CH 88

As the sky bled crimson at dusk, the tea party attended by the officers’ wives gracefully concluded and they departed the venue in accordance with their husbands’ ranks.

Suffering from a pounding headache, Odette, the Captain’s wife, couldn’t walk ahead of the others. She patiently awaited her turn to descend the staircase at the centre of the line. In the future, her position would shift when her husband, Bastian, earned his promotion to Major.

“Congratulations once again. Your husband must be overjoyed.”

“Please pass along our congratulations to Captain Klauswitz. Ah, he’s no longer a captain; should we address him as Major now?”

Hearing this, Odette only smiled, expressed her gratitude before taking her leave. She and several other officers’ wives exited the dining room and headed toward their respective train compartments.

The train hummed rapidly, harmonizing with the soft whispers in her ears.  Odette drank in the picturesque tableau unveiled before her: quaint farmhouses and vast, rolling hills rushing past through the gap between the train carriages, all under the watch of the autumn sun as it slowly bowed towards the distant horizon.

“Odette?”

Someone’s voice called her name. Odette turned the corridor’s end and spotted Franz Klauwitz standing there.

“Your face is pale; are you alright?” Franz asked with concern, approaching her.

Odette gave a gentle nod. “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

“Hold on!” Franz suddenly gripped Odette’s arm.

“What are you doing? That’s impolite!” Odette tried to brush off Franz’s hand, but he held on even tighter.

“Are you stressed because of Bastian? Or my mother?”

“Release my hand.”

“I’m not my mother, Odette. I’ll stand by you, and you can trust me. I can help you. If you want,  I can help you escape tomorrow to a place where neither Bastian nor my mother will ever find you!” Franz declared, his breath quickening.

Odette fixed her gaze on Franz, calm and collected. She had suspicions and wasn’t taken aback to discover that Franz already knew everything.

“If you truly wish to help me, let go of my hand now and leave!”

“Odette, I…”

“All I want from you is this, Mr. Franz Klauswitz.” Odette stated resolutely, suppressing both her stabbing headache and her vision becoming increasingly blurry. Still, her gaze remained unyielding—no hints of sadness or uncertainty lingered in her eyes.

Seeing her resolve, Franz finally let go of her hand, and Odette dashed toward the carriage door and flung it open.

“Heavens, Odette! Why are you flinging the door open like a madwoman?” Ella von Klein shrieked in surprise as she sought her fiancé.

“I apologise, Ella.”

Odette quickly passed Ella, who maintained her disdainful glare.

After returning to her compartment, Odette lay down on the sofa. Cold sweat trickled from her temples, and her gloves, damp with perspiration, clenched tightly.

Why were Franz and his mother here? Puzzled, Odette tried to decipher Theodora Klauswitz’s intentions, but no answers revealed themselves.

The accord had been reached. She had provided them with what they sought, and they had agreed to maintain the secret. Though Theodora was not entirely reliable, Odette had faith that she would honour her promise, particularly with a provision that, if the scheme became public knowledge before Bastian left, their bargain would be null and void.

Initially, Theodora Klauswitz resisted, but her expression shifted when she presented her with a photograph of them departing an old music store at 12 Rahner Street, snapped by a detective she had employed.

“If it pleases you, I’ll hand over this photo to you; after all, it’s merely a duplicate.”

So she felt assured that Theodora would not disrupt the festival, at least not until all traces of evidence were effectively wiped away.

Drained, Odette reclined on the sofa, striving to compose herself. Ever since pilfering the diamond mine documents and surrendering them to Theodora, a night of restful sleep eluded her while Bastian lay beside her.

She longed and prayed for time to hasten its pace, yet she recognized the impossibility of her wish.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Pausing at the doorway, Bastian’s eyes were drawn to the faintly lit carriage interior, where only the soft caress of moonlight filtering through the windows illuminated the space.

Glancing at his wristwatch, Bastian softly approached the slumbering Odette, nestled on the sofa after her taxing day. He wanted to ease her into the bed for added comfort but then thought better of it.

As the train rhythmically clattered across the river bridge, Odette’s head found sanctuary on Bastian’s shoulder. The resplendent moon overhead bathed the carriage in otherworldly light, enchanting the autumnal night

With great care, Bastian adjusted Odette’s position, ensuring her comfort without rousing her from sleep, allowing her to lean against him a little while longer.

Across the river, the train gently traversed through the hazy meadow. Her tranquil slumber painted a picture of pure serenity, akin to being enveloped in the placid pool.  Life, unfolding this way, seemed agreeable, and Bastian felt he could confront any challenge anything that came their way with a calm mind.

He longed to be at her side.

The desire to spend every night together and welcome each glorious morning, with her presence eternally in his life, filled his heart.

‘Come with me…’ Would a sweet smile grace her lips if he confessed his love?

Bastian gazed tenderly at Odette, seeking the depths of her heart. He recognized that her captivating smile occasionally veiled hidden truths, yet he ached for the warmth of genuine sincerity beneath.

With the festival looming, Odette appeared tense and agitated, like a wife fraught with worry over her husband. Yet, she never questioned the ring he bought for her, her demeanour displaying indifference, as if the occasion had evaporated from her memory.

She was a riddle—captivating and seemingly untouchable. Perhaps that was what rendered him a prisoner of his own anxieties. In quiet reflection, Bastian reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved a small velvet box. Upon opening the lid, a dazzling diamond ring sparkled. Among all precious stones, diamonds perfectly echoed her ethereal essence.

With a smile, Bastian returned the box to his pocket. He decided to save the ring for a more fitting moment—when they embarked on a new chapter of their lives together.  Then, and only then, would he lovingly embellish her finger with the cherished token.

Though lacking certainty, Bastian realized that giving a ring to a woman just awakened from slumber was a less heartfelt. He checked his watch again, took a deep breath, and allowed his eyes to close. The upcoming dinner cast a shadow, promising to be drawn-out, monotonous, and draining. Before facing the event, he wanted to rest for a moment

Beside this woman. In perfect harmony with her tender presence.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

As Odette awoke, the truth struck her—this was no dream. She stifled a scream to find herself resting against Bastian’s shoulder. Gingerly, she raised her head, careful not to awaken him.

“Ah…” She let out a faint grimace as her hair tangled in Bastian’s shoulder badge.  Gently tugging at the strands, the entanglement worsened

Bastian’s eyes opened, he smiled as he watched Odette shrouded in darkness trying hard to free her hair.

“Forgive me, Bastian.” The prior night’s events flooding back, Odette hastily apologized. “I-I’m sorry, my hair…”

“Are you okay?” Bastian asked, sensing the fear beneath her words.

That night, his vulnerability lay exposed, brought by the humiliation of his ailment. Though not severe he momentarily lost control over his thoughts and actions, overcome with emotion in Odette’s presence.

“I’ll set it free.” Bastian gently removed the knotted strands caught on his badge. “Odette…if only… If one night, while I sleep beside you, I disappear somewhere…” Whispering her name, Bastian looked at her face  as he traced his fingers through her silky tresses. He was acutely aware that his illness rendered him vulnerable, an easy target, so he had been hiding it.

And yet…

Eyes brimming with unspoken emotion, Bastian’s tender gaze met hers, “Should it happen, would you search for me and find me?” His calm question resounded without a doubt.

Odette looked at him, With her hair finally freed, “Yes, of course…..I’ll find you.”

Her smile illuminated the tender scene—a reflection of the moonlight embracing them.