Bastian

n considering that all children of aristocratic families use private rooms.

 

On the day he learned that it was a special order from the superiors, Bastian realized.
That the weak son of Count Ewald was nothing more than a blessing in disguise.
It was a transaction in which mutual understanding was well aligned.

 

They had been together in a relationship that served that purpose.

 

It took a long time after that for Lucas to shake off the stigma of being a misfit, but at least he didn’t suffer from abuse and beatings anymore.
It was one of the changes that had taken place since a senior who spat in Lucas’ face was trampled to death by Bastian Clausitz’s boots.
Friendship with the Ewald family.
The splendid connections he gained based on that.
The prestige and location within the Ministry of the Navy was further enhanced thanks to the friendship with the Ewald family and the brilliant contacts they had made.

 

As much as the gains he received in return, his relationship with Lucas had grown stronger.
As long as there were no incidents, that kind of friendship would continue in the future.

 

“Are you going to see her now?”

 

Lucas looked around and lowered his voice to a whisper.
The shadow of the sunlight that passed between the flower branches swayed on Bastian’s face as he nodded.

 

“Be careful not to get caught, Bastian.” (*He meant not to get seduced)

 

Lucas let out a deep sigh and shook his head.

 

“No matter how good your lineage is, there is nothing good about being involved with a woman like that.
Sandrine’s marriage will be arranged by next year at the latest, but if Duke LaViere, who is just beginning to show favor to you, is disappointed by this…… .”

 

“Lucas.”

 

Bastian stopped the agitated Lucas by calling his name quietly.
Luckily, Lucas, who wasn’t very ignorant, stopped his speech at that point.

 

They said goodbye in front of the building of the Naval Headquarters.

 

Normally, Bastian would have gone back to headquarters and pushed on with the rest of his work, but today the noble lady made it possible for him to spend a leisurely afternoon.

 

Clean it up after dealing with it properly.

 

Bastian’s thoughts were the same as Lucas’s.

 

First of all, he was planning to apply to the overseas front again after this marriage was put to good use.
In the meantime, if the princess got married and left Berg, the emperor would no longer act like this.
Being appointed in a rough area was also an opportunity to establish a bigger major, so it was a choice that he had nothing to lose.
After that, if he married Sandrine, who returned as the daughter of the Duke of LaViere, it would be the most perfect ending.

 

As he entered the main road connecting the entrance of the Admiralty and the headquarters, the bell of the clock tower struck, announcing 2 o’clock.
But Bastian still walked through the sunny afternoon at an unhurried pace.

 

Flowering Wednesday.

 

Flowers in spring were swaying with dazzling sunlight and sweet breeze.

 

***

 

Could it be that he intends not to come?

 

Odette opened the old pocket watch once more to check the time.
It was already past the appointment time, but the man’s seat was still empty.
At this point, the bottomless rudeness of Bastian Klauswitz was admirable. 

 

Odette, who had put the watch in her purse, looked around with cautious curiosity.
Garden with flowers and cutlery on table, décor and perfect landscaping.
Everything she could see was elegant and beautiful.
It was the same with the well-dressed guests chatting and the fantasia played by a talented pianist.

 

If he wasn’t going to appear anyway, why did he call her to this place?

 

Odette surveyed the splendid world around her, possessed by a sense of punishment.

 

The seat that Bastian Klauswitz had reserved was excellent enough to feel excessive.
At the end of the aisle in the lounge, where tables were lined up on both sides, and in the very center of the terrace beyond the wide open folding doors, this table offered a panoramic view of the hotel garden and fountain.
It also meant that it was a good location to attract attention.

 

Resolving to wait ten more minutes, Odette looked around anxiously.
Since she had to pay for her seat, it would have been preferable to order a cup of tea, but she did not have the confidence to enjoy teatime calmly on this thorny cushion.
It was then that a man dressed in a navy uniform entered the hotel lounge.

 

The officer looked around leisurely and called the waiter with refined formality.
The eyes of the guests who were glancing at Odette were all focused there.

 

Odette became part of the spectators and watched the man.

 

The officer was now crossing the hall following the waiter who had shown Odette her place.
He was too tall and large, but overall he was a sleek and impressive man.
As a characteristic of a military man, his walk showed no haste with a  straight, authoritative posture.

 

No way.

 

Odette held her breath, erasing the foreboding feeling that suddenly passed by.

 

The memory of the man she had met at the gambling house that night floated over the officer who was getting closer.
He, too, was in the navy, and was as tall as that officer.
He didn’t have the usual appearance.

 

However, the man who frequented such places and gambles on a low level could not be a hero of the empire who had been awarded a medal for making a major contribution.

 

While Odette was struggling to deny the reality, the officer entered the terrace.
Even though there was blatant attention, the man was still relaxed.
It was as if he had wiped out the existence of others.

 

It’s him. 

 

At the same time as Odette accepted the fact that she could no longer deny, the man took the last steps and narrowed their distance.

 

Before long, their eyes met in the golden ripe afternoon sunlight.