The Captain Klauswitz and his wife’s sizzling honeymoon rapidly became the talk of the mansion. The recognized discord theory was no longer valid. It all seemed fake and a lie.

“I heard that last night they slept in the same bed?”

Everyone’s attention was on the common room when the head maid, a hostess’s assistant, appeared. Dora sat down and poured herself a cup of tea rather than responding with a sigh.

The immature maid’s words added fuel to the already raging fire.

“Is it true that they kissed in front of everyone? Only our young master would do such a thing in front of the servants.”

“It seems their relationship is not as everyone assumed. The rumors of a reluctant marriage due to pregnancy and living in separate rooms were all false. Perhaps the young master really loves the madam?” Dora responded calmly while sipping her tea.

“Otherwise, what other reason could there be?” 

Dora remained silent, but the chatter in the common room continued to escalate. She massaged her throbbing forehead and took a sip of her now-cold tea.

As Bastian settled into life in Ardene, he and Odette started each morning together. The first time their head maid caught a glimpse of them in the same bed, she nearly let out a scream of shock. She had never expected to see Bastian there.

However, as the days passed, the sight became more routine and mundane.

The intimacy between the man and woman who had spent the night together was unmistakable, yet they maintained their composure and grace. They appeared like any other sophisticated newlyweds, and it was startling to see that their once highly unconventional marriage was now becoming increasingly mundane and unremarkable, despite previously being the talk of the entire empire.

The maid nervously paced around the common room and cautiously asked, “What if the master truly cares for the madam?” This was the same girl who was scolded for laughing at the hostess on her wedding day.

Dora let out a deep sigh and touched her forehead as she replied, “If you wish to continue working here, please refrain from indulging in baseless speculation.”

The events of this morning were far from ordinary, they transformed Dora’s previously nebulous foreboding into a concrete certainty. Despite the familiar chime of the hostess’s call bell, Dora braced herself and ascended the stairs with two steaming cups of tea and a newspaper in tow.

Dora focused intently on her duties, resisting the urge to pry into her master’s personal affairs. Meanwhile, Bastian stirred from his slumber and flung open the window for a breath of fresh air. 

With his tousled robe haphazardly draped over his frame, he sauntered over to the table by the window where a pitcher of water sat. As he gazed upon his wife, time seemed to stand still, and he remained transfixed long after his glass was drained. It was as if he had become lost in the depths of his own contemplation.

Dora hovered tentatively a few paces away, biding her time for the opportune moment. Though she could have easily offered her salutations and made her exit, something held her back from speaking too hastily. Before long, Bastian strode away, leaving Dora feeling both relieved and bewildered by the encounter. Her sense of disorientation only deepened as she pondered the cryptic exchange.

Bastian strode confidently towards his wife’s bedside, unwavering in his approach. Just as Odette set down her empty cup and raised her gaze, he drew near and lowered his head in a gesture of tenderness. Before she could fully grasp the significance of the moment, Bastian had already pressed his lips to her forehead in a gentle, fleeting kiss. Though the encounter was brief, its impact lingered in the air for long.

Bastian lavished his wife with a tender kiss before retreating to the bathroom, following his usual routine. The loving exchange left Dora feeling almost guilty, as if she had witnessed a moment of unguarded intimacy between the newlyweds. It was a scene straight out of a fairy tale, a sweet and romantic moment that made her heart flutter with warmth.

“I’m already out of the madam’s line of sight, Head Maid Dora. What should I do now?” The maid’s voice trembled with anxiety, jolting Dora from her reverie.

“Try not to worry too much. The mistress is unlikely to dwell on that incident any longer,” 

Odette displayed an uncommon selflessness towards the servants who often sneered and snickered behind her back. It wasn’t that she forgot their disdainful behavior, but rather that she chose not to dwell on it.

Even after winning her husband’s affection, Odette remained unchanged in her demeanor. As the daughter of a beggar princess, she had only been married to the master for a short while, yet Dora had already come to appreciate her refined and dignified nature, that her previous assumptions about Odette being a vulgar type proved themselves false. 

After consoling the anxious maid, Dora rose to attend to her duties. Just as she was about to depart, she caught sight of the young maid skulking out of the common room.

“Molly! Where are you off to? You still have work to do,” Dora called out

“I’m just heading to the garden for a bit,” Molly replied with a cheerful smile, her answer suggesting a carefree attitude. Despite being a recent addition to the staff, Molly was diligent in her work but tended to be idle and anxious during her free time.

“Looks like you’re trying to slack off again,” Dora accused.

“I’m not! I come from the countryside, and being surrounded by grass makes me feel better. It’s the truth, ma’am,” Molly replied, her frustration evident. “I only wanted to get some fresh air while the mistress is practicing the piano. You know perfectly well that I work hard from dawn until dusk.”

“When are you going to learn proper manners and stop with this burlesque business?” Dora scolded the young maid, but her nodding head conveyed a hint of kindness.

Although being stubborn, the young maid was also intelligent, and with proper guidance, she could become a valuable senior servant.

Like a young colt full of excitement, Molly bolted out of the common room. Dora followed, leaving behind strict instructions for the other servants to keep quiet about the master and his wife’s private affairs.

“Look at that. It’s not like she’s being idle.” Glancing around nonchalantly, Dora’s laughter erupted when she caught a glimpse of Molly through the window. The young maid was sprinting into the depths of the forest, already far away from the garden.

With an intrigued expression, Dora followed the enchanting melody that echoed through the halls. It was as if the notes themselves were leading her towards the source of the music. She walked with a light step, feeling as though she was drawn to the solarium by some unseen force.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bastian remarked with affection that she was an unfailingly tenacious woman. 

As he followed the lovely piano melody that resounded through the corridor every day and saw Odette at the end of it, his conviction was reinforced. Bastian discreetly sat down on the edge of a chaise lounge as he approached the solarium, ready to take in the symphonic ambiance that enveloped his wife.

The all-glass room sticking out into the ocean appeared to be a tropical paradise when bathed in the brilliant sunlight. Odette was seated in the middle of the room, totally engrossed in playing the white piano and utterly ignorant of his presence.

Odette labored nonstop from dawn until sunset, adhering to her own set of regulations with the high precision of a well-trained soldier. But unlike a soldier, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to each of the simple pleasures of reading, knitting, and playing the piano throughout the day.

In stark contrast to the life of poverty she had experienced only a few months before, Odette’s interests were a tribute to her noble character. She was grounded and real despite her new-found riches, so it would be unfair to dismiss her goals as simple showmanship or vanity.

Bastian, on the other hand, was convinced of one thing even though he may not have fully understood the scope of Odette’s desires.

The hostess’s duties remained consistent, and Odette was a dedicated worker, always attentive to the upkeep of the estate, even tasks that could have been delegated to the butler or head maid. Along with her commitment to her work, her status within high society was gradually solidifying, without requiring extravagant expenditures.

As his wife practiced the piano, Bastian decided against announcing his presence and instead sat gently with his legs crossed. It appeared that something was not right when she began to look more and more serious.

At some point, Odette ceased playing and fixed her gaze on the sheet music with a determined expression. Retrieving the pencil she had earlier left on the music stand, she made a mark on the score to highlight a challenging section, and then meticulously studied the notes. With each tap of her fingers on the piano rim, she diligently established the rhythm, approaching the task as if she were cracking a complex code.

Bastian was awed by her stunning performance as she sang. Although other people might think her singing was just a dull hum, Bastian could hear her brilliance in every beautiful note.

Just as the memory of the starry night washed over Bastian’s mind, reminiscent of the song of the sea witch, Odette turned her head slowly. The sudden sound of the pencil dropping in surprise was accompanied by her melodic voice calling out his name. It was as if every syllable was imbued with a musical resonance.

“When did you come in?” Odette asked.

Bastian gestured calmly towards the piano,  “Please, keep going. It sounds lovely.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, Odette shook her head slightly and began to tidy up the sheet music. “Thank you for the compliment, but I am aware that I still have much to learn.”

“Do you really think so?”

“Yes, it has been so long since I played the piano that my hands have become stiff.” She finished arranging the sheet music and stood up from the piano. “When I become proficient enough to perform without feeling embarrassed, I will give you an official performance.” Odette concluded the awkward conversation with empty pleasantries.

Bastian simply nodded in response and stood up from his chair with a cool demeanor.

“Did you complete your work successfully?” Odette broke the uncomfortable silence by changing the subject.

Later, as she began to practice the piano, Bastian retreated to his study to tend to his business affairs. Being a dedicated workaholic, it was not difficult to keep track of his busy lifestyle.

Bastian lightly tapped his chin, “Well, more or less.” He took a step forward, causing the distance between them to narrow gradually, like the sound of waves drifting in through the window.

However, just as the gap between them became close enough for their shadows to meet, the butler appeared.

“The horses have arrived, master.” Lovis informed him, “They are settling in their new paddock. Would you like to see it for yourself?”

“Okay,” Bastian replied absentmindedly. Despite conversing with Lovis, his gaze was still fixed on Odette. It was apparent that he was not content with the embarrassing rumors that had already circulated throughout the mansion.

Bastian abruptly wrapped his arms around Odette’s waist  “Do you know how to ride a horse?” 

Although feeling breathless, Odette managed to maintain a smile on her face, pretending to be a loving wife.

“A little bit,” she replied briefly. 

The response sounded absurd to her, but it was the only answer she could give.