Bastian
Chapter Side Story 16 - Another Gift

✧Another Gift✧

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Their private box on the Ratz Opera House was named “The Watchtower.” They had to entre the opera house via the VIP entrance used by members only. They then had to pass under the central staircase and up the second floor balcony. 

The building’s five balconies provided a perfect view for observing and critiquing nobles. They were like watchtowers, arranged strategically to overlook the other audience members.

   The competition for these boxes were fierce, especially on a day like today, when there were twice as many audience wanting to see a popular show. The attendees ranged from nobles to distinguished older men, a more diverse crowd than usual due to the scandal caused by the Klauswitz couple joining as the VIP member of the Opera House.

   “Ah, I see the Opera House has finally given in to the son of junk dealer,” Countess Trier said as she evaluated the dresses of the ladies climbing the stairs from her VIP box.

   “I wouldn’t be surprised, Admiral Klauswitz single handily funded the renovations of the theatre. With such a hefty amount, even the proudest judges had no choice,” another lady said beside Countess Trier, unable to hide her dissappointed eyes.

   “I just don’t understand why he chose to remain a commoner and act like a nouveau riche, instead of accepting a title. The opera house, once a symbol of nobility, has now fallen to the power of capital.

   Naturally they gossiped back and forth about Bastian. They criticised his audacious refusal to accept a title while putting on a pretence of someone of noble birth through wealth.

   “Let us not mix facts here, it was the Opera House who approached the Admiral first, with a bribe of membership for funding the renovations,” interjected Countess Trier.  The gossiping ladies who were starting to talk  about Odette, suddenly became cautious became cautious and exchanged glances. “It’s no big secret the director practically begged Admiral Klauswitz to open his wallet. They say the Admiral only relented after his demands for a nice gift for his wife was met.”

“Well, that’s true but…” 

   Their conversations stopped when they were distracted by the arrival of the new VIP guests; Duke and Duchess of Herhardt, the other famous noble families like the Klauswitz couple and were known for their eccentricities in high society.

Presented with a fresh target, the ladies excitedly approached the front of the balcony railing and turned the attention of their gossip to that couple. Countess Trier, waving her feathered fan, also peered over the railing to see The Duke and Duchess of Herhardt making their way up the staircase of the theater, accompanied by former Duchesses.

The onlookers quickly took note of Catharina and Elysee von Herhardt, but their gaze was soon drawn to the young Duchess, a person who intrigued them.

   “Hmm, where do you think she got that dress?”

   “Looks like something from Sabine.”

   “Indeed, the women of the Herhardts are all patrons of Sabine.”

   “It’s more modest than I expected.”

   “The display of her jewels will make you change your mind, the necklace on her tiny frame,  isn’t that the Lovita family jewels that Dowager Herhardt  brought when she got married?”

   “I think you’re right. The old lady has finally accepted her as a daughter-in-law then.”

   “She’s given them a son, why wouldn’t she?”

   “True, he looks so much like his father, its like looking at a young Duke Matthias again.”

   “I feel bad for Madam Elysee, she must be upset to have such a woman in the family, especially when her son was once her pride and joy, and is now just a disappointment.”

Whispers about the Duchess’s fashion choices quickly turned to Matthias von Herhardt’s elegant mother. Once a reigning queen of society, she now faced a humbling fall from grace. There was a twisted pleasure to see her downfall. The social world was ready for a new queen, but she wasn’t quite ready give up her throne just yet.

Elysee Von Herhardt paused on the stairs far below her and lifted her gaze to the balconies above. Though she was surely aware of the gossip and ridicule being exchanged, she maintained her composure with grace. Countess Trier watched the scene with pointed interest while Elysee gave her smile to each of the five balconies, as if she were an opera singer basking in the audience’s applause

The ladies, who were gossiping about the Herhardt family, stopped when they saw Elysee’s composure. She politely acknowledged their awkward smiles and responded with formal courtesy before calmly continuing up the stairs.

“It seems not only Duke Matthias who treasures his wife like a jewel.” Soon the ladies lost their momentum and looked for another target for their incessant gossip.

As her families fortunes waned, each precious jewel being put up for auction, scattered across the continent. Odette remembered how sad she was when her mother selling cherished pieces of her crown. Her grief dulled with time. What surprised Odette to learn was that Bastian had retrieved and purchased nearly every jewel.

   He said it was to mark the celebration of their new membership at the prestigious opera house. He also said that if any of Princess Helene’s jewels were to resurface again, he would make sure to bring them back to Odette. He was so casual about the whole affair, like he was simply gifting flowers or chocolates.

   “Thank you, Bastian,” Odette whispered as she put on her mothers glittering necklace.

   She could still recall the day her mother was forced to sell it. Her father had tearfully pleaded for help after getting caught up in another investment scam. They borrowed money from relatives, but when it couldn’t be repaid they fled to felia.Her father promised he would retrieve every last jewel when he made his fortune, but the fortune never came. The tiara and other inherited jewelry were never seen by her mother again until she passed away.

   Odette imagined the look on her mothers face as her necklace now hung around her daughters neck. It was another gift from Bastian.

   “It’s not a mere giveaway, don’t worry,” Bastian said with a smile. “I hear the boxes are sanctuaries for secret love affairs. Will you join me, princess?” Bastian joked.

   Odette blinked in surprise, then laughed. They had reached the staircase landing, which split off. “This way, Bastian,” she said, leading him to their box.

Out on the balcony, they could see the gathering crowds meandering far below as the spectators looked for their seats. Composed, Odette showed nothing but calm. She headed to the left staircase, gracefully draped in her opera cloak.

   The central staircase was a flurry of long elaborate dresses that resembled colourful peacock feathers. The display for those in the box was as much part of the experience than the actual show. The extravagance of the dresses the ladies wore were specifically picked out for this display. It was like a fashion side show and all the well known designers in the city had some form of representation on those stairs. Odette learned of this from Madame Sabine, who had recently delivered the opera dress and cloak ordered by Bastian.

Madame Sabine only laughed and told Odette to keep it under wraps. She was amused by Bastian timing the completion of the dress to coincide with receiving their opera house membership, a move that would surely stir high society.

Odette’s surprise was quickly replaced by an even greater one as Madame Sabine’s assistants revealed a stunning dress and cloak. The deep blue silk, adorned with rich decorations and gold-threaded patterns, flowed gracefully to the floor. Watching ladies in such attire ascend the theater’s stairs was truly admirable.

   Gracefully, Odette climbed the stairs and she could feel all eyes of the opera house on her as she flaunted Madam Sabines finest tailored dress. Occasionally she felt herself wobble on her narrow heeled shoes, but fortunately Bastian was there to disguise her clumsiness.

   Having reached the top of the stairs without any drastic failures, Odette smiled at Bastion, who smiled in return and they set off for their box.

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