Invitations from near and far had arrived.
Theodora Klauswitz.
Odette stared blankly at the name she had never expected to encounter in this way. Theodora invited her to visit her family this week.
The fact that the reason was only tea time made Odette even more perplexed. Since the day Theodora and her family reluctantly attended their wedding, she hadn't had any personal contact with her.
It was a proposal that was all the more incomprehensible considering the relationship between Bastian and his father, where their rivalry had reached its highest.
Odette read the invitation over and over and put it down on the desk. While she was organizing her thoughts, Margrete, who had awakened, approached. The pink lace collar fluttered as she yelped and scratched her legs. It was made by Odette to cover its ugly cut hair.
Thanks to this, Odette was able to forget her headache problem for a while and hugged Margrete while laughing aloud.
While feeding it the dried meat she had stored in her drawer, the maid came in to serve her tea.
"Meg had a hearty breakfast, madam."
"I didn't give it as much as last time."
Remembering her promise not to give Meg more than the right amount of snacks, Odette smiled embarrassedly and explained.
Margrete, who had finished eating the piece of meat in no time, wagged her tail excitedly as she watched the box of treats on the desk.
Laughing unstoppably, Dora hastily seized it.
"I know how much you love Meg, but it's only a matter of time before she becomes the size of a house."
"I'm sorry I broke my promise."
"You have a surprisingly weak heart. Madam must seek a strict nanny."
Dora made an unusual joke.
Odette, who belatedly understood the meaning of her words, looked away with an awkward smile.
"And madam. I know it's presumptuous meddling, but I see it's an invitation from Master's parents."
Dora, who was glancing at the desk, spoke with difficulty. Odette gave her a light nod of her head, indicating that she was right.
"I think you should decline. Of course, this is just my opinion, but the decision is madam's."
"Yes. My thoughts are the same as Dora's."
After putting down Margrete, Odette reopened the invitation in question. Seeing that the head maid, who rarely crossed the line, made a big decision, it seemed that the situation was far more complicated than she had expected.
"May I ask for one more piece of advice?"
When she asked a cautious question, Dora nodded her head in anticipation.
"Yes, madam. Anything."
"Should I discuss this with my husband?"
"I think you can handle it according to your will. Now that the festival is just around the corner, shouldn't there be any need to bring unnecessary anxiety to the master on the day when it will be a great honor?"
"Yes. Then I'll refuse the invitation myself."
"Great idea. Master will not be pleased to hear that name."
Dora looked at Odette with eager eyes. It was a face ready to confess the past history of the Klauswitz family.
"Thank you, Dora. You've been a great help."
Odette ignored Dora's eagerness with gratitude. She didn't want to find out in this way what Bastian hadn't revealed. It was a relationship that didn't need to be complicated.
After coming to a clear conclusion, Odette picked up her pen to write a letter of refusal. Fortunately, Dora kept the right line.
"I think we should start preparing to welcome guests."
Dora, who had been waiting quietly, mentioned the next schedule just as Odette had just put down the sealed letter.
"Yes? Ah… that's right. Okay."
Odette's eyes shook slightly as she remembered her appointment with the newspaper reporter. It would be an article covering Bastian Klauswitz, the protagonist of this naval festival in depth, and it would be published in the best daily newspaper in the empire. Odette was included in the schedule because of the photos.
He said he needed a picture of Captain Klauswitz and his wife to use as propaganda. Although she was not happy to have her face known to the world in such a manner, Odette had no choice.
The emperor had ordered it, and Bastian accepted it.
He said it was part of an effort to secure Princess Isabelle's national marriage.
"If you don't feel like it, convince the emperor."
It was like a warning to stand in front of the camera.
Concluding that this was just another business, Odette rose from her seat with a gentle smile on her face.
It was time to start the hostess' work.
***
The interview took place in the guest parlor. It was a room with a great view, overlooking the sea of Ardennes through tall and large windows.
An honorable soldier loyal to the Empire. Bastian carried out the given mission without difficulty. Most of the reporter's questions were within the expected range, and his answers to them were, after all, familiar, having been repeated several times already.
"Thank you for your precious time, Captain. I would like to finish up by just taking some pictures."
The reporter covered the interview notebook and announced politely.
After giving an appropriate reply, Bastian stood up with a neat movement. Odette, who had been staying as quietly as a shadow, followed him.
Putting on his gloves, Bastian deftly escorted his wife out onto the balcony where the photographer was waiting. Odette was wearing a white dress that matched his uniform.
It was clear that she was paying attention not to obscure the main character's presence, but she still looked dignified and appropriate for her role.
Odette Klauswitz was a good wife.
Bastian accepted the fact without further doubt.
"You can sit here. Captain, please stand here."
The photographer's assistant followed and arranged the desired seatings.
The two followed the instructions and moved. It was a pose where Odette sat down on the prepared chair and Bastian stood behind it.
"This probably won't work."
It was after all the preparations for the shoot were finished that the photographer said something out of the ordinary.
"I don't think the composition would fit because the captain is so tall. I'm afraid I must ask you to sit down."
While examining the subject with narrow eyes, he suggested an alternative.
The two of them followed the order this time as well. Bastian sat down on the chair prepared for Odette, and Odette stood where Bastian had been. (*the novel's cover photo)
Only then did the photographer nod his head in satisfaction.
"Can you stand a little closer?"
As he gestured, Odette took a step closer. Her familiar body scent carried in the sea breeze tickled the tip of Bastian's nose. The scent was soft and sweet, created by the harmony of what Odette carefully applied every night.
If he wanted to, he could have refused to let her stand near him.
Bastian calmly accepted and nodded.
The sunlight pouring down from the high clear sky was dazzling. So was Odette, who was bathed in that light.
The emperor's wish to use the friendly couple's photo as a propaganda for this naval festival was conveyed through Admiral Demel, as always. It was also accompanied by the condition that if it was something that would damage the hero's honor, he would not force it. It was a completely different attitude than when he had pushed through without giving any leeway.
So he should have just used the great honor as an excuse.
The emperor had a special attachment and pride for the North Sea Fleet. No matter how important it was to appease Crown Prince Belov, he would not choose to defame the hero of the Battle of Trosa.
Bastian knew it, but he complied. Because he wanted this.
As he faced his clear conclusion, he gently tightened his hands on his lap. Odette, who had only been staring straight ahead, finally turned her gaze to Bastian. He blinked in surprise. Odette quickly regained her graceful smile.
"Look forward, both of you!"
The photographer who went back into the black cloth shouted.
Recalling his duty, Bastian withdrew his gaze from Odette. As the photographer waved, the assistant standing at the end of the balcony quickly came over and straightened Bastian's uniform.
When he left, all preparations were complete as he shaped the shoulder patches and decorative laces.
Bastian looked directly into the camera with straight eyes.
There were no plans to leave any photos or portraits commemorating this marriage. It was because he decided that there was no need to leave behind the remnants of the two-year contract anyway.
But, what if?
The cracks in what had been a perfect plan began with that assumption.
He made that decision because he considered the woman to be no more than a means of dealing with the Emperor. However, if Odette was a wife who could make great gains afterwards, the story changed.
Taking down his father was going much faster and more smoothly than expected. If things continued as they were, it seemed that it would not be impossible to accomplish his goal without a mixed connection with the LaViere. (*it meant he didn't have to marry Sandrine)
It would take a railway company that was already cooperating with the Duke, but if the project awarded this time was successfully completed, he could pay a fair price and take about half of the operating rights.
Since the Duke of LaViere was a man well versed in calculation, he would not hesitate to make a deal that could make a huge profit without having to give up his daughter.
If that were the case, it wouldn't be so bad to continue this marriage.
When that conclusion was reached, there was no reason why the emperor could not leave a picture he (Bastian) wanted.
"Now, this is really the last time. Could you be a little more friendly, and put your hands on the captain's shoulders?"
The photographer's shout echoed through the stillness.
Odette followed the last command by placing her hands on Bastian's shoulders. As if the result was satisfactory, the photographer started counting loudly.
If the day came when he could start his life again from the beginning, after completing the given task and sorting out the complicated interests, then he may make this woman his real wife and start a family.
Bastian faced his desires that became clearer in the warmth that flowed from his shoulders.
Then, at the moment when the assumption was confirmed, there was a flash of white light that blinded the eyes for a moment.