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“If I departed without seeing Captain Klauswitz, I thought it would be unfortunate. I am happy you are here.” Maxime hastily handed over his daughter to the nanny who was following behind as he expressed his disappointment about leaving without meeting Captain Klauswitz.
“Good day, Sir Xanders,” Bastian replied as he shook the Count’s hand. “I wasn’t anticipating your visit to my humble abode.” He glanced briefly at Odette, who had approached him silently, before returning his attention to Maxime. Despite the unexpectedness of the Count’s arrival, Maxime’s cheerful countenance betrayed no hint of remorse.
“Ah, let me start by apologizing for my rudeness. I came without making an appointment beforehand,” Maxime said.
“Is there something urgent that requires your attention?” asked Bastia.
Maxime’s expression was filled with genuine remorse, “I wanted to invite both of you to my villa to properly apologize for Alma’s mistake at the last party. However, due to some family matters, I must leave Ardene earlier than planned.”
Bastian greeted the Count’s explanation with a warm, amiable smile. Although there were no overt signs of any foul play, he couldn’t claim to fully comprehend the Count’s reasoning.
The Count possessed an abundance of kindness that had the ability to win over even the most skeptical of souls. However, despite his outwardly humble demeanor, his true nature was one of arrogance, much like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. What made it all the more perplexing was that he seemed completely oblivious to this fact, as if he were under some sort of enchantment that prevented him from recognizing his own flaws.
“If that’s the case, why don’t you join us for dinner tonight?” Bastian extended a gracious invitation to him. Though he felt that their relationship wasn’t particularly significant, he understood the importance of maintaining civility and adhering to social norms.
Maxime chuckled like a carefree youth and shook his head, “No, thank you for the offer, but I must be on my way to catch the train on time. I only stopped by to say hello before my departure.”
“All right, let’s get a cup of tea. I won’t feel comfortable if you go in this manner.” Bastian insisted.
“I had the pleasure of having tea time with Mrs. Klauswitz earlier. Please don’t worry about that, as she treated an unexpected and uninvited guest with exceptional hospitality. Alma and I are truly grateful for your kindness.”
In response, Odette smiled warmly and expressed her pleasure in being able to extend hospitality to Maxime and Alma.
“I would like to once again apologize for Alma’s mistake on that day. I will make sure to educate my child properly to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.”
Maxime offered a sincere apology to Bastian,  As he spoke, the nanny arrived holding the child, catching Maxime’s eye.
The Count gathered his daughter Alma into his arms and approached Bastian once more, urging her to apologize for her mistake. “Come on, Alma. It’s important that you apologize to Captain Klauswitz,”
However, upon meeting Bastian’s gaze, Alma became overwhelmed with emotion and buried her face in her father’s embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Bastian was actually unaware of what mistake the child had made. He observed the father and daughter spending time with a woman who bore a striking resemblance to the Count’s deceased wife, and noted Odette’s excessive display of affection towards a stranger’s child. It all left him with a sense of intrigue and curiosity.
It seemed to Bastian that the adults were trying to shift the responsibility for their mistakes onto a child who was completely innocent and unaware of what had transpired. He couldn’t help but think that if the Count was truly apologetic, he wouldn’t have shown up again.
As Bastian observed the Count’s comically arrogant behavior, the child in his arms began to squirm and open her mouth, perhaps sensing the tension in the air.
“I’m sorry….Captain.” Alma apologized to Captain Klauswitz in a quiet whisper. Her frightened eyes brimming with tears. Even with tears filled her frightened eyes, the child did her part quite resolutely.
Bastian gracefully cocked his head to accept the young lady’s audacity. He was instantly distracted, though, when his perceptive eye caught a glimpse of something odd. The child’s blouse’s collar was embellished with a piece of commonplace lace that, although being common, had an oddly familiar color and shape. His intuition was confirmed as he looked at it more attentively; it was the wonderfully made collar that Odette had been diligently knitting over the last few days.
There was no denying it – Bastian’s heart raced with excitement as he beheld the accessory before him. It was not a figment of his imagination; it was real, and he had committed every minute detail to memory. From the tiniest intricacy to the grander purpose of the seemingly insignificant object, he had scrutinized it with unwavering curiosity.
Maxime showed his love and pride for his daughter by giving her several gentle kisses on the cheeks. Bastian had a glimpse of Odette in the child’s dazzling grin at this very moment. While they may have had different physical characteristics, there was an unmistakable similarity in the way they made an impact on others around them.
“Allow me to extend an invitation for both of you to visit Xander’s estate in the near future. It would be my pleasure to repay the debt,” said Maxime before they were informed that the car had arrived. With that, Maxime bid his final farewell.
Bastian stood with Odette, watching the guests say their goodbyes as they left. The fact that Xander’s car was already loaded with their luggage and standing outside the stately home suggested that the Count’s assurance to drop by before departing was sincere. The father and daughter got into the car and drove off into the peaceful, dusk landscape.
After a moment, Odette turned to face Bastian. “Congratulations on being accepted into Xander’s circle,” she exclaimed, as if it were a tremendous honor to win the favor of the wealthy widower. However, Bastian’s mood became even more tumultuous at the sight of her dazzling smile.
Mrs. Klauswitz, who put a lot of effort into everything, didn’t shirk her responsibility to select a compatible affair partner. It was a commendably excellent professional skill.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
As nightfall descended, the forest was cloaked in darkness. Odette set down her wine glass and gazed out the window of the breakfast room, her expression etched with concern. It had been nearly ten days since she began caring for the stray dogs in the woods. Though they remained untamed and cautious, they consistently returned to the same spot each day, waiting for her to arrive with their food during her walks.
Today was no exception to the routine. Letting out a sigh, Odette redirected her attention to the table.  ‘What if I request to be excused first?’
Odette thought about her prior choice as she struggled with her emotions. She wasn’t ready to take on the responsibilities of a marriage just yet. She resisted letting her feelings endanger the crucial matters of the day.
“After the naval festival is over, would be the optimal time to pay a visit to the Xanders, don’t you think?” Odette spoke up, breaking the oppressive silence with her well-timed words. Bastian, who had been silently clearing his plate, finally lifted his gaze across the table.
“Do as you please.” Setting down his wine glass, Bastian responded in a curt tone.  It was clear that he wasn’t pleased with the newfound connections she had formed. Though she wasn’t seeking praise, his disapproving reply was somewhat disconcerting.
“Is it possible that you harbor some dislike towards Sir Xanders?” Amidst her struggle, Odette approached the topic cautiously.
Bastian’s face lit up with a smile as the candelabra’s glow illuminated the dining table. “I can hardly believe it,” he said. “I believe Count Xanders has the potential to create a tasteful scandal. It’s a valuable network, so be sure to handle it with care.”
Bastian continued speaking in his usual plain and soft tone, without any change in his expression.
“Do you suspect that Sir Xanders and I are currently engaged in an inappropriate relationship?” Odette asked.
“Whether the two of you are in a committed relationship or simply sharing a noble friendship is of no concern to me. I simply require that Maxime von Xanders be the cause of our divorce,” Bastian nonchalantly raised his eyebrows and resumed his use of cutlery. “He is a wealthy, well-mannered, and highly-educated nobleman, which is sufficient reason for me to relinquish my wife. You have chosen your partner wisely, Odette, and I am pleased with your selection.”
Bastian sliced through the meat, spewing vile and vicious words without a care. Odette was left speechless, frozen in shock as she observed the unsettling spectacle. If she had mustered the courage to speak out against his behavior, it might have been dismissed as a mere misunderstanding. However, Bastian’s demeanor was chillingly devoid of any empathy or warmth. His behavior was cold, like ice.
The scene brought back thoughts of that tragic spring afternoon when Bastian had proposed and given her a contract. She was now expecting an explanation from him, but all she got was a placid demeanor as he carried on eating. She was suddenly repelled by the meat’s dark red interior, which had barely undergone surface cooking. It was a reflection of the man who was avidly munching the bloodied meat from the seat across from her.
He was a beast, or at least he looked like a beast in Odette’s eyes.
Odette had known for a long time that this man would use any strategy to further his goals, but this affair was much beyond her comprehension.
“Sir Xanders has nothing to do with me. I am willing to agree to any grounds for the divorce, but I refuse to let an innocent person be dragged into this.”
“Perhaps it’s time for you to work on building a good relationship,” Bastian suggested, swallowing the last morsel of meat and reaching for the napkin. “It looks good on you, by the way” he added with a nonchalant smile as he neatly folded the napkin he had just used to wipe his lips.
A terrible man.
Odette had to work to keep her hatred from escaping her mouth. She immediately concealed her hands under the table, but they were already trembling with unfathomable wrath.
“Sir Xanders is a decent man. Please don’t make careless insults,” Odette reprimanded Bastian, assuming the role of a stern teacher. Bastian laughed as if he had heard the funniest joke and refilled his empty glass.
“Isn’t it great that you two are perfect for each other? I’m just glad that my wife is leaving me for a decent man, at least it’ll make me look good. You’ll have a wonderful husband, and I don’t think there could be a better outcome,”
“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Odette asked, taken aback by the comment.
“Don’t worry, I will pay alimony for that portion if you want. Of course, you will have to face the harm to your image caused by you and Count Xanders having an affair.”
“Do you really think that money can buy anything?”
“You have proven that nothing is impossible.”
“You are quite filthy.” Odette let her anger speak.
“Is cleanliness your virtue? And who sold their life for money?” Bastian, clutching his wine glass, responded with a question and a statement that sounded like a song.
Odette’s pale blue face was filled with a fierce glare as she rose to her feet. Though her eyes were reddened with tears, she refused to let them fall.
As he listened to the sound of his wife’s footsteps fading away, Bastian slowly tipped his glass. The butler had carefully selected the wine for the master and his wife’s dinner, and the rich, fragrant aroma filled the air.