Chapter 46

The Navy department stood at the start of Preve Avenue. It was the center of the capital, with the Prater River flowing in the back and the cathedral and government offices in the front.

Odette raised her head and looked up at the majestic building. At the top of the golden spire soaring high into the sky was a trident, symbolizing the power of the sea god.

She had passed this area countless times, but today was the first time she had noticed it.

Breathing slowly, Odette headed for the marble fountain in front of the main entrance of the Admiralty. Powerful streams of water were gushing from under the half-man, half-fish warriors and statues that shaped like the sea gods.

The edge of the fountain, which served as a bench, was crowded with people waiting for someone or taking a break.

Odette settled in between an old gentleman reading a newspaper and a group of schoolgirls in uniforms. It was a position facing the entrance of the Admiralty.

After tidying up her clothes, Odette lowered her gaze to check her watch. There were still 30 minutes left until the appointed time.

She wasn't sure if there was enough time to do anything else, so it seemed most reasonable to wait a little longer here.

Odette opened the paperback book from her bag. Her mind was too dazed to read, but she didn't want to look like she was waiting for the man restlessly.

20 minutes already.

Odette periodically flipped through the pages, contemplating which sheet music to buy. Perhaps her skills had regressed considerably, so she thought it was best to work on practice pieces for the time being.

15 minutes.

A warship appeared from beyond the open drawbridge. Thanks to the spectators rushing to the riverside, the fountain became quiet.

Odette soon turned her attention to the book again after examining the place with curious eyes. It was then that she heard an unpleasant greeting.

"Hello, Odette."

Following the overly bright and kind voice, Odette raised her head to meet with the expected face. Odette closed the book and stood up.

"Hello, Countess Lenart. Long time no see."

Under Sandrine's scrutinized gaze, Odette greeted her calmly and politely.

"Looks like you're waiting for someone at the Admiralty?"

Sandrine's eyes narrowed as she looked in the direction Odette's gaze was heading.

"Yes. I have a lunch appointment."

"I see. Then let's go together. Coincidentally, I also have someone to meet at the Admiralty. I was just about to go in."

"No. I will wait here. This is where the appointment is. Have a nice day then, Countess Lenart."

After giving a no-argument refusal, Odette sat down at the fountain again.

"To think that a lady with blood from the Berg imperial family, known for having the strictest manners, could be so rude. It's disappointing."

Sandrine sneered, not hiding her judgment. With her hands clasped together on her lap, Odette faced Sandrine without a hint of embarrassment.

"Since when has it been acceptable for an officer's wife to treat a Countess of Berge with disrespect?"

"If I am Captain Klauswitz's wife, and you are Countess Lenart, yes, this must be a great disrespect. But isn't our relationship a little different?"

Looking at Sandrine with firm eyes, Odette tilted her head.

"From what you have said and done so far, I have determined that you do not regard me as Bastian Klauswitz's wife. You seem to think that the position is already yours, but a man cannot have two wives at the same time, so I decided to step back and give it to you when the time comes." (Odette)

"What is your point?"

"I'll be my old self again and act proper only after I give up Mrs. Klauswitz's position. Then, like you said, I am a lady from a ducal family with royal blood. Why should I bow before you?" (Odette)

Odette did not raise her voice even once and continued her outrageous sophistry.

"Please tell me clearly what you want. If you want me to be an officer's wife, I will. I apologize for the rudeness I have committed against a lady of high status. But if you intend to pretend to be Mrs. Klauswitz in front of me, get used to this." (Odette)

Odette remained aloof while facing the stunned Sandrine.

"How about this? Should I get up and apologize?"

Luxurious diamond earrings gleamed from Odette's earlobes as she raised her head. A strange smile appeared on Sandrine's lips as she stared at the audacious face that showed no remorse even after taking something that belonged to someone else.

"It is a very tearful consideration. Then sit back and enjoy reading."

"Yes. Thank you for your understanding."

Odette nodded her head and again opened her little book that had been placed on the fountain's bench. Her demeanor seemed to cleanly erase the presence of Sandrine, who was still standing in front of her.

Sandrine turned away without adding any more words. Her ice-cold rage and contempt filled the air, but she was glad that Bastian Klauswitz hadn't been possessed by a pretty fool. That would complicate things, but it was better than letting the man be insignificant.

"Really. Odette."

At the entrance of the path leading to the main gate of the Admiralty, Sandrine suddenly stopped and turned around.

Odette, who was sitting upright and reading her book, slowly raised her gaze and looked at Sandrine.

"I hope you have plenty of books to read. The wait may be longer than you think."

Sandrine gave advice out of what seemed to be the last favor.

Giving a respectful silent bow, Odette quickly moved her gaze back to the open book. The languid sunlight of late summer enveloped the woman quietly reading.

It was a beautiful landscape that wished time would stop.

***

"No, Sandrine. Bastian is in an emergency right now."

Lucas gave a firm refusal, leaving no argument.

He knew Sandrine's intentions long ago when she suddenly called and asked to have lunch with him.

It was an excuse to see Bastian. Sandrine made no effort to even try to hide her purpose.

"Why? Did something bad happen?"

Sandrine's eyes, which had been dull all the time, shook. Staring at his cousin, whose face had turned into a frightened child for an instant, Lucas let out a sigh of resignation.

It was annoying that Sandrine used him every time, but it was hard to be bitter. It was because he knew his sister's heart. Although her method was somewhat wrong, Sandrine truly loved Bastian.

Lucas knew better than anyone that she had been that way ever since she first met Bastian.

How could she give her whole heart to a man who would love no one?

Sandrine's love was terribly one-sided and blind. He tried to dissuade her for a while, but at some point Lucas realized. Sandrine didn't want her love to be reciprocated.

A woman who just wanted to possess and a man (Bastian) who only wanted to use.

It was a relationship where no one lost. In a way, they were a perfect pair.

"He received an urgent call from the imperial palace. I understand that there's something to discuss about the Belov delegation's attendance at the naval festival. Admiral Demel must have an audience with His Majesty in person. With Bastian."

"Then, what about Bastian's lunch?"

"What lunch in this situation? They have to rush to the imperial palace right away."

Lucas frowned as if he was tired of hearing all the pathetic sounds.

"So, don't waste your time thinking about anything else today and have lunch in peace."

Putting on the officer's cap he was holding in his hand, Lucas led the way out of the lobby of the headquarters building. She would have to go out again anyway, but Sandrine insisted on coming here. Her effort of trying to see Bastian was tearful.

"What are you doing?"

When he couldn't hear the following footsteps, Lucas turned around in a panic. Sandrine was staring into space with a face deep in thought.

"Did Bastian go to the imperial palace already?"

Sandrine's eyes sparkled as she finished her thoughts.

"No. He'll probably be leaving soon. Oh, there's a car over there."

Lucas casually pointed to a black car parked under the stairs of the headquarters building.

"Sorry, Lucas. Let's have lunch some other time. I'll treat you to a nice meal as an apology."

"What are you talking about? What are you going to do?"

"It's not something that concerns you. Don't worry."

Showing a meaningful smile, Sandrine slowly approached the central staircase leading to the lobby.

"Who is this! Isn't that Countess Lenart!"

Not long after, Admiral Demel appeared on the stairs. Bastian was also with him, but Sandrine did not look at him.

"Hello, Admiral."

Sandrine greeted in a weak, trembling voice. As expected, Admiral Demel sent her a very worried look.

"What's going on?"

"I was going to have lunch with Captain Ewald (Lucas), but I was about to leave because of a sudden headache. Perhaps because there are so many things to pay attention to, this often happens and causes trouble to those around me."

Sandrine sighed quietly with a sad look on her face.

Admiral Demel was a gentleman who knew his honor. The kind of man who couldn't bear to turn away from a lady in distress. He was clearly different from Bastian.

"Oh. Then let's ride together. Time is running out, so it might be difficult to bring you to your house, but the Lenart family is on the way to the imperial palace, so it's not difficult to drop you off there."

Admiral Demel didn't think too long and made the offer Sandrine had been waiting for. At times like this, she was grateful for the rumors. Her reputation as a poor woman preparing for a divorce because of her husband, who had taken a man as his lover, had some usefulness.

"You are very kind, Lord Demel. Thank you. I'll be in your care, though I feel shameful."

Sandrine seized the opportunity without hesitation. There was no expression on Bastian's face when she glanced up at him.

Perhaps he had already explained his circumstances to his wife, but it didn't matter. All Sandrine wanted was to drop one small seed of doubt in the woman's (Odette's) heart. That was enough for now. Growing that seed would be Odette's job anyway.

Sandrine walked past the shocked Lucas and left the headquarters lobby escorted by Admiral Demel. When they got down the stairs, the waiting driver opened the car door.

As the back door closed with Admiral Demel and Sandrine in the back seat, Bastian climbed into the passenger seat. The ceremonial car, driven by a chauffeur, left the Admiralty shortly after.

After passing the driveway lined with tall trees, the main gate with a checkpoint appeared.

Sandrine looked at the fountain across the fence with narrowed eyes. It was a difficult distance to identify a person's face, but she was able to locate the woman still guarding the spot without difficulty.

The hem of a yellow chiffon dress dancing in the wind.

It was undoubtedly Odette.