Bastian
Chapter 33 - A Surplus Profit

✧A Surplus Profit✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The wind swept into the room, tugging at the edges of the curtains and coaxing them into a gentle dance. 

Odette stirred from her slumber, her eyes blinking open to the sight of the lace shuddering in the breeze. She lay there for a moment, listening to the rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves outside, tracing the intricate patterns the curtains wove in the air. Gradually, the drowsiness that had clung to her mind melted away, replaced by a sense of peace.

This was her sanctuary, a room that overlooked the shimmering expanse of the sea. The walls were painted a soothing shade of blue, and the sheets were as soft as a cloud. As Odette basked in the tranquil atmosphere, her eyes fluttered with the realization of where she was. It was a sensation that coursed through her every morning, a moment of rediscovery that never failed to stir her soul.

With a slow and deliberate movement, she rose from the bed and leaned against the headboard, her gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar surroundings of the bedroom. Everything was bathed in a warm and inviting glow, as if the room itself was beckoning her to explore.

The space was awash in hues of ivory and gold, a regal and luxurious design that bordered on the excessive. Everywhere she looked, there were beautiful and expensive items that seemed to be vying for her attention. The furniture was ornate and meticulously crafted, while the decorations were intricate and refined. It was as if they were all competing for space, each one clamoring to be the centerpiece of the room.

As Odette took it all in, she felt like an uninvited guest who had stumbled into a palace.

“Madam,” a voice called out, accompanied by the soft rhythm of a knock at the door.

“Yes, come in,” Odette commanded, swiftly smoothing the ribbon at the end of her braided hair. The door creaked open, revealing the maid who had served her morning tea. In tow was a young maid, her arms laden with a crisp morning paper. The rustling of the paper and the clinking of porcelain cups mingled in the air, as if composing a symphony of domesticity.

As Odette caught her breath, a table appeared beside her massive bed, as if by magic. The rich scent of bergamot filled the air as a steaming cup of tea was ceremoniously poured. Odette breathed in the soothing aroma, feeling her worries melt away with each sip.

“Thank you, Dora,” Odette smiled softly, expressing her gratitude.

The head maid responded with a graceful bow, her movements as elegant as a dancer’s, before making a quiet exit from the room. The young maid, who had been lingering in the background, quickly stepped forward to take her place beside Odette.

“Thank you as well, Molly. You did a wonderful job,”  As she spoke, the girl’s face lit up with joy, her eyes shining with pride.

After savoring a sip of her tea, Odette delicately set down the cup before reaching for the newspaper. The pages were still warm from the ironing, their crispness and neatness a testament to the meticulousness of the household staff.

Over the past three weeks, Odette had established an unspoken signal that she was ready to receive work and reports.

” Madam, as your instructions, the dinner table has been arranged on the terrace. Please review the menu and seating arrangements once more to ensure everything is in order.” 

Dora wrapped up her report on the household expenses and the servants’ vacation schedules, and then proceeded to present the agenda for the evening’s dinner party. As Odette set aside her newspaper, the maid handed over the neatly organized plans.

Since the wedding day, life had been a whirlwind of invitations and events, but this particular weekend held a special allure. 

Bastian’s former military academy classmates were the guests of honor, the very same officers who had accompanied him to the gambling house on that fateful night. They had crossed paths at previous social gatherings and weddings, but their interactions had been limited to mere pleasantries. This gathering, however, would be different the first time they would come together with the sole purpose of engaging with each other.

“As it stands, proceed with the current arrangement,” Odette affirmed, handing back the meticulously reviewed schedule to the head maid with a warm smile. With every action, she embodied the epitome of a sophisticated hostess, dutifully fulfilling the responsibilities outlined in her contract.

“Consider it done.” Dora completed the task with ease. She bid farewell with a gracious nod before departing.

From the moment her first mistake was brought to her attention, the head maid had made a conscious effort to conceal any ill feelings towards her. Odette was quick to recognize the head maid’s exceptional service, at least when it came to matters of business. With this in mind, she felt that it wouldn’t be difficult to sustain a cordial relationship for the next two years if the head maid continued to act with such professionalism.

 “Madam,”  As Dora’s hand rested on the doorknob, she suddenly pivoted, causing Odette’s fingertips to quiver nervously as she toyed with the edge of her teacup.  “I received a call from Ratz. The butler informed me that the master is running a tad behind schedule today, but he assured me that he’ll be here before our guests arrive for the dinner party.”

“Ah, I understand.” 

As the news sank in, Odette’s eyes briefly glazed over, but she quickly composed herself and forced a nod. Despite already being aware of her husband’s impending arrival, the notification still managed to stir up a sense of unease within her. It was peculiar, this feeling of nervousness that had suddenly taken hold of her as the weekend approached.

After her sense of tranquility restored, Odette settled into her morning routine, perusing the newspaper as she sipped on a warm cup of tea. She had indulged in a light breakfast of hard-boiled egg and fresh fruit, paired with a steaming cup of tea, but the chime of the hour soon signaled that it was time for her to begin tending to her duties as hostess.

Odette gently laid the newspaper aside and rose from the bed, making her way towards the balcony that overlooked the stunning garden. Beyond the verdant foliage, the glistening white sand of the beach beckoned invitingly, basking in the warmth of a brilliant summer day.

She longed to remain transfixed by the picturesque vista before her, but there was work to be done. Stealing a final glance at the breathtaking scenery, Odette turned on her heel and strode purposefully towards the bathroom.

As she opened the window, a salty sea breeze flooded in, carrying with it the soothing sound of the chandelier’s mother-of-pearl ornaments swaying in the gentle wind. The melody was almost as enchanting as the view, and she already felt a sense of excitement for the day ahead.

With the sound of the sea as her companion, Odette glided towards the sink, entranced by the melody that swirled around her. As she gazed upon the exquisite golden faucet, crafted in the likeness of a swan in mid-flight, a joyous laugh bubbled up from within her, as if it were the very first time she had laid eyes on it.

Yet, despite the undeniable splendor of her surroundings, there was an underlying discomfort that gnawed at her heart, casting a shadow over her otherwise idyllic morning routine.

Before turning on the water, Odette reached out and tenderly caressed the swan’s graceful head, a personal ritual that never failed to calm her nerves and steel her resolve for the day ahead. It was a small moment of tranquility amidst the tumultuous sea of emotions that constantly threatened to engulf her.

With a steady hand, Odette twisted the golden faucet, a sense of familiarity washing over her as the cool stream of water began to flow from the swan’s beak. Though the doubts and anxieties that plagued her mind refused to dissipate, she held on tightly to the belief that everything would be okay.

As the water splashed against her hands, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the sound of the sea and the gentle sway of the chandelier’s mother-of-pearl ornaments carry her away to a place of peace and serenity.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Formerly possessed by the wealthiest denizens of the New World, the financial institution stood at a strategic juncture between the stock exchange and the central bank.

Bastian strode purposefully out of the company’s grand entrance, a marked departure from his previous stealthy ingress and egress through the obscure backdoor during lulls in pedestrian traffic.

As pedestrians paused in their tracks and stole a glimpse, their eyes widened in astonishment. Despite the revelation of the true identity of the wealthy mogul who had emerged as the deity of the empire’s financiers, there were still many who remained incredulous, long after the news had broken.

“As for the rest of the developments, we’ll keep you informed through both written correspondence and phone updates,” the silver-maned executive stated as he saw Bastian off at the base of the staircase.

“No.” Bastian shook his head with a composed smile, “Matters that have already been settled can move forward under the board’s discretion.”

Thomas Müller, formerly the secretary to Bastian’s maternal grandfather, had assumed significant responsibilities since the days when Illis was deemed nothing more than a mere moneylender. He served as Bastian’s mentor and proved himself to be a highly capable individual, whose contributions were vital to the rapid and stable growth of the company. Without him, the company would have faltered.

With gracious expressions of appreciation and unwavering trust, Bastian exchanged polite pleasantries with Thomas Müller before sliding into the driver’s seat and starting the ignition. Just as he had set his jacket down on the passenger seat, Thomas knocked gently on the windowpane.

Thomas Müller, the ever austere mentor, spoke with a tinge of redness in his eyes, “It was your grandfather’s lifelong aspiration to create a thriving company and be acknowledged globally. You should be immensely proud of yourself, Bastian. I know I am.”

As his companion’s emotional state grew more apparent, Bastian quipped with a wry grin, “You’re making me uneasy. Perhaps our esteemed director is getting on in years.” He paused for a moment. “But don’t let age catch up to you.”

“Time is an unstoppable force.”

“In any case, do your best. Keep me in check until the day we can proudly proclaim ourselves to be the most esteemed company in this metropolis,” Bastian urged with a determined glint in his eyes.

Thomas Müller’s frown soon gave way to a gentle smile “That sounds like a mixture of worry and warning.”

With a step back, Bastian slid behind the wheel and started the car. Rather than heading towards the city center, where his townhouse stood, he charted a course towards the new residence where his wife was staying. As it was still early evening and the night’s festivities had yet to commence in full swing, he was able to depart the bustling city center at a quicker pace than usual.

As the desolate outskirts loomed into view, he expertly shifted gears and accelerated with a fierce determination. After driving northward for what seemed like ages, the vast expanse of the sea finally came into view, beckoning to him like an old friend. With unwavering conviction, he had made the decision to launch a swift and decisive campaign.

At first, Bastian had planned to unveil his grand scheme after officially sealing the marriage contract with Laviere. But the course of events took a sharp turn when the emperor presented a marriage proposal and a business deal that he couldn’t refuse. Of course, the unforeseen meteoric rise of the company’s growth rate also played a major role in shaping his decisions.

Perfect planning was required in order to avoid wasting the once-in-a-lifetime chance to conduct business with the emperor. The best way to lay the groundwork before leaving for his next assignment was to adopt the most aggressive tactic.

Duke Laviere coveted the title, but Bastian was unwilling to give it up in exchange for a prosperous life. His modest nod was only a short-term solution to reduce background noise.

Nonetheless, the time was marked by great turmoil and change.

Glories of the past were no longer a guarantee for the future. Aristocrats who refrained from joining the capitalist revolution saw their standing rapidly deteriorate. There would soon be an end to the time when people enjoyed honor solely based on genealogy.

Bastian was a pragmatist at heart. Recognizing gains and losses. Its precise computations and figures have created a perfect and faultless universe. There would be the ability to establish the next era’s ruler. Bastian meant to take it by the heads and stand on it.

Of course, there was no reason to ignore the fact that class influence was still a major factor.

In a sense, it was like surplus profit. Having it is preferred, but not having it is still acceptable.

Bastian sped down the familiar road, the wind whipping through his hair as he headed towards his new kingdom. When he approached the entrance of the luxurious mansion, he couldn’t help but ponder the idea of developing the picturesque site on the other side of the bay as a breathtaking resort. It would be the perfect addition to his expanding empire, a paradise for the elite to bask in the beauty of nature and indulge in the finest luxuries.

Odette stood at the front door in her usual spot, just like the previous weekend. Her posture and expression remained unchanged, the only variation being her attire.

Bastian relinquished the steering wheel to the valet and ascended the stairs, wearing a grin worthy of a husband who had been longing for his wife’s company for an entire week. Odette’s countenance was equally affectionate, exuding the demeanor of a devoted wife who had eagerly awaited her husband’s return.

As Bastian stepped into the mansion, Odette rushed towards him, to make it look like she was indeed waiting for her beloved husband before the maids.

“Welcome home, I missed you a lot,” said Odette 

 “I missed you too “ Bastian clasped his wife’s hand in a courteous response, returning the sentiment of missing her. And with a deliberate volume, he addressed the curious servants who were surreptitiously observing, “My thoughts have been consumed by you in your absence. I hope you share the same sentiments, my dear.” 

“Yes, of course. “ With a subtle tremble in her eyes, Odette managed to fabricate a convincing lie. It was a remarkable improvement from the first time when she had been as stiff as a board. 

Bastian put the finishing touch on their little performance by planting a delicate kiss on Odette’s rosy cheek. With the way they acted, anyone could have easily believed they were a young couple deeply in love, cherishing their newly-wed phase.

He strode into the grand lobby, the weight of his successful business deal settling heavily on his shoulders. As he made his way towards the living quarters, the sound of his footsteps intertwined with that of his young wife Odette’s, creating a harmonious melody that reverberated through the opulent mansion. 

The lazy stillness of the summer afternoon was shattered by their synchronized steps, a reminder of the vitality and vigor that fueled the couple’s passionate pursuits.