"Never in my life have I prepared for a wedding in such a hurry."
The Countess of Trier laughed out, shaking her head.
She had gone to a jeweler to find a gift and was now on her way to check on the finished wedding dress. After that she had to meet with Mrs. Gross, who was in charge of wedding preparations on the groom's side, to discuss some of the details of the wedding coming up this weekend. Every day for the past month had been a series of these war-like days.
"Thank you, Countess."
A smile broke out between the sound of running carriage wheels and horseshoes.
The Countess of Trier looked at the seat across from her with amazement. Odette, in a lavender muslin dress, smiled as clear as an early summer afternoon. The sparkle of her trinkets, lavishly adorned with diamonds and pearls, brightened her complexion and made her look glamorous. In just one month, Odette had become a completely different person.
"You don't need to thank me. In fact, I should be thanking you since I am enjoying the pleasure of spending money like water."
Countess Trier appreciated the work of art created by Bastian Klauswitz's money and her vision with pleasing eyes.
He personally visited the Countess's residence to give her the news of his proposal. It was the evening of the day he went to visit Duke Dissen at the hospital.
The fact that he suddenly made such a decision was surprising, but the date of the wedding, which he took the liberty of finalizing and reporting, was truly astonishing. It was entirely due to God's blessing that her senile heart did not stop despite the series of shocks.
Make her the most glamorous and beautiful.
Bastian left one request, asking her to take care of the wedding arrangements for the bride.
He said the cost was limitless and to prove his words, he provided the money like a fountain that never dried up.
"The day I first met you, I somehow had a feeling that I might be able to make this marriage happen. And see how it turns out."
Countess Trier wrapped her hand around Odette's with a bright smile. The engagement ring was adorned with jewels so large and ornate that her slender finger looked too thin to handle.
It was an extravagance unworthy of an engagement lasting a little over a month at most, but there was no reason to refuse to give it to her.
"It seems that your fiancé is much wealthier than the world thinks. The emperor's selfishness to protect his daughter unintentionally protected his sister's daughter as well."
Releasing her hand, the Countess unfolded her fan. Odette still smiled enigmatically. It was a beautiful, quiet, graceful figure. As it deserved, Countess Trier was again convinced of Bastian's unprecedented choice, as the marriage proposal fizzled out and he proposed at the appropriate point.
It had already been nearly seven years since that antiquarian left the world.
During those years, the legacy he left behind had been quietly sinking beneath the surface. For a while, there was a lot of speculation, but the flames were quickly extinguished when the heir, the grandson, fell silent.
Rather than being a big deal as rumored, the hidden financier who dominated the era amidst disappointment was forgotten.
Meanwhile, Bastian Klauswitz graduated from the military academy as planned and was commissioned as an officer. And he has lived strictly as a soldier.
Although he gave the implication that it was enough to enjoy a wealthy life, he made no move to reveal the size of his fortune. At least until this marriage was decided.
Bastian was moving as if he had been waiting for just the right moment. Odette was probably chosen as the trophy to advertise that new leap. If so, he made a very good choice.
"Come to think of it, you haven't seen the wedding hall yet. I think we have a little time tomorrow. Would you like to go with me?"
Countess Trier asked the question in a slightly jovial voice. The wedding venue was going to cause all sorts of upheaval. Her mouth was itchy to reveal it but she held her tongue so she wouldn't miss out the fun of watching the faces that would turn upside down that day.
"No. I'm sure I'll see it in a few days. I'm sure I'll see you in a few days. You've worked hard, so please rest comfortably tomorrow."
Odette's face was as calm as ever as she politely declined. She reacted as if she were a spectator at someone else's wedding.
Come to think of it, she had been like that the whole time she was preparing to get married.
She smiled and obeyed everything so calmly, a serenity that would have suited an old woman in her twilight years.
She was not at all like a new bride about to be married, but Countess Trier pretended not to know and decided to keep it quiet.
It would be difficult to just rejoice because of her father's accident. A father was worse than none, but he was her flesh and blood nonetheless. It was no wonder she seemed to have a lot of thoughts.
Bastian Klauswitz solved the Dissen's tragedy by the most efficient means: money.
Duke Dissen was taken to a convalescent hospital with good facilities near Lutz. He was virtually imprisoned in a high-end prison because he wouldn't be able to get out of there until he died.
The Duke's bastard child (Tira) was also to be sent to a prestigious girls' school in Karlsvall as soon as her sister's wedding was over. This was tantamount to a declaration that all of the Dissen family who was near Odette would be put away.
Odette was inwardly sad to send her sister away, but Countess Trier had different thoughts. For it was also time for Odette to leave all the baggage that was no longer in her hands and live her life fully.
In this regard, she (Countess) appreciated Bastian Klauswitz's decisiveness.
Bastian did not hesitate to cross the line that was usually defended for reasons of appearance and reputation. As if he didn't care about any accusations against him. On closer inspection, his approach was not bad either. There was a very linear and poignant aspect to it.
"Yes. It's not a bad idea to save the good gift until the last minute."
The carriage stopped at a nod. The staff of Sabine dress shop
had come out to the main street to wait for them.
Rearranging her clothes, Odette dismounted from the carriage without delay.
The hidden gem found by the antique dealer's grandson was most glamorous and beautiful today.
***
Sandrine was speechless for a long time. She was so stunned that she could not even breathe properly.
"Uh... I'm going for a walk in the garden for a while." (Lucas)
Puzzled, Lucus stood up from his seat, alternately looking at the two people.
Sandrine was still staring only at Bastian at that moment. He (Lucas) was merely a shield brought in to legitimately visit the man's home the day before the wedding. Lucas was not qualified to interrupt this conversation anyway.
"Yes, I suppose I do. I only like the one thing about you."
Sandrine, her anger finally quelled, laughed, barely tugging at the corner of her lips. Bastian finally averted his gaze from the window after only looking at the servants who were diligently moving his luggage.
He looked remarkably unconcerned.
Bastian Klauswitz was getting married. He said Bastian came to deliver the news in person.
He said that the emperor offered him a good deal in exchange for his marriage, and he decided to accept it. Even more ridiculous was the fact that her father respected Bastian's decision.
To have benefits and titles in exchange for living with a fake wife for two years, and he gladly overlooks his divorce after.
After a few flips on the abacus, Duke LaViere's conclusion was as simple as that. Bastian and his daughter would remarry anyway, so he thought it would not interfere with the marriage business they had agreed to.
Sandrine also understood the calculation. However it was difficult to forgive Bastian for such a betrayal without consulting her. She believed that at least an apology should be made, and so she waited. Like an idiot, there was no apology and his wedding was just around the corner.
"So the thing is you have not apologized to me one bit."
"I have fully asked for your father's understanding on this matter, and Duke LaViere understood."
Bastian repeated the same answer this time. Sandrine laughed at the incredulity as the shadow of a plaid window frame made by the midday sun after hiding behind the clouds for a while landed on her face.
"I forgot for a moment that you are exactly like my father, who only loves money and mines, not me."
"If you include the mine anyway, Countess, the diamond mine owned by the LaViere family, is among the largest in the world. You can be proud of it." (Bastian)
Bastian joked with a face devoid of laughter. No, she wasn't even sure it was a joke.
"You and my father are incredible, really. You both can live your life by numbers. You will never know the pain of someone with a heart."
"Have you said everything you wanted to say?" (Bastian)
Bastian put down the teacup he was holding and rang the call bell. Shortly after giving the butler a few instructions, Bastian turned to Sandrine with a smooth smiling face again.
"I see you are very busy preparing for your move. How do you feel now that you get to enjoy your newlywed life with your beautiful wife in your newly established mansion?" (Sandrine)
Sandrine met his gaze, smiling as if she did not want to lose. Her cold, stiff hands were trembling with anger, but fortunately she still had enough self-control to protect her last vestige of self-respect.
"I have nothing to say about the newlywed life, as I don't know yet. I think the Countess knows better than I do since you have once enjoyed your newly wedded life. Don't you agree?" (Bastian)
"Are you insulting me?"
"I am telling you the truth as it is. Of course, this interference from the Countess who is already married and me, who has yet to be married, is a little ludicrous. Isn't it fair since we each got married once and divorced once?" (Bastian)
Bastian tilted his head, asking back. His brazen and arrogant gaze finally broke Sandrine's last patience.
"Bastian Klauswitz! You shouldn't do this to me. Who the hell do you think is at a disadvantage? Can't you even think?"
"You're Duke LaViere's daughter. The most sought after bride. But you're having this pathetic conversation with me right now. So what do you think?" (Bastian)
"I beg your pardon?"
"I needed the position and foundation that your father had, and your father wanted my money. Thanks to our mutual understanding, we have worked well together until now. If we get married, we will be able to sustain this relationship in a stable way in the future. You are the woman who can give me the most in that aspect, but does that make me at a disadvantage? I think not." (Bastian)
The fake smile disappeared from Bastian's face.
"I plan to marry you again after I finish my deal with the emperor. You have the privilege I need most, but if you don't like it, I'll rethink the next two years."
"Bastian, I …"
"This is our relationship, Countess. If you just can't accept it, you'd better find another partner to remarry."
Bastian's expression changed as if putting on a mask he had taken off for a while, and stood up from his seat.
"It would be better to converse again when you're in a rational state after giving it sufficient thought." (Bastian)
"If I have no intention of doing so, are you going to kick me out?"
"Please. I do not mean to disrespect you, the best bride yet. It's just that I don't think it would be too good to see you guarding the house where the master left." (Bastian)
Bastian announced the time of departure by pointing to a table clock on the fireplace in the parlor. Sandrine eventually stood up, unable to bear it any longer.
"Having received such great consideration, I must return the favor. I'll applaud the loudest as a wedding guest at your new home tomorrow."
"I will only be grateful for your kindness. Since it will be a modest home wedding, it will be difficult to welcome guests who did not receive invitations."
Bastian politely asked for Sandrine's understanding and turned around with his jacket he had draped over the back of an empty chair. He was letting her down without actually telling her she wasn't invited in a gentlemanly way.
Watching the back of her lover as he left to marry another woman, Sandrine eventually burst into tears.
Despite the fact that he could not have been unaware of this fact, Bastian did not look back until the end.