Margrete was like Odette's shadow.
It only looked at Odette, and only followed Odette. It was the same when Odette was absorbed in other tasks. When she suddenly felt a gaze and lowered her head, Margrete was there without fail. Just like now.
Margrete sat at her feet and looked at Odette with sparkling clear eyes. With absolute trust and love. As if she were its whole world.
Odette put down her needle with a light smile. Excited, Margrete dwindled, diligently wagging its short tail and jumping. It was asking for a hug.
"Wait, Margrete."
After reprimanding the puppy, Odette tried to finish the ribbon first. Margrete whimpered and began scratching at her legs.
"I'm sorry. It's done now."
After putting away her sewing, Odette lifted the sullen dog onto her lap.
Margrete immediately felt better and poured out innocent affection with its whole body. It was amazing such energy came from its tiny body. The sound of Odette's laughter as she watched the riotous play echoed clearly through the afternoon sunlight.
When Margrete, who had licked her face excitedly, quieted down, Odette picked up the ribbon she had left on the table. Originally, it was knitted to tie the dog's wild hair, but it seemed difficult.
It was made from the failed attempt to cut the dog's tangled hair. After a few moments of deliberation, Odette chose the alternative of tying the ribbon around its neck.
The pink ribbon embroidered with small flower patterns went well with the puppy's snow-white fur.
Now I have a family in this mansion.
Odette looked at Margrete wearing the ribbon, repeating the fact that she finally realized.
It would not be very wise to increase the family in such a situation, but it was not impossible to keep one of these little puppies in check. She made a choice, now she needed to make an effort.
After shaping the ribbon beautifully, Odette kissed the tip of Margrete's nose, who was panting. As she often did to the pampered Tira. Come to think of it, her cheerful personality seemed to resemble this pup.
Odette took the yawning Margrete in her arms and approached the window. A frilled cushion and a willow basket decorated with lace lay in the warm sunlight. It was a cot that Odette had made herself.
After setting Margrete down, who had begun to doze off, Odette went to her desk and started her afternoon work. After she had answered the letters and invitations addressed to Mrs. Klauswitz, she finished reviewing the catalog of guest furniture sent by the decorator.
The final choice reflected the taste of Sandrine, who would become the real hostess of this mansion. Various ornaments, including artworks, were also selected based on the same criteria. It was just around the time that the last letter was sealed when a maid arrived.
"Master said that he is going to return home after attending a company party. An attendant called earlier."
Dora, who turned around with the mail to be sent, hurriedly added a message.
"Thanks for letting me know, Dora. Then, prepare a simple dinner."
Odette gave a request with a soft smile. The maid's lips, which had been stiff, also drew an arc.
"Yes, madam. I will let you know."
After leaving a polite greeting, Dora left the study after glancing at the sleeping puppy without a care in the world.
Alone again, Odette sat back deep in her chair and looked at the sea through the window opposite. The shimmering on the calm, deepening aqua-colored water was dazzling.
Before she knew it, it was autumn, another season had passed since the wedding.
Then, when the snow falls and the flowers bloom, it's summer again. At that rate, another year would pass and this marriage would be over.
Now was the time to start preparing for life after the contract ended.
Having made up her mind, Odette hastily spread a blank sheet of paper on the desk and grabbed a pen.
Tira. Margrete.
First, she emphasized the names of the family members who she would be responsible for.
Odette wanted to start her new life in a quiet little town, but she was willing to give in if Tira didn't like it. Moving to a new continent was not a bad idea. To start a new life where no one knew them.
House.
The problem that had been gnawing at her for so many years was, on the contrary, the easiest solution. The money Bastian promised would be enough for a small house.
Living expenses.
Straightening her pen, Odette pressed down on her next assignment.
Tutoring?
She also added a small note beside the job she had once seriously considered.
There would be interest income from the amount of money deposited, but it was unwise to rely only on it. If she regained her former skills, she may be able to teach piano lessons. Of course, in order to do that, she would have to work with a much more serious mindset than now.
Odette took her time to put together a budget of expectations and an accompanying plan in a number of cases.
The assurance that she could lead a peaceful life with her family put her at ease.
Wouldn't this be enough to pay for a piano?
Odette, who was about to put down the pen, suddenly turned to her wedding ring. The other jewels belonged to this family, but at least this one could be said to belong to her. Surely Sandrine wouldn't even want the wedding ring Bastian had given to his ex-wife.
Looking carefully at the glittering platinum and diamonds, Odette added a short note in one corner of the plan.
One piano was ready for the house where her new life would begin.
All that was left was practice, diligent practice.
***
Odette's study was empty.
Bastian slowly crossed the room. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the open windows. It was a brilliant autumn light.
Bastian leaned against his window sill and waited for his wife. However, Odette did not return even after several minutes passed, and only the silence deepened. Come to think of it, he didn't even see the cot for her beloved dog.
Odette had left.
Having come to a conclusion, Bastian straightened his posture.
How could this be the price for refusing to be the main character of the party and coming back home early?
A sigh of disappointed laughter escaped his lips.
It was a monumental day when the King of the Berg Railways usurped the throne.
The right to build an inland railway linking the south and the north was eventually taken over by Bastian. It was a predicted result, but his father could not easily accept defeat. Seeing how he even screamed out loud at the presentation venue, the shock must have been so great that he even forgot the dignity of Klauswitz, who regarded it as if it were his life.
It was a pity.
Fortunately, however, Jeff Klauswitz's tenacity to make up for the loss had not yet been broken.
It seemed that his father was ready to chase after the bait Bastian had so painstakingly spread, so it was time to raise the curtain on the next chapter. It would be most appreciated if his father cashed in shipping stock, but steel and shipbuilding weren't bad either.
Please, I hope you will raise the investment money for your new business as soon as possible.
The wish he gave his father, who was almost cursing, was heartfelt.
By now, the company should be having a grand celebration party.
Bastian originally planned to attend, but changed his mind after leaving the presentation room. While looking up at the clear autumn sky, one of the executives mentioned that it was a good season for hunting, and Odette suddenly came to his mind. To be precise, the pathetic weapon she carried.
When he pictured Odette's past, when she must have relied on that one old pocket knife to walk the streets at night, he let out a laugh.
It was all the more absurd when he thought about the town the woman had lived in before the marriage. Still, it was truly a stroke of luck that she had managed to protect herself so well.
By the time his thoughts reached that point, Bastian had already politely expressed his intention not to attend. When he asked for understanding by saying that he must take a break, no one objected. It was a gift from a father who went on a rampage to kill his son.
A walkway in the garden, or in front of the piano in the solarium.
Bastian, who remembered where Odette might be at this time, took a step forward. Something caught his eyes as he passed by the desk.
Unorganized papers and pens were placed where he inadvertently threw his gaze. The thought that this wasn't like the normally organized Odette led Bastian to that place.
New beginning.
At the top of the paper on which various things were scribbled, such a grandiose title was written in large letters.
Bastian sat down on the edge of the desk and opened it. The idea that Odette had a cute side seemed to have to be corrected.
The plans that filled the paper were extremely clear and realistic.
A new continent. Or the periphery of the empire.
After the divorce, Odette divided the direction of her life into two main directions. Bastian's name was nowhere to be found. If he had to look for even the faintest trace of him, it would be about the compensation that was due to be paid. Bastian turned his gaze to the number next to it and burst out laughing involuntarily.
Compensation.
In the neat handwriting that was written with strength, the sincere greed that was buried made the numbers written side by side look even more shabby. She seemed to have calculated the money she would receive for the transaction, but she had added a downward arrow to indicate she was not sure. She seemed to think that this was the maximum amount of alimony.
"It's cheaper than it looks."
Bastian put the paper back in place with a wry smile.
Odette had no lingering feelings about this marriage.
When he saw it with his own two eyes, Bastian felt a little empty. It was he who told her she was just his employee.
It seemed that Odette, who was faithfully following that order, was this insolent because her dreams were too trivial.
Mrs. Klauswitz, who was no better than a tutor.
There was much about the woman's pompous pride that he did not understand at all.
Such as her willingness to take care of her step sister, who was like her luggage, and the stray dog she picked up.
In some respects, Odette would get along well with his grandfather if he was still alive.
In the face of her heartless determination to sell even her wedding ring, his grandfather might be a step behind.
In front of the piano in the solarium.
Convinced of where Odette was, Bastian left the small study without delay. After passing through a long hallway and turning a corner, he heard the faint sound of the piano.
Following the melody of that ambition, Bastian began to stride forward.