“Is that the best you can do?”

Bastian asked calmly after giving a cursory glance at the dress as if appraising.

Odette looked at her husband with puzzlement. She needed a moment to understand Bastian’s meaning.

She blamed it on his indifferent eyes and tone, devoid of emotion. He was criticizing Odette in the same manner as he had been when he was playing a loving husband.

“Yes. I think my dress looks absolutely perfect for the dinner party.”

Odette expressed her point of view with conviction. The dress wasn’t flashy, but it was sufficiently formal and elegant. It was Odette’s preferred style, and the Countess of Trier, who prepared the out, had the same opinion.

“You can’t tell me that out of all the jewelry I’ve given you, this is the only one you like.”

Bastian’s gaze was now on the tiny pearl earrings that glittered on his wife’s earlobes. It was the only accessory Odette had donned.

“Of course your jewelry is beautiful. But, Bastian, I don’t think excessive embellishment would suit this dress.”

Odette did not hesitate and refuted this time as well.

“Ah. You think.”

Bastian stood up from his chair, repeating the words his wife had spoken.

The light cast by the summer sun was dyeing Odette’s room in warm tones as it gradually began to decline.

It was a completely different color from the air current flowing between them.

“Do you think I’m asking what you think?”

“If not?”

“I’m not interested in your thoughts, Odette. I am ordering you to change that poor outfit.”

The sound of footsteps across the floor stopped at a distance of one step from Odette.

“I made this choice with tonight’s guests in mind.”

Gently closing her eyes and inhaling, Odette confided the truth that she had never wanted to utter.

“Your friends who will be having dinner tonight are the same ones who were there that night…the first time we met…they had seen me and knew it all.”

“So?”

“I thought it would look ridiculous if I looked excessively extravagant and flashy. Rather, a modest, dignified appearance would do much more to save face.”

Although her pride was hurt and she felt miserable, Odette kept her calm. Bastian also listened attentively  with a cold stare. The smirk that grazed the man’s lips further confused Odette.

“It’s a plausible logic, but I don’t think it will have much effect. Who cares about the dignity of a woman who was sold for her father’s gambling debts?”

Bastian trampled on Odette’s heart without raising his voice.

“No matter what clothes you wear, you’ll look ridiculous anyway.”

Bastian tilted his head, and the soft sigh he let out touched Odette’s pale cheek. 

“If you think so, why are you forcing me to change my clothes?” 

Blinking slowly with her dazed eyes, Odette retorted.

“Because I have to clearly show how your situation has changed.” 

Bastian answered without a trace of hesitation or concern.

“You mean you care if a fake wife 

may look funny, but you can’t stand your wealth being undermined?”

Bastian glanced at Odette’s reddened eyes, turned around and returned to his chair.

Sitting down again, he let out a long sigh mixed with a slight annoyance. She was a pretty smart woman, but sometimes she was overly knowledgeable and naive. This was especially true in the presence of that great honor and dignity that was involved.

Bastian leaned deeply against the back of his wing chair and raised his gaze. 

He bought that woman.

He was clearly aware of the nature of this marriage.

Odette belonged to him until the contract expired. Bastian didn’t have the patience or generosity to put up with his things being treated cheaply. Therefore, Odette had to be the most glamorous and beautiful woman in the world. So that no one dared to find traces of the despised beggar princess in Bastian Klauswitz’s wife.

“You don’t have to think.”

Bastian advised with the face of a  husband who was enjoying his newlywed life.

“I’ll do the thinking. All you have to do is follow the orders I have thought of and given. I’d like to believe that my wife hasn’t already forgotten that it’s our contract, has she?”

Bastian’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the desk clock. It was now time for the guests to start arriving. 

“Tell me if you can’t remember. I don’t mind showing the contract again.”

“I don’t think you need to go through such trouble.”

Transparent tears welled up in her turquoise eyes, almost blue, but Odette did not cry. On the contrary, the expression on her face seemed more rational than when she first started the conversation with Bastian.

“Good. So, I guess the conclusion has been reached.”

Satisfied, Bastian smiled gracefully as he looked at his not-so-bad conversation partner.

“Change your clothes right now, Odette. That is my order.”

****

“That’s the thing…”

Anxious, Lucas opened his mouth with difficulty.

The young Klauswitz couple, who had come to greet the last guest, looked at Lucas’s companion standing next to him with a little surprise. Other guests, who had already arrived and were chatting, reacted the same way.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you in advance, Bastian, but I couldn’t help it because Emma was sick today. It’s not like I can come alone to the event I’m invited to with a partner, right? And Sandrine said she didn’t have any plans. It’s a coincidence.”

Opening his tightly closed eyes, Lucas poured out the excuses he had practiced in advance like a rapid-fire cannon. Sandrine apologized with a smile as she calmly waited for her turn.

“Is it alright if I take the place of Lucas’ fiancée, Captain Klauswitz?”

Sandrine looked at Bastian pleadingly. She spoke boldly, but her heart fluttered when she faced him.

“Of course.”

Bastian soon resumed his practiced social smile as he answered.

“Welcome, Countess Lenart.”

Bastian gladly agreed even though he had already seen through everything in his eyes. Sandrine’s overflowing joy took the place of the past times of  hatred and resentment towards this man.

Sandrine entered the parlor after greeting him in the manner of an elegant guest.

The guests invited to the dinner were all familiar faces.

“You have become more beautiful since I last saw you, Mrs. Klauswitz. To have such a wife, the captain is very lucky indeed.”

Sandrine first started the conversation with an appropriate compliment. It wasn’t that difficult. Bastian’s fake wife was much shiner and more beautiful than before their marriage.

“Thank you. The Countess is also very beautiful.”

The jewels on Odette’s earlobes twinkled slightly as she greeted Sandrine politely. It was a very delicately cut diamond. Her slender neck was also adorned with the same jewel. She looked incredible for a woman who had been treated like a beggar just a few months ago.

Sandrine’s feeling of flying above the clouds was soon plunged into the pit of hell again. Bastian was not a stingy man by nature, but somehow this seemed excessive.

While trying hard not to lose her smile, news came that the dinner was ready. Looking at Odette, who stood up holding her husband’s hand, Sandrine let out an involuntary sigh.

The hem of Odette’s dress, which was deep blue like the night sea, was decorated with star-like imitation stone pieces and silver threads. With the added care of attaching and embroidering them individually, the price of that dress would have been as costly as a fair amount of jewels. Even the officers, ignorant of women’s clothing, were glancing at Bastian’s wife with astonishment.

Odette remained aloof even though there was no way she could not understand the meaning of those gazes. The same was true for Bastian, who was escorting his wife.

Sandrine could not for a moment take her eyes off the couple as they made their way to the terrace where the dining table was set.

2 years.

It was ridiculous to be jealous of a woman who would eventually be abandoned, but her heart did not move according to her will.

Fortunately, the dinner began at the moment when she could understand Princess Isabelle, who had ruined the ball by committing an abomination that shocked the entire social world.

It was a mercy bestowed by God.

***

The sea where the sunlight remained on the horizon and the darkness from the sky coexisted was as beautiful as a painting.

Odette watched the sunset with a small sigh. The candelabras on the table and the lights of the colored glass lanterns hanging from each branch added a touch of elegance to the midsummer night.

Contrary to Odette’s concerns, the guests enjoyed the elaborately prepared feast. Of course, she felt stinging glares from time to time, but she was able to tolerate that much.

Odette earnestly hoped that the night would go smoothly like this. It was then that the news came  that Bastian had an urgent phone call. After asking for the guests’ understanding, he excused himself for a moment, and the pleasant laughter and conversation also disappeared.

“I heard that Duke Dissen was seriously injured. How is his health these days? I was concerned since we’ve met before.”

One of the officers, who exchanged quick glances with his peers, asked a question as if he was sincerely concerned.

Erich Faber. 

If her memory served her correctly, it was the same officer who had ridiculed Odette with the most vulgar and crude language that night.

“Movement is difficult, but he has nevertheless recovered considerably. Thank you for your concern, Captain Faber.”

Odette replied and the guests burst into laughter all at once. It was a rude manner that it didn’t fit with the distinguished guests.

Odette firmly grasped her glass. Apparently Bastian was right. Tonight’s guests were making fun of Odette no matter what she wore. It seemed that the only reason they had been friendly with her was purely for Bastian’s sake.

“That is good news. Anyway, Mrs. Klauswitz is now enjoying such a luxury thanks to Duke Dissen’s deal that night. A father who gave his daughter such a great gift deserves to live on for a long time.”

“Hey, Erich.”

Count Ewald’s son quietly stopped him, but Erich Faber seemed inclined to stop.

The one who ignited that malice was Sandrine, who was watching the situation leisurely.

“What in the world happened that night that makes it so interesting? Let’s hear it, huh?”

Even though she was begging Erich Faber, Sandrine only looked at Odette.

The sea where the light disappeared, had somehow permeated with a part of darkness.