Odette walked around the amusement park with a distinctly festive atmosphere. Holding Bastian's hand. Like a child on a field trip.
Odette looked down at the cotton candy she had received in Tira's place as if she was dreaming. She was curious to try a bite, but she couldn't bring herself to do so.
That didn't mean she could throw it away, so the situation was quite troubling. Odette let out a quiet sigh and looked up at Bastian with a look of helplessness.
His face, bathed in the colorful lights, did not look much different from usual. Moderately gentle and at the same time heartless.
Why hadn't he told her about his overseas departure? Could it be that he thought their relationship could end without the need for that level of courtesy? If so, why was he being considerate?
While question after question continued, the two reached the center of the amusement park. The plaza where the steel-framed palace-shaped structure stood was crowded with countless goers.
Odette, who inadvertently turned her gaze there, let out a low gasp of admiration. A variety of colored lights of different shades illuminated the electric palace.
The music from the merry-go-round and the laughter of happy children added to the beauty of the deepening autumn night.
Odette stopped to admire the scenery. She felt like she was in a scene from a fairy tale. A gift given by the protagonist who finally overcomes all trials. The ending where a rosy future unfolded where they would live happily ever after.
What put an end to that fleeting imagination was the sweet scent of cotton candy that spread along the wind.
Odette finally turned her eyes to the reality that she was once again stepping into. After looking down at the cotton candy in her hand, she raised her gaze again and looked at Bastian.
"Bastian."
As she quietly called his name, Bastian turned his head. His face was expressionless, but his eyes looking at Odette were gentle. But it was hard to regard it as a special intimacy.
Bastian Klauswitz was a man of his own accord.
He was generally polite and kind, but he seldom showed more than appropriate emotions. Odette knew very well that this was possible because of mere appearances. Because she herself was going into this marriage with that kind of attitude.
Of course, there were moments when his true emotions were revealed.
One spring day, when she learned
that the stake he had won at the back alley gambling house was her partner of the marriage arranged by the emperor. A ribbon that was given as a talisman for victory, but ended up being abandoned in the mud. A heartless hand holding out a contract proposing two years of employment. A night deep in the mountains when he showed his wild lust.
Bastian's unrefined emotions always had the edge of slaying Odette's heart.
The truth that had been forgotten because of the peaceful days that had been going on for a while came to her mind on Bastian's calm face.
Nevertheless, it was thanks to mutual efforts that the contract was able to be implemented relatively smoothly. For the common goal of successfully completing this contract. There might not be a lack of understanding and compassion that had sprouted from the time they spent together, but it was nothing more than a fleeting fantasy like this cotton candy.
Therefore… Such questions seemed pointless.
At the moment when her mind, which had been like a tangled ball of thread, was sorted out, something dull hit her on the shoulder. The onlookers who had flocked to see the electric palace shoved past Odette.
Thanks to Bastian's support, she was spared a tumble, but the cotton candy she missed was already lying on the floor.
"Just throw it away, Odette. I'll buy you a new one."
Bastian laughed as he stopped Odette from picking up the fallen cotton candy. It was a caring attitude, like soothing a child.
"No. It's okay."
Looking down at the cotton candy already stained with footprints, Odette shook her head and smiled.
In the place where the fairy's thread, which was like a piece of cloud, disappeared, only a lump of sugar that had been trampled on recklessly was left. It was a pity, but there was no regret.
Odette faced Bastian with a more relaxed mind.
If Bastian suddenly left for the front line one day, it wouldn't disrupt their contract. It was just a matter of him coming back within the promised time frame and providing her with a settlement fee. So Odette just had to humbly accept whatever decision was made and fulfill the obligations given to her.
"There are too many people. Let's go over there now."
Odette walked away, leaving behind the cotton candy that had already lost its shape. She was going to do her best to enjoy this fantasy night. That would be her reward for the favors Bastian had bestowed upon her.
***
"Enough already."
Just as he was about to unbutton the last button on his jacket, he heard a sudden warning.
Franz slowly turned his tired body to face his mother. Theodora Klauswitz was reclining leisurely in a chair in front of the fireplace. She did not look like an uninvited guest who broke into her son's room in the middle of the night.
"I've been following your advice to be good to Ella."
Franz replied, trying to suppress the irritation that had risen to the top of his head. It had been a very tiring day. Stock exchanges, banks, and numerous partners. All day long, he had to learn the company's work and walked around the financial district of Lutz.
The complicated numbers and calculations made him sick, but his father did not back down easily.
He brushed off Franz by pouring out complaints and verbal abuse about the unsatisfactory successor. Ever since his father was deprived of the right to build railroads by that lowly beast (Bastian), every day was a series of hellish days.
"Of course, you should be good to Ella. Because at times like this, you have to keep a firm grip on her heart. So that Count Klein doesn't look down on us and be altruistic."
Putting down her pipe, Theodora rose from her seat. Opening his tightly closed eyes, Franz frustratedly tossed his jacket and tie onto the bed.
Ella, Ella, Ella.
Now just hearing his fiancée's name made him sick.
She was the woman who would be his wings, his mother said. Franz believed that too, so he accepted his engagement to Ella von Klein. Little did he know that she was such a tiresome spoiled brat.
Ella always demanded Franz's love and attention. And if that wasn't met, she would rush to her mother to tell him off. She was a woman without the dignity and self-respect of a prestigious aristocratic family.
Throwing off his glasses and watch randomly, Franz sat on the edge of the bed and took a rough breath. Theodora was right in front of him before he knew it.
"There seems to be another woman who has to be made proper."
Theodora, who was stroking her son's weary shoulder, tightened her hand. Franz's face paled as he glanced at the bottom shelf of the drawer where he had hidden Odette's portrait.
"Don't tell me… Did you search my room again?"
"Since you don't open your mouth, can't I do nothing about it?"
"Oh my god. Mother!"
"Thanks to that, I understand why you became so rapidly neglectful of your fiancée. Although it is disappointing that your obsession is, of all people, Bastian's wife."
Theodora maintained her normal, unperturbed demeanor in the face of Franz's astonishment, not even moving an eyebrow.
"How well do you know her?"
"… … ."
"Hopefully the muddy water she splashed isn't close enough to get on you."
"… … ."
"Answer me, Franz Klauswitz!"
Despite Theodora's exhortations, Franz simply kept his lips firmly shut. His face, which had been like a blank sheet of paper, had somehow turned red.
"Don't tell me you have one sided crush."
Theodora's brow furrowed as she watched her son's unsteady gaze.
"To think that my son was drooling over the piece of meat. This is truly a fortunate tragedy."
Theodora sat down next to Franz, laughing in amazement.
She now had a rough idea of how to use the divinely blessed letter. The small problem that had been pointed out before was also solved, so all that was left was to wait for Bastian's wife to return.
"I don't think that's impossible, but until this is over, don't go near her."
"Has something happened to Odette?"
Franz's eyes, which had been dazed as if his soul had been drained, returned to focus. His staring eyes were desperate. It was the passion that was missing when his fiancée was mentioned.
"It's none of your business. You just have to work hard at your job."
"But mother.. ."
"She is our precious chess piece. Don't worry about her, she won't get hurt."
Theodora smiled as she wrapped her son's hand, which was wet with a cold sweat.
"For the time being, forget about Bastian's wife. Do your best to learn the company and help your father in trouble. And of course, you will have to play the role of a faithful fiancé to Ella."
"What on earth are you going to do?
You know what kind of person Bastian is. If something goes wrong, Odette might be in danger."
"Calm down, Franz. Do you think now is the time for you to worry about her?"
Theodora sighed and stood up. Franz, who was so weak, was pitiful, and at the same time she felt sorry for him. It seemed that this was all because of the shadow cast by the woman's son (Bastian).
"You just need to live your life diligently from one step away. As long as this goes well, the piece of meat will naturally be yours, so don't fret."
Theodora still cherished the face of her beloved son.
Bastian was no fool. It was clear that even if they could have his wife as theirs, they would not be able to keep a permanent secret.
Anyway, Odette was a card that
would be used for a while and discarded.
If there was a leak, it would be handled neatly. Bastian would take care of it.
If Odette's luck ended with simply getting a divorce, there was no reason they couldn't present the woman to Franz. It was jarring that she was a woman who had gone through Bastian, but on the other hand, that made her an even more valuable trophy. In the end, Franz would be taking what belonged to him.
"If you want to have her, prove that you are worthy. Do you understand?"
Theodora gave her son a strong grip on his shoulder. The look on his face was one of great shock, but Franz could not refuse.
He stared blankly at Theodora, then turned his head in the direction of the window with open curtains. And the moment she saw Franz's eyes again, Theodora knew. There was no way this kid would mess this up.
Franz was, in many ways, a child of commitments. Blind love was like that as well.
***
When they arrived at the Ferris wheel, it was 30 minutes before the scheduled time to meet with Tira again. Bastian's eyes narrowed as he checked his watch.
It's all right.
That was the only answer Odette repeated as they walked through the amusement park together.
Rides. Snacks. Puppet shows. Souvenirs. He tried to suggest various things, but the answer that came back was the same. So, they wandered aimlessly through the amusement park, and before he knew it, it was time for their appointment.
If it was just that, what in the world was she so interested in? She was a completely incomprehensible woman.
"Would you like to ride?"
Bastian politely asked an unexpected question.
He expected her to answer "It's all right" with a polite smile, but for some reason this time her silence was prolonged.
Suspicious, Bastian lowered his gaze towards Odette standing next to him. She was looking at the ferris wheel with a rather serious expression.
"Will it be done in 30 minutes?"
After a moment, Odette turned her head and asked cautiously. It seemed that the reason why her cheeks glowed fresh was not just because of the chilly autumn night.
"Maybe."
Bastian answered without hesitation, although he had no idea about the boarding time of the ride.
"I'm fine as long as you're fine."
Looking closely at the Ferris wheel once again, Odette nodded her head.
Her noble pride made Bastian laugh. A quiet smile spread across Odette's face as he watched her expression.
It was an expression that made him feel as if he was watching the moment a flower bloomed.
Instead of answering, Bastian took Odette's hand and took a big step. Towards the last ride, the answer he finally found.