Bastian couldn’t find the words to interrupt her,

Bastian reclined in his chair and watched her calmly. They had all the time in the world, nothing to rush for. So he patiently watched as she debated over which brooch would complete her blouse’s pintuck. It seemed almost identical to the previous one, but she seemed content with the exchange. He couldn’t quite discern any subtle differences, yet he couldn’t deny the sense of satisfaction emanating from her. 

“I’m sorry, Bastian. It’s done now.” Odette smiled as their reflections met in the mirror, then she took out two pairs of earrings from the dresser drawer. “Which one do you think?” she asked, as she brought up different gemmed earrings to her ears.

   “Hmm, the right ones,” Bastian said, choosing a small pearl earring with a soft polish.

   “I like these too,” Odette said. She put the earrings on and stood from the table. “Meg, Adele, Henriette, Cecil,” she called out.

   The dogs had been curled up together and napping, but as soon as their names were called, raised their heads to attention. She put a different collar onto each dog and wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, she was finally ready for the picnic.

   Bastian escorted the five ladies of the Klauswitz household to the car, where he had loaded the trunk with the picnic basket of food and various fold away tables and cloths. The backseat was cramped with furniture and anyone looking on would have a hard time believing they were only going out for the afternoon.

   “Ah, I see you’re going out, Mr Lovis.”

   “Good morning, Mrs Haas, yes, I’m off to have a picnic with the wife,” Bastian said, pausing as he went to open the driver’s door.

Odette,who was taking care of the dogs, wanted to get out when The old woman approached. 

“You don’t have to get out, Miss Byller,” said the old lady playfully, causing Odette to blush. 

   Although some of the villagers were a little offended that they had been deceived by Miss Byller and her “cousin,” most had already guessed at the true nature of the relationship between Odette and Bastian. When you live in such a small village, it’s hard to keep secrets from anyone. So was Mrs. Haas, who enjoyed teasing Karl Lovis and Marie Byller from time to time

   “Well, I wish you a pleasant afternoon’s outing then, Admiral and Princess,” Mrs Haas said with a bright smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.

   Bastian nodded and waved to the old lady and got into the car. Odette barely relieved and caressed the flushed cheek. When I remembered the days when I mimicked my cousins, I felt like hiding somewhere. I was just admiring Bastian, who was extremely calm.

 “Shall we be off then, Miss Byller?” said Bastian as he turned over the engine. Odette answered with a laugh.

The dark green car wound its way along the path by the glistening stream, it approached the entrance of the quaint village. Passing through fields of wheat and watermills, freshly harvested for the season, the destination slowly came into view. The brilliant sun shone down from a clear blue sky, casting a golden glow over the dancing fields.

 Odette’s dreamy gaze took in the picturesque scenery that she had longed for. It was as if the world itself was blessing their journey on this perfect day.

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