Bastian
Chapter Side Story 2 - For a Successful Class

✧ For a Successful Class✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian whipped out the blanket and let it gently drift down to the ground, under the willow, beside the stream. It was the same place they had picnicked before the war, when he was desperate for every spare moment with her.

   Odette was busy getting the dogs out of the car and letting them loose from the leashes so that they could run around till their heart’s content. She then started pulling out the tableware and cushions she bought at a department store in Ratz. Napkins, cutlery, silverware, and crystal glasses. Bastian now understood why that box was so big and heavy.  

Leaning against a willow tree, he watched her house play with a boyish grin on his lips. She neatly arranged each dish with such delicate purposefulness. He did not want to interfere, if he placed the sandwiches on the wrong plate, it would put Odette in a bad mood for the rest of the day, so he contented himself to simply watch her. The way she leant over the picnic blanket afforded him a cheeky glance down her blouse, so it wasn’t all bad.

   “Did you plan on camping out here for the night or something?” Bastian said, unable to keep his silence any more when he saw too much food for one meal.

   “I have prepared a lot of stuff,” Odette said, looking about for room on the blanket for a few more plates and crockery. “It’s better to have too much than too little, I suppose.” With a flourish, she presented the next dish – a well-baked apple pie adorned with flaky golden crust, buttery biscuits, chocolate and candy, a sweet treat that Odette really liked.

   Bastian laughed as he took the bottle of champagne from one of the many bags. The pop of the cork was loud enough that the dogs froze in their antics and looked over at them. Odette reflectively shrunk away from the noise, but she quickly fixed her posture and pulled out the last thing for the picnic display, a vase of flowers.

Odette delicately arranged the shape of the crumpled petals in the vase, she set it down amongst a spread of lavish food. Her stoic expression never faltered, even as Bastian couldn’t contain his laughter any longer. As he erupted into a fit of giggles, Odette shot him a disapproving glance while casually fixing her hair in the gentle breeze.

   “I know you’re more of a practical person, Bastian, but you must get used to this type of formality. It’s a necessary custom, one that must be learned in order to navigate social situations with ease, you know.”

   “Ah, I must learn the ways of a new class of people,” Bastian giggled as he filled her glass. “There I was, thinking I was just satisfying my own, personal greed, please forgive me, Princess.”

   “Seriously, Bastian, I am trying to give you some advice,” Odette said as she enjoyed the scent of the grass on the wind.

   Bastian passed her a flute of champagne and nodded. “To be successful in the class,” he said, raising his own flute in a toast.

Odette’s laughter bubbled over like a glass of champagne. The atmosphere grew livelier as the four dogs, who had just returned, joined in on the fun. “Leave it, Cecil! Come here,” she scolded as Cecilia lunged for the food. She quickly prepared a separate meal for the furry companions before returning to pack Bastian’s lunch.

   “Yes, now, let’s eat,” Odette said, looking at her spread with hungry eyes.

  It felt strange to be picking up a delicately prepared sandwich and taking a huge bite out of it, but as soon as that first bite reached his stomach, Bastian realised how hungry he truly was. Odette did not start eating until she was satisfied that Bastian was pleased with all that she had prepared. While she ate sparingly, Bastian devoured as much to seem like the whole picnic was his share of the food. Sweets not to his liking but he ate them nonetheless.

It didn’t take long for Margrethe to notice the food out on display and she came over to see what scraps she could get for herself. As Odette prepared for their afternoon tea, Bastian discreetly snagged a sandwich from the tray onto his plate. Much to Odette’s chagrin, Bastian was more than happy to toss the dog the crusts of his food.

Adelaide and Henrietta also raced his side. The youngest sister, Cecilia,as she chased a grassworm, eventually joining the group. When Bastian distributed bread to each of Margrethe’s daughters, Odette returned with a tray of steaming tea and her eyes locking with his. Bastian paused as he began to carve the meat into bite-sized pieces, even the dogs stopped in their tracks,

   “Don’t feed them that, it’s not good for them,” Odette scolded.

   Bastian ignored her and tossed them a whole chicken salad sandwich.

   “Bastian…” Odette practically got to her feet.

Bastian compiled by cleaning the dishes. Margrethe, being the quick witted one, had already turned away, out of the reach of Odette’s ire. The others quickly bounded away across the field, only leaving Cecilia, who was the most gluttonous of the dogs.

   Bastian patted Cecilia’s head softly, as he leant obliquely against the pile of cushions Odette had set up. Together, they bore the brunt of Odette’s nagging. Odette treated the dogs like they were her own children, she  corrected the shape of their crooked ribbon and collar and at the end of her admonition, she gave each dog a tender kiss.

   “If only the noble ladies got half the kindness and tolerance you show the dogs. You’ve spent most of your life around boorish men, so I think you are not so familiar with the manner in which you need to behave around women. It wouldn’t be such a bad idea if you learnt a little etiquette. It’s not a losing business if you can make a profit by pretending, right?” she handed him a teacup of fragrant warmth.

“Don’t you like my etiquette last weekend?” Bastian said, knowing full well what Odette was about to say.

   Last weekend, the village teacher’s wife, who owned the large brewery in Rothewein, held a grand outing ceremony. It was not something Bastian planned on attending, but Odette thought it would be a better idea if they did. She saw it as an opportunity to win the hearts and minds of the community.

He thought of it as a pointless task, yet, he remained a friendly guest throughout the evening. From the moment he greeted the hostess, he was always surrounded by other men in conversation, yet he couldn’t recall ever being impolite or offensive. However, Odette seemed to hold a different view.

   “Well, it’s not bad.” Odette said with a shake of her head and laughed. “However, I just wanted to let you know that there is a certain level of etiquette expected from a guest when attending a meeting hosted by the hostess. But I won’t interfere if you don’t want to.”

“No, Odette.”  Bastian prepared himself mentally for the unavoidably long lecture. He didn’t hate Odette’s nagging, in fact, he liked the attention and the affection. It was like proof that she really loved him and thought of him as her family.  “Tell me then and I will listen.” he said with a nonchalant smile and lay down on Odette’s knee.

   “That’s the attitude,” Odette gave up her knee as she threw a tantrum. She shaded the sunlight from Bastian’s face with her hand. “There are ladies that think you are a scary and cold person. They misunderstand you, and I don’t like it.”

Bastian paid no mind to social norms, but he remained quiet. Instead, his focus was on her mesmerising turquoise eyes that filled him.

His paradise glistened beautifully. He felt a deep warmth emanating from the golden light. Now he knew the name of this all-encompassing feeling.

Love.

It was an overwhelming love.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Odette slowly came back to wakefulness as the sunlight flickers through the swaying branches of the willow tree. The dazzling light broke her nap.

   “Ah, are you awake?” a cool soft voice flowed to her ears.

   “Bastian…” a languid smile spread across Odette’s face. He was laying on her side, his head resting on his hand and watching her. They smiled at each other.

She looked at the sleeping dogs and the field where the sunset was setting.  After the hearty picnic, they had walked across the fields of wildflowers, picked berries to make into jam and then rested under the willow tree, sharing jokes and stories until the drowsy afternoon faded away into a pleasant sleep. It was a beautiful day as if the wishes on the day we parted blessing each other came true.

   “Thank you,” Odette said. “Thank you so much for making me happy.”

Listening to the sound of a healthy beating heart, Odette once again conveyed the overwhelming feeling of this moment. She was well aware that it was a day when she acted like an immature child. She pretended to be an adult that Bastian had given her a lot of consideration, but she was actually relying on this man all along. It was possible because she was confident that she was loved.

“It’s great to have someone I can be silly with, to share in laughter. It is your turn, Bastian, you have fulfilled my wish, what is yours? I will grant it.”

   “Ah, well, I’m afraid this could get me into a little trouble here.”

   Bastian reached out with a hand and started stroking her back, getting ever closer to her waist. Odette frowned, holding onto the tingling that the touch sent across her body, making it chill and prickle. Bastian smiled, raising his good looking eyebrow.

   Even though she knew she shouldn’t, she was caught up in the intoxicating sensation. The irritation caused by his delicate fingers melted away like snow, leaving behind only excitement, as if she was a school girl once more.

   “Oh the brother and sister are on good terms again I see.” A voice called out the moment she kissed him broke the sensual feeling and made Odette sit bolt upright. The sudden movement startled the dogs awake, who got to their paws in a flash of movement.

   It was the owner of the mill that Bastian had broken the door of. He was on his way home from a hard day’s toil in the fields.

   “Mr Lovis, Mrs Byller! Come by the farmhouse later, I’ve just finished bottling some wine.”

   Bastian and Odette waved back and watched as he moved on through the far field, back to his own farmhouse. As soon as he was out of sight, Bastian grabbed Odette around the waist and pulled her in close for a hug.

   “Let’s go then, sister,” Bastian said, planting a firm kiss all over her blushing face. She tried to push him away as she was scared if the farmer came back for some reason. “When you’re in an impossible situation to save face, you might as well embrace it,” Bastian said with a laugh, once again he gave Odette a friendly kiss on her cheek. “I could teach you how.” 

Odette looked at his brazen face with a frown, and soon burst into a clear smile. Then she stretched out her arms and hugged her teacher.

Odette was certainly acting like a Klauswitz and he knew he was in trouble now.

She was in trouble doing business at a loss.