Odette looked at the pasture with a slightly puzzled face.
A good dozen or so horses roamed leisurely on the vast meadow with a white fence. She knew that the stable was located around here, but it was the first time she had been to it.
"Are you here?"
The stable workers rushed to greet them.
While Bastian had a conversation with the stablekeeper, Odette took a good look at the pasture. She didn't know much about horses, but it wasn't hard to figure out that all the horses here had good pedigrees.
"Odette."
Bastian's voice calling her name awakened Odette, who was dumbfounded at the sight.
As Odette approached her husband, the stablekeeper brought a snow-white horse.
"It's named Shune, madam. She's a three-year-old mare, but she's very docile and clever, you won't find it difficult to handle."
After the stablekeeper's brief explanation, Bastian was handed the reins.
"Tell me if you think you can't do it. I'll buy you a pony to practice with."
"No."
Odette shook her head and approached the white mare.
"I learned to ride horses when I was a child. It was a long time ago, so the sense of actual riding must have been lost."
"When was the last time you went horseback riding?"
"Probably... I think it's been about six years."
Odette did not hesitate to feed the horse a sugar cube from the basket brought by a stable worker. Seeing that she was quite good at handling the horse, it didn't seem necessary to go to the trouble to teach her the basics.
"There are no saddles for ladies. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes. I've used her father's saddle before. My mother hated it, but I liked it much better that way."
Odette smiled softly and stroked the horse's mane. It was a sight that made Bastian realize who this woman was.
Even though her mother was a sinner and lived in exile, she was a princess nonetheless.
The money she raised by selling her jewels was not small, and her relatives abroad were willing to show her favor. If it had not been for the vain greed of the Duke of Dissen, she could have enjoyed a comfortable enough life and been reinstated. Whether as a hostess of a prestigious aristocratic family, or a Queen of a foreign royal family, the future of his daughter that Duke Dissen had been talking about could become a reality.
"Then let's go for a ride."
Having erased his useless thoughts, Bastian sent a glance, and the stablekeeper moved the footrest.
Odette climbed onto the horse's back without hesitation. She was not properly dressed, but her movements were very light and agile. Her posture also had nothing to point out. It seemed that her natural athleticism wasn't bad.
Bastian walked slowly through the pasture, leading the horse carrying his wife. She looked nervous for a while, but Odette quickly regained her memories of the old days. The horse did not seem to dislike the person on its back.
Bastian withdrew from that point and watched the situation. Taking the reins, Odette cautiously led the horse around the wide pasture. By the time she returned to Bastian's side, she was much more confident.
"It seems like the madam doesn't need a pony."
The stable workers' eyes widened as they watched Odette gradually speeding up.
Agreeing with them, Bastian sent a worker to fetch the dark-brown stallion he preferred to ride. By the time Odette returned to the entrance of the paddock, Bastian was also on his horse.
"I think this is enough practice. What do you think?"
Odette's eyes widened at Bastian's suggestion. She looked like a child receiving a surprise gift.
As Bastian gestured with his chin, the waiting workers opened the fence gate.
"Run freely."
Bastian cast his gaze to the other side of the road leading into the forest. Anticipation and fear coexisted in Odette's eyes looking there.
"Don't worry, Odette. I will escort you."
At the calmly added words, Odette finally looked relieved. Her unguarded smile was clear and fresh. She looked much better than when she was acting like an old woman who had survived the world.
Odette pulled the reins and drove her horse through the wide open gate. They gradually increased their speed, and by the time they entered the deep forest, she began to run in earnest. Bastian understood why she didn't care about wearing a lady's saddle.
The sound of horses' hooves began to resonate over the forest path lined with trees towering high into the sky. As the birds, startled by the presence, took flight, the branches with overgrown leaves rippled. The sunlight's shadows swaying along with that rhythm resembled the pattern of lace that Odette painstakingly weaved every night.
Bastian followed Odette, keeping a distance close enough to get a sweeping view of the landscape. It was around the time when the smell of the sea from the wind began to thicken when the ribbons that tied Odette's hair came undone.
Soaring like a bird, the white ribbon quickly disappeared beyond the forest. Belatedly noticing it, Odette slowed down and turned her head. There was no way of getting it back, Odette looked forward again and resumed running.
The intense contrast between her wavy black hair and white clothes made the impression of the moment all the more clear.
Bastian's gaze gradually narrowed as he looked at Odette, who suddenly became unfamiliar. Meanwhile, the end of the forest was approaching. It was an impulsive choice to catch up with Odette as she ran toward the light.
The two horses started running side by side and entered the dazzling sunlight at the same time. The gentle sound of the waves crashing onto the sandy beach blended into one with the sound of galloping horse hooves.
Bastian's gaze stayed on the woman shining like sunlight the whole time as they rode along the path that followed the border between the forest and the sea.
***
Theodora cautiously opened the sealed letter. The handwriting was so bad, and the spelling was a mess, but she could understand the context to an extent.
"It's whimsical, not like Bastian."
Methodically reading the letter the maid had delivered her, Theodora burst out laughing.
Bastian had eventually moved into the new mansion. And he began sharing the bed with his wife as if showing off.
To sum it up, that was the story. Their acts of affection were also recorded in detail, and each one was astounding and absurd just the same.
Although the news was different from what was expected, it did confirm the ability of the spy who was planted beside Bastian's wife. This would be useful for a while.
"I'm glad I accepted your recommendation.Your niece is quite clever. I love it."
Throwing away the torn letter, Theodora praised the maid's hard work with a gentle smile on her face. The face of the other maid standing next to her darkened noticeably, but she didn't care.
The two middle-aged maids were loyal servants who had been with them since their parents'. They were also the ones who contributed greatly in getting rid of the daughter* of the antique dealer (*Bastian's biological mother). At this rate, it was safe to say that the two maids were completely her (Theodora's) own people.
They were enemies fighting over the owner's favor, and thanks to this, Theodora was benefiting greatly. The competition produced great results proving that they were more competent and trustworthy.
"Molly has been a smart kid from an early age. If I keep her, I think she will definitely be of great help."
After receiving the compliment about her niece, Nancy's face was flushed with joy. (*Molly is Nancy's niece,who works for Bastian and Odette, is a spy sent by Theodora)
"How can you place a child whose face has already been sold as a housemaid by your side?"
Dejected, Susan shot sharply. Theodora, who was leisurely watching the war of nerves, stood up with a wave of her hand.
"She's not formally hired to be my person. I'll think of another way."
Theodora first reassured Nancy.
"It appears that we must keep a close eye on Duke Dissen's daughter. Can Molly do well this time?"
She didn't forget to soothe Susan, either. When the two maids were quiet, Theodora approached the window and opened the thick curtains. This was where she could see Bastian's new mansion on the other side of the bay.
She thought he was just putting on a play to please the emperor, but was he serious?
The Bastian she had seen and experienced had never been the kind to marry at a loss because of love. No. It was questionable whether he knew what love was in the first place.
Carl Illis (the Grandfather) ran amok about them ruining the child (Bastian), but that was too much of an accusation. Because the child wasn't normal from the beginning. How terrifyingly still the eyes of that young thing were.
Looking into Bastian's eyes, she felt as if she was sinking into a deep sea where no light could shine.
So, she must have endured those harsh years.
When she thought of the boy of those days who became stronger and stronger every time she pushed him to the edge of a cliff, she was disgusted.
Her husband (Jeff Klauswitz) was glad the antique dealer had taken his grandson with him, but Theodora thought differently. Even if she risked scandal, then she would have ended up within the walls of this mansion. If that were the case, there would never have been a day when she had to endure such a terrible disgrace.
Bastain was like a cub that they let go
while trying to protect their family's honor and returned as a beast of prey. It made people breathless. With its mouth open, fangs exposed. Of course, a beast was just a beast when it comes to beasts.
"Tell your niece, Nancy. For the time being, be careful and focus on what attracts Bastian's wife."
After giving her stern orders, Theodora poured a full glass of brandy and buried herself deep in the chair.
"Maybe she can be good friends with that woman* (*Odette)."
Her laughter echoed resoundingly from the poisonous liquor.
It wouldn't be bad if the contents of the secret letter were all true, Theodora thought to herself as she took another sip.
Love, for there were no better shackles.