Bastian
Chapter 29 - A Stain Beside Him

✧A Stain Beside Him✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

As Bastian wrapped up his introduction, he presented a folder and urged the recipient to peruse its contents. “Here is a document that captures the core of our conversation. I beg you to carefully review it and offer your comments.” He stated and handed the paper across.

Within the pages lay a succinct agreement encapsulating all the important points he had just discussed. With ease, Bastian had conveyed the complexities of safeguarding the demanding princess, having been intimately acquainted with the challenges himself.

The mandate from the emperor was clear – a matrimonial bond must be forged, and a two-year commitment was required. Rest assured, ample compensation would be provided for the chosen one. And as I pondered over the ideal candidate, my thoughts settled upon you, for it seems that you possess all the qualities required for the task at hand. Should you choose to accept, the ceremony shall be formalized at the end of the upcoming month.

At its core, the matter was uncomplicated, and the average person would have grasped it with ease – a fact not lost on Bastian, who perceived the woman to possess sufficient acumen. 

Unfortunately, what she lacked was the fortitude to act upon the information imparted to her. 

“I am willing to explain further, should the need arise,” Bastian offered.

The tense hush was broken by Bastian’s measured tone, and after a protracted spell of staring blankly at the folder, Odette lifted her head. Though her apparent indecision was testing Bastian’s patience, he proceeded with a composed demeanor, mindful of her predicament and the challenges she faced.

With a lull in the conversation, Odette posed a query to Bastian, “So, is it safe to assume that you intend to propose to me?” 

As the initial shock subsided, Odette blinked her dazed eyes, seeking to make sense of the situation at hand. After a brief pause, she finally found her voice.

 “If I may interject, I believe the term ‘contract’ would be more fitting in this instance. Essentially, what I am proposing is gainful employment,” Bastian explained, clarifying the nature of the arrangement.

“Is this a novel form of philanthropy you are practicing, captain?” Odette responded with a sardonic chuckle, as she processed the unusual circumstances – a chance encounter with a stranger who appeared out of the blue at the hospital where her ailing father was being treated, offering her employment. 

Despite her reservations, she remained rooted to the spot, lacking the fortitude to walk away from this crazy man with such an intriguing proposition.

As the initial sense of disorientation faded away, Odette finally focused her gaze upon the man standing before her. It was none other than Bastian Klauswitz, who was now broaching the subject of purchasing a bride with his vast wealth – a sham of a wife, meant to serve as nothing more than a disposable bargaining chip in a deal with the emperor, lasting a mere two years. 

The giddiness intensified, causing Odette to falter and seek refuge on the nearby bench, as she struggled to catch her breath. 

In a moment of concern, Bastian approached her. Once more, he offered the documents, this time with a more resolute air. “I realize that this is a trying time for you, but I implore you to approach this matter with an open mind,” he advised, urging Odette to consider his proposition.

“Are you suggesting that you are doing me a favor?” Odette was quick to respond, her voice laced with skepticism, unconvinced by his appeal.

Bastian knelt and dropped the contract onto Odette’s lap, “It is comforting to know that you possess a measure of logical reasoning.” He maintained his detached demeanor as he provided a dispassionate account of the situation.  “The wedding has been scheduled by the Emperor and I have identified several prospective candidates. I intend to make a final selection by the end of today,” he stated, his blue eyes remaining steadfast and unwavering. 

Despite her anger, Odette found herself unable to respond in kind in the face of his unyielding composure. Bastian spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, his words cutting through the air with precision. He seemed completely unaffected by Odette’s presence or the absurdity of what he was proposing.

“Your looks and background make you the most suitable candidate for this arrangement. And, our previous acquaintance will make it easier to expedite the wedding. I was uncertain at first, but now I am confident that you are the best choice.” 

Odette felt a knot form in her stomach as Bastian spoke. 

“If you’re unsure….” she interrupted

“Putting Lady Odette first would have been challenging if not for your father’s accident. It’s safe to claim that the one decent thing Duke Dyssen did for his daughter was to break his back.” Bastian gazed steadily at Odette as he spoke his unvarnished truth. Despite her contemplative expression, he didn’t hesitate to voice his thoughts. While Odette would undoubtedly excel in the role of a trophy wife, he was hesitant to deal with her father’s potential troublemaking. It was a simple fact, and he had no qualms about stating it.

Had Duke Dyssen not been bedridden for the foreseeable future, Bastian wouldn’t have bothered to visit this place with his proposition.

“In case you harbor illusions of marrying for love, feel free to decline. However, if that’s not a concern for you, in my opinion, Lady Odette, this arrangement wouldn’t be a bad deal,” Bastian stated coolly, his attention momentarily drawn to his watch. He realized that he had already spent more time than intended on this matter and needed to focus on his top priority.

Bastian didn’t beat around the bush and spoke plainly about the harsh reality of Odette’s situation.

“Once your father is released from the hospital, you will be responsible for caring for him at home because your family’s financial position prevents you from hiring nurses or servants. Furthermore, it’s not like you have a close enough bond with your father to give up the rest of your life to care for his disability while relocating from one home to another. Am I misleading?”

Bastian’s eyes flickered over to the document on Odette’s lap, then back to her face. He was growing bored with this pointless back-and-forth, so he decided to cut to the chase. He wanted to make Odette understand the gravity of her situation, and he did so with ruthless efficiency. As he spoke, Odette’s knuckles turned white from the intensity of her grip.

But Bastian noticed something else happening to Odette as well. Her body was trembling, and her face was contorting into a look of pure desperation. She looked like a fragile glass figurine, perched on the edge of a shelf, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

Bastian knew what was coming next. If Odette refused his offer, she would be left with nothing. No money, no home, no future. She would be like a broken doll, discarded and forgotten.

But Odette surprised him. Despite the tears that shimmered in her eyes, she didn’t cry. Instead, she looked up at him with a familiar strength. It was the same look she had given him on the night she was sold into a life of gambling and vice.

Bastian sent a look of courteous disinterest while patiently waiting. Odette’s bloodless hands finally opened the papers just a short while afterwards.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Odette’s heart sank as she finished reading the contract. This wasn’t a marriage in any sense of the word. It was a business transaction, a deal, a cold arrangement between two strangers. 

They were to live together, but their relationship was to be devoid of any real intimacy. No shared bed, no touches, no love. It was a life of complete loneliness, with only the public facade of a happy couple to keep up. Two years of living like this would change them forever. As she closed the document, the true reason for Bastian’s seeming generosity became clear.

Odette’s heart raced as she studied Bastian Klauswitz, his once pristine white uniform now stained with the fiery hues of the setting sun. The man beside her was no longer the charming businessman she had met before. Something about him had changed, and his mere presence now filled her with an icy dread.

Bastian sat with his legs crossed, staring off into the rose garden. Odette couldn’t help but feel as though he was staring straight through her, his gaze piercing and unforgiving. Suddenly, she realized just how little she truly knew about this man.

It dawned on her that Bastian was a force to be reckoned with. He was willing to do whatever it took to get what he wanted, even if it meant risking his own life. He was unpredictable, uncontainable, and utterly beyond her control. Odette realized that the rumors circulating among high society about Bastian’s power were not just hearsay – they were the truth.

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, Odette couldn’t shake the feeling of trepidation that had settled in her chest. This man, Bastian Klauswitz, was not to be trifled with.

The world was a well-ordered tree, towering over all who inhabited it. Many people struggled to survive, clinging to the branches, willing to be pruned by the forces that controlled their fate. But not Bastian Klauswitz. He was a wild and unyielding vine that refused to be tamed or trimmed. He had grown from the broken twigs and snaked around the trunk of the tree, his strength and tenacity threatening to strangle the very life out of it. Gardeners feared such plants, knowing they could take over and destroy the very foundation they depended on.

“Does the deal with His Majesty really warrant such a hefty cost?”

Odette’s hushed voice delicately pierced the fragrant air. Bastian’s head turned slowly, his emotionless smile silently affirming her assumption. 

“Once the two-year contract is up, Countess Lenart will most likely be the one to marry the Captain, isn’t that right?” Odette asked. Her thoughts gradually sharpened, and with a clearer mind, she posed the question to Bastian, who gave an honest response without hesitation.

“Indeed, by then Sandrine would have settled her own marriage as well,” Bastian replied with his characteristic honesty.

“Does the relationship between the Captain and Countess Lenart remain valid during the duration of our marriage contract? I mean…” Odette asked, her voice uncertain.

“In all situations when we identify as husband and wife, I will prioritise my wife’s rights. But Sandrine de Laviere is much more significant to me in my personal life, and that won’t change.” Bastian implored. He explained the situation clearly.

The day had finally arrived when Odette’s fate would be sealed. She sat in front of the contract, her eyes scanning the fine print while her thoughts drifted away. She was well aware of the gravity of the situation, but it seemed like the roles had reversed. 

Her husband’s mistress had become the new queen, and she, the once-revered wife, had been relegated to a mere pawn. However, Odette remained calm, fully aware of the farce that was their marriage. Everything was a lie, and there was no point in applying common sense to a relationship that was built on deceit and manipulation.

Odette’s gaze lowered to the paper once again. As long as she signed it, her father could spend the rest of his life in a well-equipped convalescent hospital, and Tira, her half-sister, would receive a good education at a prestigious boarding school. It was an opportunity to break free from the shackles that had bound her for so long. The money that came with the deal would allow her to start anew, to build a life that was truly her own.

Odette hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was worth it. But deep down, she knew that it was foolish to pass on this chance.

Odette’s hand hovered over the fountain pen, her eyes scanning the file folder. She knew that this decision would change the course of her life, but she couldn’t make up her mind. It wasn’t a matter of morality or honor; those notions had long since lost their hold on her. No, it was fear that gripped her, fear in its most visceral form.

“Just one day… I need time to consider…..,” Odette requested, with trembling in her voice.

“As I said, I don’t have much time.” Bastian’s response was curt. He stood up from the bench, cutting off any further discussion. “Are you refusing?”

Bastian glanced at his watch and asked.  His demeanor was chilly, and he seemed ready to move on to the next candidate if Odette so much as nodded. “If that’s the case,” he continued, “then I’ll…”

“No!” With an impulsive burst of energy, Odette’s response was resounding. She ardently shook her head, causing Bastian to take a step back as if to convey a willingness to grant a temporary suspension. The intensity of her refusal seemed to give Bastian pause, at least for the moment.

Odette’s hand trembled as she gripped the fountain pen, unsure if she was making the right choice. The prospect of tomorrow was daunting, but the despair of today was suffocating. She knew that no matter what the next two years brought, it would be better than the reality she would face if she missed this opportunity. With that thought in mind, she made her decision.

She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, steadying herself as she straightened her grip on the fountain pen. The ink on the tip of the nib bled, creating a stain as it fell onto the signature line of the contract. But Odette didn’t falter. For her, it was a small price to pay for a better ending than disappearing into nothingness.

As she finished signing her name, she felt a sense of resolve wash over her. She may have been scared, but she was determined to see this through. The ink on the contract may have stained her hands, but it couldn’t stain her spirit.

Odette raised her head and examined Bastian’s expression, hoping for a sign that he was pleased with her decision. But his face was as emotionless as ever, standing with his back to the sunlight. Uncertainty filled her, and her fingertips began to tremble. The exhaustion from the past three days, where she couldn’t eat or sleep, washed over her all at once.

Despite her weakened state, Odette summoned all her strength and focused on writing her name next to his on the contract. With a final stroke, she released her grip, and the pen fell to the floor. She was barely conscious of Bastian as she did so.

But to her surprise, Bastian picked up the pen and retrieved the contract. After examining the signature line once more, he covered the folder, announcing the successful conclusion of the contract.

A tearful sigh erupted at that precise time. Odette hunched down and appeared to be about to pass out while exhaling heavily.

“Could you walk?”  

Bastian’s question echoed in Odette’s deaf ears. She was unable to respond verbally, but she managed a small nod of her head. Suddenly, she felt weightless and realized that she was being lifted into the air. In a moment of surprise, she opened her eyes to find herself cradled in his arms.

Bastian cast a quick glance at Odette before striding purposefully towards the hospital. Uncertain and overwhelmed, Odette buried her face in his shoulder, not sure what to do next. She was physically and emotionally drained, her body on the verge of collapse. It was unlikely that she could push away the large, solid man carrying her in such a weakened state.

“You look weak. We will go to Dr. Kramer’s office,” Bastian said calmly, his voice penetrating Odette’s fading consciousness.

“But that doctor only treats special patients…” Odette’s objection was cut off by Bastian without hesitation.

“You’re Bastian Klauswitz’s fiancée,” he said firmly, resuming his steps towards the hospital. Odette’s eyes fluttered closed, the warmth of Bastian’s body and the clean scent of sunlight surrounding her.

The marriage contract became binding right away. There didn’t seem to be any turning back.