Bastian
Chapter 28 - Frail Bubble

✧Frail Bubble✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

‘If only he hadn’t woken up’

Countess Trier heaved a sigh. The anguished wails, almost resembling screams, had been echoing from behind the closed hospital door for what felt like an eternity. 

The heart-wrenching sound carried a weight of despair and seemed to seep into every inch of the sterile hallway, a haunting reminder of the suffering that lay behind the barrier.

“I’m sorry, Countess,” With a deep sense of empathy, Odette turned towards the Countess and uttered her apologies. “My father is deeply agitated at the moment, and I fear that it may not be the best time for you to visit him.” Despite the overwhelming weight of the situation, Odette carried herself with grace and poise. Her unwavering composure, a testament to her inner strength, seemed to radiate a sense of serenity amidst the chaos that surrounded them.

The Countess Trier’s compassionate touch conveyed a silent understanding that transcended words. “There is no need for that,” she said softly, offering a sense of solace to Odette. “I’ve heard that he may never walk again, so it’s alright.”

In that moment, the frenzied screams that had been reverberating through the hospital corridors faded into an eerie silence, as if the doctors had taken swift action to calm the tumultuous situation. Despite the gravity of the circumstance, the Countess’s soothing presence seemed to fill the air with a sense of tranquility, a balm for the aching souls that surrounded her.

The once-still form of Duke Dyssen stirred, his eyelids flickering open to reveal a dazed gaze. The Countess realized it was wrong to wish for anyone’s death. But as her attention shifted to the prospect of what lay ahead, a sense of melancholy crept over her. 

The thought of Odette’s uncertain future weighed heavily on her heart, the burden of a life spent caring for her father now a very real possibility.

The Countess couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow for her shattered hope – the prospect of marrying Bastian Klauswitz. 

Who in their right mind would want to wed a lady doomed to a lifetime of unending misery?

“Worry not about the hospital bill,” Countess Trier’s voice carried a reassuring tone as she made her pledge to the beleaguered family. “I will personally inform the imperial family and, if need be, I will implore the country to step in and assist.”

“Thank you, Countess.” Odette’s words were almost a whisper as she made her plea to the Countess. Her voice quivered slightly, betraying the depth of her shame. “I’m sorry to ask….” she began, her gaze fixed firmly on the ground. “But please, can you ask His Majesty to understand my situation regarding the marriage proposal? And also, the pension…it would mean the world to us.” 

“My dear Odette,” Countess Trier murmured softly, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. As she gazed upon the young woman before her, her heart ached with a deep and abiding sorrow. Odette’s lips trembled, a silent testament to the pain that lay beneath the surface. The room was suffused with a sense of helplessness, a feeling that seemed to permeate the very air they breathed.

Even in the depths of despair, Odette’s thoughts turned to the small pension that was her only lifeline. Countess Trier watched as the young woman’s face crumpled in pain, the weight of her troubles threatening to overwhelm her. 

The memory of how she had once used that same pension as a bargaining chip to secure her agreement to the marriage proposal hung heavily in the Countess’s mind, a bitter reminder of the cruelty and selfishness of her past actions.

Fumbling for words of comfort, the Countess could find no solace in her own thoughts. Instead, she reached out and gently stroked Odette’s cheek, a gesture of silent support and understanding.  Before a slender figure darted down the dimly-lit hospital corridor, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she cried out a single word,

“Sister!” 

Countess Trier watched in surprise as Tira approached, her heart racing with a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

“I’m sorry, Countess,” Odette said, turning to the older woman with a small frown. “Could you please wait a moment?” With a quick nod, she released the hem of her skirt, which she had been twisting nervously in her hands, and hurried off to meet the newcomer.

The weight of the world seemed to be resting on the thin shoulders of the child before her, and it wasn’t just the burden of her ugly, crippled father.

 Countess Trier felt her own heart constrict with a mix of sympathy and despair, as she gazed upon the girl’s fragile form and the weight of her troubles. Her own breath caught in her throat, but she managed to give the child a small nod of encouragement. 

“Yes,” she said softly, “don’t worry and go.” With those words, she watched as the girl turned and hurried down the hallway, disappearing around the corner and out of sight.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Tira’s small voice quivered with fear and uncertainty, as tears still streamed down her face. Odette knew that the situation was dire and needed to act quickly. She quickly scanned the surroundings, looking for a place where they could speak without being overheard.

Finally, she spotted a secluded corner in the hospital’s backyard and motioned for Tira to follow her.

“Sister, am I going to jail now? Huh?” Tira spoke after wailing for a lengthy period of time.

Odette’s eyes darted around nervously as she spoke in hushed tones, her words barely audible above the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. Tira’s tear-streaked face looked up at her sister, hopeful yet uncertain.

“Father doesn’t recall it.” Odette said, her tone firm and unwavering.

Tira nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. As they huddled together in the shadows, the distant hum of hospital activity providing a distant background, Odette continued in a firm voice “I believe his memory is hazy because he was intoxicated. He thought he stumbled and fell. It is the truth if that is what he thinks.”

“Oh, sister…” 

“Don’t dwell on it. It was an unfortunate incident that was out of our control,” consoled Odette. 

Tira’s guilt consumed her as she confessed, “But I was the one who pushed father with my own hands….”

“Quiet, Tira.”  Odette snapped at her.

“I’m absolutely terrified.” Tira’s body shook uncontrollably as she expressed her terror, “what if someone in the building witnessed what happened, even if father doesn’t recall it?” 

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Tira’s anxiety only escalated as she speculated, “It must have been the case. The manager’s wife despises me so much. She could have been observing me on that day. She saw everything! I believe she was lurking behind me sister, concealing herself behind the stair railing.”

“Tira, please.” Odette pleaded desperately. 

“I cannot bear this anymore. I am going to the police station right away. Perhaps, if I surrender and confess, the punishment will be less severe. I am utterly petrified, and I feel like I’m descending into hell. I’ll have to tell father everything, sister…”

Slap!

Tira’s frenzied behavior was abruptly halted by a forceful smack across her cheek, causing her to reel from the impact.

“Pull yourself together, Tira.” Odette’s voice rang out, commanding her attention, as she grasped Tira’s shoulders with an unwavering grip. Despite being terrified and on the verge of tears, Tira strained to listen closely. “What you did was justified self-defense. Regardless of what anyone else may say, that remains an undeniable fact.”

“Sister…” Tira called out to her sister with a plaintive cry.

“I may not be a religious person, but even if a higher power exists, they would not condemn you to eternal damnation for this. If someone has to suffer the consequences, I’ll be the one to do so. Do you comprehend what I’m saying?” Surveying their surroundings one last time, Odette fixed her gaze on Tira, “I don’t want you to carry the burden of something that is now beyond our control. I do not want to see you unhappy.”

Odette’s touch was gentle as she wiped away Tira’s tears, unlike the roughness of the slap that had struck her moments ago.  “Promise me that you will keep this a secret. Do it for me, please.” Her voice was soft and pleading as she made her request.

“Yes…” Tira’s response was barely audible, a soft moan-like sound escaping her lips as she acquiesced. She was consumed with remorse and could barely choke out the words, “I’m so sorry, sister.”

Tira’s anguished expression contorted with pain as she clung to Odette, seeking comfort and solace in her sister’s embrace. With eyes tightly shut, Odette enveloped the trembling child in her arms, offering a sense of protection and stability.

Tira’s tears flowed relentlessly, drenching Odette’s blouse as she wept uncontrollably. As the cries began to fade, the rustling of the leaves punctuated the stillness that descended upon them.

Odette held Tira for what felt like an eternity, her own fear and anxiety bubbling beneath the surface, but she was determined not to reveal it. For Odette, love was a responsibility, and her faith gave her the strength to bear it.

As Tira’s sobs eventually subsided, Odette regained her composure and wiped away the traces of tears on her little sister’s face with her sleeve. Straightening Tira’s tousled hair and fixing her crooked collar, she exhaled a deep breath and gathered her resolve, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

“Let’s head back.” Odette grasped Tira’s hand, her fingers intertwined with her little sister’s, and led her away from the backyard. As they made their way through the hospital corridors, the sounds of their footsteps echoed off the walls, reverberating through the emptiness around them.

With each step they took, Tira’s sobs gradually tapered off, until even the faintest sound of a sniffle had ceased by the time they reached the second floor where their father’s room was located. The silence was deafening, and Odette’s grip on Tira’s hand

Countess Trier sat on a chair in the hallway, waiting for the two sisters to return from their discussion. As soon as she saw them, she stood up and approached them with a purposeful stride.

“Did the conversation go well?”  She inquired, her sharp gaze fixed on Odette and Tira.

Before Odette could respond, she was interrupted by the Countess’s stern voice. “If you say sorry one more time, I will get angry.” The old lady’s firm tone left no room for argument, and Odette quickly suppressed the urge to apologize once more.

“The physician foretold that it shall take a span of three to four hours more for your father to regain consciousness from the sedative. However, worry not, for I will designate a vigilant sentinel to keep watch over his ailing frame. As for you, my dear Odette, it appears that you have been tending to your father without rest for several sunsets. I implore you to retire to your quarters and allow your weary mind and body to mend. Only then will you be equipped to persevere through this ordeal.” Countess Trier implored

“Your concern is much appreciated, dear Countess, but rest assured that I am in good spirits,” Odette replied.

“Pardon me for contradicting, but you seem to be far from fine,” remarked the Countess

“May I be so bold as to make a humble request? If it’s not too much trouble, would you be willing to take Tira instead of me?” inquired Odette after pondering for a moment, making her plea with prudence and care.

It was only upon closer inspection that Countess Trier became aware of the disheveled young girl concealed behind her sister’s back. Tira, the half-sister of Odette, gazed upon the Countess with timidity, lowering her head and greeting her in a meek and subdued tone. Despite her untidy appearance, Tira exuded an aura of humility, far from resembling a pampered child.

“I fear it would be challenging to leave Tira behind, as she is still in a state of shock, and there’s no one at home to attend to her,” remarked Odette, expressing her concerns about leaving the child behind.

“Very well, then. Let us proceed with your proposal. I will take the child under my wing,” Countess Trier assented hastily, her heart touched by Odette’s affectionate treatment of her half-sister, despite the scant age difference between them. The Countess could perceive the hardships that Odette had endured in her past, and it softened the heart of the normally stern and austere old lady.

“Rather than persisting with such folly and obstinacy, I implore you to come to my residence and rest for the night. A true lady should know when to relinquish the facade of strength during challenging times,” urged the Countess, urging Odette to set aside her pride and prioritize her well-being.

“Indeed, Countess. Your counsel is wise,” replied Odette with a weak smile and a wan complexion, nodding her head in agreement. Though hesitant, she mustered the courage to express her gratitude, uttering the words, “Thank you, Countess.”

 As she spoke, a sense of apprehension colored her voice, and the Countess could not help but notice the young lady’s frailty. Countess Trier’s aged lips curved into a gentle arc as she gazed blankly at Odette, pondering the young lady’s countenance. 

In that moment, the Countess could not help but observe that the abandoned princess’s daughter was far more deserving of the title “princess” than her own mother.

She was very saddened by the realization.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The sun shone bright in the sky, casting a warm glow across the hospital courtyard. It was a serene spring afternoon, and Odette sat on a verdant bench with peeling paint in certain spots, gazing wistfully at the lush flower beds before her. 

As she looked on, the vibrant blooms seemed to sway in the gentle breeze, their colorful petals resembling the flowing dresses of graceful dancers. The air was thick with the heady fragrance of roses and honeysuckle, enveloping her in a sweet embrace. It was a time when everything turned to gold, and yet Odette remained a solitary figure, estranged from the beauty of the spring festival.

The world was an indifferent place, showing no regard for the mere mortals that roamed its surface. 

This was a truth that Odette had come to accept, much like how the passage of time brought about the blooming and withering of flowers, the shifting of seasons, and the capriciousness of the weather. In this ruthless and unyielding order, there was little room for an individual’s joys or sorrows.

 It simply was what it was.

Even if rain had fallen on this day, it would have made no difference to Odette’s mood. The only change would have been the catalyst for her sense of isolation, which had now evolved into a feeling of monotony, a sense of being trapped in an unchanging pattern.

She was intimately familiar with the feeling of hopelessness and despair. It was a constant companion that trailed behind her like a shadow, always lurking around the corner. She knew that the world was indifferent to the struggles of ordinary people like herself, and that life was often cruel and unfair.

Yet even with this knowledge, there were moments when Odette couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by her own weakness. Today was one of those times.

 The world around her was too beautiful, too perfect, and too heartbreaking. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the flowers were in bloom, but none of it brought her any joy.

Sitting on the weathered bench, Odette stared out at the idyllic scene with the expression of a lost child. Her once-neatly braided hair had come undone, but she didn’t bother to fix it. What did it matter, when everything else in her life was falling apart?

Odette paid no attention to her crumpled clothes and dusty shoes, nor did she care about her disheveled hair. Even her mother, who was obsessed with maintaining appearances, couldn’t have found fault with Odette’s current state.

Meanwhile, Tira had been taken to Countess Trier’s house while their father was passed out from sedatives. It brought a temporary sense of peace, but Odette knew it wouldn’t last long. A fierce wave of turmoil would soon consume her once again.

As she sat on the bench, feeling as fragile as a bubble that could burst and disappear at any moment, the sound of approaching footsteps caught her attention. The footsteps grew louder until they came to a halt at the edge of the bench where Odette sat, her head down.

When she looked up, the first thing that caught her eye was a long shadow cast over her feet.

The glaring brightness of the white shoes pierced through Odette’s eyes, a familiar sensation that triggered a sense of foreboding. 

Slowly, her gaze climbed up the long legs, wrapped in pants of the same color as the shoes, until a white jacket emerged. It was followed by a more dazzling display of light: a golden belt, splendid medals and insignia, shoulder straps and epaulettes made of gold thread.

 As soon as Odette recognized the decorations that symbolized soldiers’ honor, her gaze reached the face of the man standing before her.

Bastian Klauswitz. 

He towered over her, his vivid blue eyes shining in the bright sunlight. Slowly, he took off his hat, revealing his tousled blonde hair, and looked down at the stunned Odette.

As if a spell had been broken, the sound of Bastian’s voice snapped Odette out of her daze. His words were a sharp reminder of the harsh reality she was facing. Slowly, she lifted her head to face him and offered a silent bow, a gesture of gratitude and respect. In response, Bastian inclined his head in a show of acknowledgement and sympathy.

“I was told about the accident,” he said, his voice low and somber. “I feel bad for the duke’s poor fortune.”

Bastian’s words cut through the air with an urgent tone, demanding Odette’s attention. “Lady Odette, I must speak with you. It’s a matter of great importance.” His words left no room for argument or hesitation.

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