Bastian
Chapter 27 - Hero's Last Option

✧Hero’s Last Option✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The Emperor’s words hung heavy in the air, a threat veiled in casual amusement. “Surviving the night is not a guarantee,” he said, his tone almost playful. “Heroes can easily end up as refuse in the alleyways, but that’s just the way of power. Unfair, yes, but what can one do?” 

Bastian saw through the smile and knew the danger that lurked beneath. The tranquil existence before the Emperor’s gaze was no facade. 

“I could be merciful,” he mused, “and acknowledge your past accomplishments. But perhaps a compromise is in order, to quell that smug expression mocking the imperial family and our society. What say you?” The Emperor regarded Bastian like a surgeon preparing to operate, his intentions clear.

“If the notion doesn’t suit you,” the Emperor murmured, turning to open the window. The breeze from the Prater River garden wafted in, rich with the fragrance of roses and dampness. “I suppose there is but one remaining option for our hero….”

Bastian awaited with patience the words that would bring about humility. This was indeed the Emperor’s command. The one phrase that would determine his future was to be that one.

The Emperor’s eyes fluttered open, his voice firm as he issued his edict: “You are to marry without delay.” Bastian, whose unwavering gaze had always betrayed his confidence, felt his eyes falter for the first time, unsettled by the suddenness of the Emperor’s command.

“I have set my sights on Odette to be your wife,” the Emperor began, his voice certain. “But should you be unable to secure the daughter of Duke Dyssen, you may select a bride from your inventory. And if, by chance, you were to elope with Count Lenard’s wife, Sandrine,I would not fault you for it.” 

Emperor waved his hand dismissively, “Regardless of the bride you choose, you must be wed before the summer festival begins. For two years, you must remain married to ensure that Isabelle remains wed to Belov until the birth of their first child. After that, I will not interfere. Though it is my sincerest wish that your family be happy, if that is not the case, divorce is an option.”

“Your Majesty, the day you mentioned is coming up in just under two months” Bastain said

“As time will be scarce, but preferable to meeting a gruesome fate or enduring facial mutilation, wouldn’t it be the wiser choice?” quipped the Emperor, leaving Bastian with a sense of detachment as he gracefully pivoted away from the window.

“Join in matrimony, and let the world behold an impeccable duo. This way, should the Crown Prince of Belov learn of your liaison with Isabelle, he shall not perceive it as a threat but merely a trifle? And in return, I shall reward you handsomely,” proposed the Emperor, exuding an air of astute bargaining as he settled into the plush couch.

“Why do you bear such a countenance? Did you not pledge to heed my every decree? Dare you deceive the throne?” interrogated the Emperor, his eyes ablaze with intensity.

“Never, Your Majesty. However, this matter…” replied Bastian, his voice trailing off as he grappled with the weight of his response.

“As pledged, I shall grant your wishes following two years of wedlock. Be it a noble designation or any other indulgences that align with the Empire’s tenets and regulations, they shall be yours. This vow is made in the emperor’s name and honor, and I shall uphold it,” promised the Emperor, as the breeze carried the fragrance of roses. Meanwhile, Bastian gazed towards the Emperor, with his back braced against the gusts of wind.

“This is my command. It’s time to reveal Bastian Klauswitz’s truth, to learn who Bastian actually is.” Emperor growled.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

As Bastian stepped out of the emperor’s private residence, a soft light illuminated the sky, casting a blue hue over everything. He stopped in his tracks, taking a moment to gaze up at the tranquil dawn sky. It was as if time had paused, and the world was holding its breath.

But the peaceful moment didn’t last. Bastian felt like he was in a surreal dream, one that he couldn’t quite grasp. He recognized the familiar sight of his bed and ceiling, but something was different. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he knew that today would be unlike any other day.

With a snide remark and a determined expression, Bastian set off towards the back gate of the imperial palace. The fragrance of roses mingled with the mist rising from the nearby Prater River, enveloping him in a heady aroma. It was a fitting metaphor for his current state – his role was as thick and heavy as the scent of the flowers.

As he walked, his mind raced with questions and uncertainties. What did the emperor want from him? What was expected of him now? Only time would tell, but Bastian was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

“Master, are you well?” Hans, an attendant who had been loitering by the fence near the parked car, rushed over as Bastian emerged from the back door.

Bastian ran his fingers through his tousled hair and took charge, putting on a smile without much fuss. Hans scurried after him and opened the back seat door, allowing Bastian to slip off his jacket and sink deep into the plush leather seat.

As the weariness that he had forgotten washed over him, Bastian shut his eyes and let out a bitter laugh. The demands of his role had taken their toll, and even though he had put on a brave face in front of Hans, he was struggling to keep up. It was a reminder that he was only human, and even the strongest of men had their breaking point.

“Please don’t worry, it’s nothing. Let’s proceed,” Bastian said with a weary voice, as he flung his tie over his jacket. In no time, the engine roared to life, and the car set off.

As the vehicle made its way down the street, Bastian dozed off, lost in thought. It was only when the car passed by the Reinfeld Hotel, on a Wednesday when the flowers were in full bloom, that he stirred from his slumber. This was the place where the emperor had introduced him to the woman who was to be his companion.

He gazed out of the window, his mind racing as he considered the dilemma before him. The woman presented to him by the emperor was undoubtedly the most suitable option, but was she the right choice for him? He wiped his face slowly, lost in thought as he mulled over the same question that had plagued the emperor. It was a difficult decision, one that would have far-reaching consequences.

The emperor’s fury was entirely justified, and so was the decree that followed. Despite his initial misgivings, he  understood and respected the emperor’s decision as the ruler of the empire. If he could secure the gains he sought by sacrificing two years of his life, then he was prepared to make the deal.

Although there were obstacles to be overcome, such as the complications arising from the involvement of the Laviere family, two years was a necessary period of time for Sandrine’s divorce proceedings to conclude and for her to find a suitable partner.

For now, the most rational course of action was to take advantage of the interim period to make a substantial profit, and then proceed with the marriage to Sandrine, sharing each other’s divorce experiences on equal footing.

However, Odette was the bigger problem, and it was a significant one that left Bastian feeling hesitant.

 In truth, she was the best candidate for the task at hand, and this only added to his consternation.

Bastian loathed the idea of preying on a woman who had been cast aside by the world. The prospect of spending two years in her company filled him with an overwhelming sense of discomfort. Yet, in a society where fathers were willing to trade their daughters for a handful of coins, it was evident that there were no perfect choices. After all, whoever he chose wouldn’t surely be a better option than Duke Dyssen, the reprehensible nobleman who had tormented the kingdom for years.

As Bastian mulled over the multitude of possible scenarios, the car turned onto a street that led straight to the townhouse. The first light of dawn had just begun to creep over the horizon, but the breeze wafting through the open car window carried with it a gentle warmth, as if a whisper from the coming summer in Berg.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Lovis was pacing back and forth in front of the mansion, his eyes wide with anxiety as he waited for Bastian’s arrival. As soon as he saw his master, he rushed over and posed the same question in a worried tone,

 “Are you all right?”

 It was clear that Lovis had been up all night, and the lack of sleep had taken a toll on him.

With anxiety written across his face, Lovis asked him, “I’ll make sure to get in touch with Admiral Demel for you.” Take the day off and relax; you appear to be in need of it.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Bastian calmly waived him off before advancing inside the entryway of the mansion, tinge of fatigue in his voice, “Just give me a few minutes to rest my eyes. Let’s forego breakfast today and get some hot coffee ready in an hour or so. That will be adequate.”

As Bastian made his way across the hall, he could sense the unease radiating from the old butler. But just as he took his first step on the staircase, Lovis stopped him with a surprising revelation.

“There was a visitor last night,” Lovis said, his voice hushed.

“A visitor?” Bastian turned to face him, his curiosity piqued. Lovis reached into his pocket and handed over a visiting card and a note.

His eyes widened as he read the name on the card. 

Odette Theresia Marie-Lore Charlotte von Dyssen.

Bastian’s gaze drifted from the visiting card to the note, his brow furrowing in thought at the lengthy name inscribed upon it. He barely registered Lovis approaching and speaking, relaying his response to the unexpected visitor from the previous night.

“I carried out your instructions, master.” With a deep bow, Lovis affirmed.

As Lovis spoke, Bastian’s mind was already racing with possibilities and potential consequences of this encounter. Suddenly, a memory resurfaced, and he nodded in affirmation, recalling the strict orders he had given Lovis before he had entered the palace. ~ Be silent about tonight’s affairs.

“Lady Odette stated that she had a personal query, so I responded.”  Lovis said.

Bastian unfolded the note under the visiting card and looked up at Lovis, his curiosity piqued. “And what did Lady Odette ask?” 

Lovis approached Bastian with an anxious expression, “My lord, Lady Odette paid a visit last night and asked if the Duke had been here yesterday. I informed her that while he had come uninvited once before, he had not been here yesterday.”

“I see.” Bastian released a brief exhale, a hint of amusement tingeing the sound.

I humbly ask for your forgiveness as I now bear the burden of my father’s misdeeds. I promise to do everything in my power to atone and make sure you never experience any trouble at his hands again. Please accept my apologies.

Odette’s careful handwriting was a stark contrast to the crooked lines that appeared to be written hastily. Lovis noticed the difference and couldn’t help but speak up. “If I have made any mistakes…”

“No. please relax.”  Bastian walked briskly up the stairs and into the bedroom while shaking his head slightly.

Bastian threw the visitor’s card and note on the table before first going to the restroom. When he exited the shower, the sunlight filled the entire bedroom.

As the warm breeze flowed through the open windows, Bastian lounged in his loose gown, contemplating the events that were to unfold. The cigar box on the table beckoned to him, and with a sigh, he reached for it. The summer solstice had arrived, marking the beginning of the season’s festivities throughout Berg.

Bastian knew that on the day set by the emperor, he would be wed. It was a fact that he had come to accept, but not without a tinge of bitterness. He cut off the tip of his cigar, accepting the inevitable fate that awaited him.

Two years later, the marriage that he had entered into would crumble and fall, much like the ashes of his cigar. 

And so, Mrs. Klauswitz,~the one who will provide him with the companionship he needed in those timeframe, would quietly waiting in the background like the plants in his garden. And when the time came, she would vanish with a large sum of money, just as quickly as she had arrived.

Bastian leaned back in his chair, staring off into the distance as he contemplated the situation at hand. He knew that finding a bride was not going to be difficult – there were plenty of women who were willing to agree to the conditions and pay. 

Just Odette.

Just thinking of Odette made him feel something that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. 

As he retraced his steps back to the starting point, the unwelcome face of reality scratched at his nerves like a sharp blade. The clock was ticking, and he had less than two months to find a bride. He couldn’t afford to waste any more time.

Bastian took a deep breath and steadied himself. He knew what he had to do. To hold a wedding ceremony with minimal formality, he had to choose a bride within three days at the latest. And he was determined to make it happen.

He sat in his leather armchair, a lit cigar dangling from his lips as he read Odette’s note for what seemed like the hundredth time. He couldn’t quite understand why she had bothered to apologize in person. It seemed like a pointless gesture to him.

Duke Dyssen was a person who would remain that way for his entire life, and that was beyond of the woman’s purview. It would have been better in that situation to blatantly walk away. Much preferable to leaving unfulfilled promises.

As he crushed the note in his hand, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness. Why did Odette have to come into his life, only to make him feel this way? He tried to erase the memories of both father and daughter, much like a dirty stain that he could scrub away with enough effort.

With a sigh, he brought the cigar back to his lips, the smoke swirling around him like a protective shield. His cheeks began to pink as he inhaled deeply, and the smoke he exhaled dispersed like a thought.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian sat at the long dining table, lost in thought as he toyed with his food. It was towards the end of lunch when he finally remembered her name – Lady Odette. The worst and the best thing to ever happen to him.

Just as he was about to delve deeper into his thoughts, a sharp voice cut through the silence. “I have an urgent letter for you, Captain,” the officer announced, handing him a sealed envelope.

Bastian had dozed off on the narrow cot in the break room, but was abruptly woken by the call of a duty officer who had come on an errand. The officer handed over a letter from Lovis, which Bastian assumed was a response to his instructions to bring Lady Odette to the mansion.

After the officer politely saluted and left, Bastian eagerly tore open the roughly torn envelope to read the contents of the letter. To his surprise, it was not about the appointment time but contained news that was as sudden and jolting as a royal decree. Lovis had clearly put in great effort to convey the unexpected message.

Lady Odette is unable to accept the invitation to visit the mansion to discuss the wedding because of her current circumstances. I’ve learned that Duke Dyssen fell down the stairs last night and shattered his spine and cracked his head as well as other critical injuries. He is being treated at Ratz Municipal Hospital while unconscious. Even if he is fortunate enough to awaken, the general consensus is that he will be forced to spend the rest of his life as a paraplegic.

Bastian’s eyes scanned the note once more, his mind racing with the weight of the news it contained. With a deep sigh, he crumpled the paper and stuffed it into the pocket of his uniform.

Lying back down on the narrow cot, Bastian closed his eyes, his body weary from the trials of the day. The weight of his responsibilities felt heavier than ever, and he wondered how he would manage to navigate the unexpected turns fate had dealt him. As he drifted off to sleep, Bastian knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, he allowed himself a moment of relief.

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