Rounding the corner, the Herhardt family's carriage pulled into the driveway leading to the mansion. It was an impressive road with tall plane trees lined up on both sides.
Odette watched the scenery beyond the window with tension and curiosity. The shadows of sunlight penetrating between the arches formed by the meeting of branches embroidered the path.
The entrance door standing at the vanishing point was as magnificent and splendid as Herhardt's majesty.
It's okay.
Odette took a deep breath, firming up her resolve once more.
Duke Herhardt's mother, whom she had spoken to yesterday, was friendly. Judging from the brief mention of the imperial family, Bastian seemed right in thinking that they, too, would already know. Nevertheless, if they had decided to invite Princess Helen's daughter, the purpose would not have been too different from his guess.
Now that the biggest hurdle had been passed, all that was left was a nice lunch.
As she reflected on Bastian's advice, even the last remaining shadow in the corner of her mind disappeared.
Odette laughed a little, surprised that her mother's name could feel this light. When she pulled her gaze from the carriage window, everything really was better.
Bastian.
Swallowing the name she had almost called out of habit, Odette gently turned her gaze toward the man sitting next to her. Bastian was sitting deep in his seat, his eyes closed.
Relieved, Odette looked at the sleeping Bastian with a more relaxed mind. His very long eyelashes softened the intimidation of his sharp eyes. His sharp high nose and delicate lips also provided such a contrast.
Bastian Klauswitz was a handsome man. He was an honorable soldier and also a successful businessman.
Whatever the opinion of the public, Odette did not consider marriage to this man a disgrace.
It was also hard to sympathize with the derogatory epithet given to him by nobles who mocked his maternal grandfather's lineage.
Bastian opened his eyes the moment she suddenly realized that he had been like that all along from the beginning. It happened without even having time to look away.
It was an embarrassing situation, but Odette tried her best to appear calm. Bastian didn't look surprised either.
"I think your tie is a little crooked."
Odette, finding the increasingly deepening silence unbearable, spoke up first. It was, of course, an excuse to get out of her predicament.
"Where?"
Frowning, Bastian examined his appearance.
"Here you go."
Worried that her lie might be discovered, Odette hurriedly reached for Bastian's tie. While the shape of the straight knot was slightly disturbed and straightened again, the carriage passed the gate of the duke's residence.
"It's done."
Odette smiled naturally and withdrew her hand from his tie. Bastian made no reply.
"How are you? Are you okay?"
Fearful of the icy eyes with unknown emotions, Odette added a question that feigned serious concern.
"Perfect."
Bastian, who continued to stare at her quietly for a long time, gave an answer only when the carriage came to a halt.
Odette smiled awkwardly and lowered her eyes. The carriage door opened just in time, saving her the trouble of thinking about the right words to say.
"Are you ready?"
Bastian got off the carriage first and reached out his hand. Having erased any unnecessary thoughts, Odette took his hand
and took the first step towards a nice lunch.
Elegantly, like the perfect Mrs. Klauswitz.
***
"Matthias is an officer serving in the Army. He is now on the overseas front."
The elder of the Herhardt family, who put down her glass, started talking about her grandson. Even at that moment, both her eyes were on Odette.
"We wanted him to join the Imperial Guard, but he didn't bend his will. He is definitely a Herhardt, even down to that stubbornness."
Duke Herhardt's mother, smiling with pride, also added a few words. She, too, was looking only at Odette. As if Bastian's existence had been completely forgotten. It was the outward appearance of an elegant and refined way of doing things.
Bastian ate his meal in the manner of a moderately polite and modest bystander. It was nothing new. He knew from the beginning that he would be a shadow. Considering that aristocrats who were older and higher status were more stubborn and closed-minded, the two ladies of the ducal family were showing their best hospitality.
What mattered anyway was the fact that he was an invited guest of the Herhardt family.
Even if he was acquainted with the duke, without the recognition of the two ladies, they were only halfway connected.
For that reason, he had never been acknowledged as being within Herhardt's social circle, but after today, the story would be different. An invitation signed by the family ladies was like a ladder leading up to the heart of society.
It was a deal that had already been established by inviting and responding to the invitation.
Bastian knew very well that the duke's two ladies were also thinking the same thing. Since each of them had achieved their respective goals, it was just a matter of spending some formal time before going back.
"It would be nice if he could come back for a vacation. I am worried about how well he's doing in that rough terrain."
As the story of her grandson grew longer, the perfectly cool and elegant elderly lady became a normal grandmother. Such concern seemed appropriate for a grandmother dealing with her grandson, but Bastian showed her sympathy with a moderately concerned expression. It was then that Odette began her mother bird role.
"I think Duke Herhardt is doing well. I heard that the situation on the overseas front is not too bad. What do you think, Bastian?"
Odette, who had been consistent with her obedient attitude, skillfully changed the direction of the conversation. Soon after, her blue-green eyes filled with innocent curiosity turned to Bastian. The gazes of the Herhardt family members, who were sitting around the table, naturally followed suit.
Putting down the cutlery, Bastian faced his audience with a subtle smile on his face.
"The standoff on the North Sea front is going in Berg's favor. Although there are intermittent local battles, our troops are overwhelming dominated in ground battles, and above all, Duke Herhardt is a great soldier, so I'm sure he's doing well."
Bastian settled the awkward atmosphere with an appropriate answer. The elderly lady of the Herhardt family, who was watching him closely, nodded and smiled benevolently. She did not seem offended by the stir Odette had caused.
Even after that, Odette often volunteered to be the mother bird.
She waited cautiously, and when a suitable prey appeared she swiftly snatched it up and carried it away. It was a topic that would not be awkward for Bastian to add a word to, mainly about international affairs and war. It was an effort that disrupted his plan to enjoy a quiet luncheon and then leave.
When someone brought up the story of last spring's polo tournament, Odette's eyes became serious again.
Bastian looked at his wife, seized with some confusion.
Odette was like the mother of a bird of prey. However, now, the weakling couldn't open its mouth and she didn't willingly open her beak to give it the food.
There was no way the sharp ladies of the duchy would not know what he noticed. As if to prove it, the grandmother of the Herhardt family was watching Odette with strange eyes.
When her eyes met Bastian's, she raised her eyebrows and smiled. She seemed to admire the new bride's efforts not to alienate her husband.
Bastian gave her a brief look of appreciation.
That old lady, who was called a noble among nobles, was fond of Odette. It could have been a bountiful pity for the daughter of an abandoned princess who had taken a dainty turn, but the reason was unimportant.
Odette was a surprisingly useful wife. Even though she was in a position where she fell and wandered around the bottom of life, it seemed that her power of that lineage had not disappeared forever.
Just when he wondered if the emperor might have given him an unwieldy pack, Katarina von Herhardt opened her mouth.
"Captain Klauswitz must be bored, since he is seated without a man of his own age. If Matthias had been there, he would have been a good companion."
The grandmother turned her head to face Bastian. It was the first direct conversation they had since their first greeting. The eyes of the bewildered guests were focused on her, but she didn't care one bit.
"Matthias seemed to have a good opinion of Captain Klauswitz. You both are soldiers and businessmen, so you must communicate well. When I met you in person, you seemed to resemble the boy in some ways."
"That's too much of a compliment."
"When Matthias returns, you should visit again. With your wife, of course."
The grandmother turned to Odette. It was the look of a pitiful yet admirable.
"Well. Now that it looks like the meal is over, shall we go have some tea?"
The grandmother, who announced the end of the luncheon, conveyed her silent command by again gazing at Bastian.
Understanding its meaning, Bastian quietly rose and approached the head of the luncheon table. With a polite gesture to escort her, the old lady gladly offered her hand.
Before leaving the lunchroom, Bastian glanced at Odette. The mother bird looked very satisfied after having fed her young to the brim.
***
"The food was great. Wasn't it?"
Odette, who had been watching the ducal residence moving away, nodded her head.
Her smiling face was as gorgeous as the bouquet of roses in her arms. It was a parting gift from the ladies of the Herhardt family.
"If you like it, I can hire him."
Bastian leaned back on the carriage's seat while saying nonsensical words.
"What are you talking about?"
Odette, her brow furrowed, tilted her head.
"The chef of the Herhardt family. He seems to have good skills."
"Yes, but by what means?"
As if realizing that it was nonsense, Odette also smiled lightly.
"I'll give him more money."
"Well. It didn't look like he would lose to you for money."
"Still, I win in cunning battles, Odette. I have weapons the others will never have."
"What is it?"
"The shamelessness of my grandfather."
Odette burst into laughter at the casual joke. She was a woman with a pleasant laugh.
"I'm sorry, but I'll concede. Our chef is good enough."
Odette deftly complied with his prank. She looked very different from when she was being boring like a nun.
As soon as they left the gate of the duke's residence, the carriage gradually began to speed up.
Odette watched the passing scenery outside the window, the traces of her laughter passing across her face. It was a dazzling afternoon with sunlight streaming through the trees.
Bastian watched his wife sitting beside him with a slanting gaze. The regular sound of horses' hooves and carriage wheels echoed along the golden sycamore road.
Just when he thought that the old lady's insistence on a horse drawn carriage wasn't all that bad, he heard a clear bell ringing. It was the chime of a bicycle coming from the other side of the road.
Soon after, a schoolgirl on a bicycle passed the carriage. Bastian's gaze, which had casually taken another look at the scene, touched Odette's profile again.
Having done her job, Odette just looked at ease.
Bastian swallowed dry saliva, habitually gripping the tie knot. But in the end he couldn't pull it.
When the choking feeling subsided, Bastian let go of the tie he couldn't untie. A pitiful self-mockery flowed through him, but his conclusion remained the same.
He wanted to leave it alone.
Just like now. A little longer.