Bastian
Chapter Side Story 13 - When a New Curtain Rises

✧When a New Curtain Rises✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The snow had slowed during the afternoon and stopped entirely by the evening, allowing the first stars to twinkle in the purpling sky.

   Bastian sat in the living room, leafing through documents while he waited for his wife. He had been ready for the banquet hours ago, Odette was taking her time to ensure she was as presentable as a princess was expected to be.

   Hans shifted as he stood beside the Christmas tree, waiting for Bastian. “Hans, why don’t you take a seat?” Bastian said while opening his cigarette box.

   “That’s very generous, sir, but I am on duty.” Hans straightened like he was on a show parade. Bastian chuckled and lit a cigarette. The flick of a lighter blended into the drawing room bathed in the crimson glow of the sunset.

Bastian smoked and started reviewing documents from Ratz. Most of the servants that came in from Ardenne were staying in a hotel near the banquet hall, to make the preparations easier, but despite their very busy schedule, Hans still took the time to attend the master of the house. Bastian could also sense a not-so-subtle sense of curiosity from the servants about Rothewein. They had expected a large country manor and were surprised when they saw an unimpressive little cottage.

Even weeks after their arrival, the shock they felt looking at the small, cramped house had not dissipated. The drawing room was narrower than the grand entrance hall of Ardenne mansion. It seemed absurd to choose this humble abode for their honeymoon, when they owned luxurious mansions scattered throughout the empire.

   “Bastian,” Odette said, coming into the living room with her maid just as Bastian was done reviewing the documents. “Oh, Hans, I am sorry for making you wait.”

   Hans did not say anything. The whisper of a smile appeared on his lips and he bowed his head slightly as Odette came into the room.

   Bastian got up, handing the documents to Hans and retrieving his jacket from the back of the chair. He then greeted his wife with a kiss on the cheek, then helped Odette into her coat, beating her maid to the task. She stepped away and shared an awkward smile with Hans as they watched their master and his wife in silence. Their master had always been a kind and courteous husband, but now the atmosphere between them was different.

   “It’s almost like they’re newly-weds,” the maid said to Hans, leaning in close so as not to disrupt Bastian and Odette.

   “It is nice to see them getting along and so intimate, though this house is shockingly plain in many ways” Hans said, quickly following after his master as he heard the front door open.

   Hans wasn’t sure what he should do with himself as Bastian was insistent on driving himself to the banquet, but fortunately, Odette intercepted Bastian’s plan. Relieved that they would not need to walk all the way to the next village, Hans opened the passenger door for Odette.

   “Thank you,” Odette said with a smile so warm, it could have melted the snow around them. Bastian then entered the car through the door on the opposite side.

   Hans got into the drivers seat and set off. The maid, who had said she would take care of the dogs, bowed her head from the porch before turning back into the warmth of the cottage.

Rothewein’s night sky was a canvas of twinkling stars, a perfect backdrop to behold on the eve of the festival.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The party was a resounding success. All those who had gotten invitations attended and some that had not. Though it was not out of any maliciousness, they had simply been over looked. They were let in any way.

   The maids and the servants had done an exceptional job of arranging the decorations, food and music, and while they are used to organising more eloquent parties, the hall looked fit for any king.

   “Thank you Lovis, you and the staff have done an amazing job,” Bastian said, as the pair stood in a discreet corner together.

   “It was nothing, sir, I am just glad to be serving you again. Preparing such an event was also a meaningful time for me.” Lovis almost looked like he was going to tear up. “The last few months without you have been a nightmare and I am glad it is finally over. Thank you for coming back safely.”

   Lovis looked away and pretended that he was surveying the guests, it would be unprofessional to let the master see him get emotional. The banquet hall was filled with vitality and joy. There was so much happiness in one room, it wasn’t hard to see why Bastian and Odette had fallen in love with the little village.

   Out the corner of his eye, Lovis caught sight of one of the elderly farmers coming toward him. “Excuse my interruption,” the farmer said. I just wanted to thank Karl Lovis for a wonderful party.”

   Lovis looked confused for a second. “You should be thanking Admiral Klauswitz, sir.”

   It was the farmers turn to look confused. “Aren’t you Karl Lovis?” he said.

   “Well, no. My surname is Lovis, but Karl is not my name. That’s my master’s great-grandfather’s name. How do you know the name?” Lovis asked, ignoring a rather ungentlemanly snort from Bastian.

The farmer looked between Bastian and Lovis, not sure what he should do or say, then figured it out. “Oh, I see, Lovis is you.” He barked a stout laugh. “It seems the Admiral is a rather eccentric man, if lacking in creativity. Well, its a pleasure to meet the real Mr. Lovis.” The farmer bowed his head and walked away with a jaunty step.

   Lovis looked at Bastian with an expression that expected some kind of explanation.  “I’m sorry, Lovis. That’s how it is.” Bastian simply shrugged before turning his attention to the other end of the room. 

“Here comes the birthday cake!”

   The eyes of all the guests were drawn to the chef who was pushing a cart with a large, ornate birthday cake upon it. Odette, who had been talking with Nina, saw the cake and her eyes went wide.

   The head maid led Odette over to the five tiered cake. A page toddled over to Bastian and handed him a large bouquet of flowers.

   “Bastian,” Odette said as he approached. “What is all this?”

   “This is in return for receiving the best cake,” Bastian said. He led Odette to the centre of the table.

   The cake was a behemoth of icing perfectly decorated to look like a tower of beautiful summer flowers, just as he ordered. Though he never realised just how big the cake was going to be. 

Once the candle was lit. The band changed the music to a fantasy piece, Odette’s favorite. The same melody that had been played for her melancholic, but happy, twenty forth birthday.  Though the grandeur of the setting felt too fancy, it’s like a lavish birthday party fit for an empress.

   With a small amount of encouragement from Bastian, Odette approached the cake with the elegance expected from a princess. With a deep breath, Odette blew out all the candles and the hall exploded into an uproar of cheers and the echo of congratulations.

The last night of the year was alive with enchanting melodies and dazzling lights. Memories of a time when she had to endure sharp insults and criticism floated vaguely in her mind.

Was this the happy ending for a fairy tale heroine who had finally overcome all her trials? The answer came to her easily – no. This was just an interlude. A break before the next act of her life began. When a new curtain rose, there would be new challenges to face,  there might be sad and difficult times. For she understood all too well that strong lights comes equally deep shadows.

but with Bastian by her side, she felt she could face them head on and break through them. There will be sad and difficult times, sure, but she also knew that she had the strength to get through them.

Still, it’s okay, Odette thought, looking at Bastian handing her twenty-six irises. With this man she felt she could manage well enough. She felt they could handle whatever life threw their way until the very end, and dared to dream a fairy tale ending. 

When Odette accepted the bouquet, the crowd’s cheers grew louder and Bastian gave her a polite kiss.

   “Now, how about you two dance together?” someone shouted out of nowhere as the cake-cutting ceremony was winding down.

   “Yes, it is tradition in Rothewein,” another called out. “Lets change the music to something more lively.”

   Before Bastian or Odette could say or do anything, the band quickly switched their song and the upbeat folk tune and the the villagers cleared a large space, forming a dance formation as if they had been anticipating this moment all night.

“Come join us! Hurry!”

The villagers, already engaged in the lively dance, called out to them. Odette’s eyes widened in amazement as she watched the dance unfold before her. It was unlike anything she had ever seen, With that, the whole village broke into paired dancing as the band played through the polka. They twirled and moving together in perfect harmony to the beat of traditional folk melodies.

“Let’s go,” Bastian offered his hand to Odette with a bow.

“Bastian, I don’t…” 

Bastian, with a generous smile, grasped Odette’s hesitating hand. “I’ll teach you.”

“You know how to dance like this?”

   “Well, of course. I have had to attend more than a few functions at the admiralty. You learn to master quite a few different dances in service to the empire.”  Bastian led Odette through all the dance, all gazes were drawn to the couple standing beneath the vintage chandelier.

Bastian first demonstrated the steps of the dance, and his skill proved it was no bluff. He expertly led Odette through each step, when she struggled to keep up, he patiently slowed down and guided her once again.

   “Oh my, I’m not sure I can do this Bastian.” She looked at him  with a bewildered face. She tried her best to follow the step but mastering an unfamiliar dance on the spot wasn’t easy.

“Let’s start.”  Bastian seemed unfazed by her situation, he grabbed her waist and began to lead the danceOdette was irritated by his laid-back attitude, but she didn’t have time to scold him. She had only one option left now.