✧ A Child Laughs✧
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As the sugar puffed up, turning fluffy and white, Bastian walked over to the cotton candy stall with Constance in his arms. The child watched intently as the cotton candy was spun, captivated by the magic of its creation.
Dubbed “Fairy’s Thread,” the cotton candy stall, embellished with vibrant signs and illuminated bulbs, stood prominently in the square before the Ferris wheel. This marked Bastian’s last wish for the amusement park before he stepped back from overseeing its operations, following the completion of the impressive Ferris wheel.
The bigger the cotton candy grew around the stick, the wider Constance’s eyes became. Once the cotton candy was finished, she laughed and waved her arms and legs, the delicate lace of her dress fluttered with her movements, making her look even more adorable.
“I’ve never seen such a pretty child, Admiral,” the stall owner remarked, handing over the cotton candy with a look of admiration.
“Thank you,” Bastian replied as he accepted the fairy’s thread. Enticed by the sweet aroma, Constance started to squirm, trying to grab the cotton candy from her daddy’s hand. Her little arms not being able to reach, but she didn’t give up easily, her determination showed she inherited more than just her mother’s looks.
“No, Coco,” Bastian chuckled, gently admonishing Constance. Meanwhile, Odette was engaging in conversation with VIPs near the fountain at the center of the square. She had been the center of attention among royal ladies earlier, but now she was mingling with the wives of naval generals.
“Give it to me, my lord,” Hans said as he tried to take the sweets from Bastian. “There are many eyes watching. Even if it’s just cotton candy…”
“No. It’s alright, Hans,” Bastian replied. He then walked confidently across the square towards his wife.
With a gentle, reserved smile, Odette welcomed her husband and their little girl. The ladies burst into laughter, charmed by the sight of of a hero balancing a baby in one arm and cotton candy in the other.
Odette reached out to take Constance, but Bastian handed her the cotton candy instead. Surrounded by ladies playfully jesting, Bastian remained unflustered. His replies, marked by a blend of modesty and poise, guided the conversation effortlessly. This display made Odette appreciate even more how truly gentlemanly Bastian could be, fulfilling her ideals perfectly.
“Oh, my God, what an angel,” someone exclaimed. After a round of good-natured ribbing directed at Bastian, the ladies shifted their attention to little Constance.
“Come here, Coco,” cooed the wife of the chief of staff, a well-known lover of children, as she extended her arms toward the girl.
Bastian exchanged a knowing look with Odette before gently passing Constance into the waiting arms, stepping back to give them space. Constance’s nervousness faded as she settled down, her charming smiles and adorable antics quickly warming the atmosphere.
Bastian looked so proud as his daughter effortlessly won over the crowd, her charisma undoubtedly a gift from her mother and softly took Odette’s hand in his. Odette turned to him, her eyes wide, echoing Constance’s curious gaze. The soft shadows her long eyelashes cast, along with her neat lips, bore a striking resemblance to their child’s features.
A gentle summer breeze, scented with cotton candy, flowed between them as they looked into each other’s eyes. Bastian smiled warmly, holding Odette’s hand and her surprise turned into a soft smile.
The amusement park’s opening ceremony was a hit. Guests ranging from officially invited VIPs to casual holiday-goers flocked to Ardenne, making the event a melting pot of diverse visitors. Despite some negative whispers saying the park was an extravagant display overshadowing his father’s grave Bastian didn’t care. He understood that with greater success often came sharper criticism: the brighter the light, the darker the shadows. So he wanted to be like the sun at its zenith, blocking the shadows and filling his world with radiant light.
The Navy wife, charmed by Coco, stayed by their side until the end of the break. Now moving on to the next highlight, the Ferris wheel ride ceremony, Bastian and Odette gently placed a sleepy Constance into her stroller.
The luxurious stroller was a present from Admiral Demel, Constance’s godfather. As number one fans of Coco, he had even gone to the extent of engraving the child’s name on the stroller’s wheel to show his affection.
Bastian took charge of pushing the stroller, while Odette kept pace beside him, enjoying the cotton candy. They attracted attention wherever they went, but by now, they had mastered the art of finding moments of privacy amid the public eye.
As they passed under the clock tower, Odette suddenly halted. “Bastian,” she called out. Bastian smiled and stopped the stroller beside the tower’s wall. With playfulness Odette popped a large piece of cotton candy into his mouth. After sharing glances and smiles like mischievous children, they then resumed their walk, continuing their journey with light hearts and laughter.
Bastian and Odette shared the cotton candy, taking turns until only the empty stick remained by the time they arrived at the Ferris wheel. Just then, Constance awoke, and her sudden crying disrupting the calm. Seeing that her tears weren’t easing, they decided to cancel the plan for a commemorative photo with her in front the amusement park’s main symbol.
“Let’s test drive first,” Bastian side, eyeing the lengthy queue. The summer sun blazed overhead, making it unreasonable to adhere strictly to the schedule while hundreds wait in the scorching heat
“I’d like to postpone the commemorative speech until after the test drive. The wait has made me eager to ride the Ferris wheel as soon as possible.”
Odette supported the suggestion, and the management team soon aligned with the Klauswitz’s idea. A jubilant cheers signaling the commencement of the Ferris wheel’s operation echoed across the clear sky.
Odette, with her now somewhat calmer daughter, made her way to the gate. Bastian, having taken care of the stroller, quickly caught up with them. As the Klauswitz family boarded the Ferris wheel, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic cheers and applause. Startled by the uproar, Constance began her first ride on the Ferris wheel with an even louder cry.
“It’s all right, Constance. Mom and Dad are here,” Odette comforted her child. The sound of Constance’s crying softened as she caught sight of her mother’s reassuring smile. Bastian tenderly wiped his daughter’s tear-streaked face with his handkerchief. As the Ferris wheel ascended, they were soon greeted by the breathtaking view of the Ardenne sea below them.
Curiosity gradually overtook Constance’s initial fear; her tear-filled eyes began exploring the vast landscape outside. Odette, cradling her daughter, moved closer to the Ferris wheel’s window, showing her a clearer view of the world unfolding beneath them.
The sky, the sea, the clouds—all captivated Constance as she listened intently to her mother’s singing. Odette gently guided her daughter’s gaze to each wonder her curious eyes sought out.
Bastian moved silently closer to his wife and daughter, his gaze drifting over the estate below. What once was his father’s world now lay spread out beneath them, small enough to take in at a single glance. Where a grave mansion once stood—a place marred by tragedy, where his mother met a grim end at his father’s hands—now spun a merry-go-round and soared a public swing, had replaced those sorrows.
Joyous laughter and vibrant music floated up to the skies, transforming the space into a realm of celebration. The very paths that a boy once wandered alone, haunted by nightmares, now thrummed with life and joy, hosting a parade of revelry. Jugglers and dancers mingled among the crowds, their performances enhancing the festive atmosphere.
On the coastal cliff where the his wild dog died, an observatory modeled after a castle in a fairy tale was built. Below it, the calm sea glittered, its beauty magnified by the transformation above.
“Look there, Constance. That’s our home,” Odette said, pointing toward their mansion across the sea. Constance’s eyes widened as she traced her mother’s direction, with Bastian’s gaze also aligning with theirs.
Reaching the Ferris wheel’s peak, the highest point in their empire, the world below seemed to miniaturize into a collection of toys. Overwhelmed with excitement, Constance began to dance. A silent exchange passed between Bastian and Odette, a conversation without words but full of meaning.
The vow they made as they soared to the sky’s pinnacle—to start a new beginning—was kept. Their feelings remained unchanged from that day.
“Is it now?” Bastian teased, glancing out of the Ferris wheel’s window. Odette’s laughter, bright and unfettered, was her reply.
“Please love me a lot.”
“I will, and love me a lot, too.”
Once more, they pledged their love, high above the ground. Yet, this time, their love’s fruit and witness was with them.
Constance, watching her parents’s kiss of promise with wide, curious eyes, erupted into joyful laughter. Her laughter, as pure as a bell’s chime, resonated brightly, mingling with the sunlight.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
As Odette arranged the breakfast table set upon the terrace, her attention turned at the sound of a child’s laughter. Constance was enjoying herself in the garden, playing with the dogs. Her meticulously styled hair had already partially come undone.
“Lady Coco’s laughter truly is as delightful as music,” Lovis praised, momentarily halting his duties and looked at Constance with a smile.
Odette couldn’t help but join in with a laugh of her own. Constance was dashing through the flower beds like a young colt, accompanied by four excited dogs. The riding outfit Bastian got her for her third birthday was worn out after just one season because she loved wearing it so much, she wore it nearly every day.
Constance came out from the corner of the garden with her hands full of raspberries. The ribbon that had been in her hair was gone, making her look even more messy. Her shiny platinum hair was all tangled and wild, framed her face like a lion’s mane.
“My goodness!” Dora, arriving with a basket of boiled eggs, gasped. Constance, smeared with dirt, was comfortably seated under the shade of a tree sharing raspberries with the dogs.
“I’ve told you countless times to properly look after the young lady…” The tired nanny, who had been running after her, rested on a bench trying to catch her breath.
“Let her be, Dora.” Odette smiled and shook her head. In their family, only Bastian could match Constance’s energy and the nanny was already doing her best.
“It’s better to let her be active in the morning. That way, she’ll be calm in the afternoon,” Odette placed a vase of flowers she picked from the garden that morning on the table. The arrangement, a beautiful mix of blue irises, roses, and pastel wildflowers, looked lovely on the centerpiece table for a weekend morning.
“That’s all for now. Make sure the warm food is ready when Bastian gets back.”
After these instructions, Odette settled at the table to take in Ardenne’s summer view. Meanswhile, with Raspberry juice marking her mouth and hands, Constance headed off on another adventure, with Margarethe, Adelaide, Henrietta, and Cecilia trailing behind her.
“Mommyyyy!”
Not long after, there was another commotion, this time from the other side of the garden. The twin brothers, who had been playing nicely, started fighting over the toys. They had a plethora of toys piled up like a mountain, but they always wanted the same one.
Odette had just stood up when Bastian appeared, having sprinted from the coastal walkway into the garden.
“Daddy!”
The twins, tears streaming down their faces, ran towards their father.
Spotting Bastian, Constance and the four dogs also dashed toward the garden’s entrance. “Daddy!”
Bastian first scooped up each son into his arms, then leaned down to kiss his daughter on the cheek and greeted the dogs clinging to his legs. It had become a familiar sight for the Klauwitz family on weekend mornings.
Bastian crossed the garden, herding three children and four dogs. Odette glanced over the elegant silverware and pottery on the white tablecloth once more and rang the bell. She thought it might be best to postpone breakfast. After all, sitting at the table in such a state was completely out of the question.