Her dilated pupil, brimming with Bastian’s presence, gleamed with a luminosity. Within that gaze lay an emotion akin to trust, distinct from the time when fear and vigilance clouded her eyes.

Bastian looked at Odette with tender serenity, his words momentarily held in gentle silence. He had reached a definitive resolution, and now was the opportune moment to convey it to Odette. 

He was acutely aware of this. But what should he say?

‘Let’s go together.’ 

He yearned to utter those words that lingered at the tip of his tongue.

Situated on the Trosa Islands within the Berg Territory, there were dwellings allocated for military families stationed in the Northern Fleet. While it couldn’t be equated with the luxurious lifestyle they currently enjoyed, it provided a peaceful and suitable environment where they wouldn’t endure hardships.

Odette, being no stranger to a life outside the social realm, possessed the adaptability to thrive in such circumstances as well. Perhaps, it could serve as an ideal location for their honeymoon, away from prying eyes and unwanted intrusions.

This was precisely why Bastian found himself unable to articulate those words in the end.

The choice of bringing Odette to the new assignment felt like a proclamation that their marriage would endure eternally. However, as desire intensified, so did doubts.

There was no denying Odette’s stunning beauty. 

Bastian was acutely aware of how effortlessly he could be entranced by a woman of her allure. In fact, it may have already happened.

For a while now, emotions had overridden reason whenever he stood in front of her. It would be imprudent to base the trajectory of his entire life on judgments made in such a state. Consequently, opting to proceed alone after their decision might prove beneficial for both of them.

“No,” Bastian hesitated once more, “there’s nothing.”

A serene response intertwined with the warm glow that permeated the surrounding darkness.

“Ah,” Odettw nodded. A sudden soreness tingled in the fingertips where she had released her hold on Bastian’s sleeves.

Just as she was about to take a step back, Bastian leaned in, capturing her with another kiss. His lips brushed against her cheek, still radiating warmth, but it was merely that—a fleeting warmth.

While her father’s intoxication often led to verbal abuse and destructive behavior, Bastian, on the other hand, exhibited a gentle and affectionate demeanor when under the influence. 

Though they resided at opposite ends of the spectrum, they shared the unfortunate commonality of being influenced by alcohol.

Ultimately, they were no different in this regard.

Accepting this reality, Odette concealed even the remnants of futile hope. Bastian concluded the meaningless drunkenness by planting a light peck on Odette’s cheek, akin to a playful jest, as if a bird gently nuzzling its beak.

“Could you lull me to sleep?” Bastian playfully quipped, releasing his hold on Odette’s hair.

“I’m sorry, but you seem a bit too grown for that,” Odette cautiously took a step back to create more space between them. Bastian offered a faint smile, nodding as if comprehending her hesitance.

He then sighed and turned away, his movements noticeably slowed and muted, as if he had reached the threshold of his intoxication.

Bastian stumbled, his movements unsteady, as he traversed the room and tumbled onto the bed, collapsing as if in a free fall. Odette stood by the fireplace, standing watch over him, observing the scene unfold. The man, typically composed with an impenetrable demeanor, drifted into slumber without properly enveloping himself in the covers.

Odette approached the bed, tending to her final duty of the day. Dealing with an inebriated individual posed no challenge for her. Her experience in caring for her father had honed her proficiency in this less-than-warm skill.

Odette adjusted the lighting in the room, subtly dimming the glow that emanated from the bedside table lamp. She diligently tidied up his scattered slippers, restoring order to the disarray. Straightening Bastian’s body on the bed proved to be a more arduous task than anticipated, given his robust and imposing physique—a stark contrast to her father’s frame.

Holding her breath, Odette worked silently, meticulously covering Bastian’s body with the blanket, ensuring he lay flat and comfortably cocooned within its warmth.

Yet, to safeguard Tira, she has to betray this very man.

Confronting the harsh reality, all traces of hesitation that had lingered within her were now extinguished, leaving her resolute in her decision.

Bound by a profound sense of loyalty towards her cherished family, and tethered by a contractual obligation spanning two years as an employer.

A child, Tira, endowed with little, and a man who possessed abundant wealth and privilege.

The decision, once cast, was firmly set in stone, and Odette harbored no desire to reverse the course she had chosen.

As she found herself transfixed by the tranquil visage of Bastian, his slumbering countenance captivating her gaze, the resonant chime of a clock striking one o’clock reached her ears.

With half-closed eyes fluttering open, Odette extinguished the lamp’s glow and gracefully rose to her feet.

If someone had to descend into the depths of hell, it will be her.

Driven by an unwavering resolve to unearth the truth for Tira, Odette made a solemn vow. And now, the time had come for her to bear the weight of those words, unwavering in her determination.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The day started off pretty much the same as any other for Bastian.

The alarm went off at the prescribed time, and he got himself cleaned up and ready for work. The only indication of the chaotic night before was the way he occasionally looked over his shoulder in Odette’s direction, almost as if he were looking for her.

He was clueless about it.

The conclusion he reached, in the end, just as pointless as that.

Odette sat at a slight distance from the breakfast table, creating a perceptible gap between her and the scene before her. Although no overt signs of discomfort lingered from the events of the previous night, it remained challenging to ascertain her true state of mind.

Skilled in concealing her emotions, Odette wears a gentle smile even when she doesn’t genuinely desire to do so. Yet, in that moment, Bastian found himself suffocating under the weight of this aspect of her character that he had once admired. It appeared to him as nothing more than a whimsical foolishness.

“Are you not inclined to assume the role of an astrologer or fortune-teller today?” Bastian’s playful query broke the silence, trying to make a light-hearted tone into the atmosphere. 

Odette, taken aback by the unexpected question, finally looked up at him. Her eyes betrayed a faint redness, perhaps indicating a lack of sleep.

In a gentle observation of him, Odette grasped the spoon delicately, and shortly thereafter, a subtle cracking sound filled the air as she deftly cracked a boiled egg.

“According to a whimsical horoscope, fortune favors those who steer clear of alcohol,” Odette playfully imparted a fabricated prediction, her gaze focused on the fractured eggshell. 

Prompted by her mischievous remark, Bastian couldn’t contain his laughter, his mirthful outburst echoing in the room. It appeared that his tipsy husband’s demeanor clashed with the grace and poise befitting an elegant lady like Odette.

“In a change of roles, allow me to read your fortune this time,” Bastian’s laughter subsided as he reached out and took hold of Odette’s egg cup.

The butler, who had been in the midst of approaching to pour coffee, was caught off guard and froze momentarily in his tracks. With careful precision, Bastian imitated his wife, gently cracking the eggshell. In that moment, he seemed to transform into an entirely different individual, a sight unfamiliar to those who knew him well.

Lovis, struggling with the inability to determine an appropriate response, looked in a different direction. The newly bright morning sunlight was accompanied by the sound of someone pouring weak coffee into a cup.

After giving the egg a cursory examination for a moment, Bastian’s eyes swiftly returned to Odette. “Today, you must being careful of drunkards.” 

Odette’s eyes blinked rapidly as she smiled slightly. It was a face expression that lasted for only a split second, yet its residual impact was felt for a considerable amount of time afterward.

“Odette…” near the end of the breakfast, as the atmosphere grew more relaxed, Bastian’s voice impulsively called out her name.

“Yes, Bastian, please go ahead,” Odette placed her water glass down and met his gaze directly.

‘Is there something you want to say…?’ The question Odette had asked to him the previous night suddenly resurfaced in Bastian’s mind. It appeared as though her eyes were filled with desperation, as if silently pleading for an answer, yet he found it difficult to trust his intoxicated memories.

“Did… Did you mention that you were also invited to the Emperor’s banquet?” Bastian eventually opted for a deflective question, evading the heart of the matter. 

It felt like a morning where the haze of last night’s alcohol still clung to his thoughts.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

‘You are to become Odette’s shadow for the time being’

With the duty to meticulously observe and report every minute detail, Molly received an additional instruction to keep a close watch on matters related to her father.

Having committed the contents of the letter to memory, Molly tossed it into the burning drum barrel, its flames consuming the written words. Unnoticed by the others engrossed in their own tasks, the young maid went about her duties with little notice.

Stepping across the yard, bathed in the faint glow of sunlight, Molly made her way back to the mansion, ready to continue her assigned responsibilities.

Under the gentle glow of the pale sunlight, Molly made her way across the yard, heading back to the mansion. The morning followed its usual routine, with Molly diligently assisting the lady of the house and tending to Margrethe’s meals. After carefully arranging the festival hat and dress that had arrived from Sabine’s wardrobe, a long-awaited break finally arrived.

A summons came from the madam’s study, cutting through the moment of respite. 

“It’s the madam’s study. I’ll leave!”

Without hesitation, Molly raised her hand. A tinge of regret washed over her as she glanced at the untouched tea in her cup, but she knew there was no time to dwell on such trivial matters. Duty called, and she was ready to respond.

“Oh, my! If anyone catches sight of you, they might mistake you for the lady of the house herself,” the housekeeper chuckled.

Molly felt a slight flush of embarrassment, as if her innermost thoughts had been laid bare, but she maintained her composure and showed no signs of being flustered.

“Madam!” Molly hurriedly made her way to the small study, her heart pounding with anticipation. She knocked on the door with a sense of modesty and respect.

“Come in, Molly,” came Odette’s serene voice from behind the closed door.

After giving a playful pat to the lively puppy that had eagerly approached her, Molly stood before Odette’s desk, her expression radiant and cheery.

“We have another guest arriving this afternoon. Should I inform Dora to adjust the preparations for tea time?” Odette asked, looking up from sealing the final letter.

“Yes, madam” Molly responded promptly, her voice filled with dutiful respect.

“Here are the letters to be sent out today. I would be grateful if you could take care of them,” Odette handed over the stack of mail.

“Yes, of course. Is there anything else I can assist you with?” 

“Will you please inform Hans that I will be going out tomorrow morning?” 

Molly’s eyes lit up with excitement “Are you visiting Ratz, madam?” 

“No, I am going to visit my father,” Odette smiled as she organized her pen and ink. “I’ve tried to keep my distance from my father for the sake of my husband, but no matter what, it feels too heartless. It seems that my father has been seriously injured and is lying in a hospital bed. Can’t you understand my feelings?”

“Indeed,” Molly nodded. Memories of her father, a drunkard who had met his demise due to alcohol, had long faded away. But now, it was time to fabricate a worthy lie to satisfy Odette’s expectations.

“Well, wouldn’t it be better for me to come with my husband? What do you think,  Molly?” 

“So you wanna go to the hospital with master?”

“It would be a nice opportunity to show my father how well our marriage is going. I believe there would be much for the two of them to talk about.”

Molly’s eyes widened in surprise. She may not have been well-informed, but involving Bastian Klauswitz in this game or situation didn’t strike her as a wise decision.

“Of course, that would be ideal, but with the naval festival approaching, will master, who is already so busy, be able to find the time?”

“Fortunately, it appears that he will have some free time tomorrow,” Odette reassured, her smile warm as she gently stroked the puppy in her arms.

“You may leave now. Well done, Molly,” Odette praised, her gaze filled with kindness.

Molly nodded and quickly left the small study.

It seemed that she would have to embark on another swift journey through the forest today.