/
As the preparations drew to a close, the devoted butler made his entrance. Gracefully, Lovis strolled through the bedroom, his time-worn face illuminated by a beaming smile.
Bastian, surrounded by attendants helping him with his attire, turned to greet the elderly butler. The shining badges of honor adorning his navy-blue uniform captured the morning sunlight.
“Master, my heart swells with joy and pride. Your mother and maternal grandfather, watching from the heavens, must surely be brimming with pride as well,” Lovis’s eyes glistened with emotional tears.
“Well, it seems like a story that sends shivers down one’s spine,” Bastian remarked, a playful smile gracing his lips. Lovis, momentarily surprised, soon let out a chuckle.
Fourteen years had passed.
Lovis had closely watched him for a long time. At first, he had disapproved of Carl Illis’s decision to make a child, who bore a striking resemblance to their greatest enemy, as his heir. However, that baseless bias soon dissipated. By the age of twelve, Bastian Klauswitz had matured into an adult. He was distinct from his father in every way, except for his looks. Yet, it was also hard to see him as a member of the Illis clan.
Bastian embodied perfection.
He had not only surmounted countless challenges and tribulations but had also achieved resplendent feats. In his eyes Bastian was the greatest masterpiece. Lovis took pride in this, but it was mixed with a hint of sadness.
Bastian’s life had been a ceaseless quest to prove his worth and capability. A model student. An honorable soldier. A skilled businessman. His achievements outshone those of others, but when stripped away, his life resembled a desolate landscape, brimming with solitude and an aching emptiness.
And Odette was the one who filled that void.
Lovis no longer questioned this truth. Lately, Bastian had started to resemble a young man his age, more vibrant and lively. It was nothing short of an extraordinary transformation…
“Please forgive me, Master. It seems inappropriate to shed tears on such a joyous day,” Lovis quickly apologized, wiping away his tears.
Once Lovis regained his composure and professionalism as an adept butler, he began by sharing the train station departure time, followed by providing an update on the completed preparations. He also remembered the crucial task of delivering a message.
“Mr. Mueller contacted me. He would like to speak with you over the phone before your departure to Lausanne. There’s a matter he wishes to discuss, and it would be appropriate for you to call him now.”
“Very well, I shall.”
“One more thing, Master,” Lovis hesitated, causing Bastian, who had just begun to walk, to stop. “Master… Ha… have you told her…?”
Bastian’s eyes narrowed in confusion at the question, “What do you mean, Lovis?”
“Ah…Never mind, master. It’s just….a slight misunderstanding.”
Intimidated by Bastian’s intense gaze, Lovis skillfully defused the situation. To his relief, Bastian let out a soft chuckle before leaving the bedroom. The moment the door closed, the attendants burst into a chorus of lament.
“So close! Just one more word!”
“This isn’t the time for idle chatter.”
“Sir Lovis, aren’t you curious too?”
“Not as much as you’d think.”
The attendants shuddered at Lovis’s sharp retort. Their eyes gleamed with curiosity.
When would their master reveal his feelings to the madam?
Indeed, when? The grand mansion’s servants eagerly speculated about the timing.  Their excitement reached fever pitch after knowing that Bastian had brought back the ring he’d commissioned from the jeweler.
Lovis left his master’s quarters, striding with poise and authority, a faint smile on his lips, as the chattering servants remained behind.
Most bets were on two days, with none exceeding four. The servants were convinced that Bastian wouldn’t leave for Lausanne alone. In truth, Lovis shared their sentiments.
If money were on the line, he would wager on one day. It was his secret hope for the hero who transformed into an awkward young man when confronted with something called love.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
The VIP waiting room at Ratz Station hummed with activity as passengers, majority aristocrats and affluent people attending the naval festival, who awaited the express train to Lausanne.
“Smile, Franz, don’t look so glum. If anyone sees you, they’ll think you’re attending a funeral,” Theodora scolded her son. Her irritation was evident, though her lips formed a tender smile.
“Why must I go to Lausanne?” Franz set down his teacup, his expression disgruntled. “You should have visited Bastian directly that day and negotiated with him, so we wouldn’t have to play the fool like this!”
“Fool? What do you mean?” Theodora’s voice rose. Undeterred, Franz boldly aired his grievances.
“Exactly. Look, Mother! Everyone’s staring at us. The social world knows that we and Bastian are enemies, yet you expect us to stand and applaud at Bastian Klauswitz’s award ceremony like circus performers?” Franz’s face flushed with embarrassment.
The diamond mine, once believed to be their salvation, was exposed as a cunning trap set by the devious Bastian Klauswitz.
The day she obtained the evidence, her mother decided to attend her stepbrother’s naval festival. Her father, seething with anger, wanted to eliminate Bastian right away, but her mother’s stubbornness won out.
“I am trying to protect this family from danger, so you must heed my words, Franz!”
Despite hurting her husband’s pride, his mother persisted in attending the event. Her disregard for her husband’s feeling was unusual, as she typically adhered to and honored his wishes.
“When you have a powerful weapon, you must also learn to wait for the right moment,” Theodora said, her gaze distant as she spoke to Franz.
Odette was a valuable chess piece. However, Theodora hesitated, as Odette seemed skilled only in playing the role of Bastian Klauswitz’s faux wife, lacking the savvy and experience of a spy.
Nevertheless, one could argue that Odette had successfully completed her mission, considering Bastian’s unawareness, which amazed Theodora. That’s why she now aimed to hide her intentions, avoiding unnecessary attention. Perhaps this offered an opportunity to retaliate against the numerous insults she had endured from Bastian.
“Let Bastian have his time as a hero, Franz. There’s no harm in you temporarily playing the part of a fool. Because in the end, you will triumph over that hero.”
“What do you mean, Mother?”
“Your father is getting older, and his time is growing short. The moment has arrived for you to stand as Bastian’s rival.”
“But, Mother! I…”
“Do not think of claiming Bastian’s wife without unwavering determination! If you want her, you must be strong. Even animals engage in deadly battles to secure the mate they desire.”
“Don’t talk about Odette like that!” Franz objected, glancing around nervously to make sure no one else had heard. He felt a sense of self-pity, as his unrequited love was so pitiful that he was tempted to laugh at his own plight.
“That’s the way of the world, Franz. Thus, there’s no harm in showing Odette that you are stronger than Bastian.”
Theodora used the most powerful bait to persuade her son. A blend of sorrow and relief flickered in Franz’s quivering eyes, reminiscent of Jeff Klauswitz’s raw and naïve side, which she admired so much.
“Look, Ella has arrived,” Theodora whispered to Franz, nodding towards a table across the room.
Ella and her mother, Countess Klein, had just entered the VIP waiting area. Franz’s expression soured at the sight.
“Be kind to Ella as she will be your wife. It’s the secret why I can tolerate your father’s numerous affairs.”
“Mother, please…”
“Why? Do you plan to make Odette your wife? To marry your stepbrother’s former spouse?” Theodora interrupted her son’s futile hopes with a sarcastic smile. “First, ensure Ella’s happiness. Then, I will provide you the means to win Odette. Understood?”
Theodora’s gray eyes gleamed coldly. Although Franz’s face remained expressionless, she already knew her son’s answer. She wished for Bastian to fall for his wife. That way, Franz’s triumph would be all the more glorious.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
When Bastian Klauswitz made his entrance, Ratz Central Station teemed with spectators who had gathered upon hearing the news.
The bustling crowd filled every corner, and the cheers from the throng drowned out the sounds of trains arriving and departing. With the aid of officers assigned to maintain order, Bastian and Odette walked onto the platform.
“Please follow me.” The officer struggled to guide them towards the Lausanne-bound train.
Bastian moved through the crowd, carrying Odette in his arms. The atmosphere at the train station was extraordinary, as though they were commemorating a triumphant war victory. The articles featuring the hero of the Battle of Trosa seemed to have left a notable impact on the public.
A masterful propaganda effort by the navy and Bastian was well aware of the role he had been assigned.
The Battle of Trosa victory was undoubtedly impressive, but not one deserving such an extravagant celebration. Even so, the navy required a hero to enhance the Imperial fleet’s prestige, and Bastian was the perfect fit. Additionally, the Emperor’s eagerness to conceal his daughter’s scandal contributed another dimension to the intricate game, broadening its scope.
Upon reaching the special train compartment, Bastian first assisted Odette in boarding, then turned around, removed his hat, and bowed to acknowledge the crowd, who gave him a standing ovation.
Having successfully played his part, Bastian boarded the train without hesitation. When the announcement for the last guest’s boarding was made, the whistle signaling departure resounded for an extended period.
Saturday, 11:45 AM.
Delayed by ten minutes due to the adoring crowd, the express train to Lausanne departed from the capital city’s central station. The sky beyond the steam dissipating along the tracks shone as brightly as the name of a hero who had reached the pinnacle of his glory.