104 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards 104
==========
However, my escape was discovered before I could even take a few steps.
“Surely you’re not planning to retreat just like that, Bischwartz Young Lady?”
The Crown Prince, who wasn’t wearing a mask, possessed an extremely elegant and beautiful face.
They said he was a bewitching man with a fierce wildness, and his hair, freely scattered over his shoulders, accentuated that charm even more.
If it weren't for the sharp glint in his eyes, as if piercing through my very nature, I would have surely considered him a man worth throwing myself at. The problem was that dangerous gaze.
I secretly bit the tender flesh inside my cheek, barely suppressing a sigh that threatened to erupt.
Even though he wasn't holding a knife to my throat, I was seized by a great fear, as if tormented by an unseen threat.
Therefore, it was fortunate that the season was autumn. If it had been summer, I would have very shamefully displayed my trembling knees to him through the thin skirt.
The large shawl that flowed down from my shoulders excellently concealed my intermittently trembling fingers.
I awkwardly smiled, trying my best not to meet his gaze.
“Of course, I was just about to say my greetings. May I retreat now?”
“Before that, I would like to ask you a few questions, Young Lady.”
“Please, ask away.”
“Your stepsister, Cis de Bishbalz, I mean, didn’t she come with you?”
In that instant, I felt my heart jolt and stop. I made an effort to calm my trembling voice and answered as if it were nothing.
“She is currently reading poetry at the recitation hosted by the Empress.”
It was the worst situation, with lies begetting lies. I once again suppressed the urge to bite my tongue and regulated my quickening breath.
The reason the Crown Prince was looking for me was obvious. It was probably an extension of the Masquerade. Otherwise, why would he need to confirm if I had come?
Therefore, I couldn't reveal in this secret place, ‘Actually, I am Sis,’ unless I wanted to hand him my smooth legs encased in stockings.
“Why didn’t you go to the recitation?”
“The Empress graciously granted me time to take a short rest.”
“Ah, so that’s why you can’t even meet my eyes and are trembling like a pitiful bird.”
I didn't want to meet his gaze, but the reason I couldn't help but glance at him was because of the desperate need to confirm my fear.
The only thing that gave my mind, devoid of rest and peace, any stability was the confirmation that he hadn't yet revealed his true colors. So, I faced the memories of the past and desperately endured.
Ah, could there be anyone else who has so vividly instilled the emotion of fear in me like he has? In some ways, it boasted a greater weight than the despair Roena had given me.
So, I couldn't help but ask myself. Could I really overcome this? Could I put a leash on that fierce wolf's neck?
…How exactly did Roena do it?
“How could I not tremble in awe when meeting such a noble person? I can only hope that you will look upon me with favor.”
“Does the Bishvarts Family study how to converse with others more diligently?”
“Why do you ask?”
The Crown Prince spoke in response to my question. His voice clearly sounded like he was holding back laughter.
I didn't know what I had said that amused him, but the sound that reached my ears was moist and soft, as if wet. The stiff tone and sense of intimidation from before had vanished without a trace.
“Your stepsister also made me very happy, just like you.”
His answer left plenty of room for strange misunderstandings. It was something entirely possible for the Crown Prince, known as a womanizer.
However, the reason I didn't openly express my dissatisfaction was because I had to play the role of an innocent girl who knew nothing of such meanings.
I bowed my head, saying thank you, and the Crown Prince laughed loudly once more, “Hahaha.” Was it because of the pleasure of teasing a count's daughter? His voice was even more excited.
“You’re not curious where I met your sister. I know your sister very well, you know. Isn’t that interesting?”
“No. I thought it was something I could ask my sister directly. So, there’s no need to ask you any further.”
“Then, let’s end the conversation here, and shall I guide you to the greenhouse?”
He held out his hand. Perhaps because he wielded a sword but also took good care of it, his palm looked unexpectedly soft and smooth. If it weren't for the calluses embedded in various places, I would have thought it belonged to a carefree playboy.
“Didn’t you say I could retreat once the conversation was over?”
“Isn’t walking through the greenhouse and talking a conversation?”
“I am not feeling well. Please have mercy.”
“Then, why don’t you look directly at my face and say that?”
Before I knew it, his shadow was soaking the tips of my feet. It slowly passed through my feet and ankles, as if encroaching, and reached my shadow stretched out behind me.
During that time, I stood frozen, and strangely, I was perfectly controlled, unable to move even a single step. Even though I wasn't wearing solid shackles.
Now, his face was gently tilting towards my left cheek. His hot breath came close to my earlobe, inducing a certain stimulation. Even as I flinched and tried to turn my head, my chin, already caught, was not doing its job at all.
“You just have to turn your eyes? What’s so difficult about that?”
His lips, touching my ear, were both cold and hot. Even the breath tickling the jawline below my ear was approaching with vivid sensation.
“Or should I cover my face with a mask for you?”
Just as I couldn't bear the shame and raised my hand to pull away his hand that was holding my chin, he covered my eyes first and whispered in a low voice.
“Men discover a woman’s loveliness in her eyes. So, I hope you will look at me properly next time. I will let you retreat for today. I am not such a scoundrel.”
Then, without giving me a chance to show any reaction, he simply walked past me.
I rubbed my reddened earlobes and neck with my hands and bit my lip tightly. I couldn't bear the fact that I was helpless, like a mouse in front of a cat, and had been subjected to him.
Ha, it's ridiculous. How can I do anything to him when I'm just flustered and don't know what to do in the face of fear?
In that instant, a sense of despair washed over me. As doubt raised its head, anxiety gripped my body like a tail biting its own.
A relationship that could never be friendly, a fate that would be torn apart more sharply than enemies once they achieved what they wanted.
Could I really be with such a dangerous and difficult man? Especially with my virginity as collateral. It was a situation where only I could lose.
What was even more miserable was that, unlike with Sir Ayres, I had to beg for his attention first. So, I couldn't help but hesitate.
Why, why did the conclusion come to that only he could help me? It was the very definition of depression.
‘So, are you not going to do it?’
Another me asked. It was coaxing me as if to give up, shaking my heart and making me weak. I clenched my fist tightly and bit down on my teeth.
“No, I can’t do that.”
Yes, how did I get here? How am I changing like this? It's just the beginning!
So, in the end, I had to overcome my fear of the Crown Prince first. Men see a woman's loveliness in her eyes, but women also see through a man's desires through them, so I can't avoid it forever.
Therefore, in the end, I would have to put on the most difficult and subtle negotiation in the world, pretending to be calm as if nothing was wrong.
So that only I could benefit, like that. Roena did it, so there's no reason why I can't.
In other words, if Michael Ayres voluntarily elevated my honor, Iovalde Diboshe Echinacia would lower himself because of me. No, I have to make it that way.
“Young Lady, Roena is looking for you.”
Before I knew it, the maid who had said she was going to the palace had come and informed me that the Empress's recitation was over. Perhaps that's why she wasn't holding the refreshments she said she would bring.
It was a very amazing timing, and it would have been very embarrassing if I had been seen with the Crown Prince.
I nodded as if to say thank you and said to her in a casual tone.
“Thank you. Please guide me to the palace.”
The cool breeze was gradually cooling my earlobes and neck. The shame I had tasted a moment ago was also scattering away. I followed the maid with a slightly faster pace. I didn't get to see the inside of the greenhouse, but I didn't regret it at all.
When I returned to the palace following the maid, I saw Roena standing with the Empress. She was having a conversation with the Empress with a very happy smile.
The Empress stopped talking when I approached them. And she asked politely in her unique elegant tone.
“Did you rest well? You look much better.”
I don't know what she's seeing, thinking that my cheeks, which are red from the wind, are rosy. Anyway, since she's speaking in a considerate tone, I had no choice but to answer that I was grateful.
The Empress continued to speak.
“I would like to be with you a little longer, but I have decided to send the young girls home early because I don't think it's right to send them home late. Above all, I think it was too early to invite Sis, so I'm just sorry.”
In that instant, I felt like a hollow laugh would burst out. I wondered why she was seeing us off, but it was ultimately to say this. I was so dumbfounded that I couldn't even answer, so Roena quickly opened her mouth and said.
“No, please don't think that way. It's just that Sis was nervous, so how could it be something that Pulcher should be sorry about?”
“But it doesn't change the fact that she experienced an unfortunate event in front of everyone. It's proof that my consideration became poison. So, let's meet again when you are fully prepared. You will show a much better side of yourself then, won't you? Well, they say the carriage is ready, so let's go now.”
Roena and I politely bowed to the Empress. The Empress received the greetings indifferently, but when I raised my head, she suddenly remembered something and threw in another word.
“Sis Young Lady, there are times when you have to accept the advice of adults. I hope you understand this well. And go back and thank your sister for the beautiful sisterly affection she showed.”
I couldn't even answer the meaningful words. I could only lower my head as if dropping it. My teeth were chattering with humiliation, but all I could do was smile weakly. My neck was tingling again.
Only then did the Empress turn around and start walking, as if she was done with her business. The maids naturally followed behind her.
It was truly unexpected that Emery Nilam walked out from the left pillar and stood on the Empress's left.
As Emery Nilam, who was walking next to the Empress, suddenly turned her head and said something to me, who was looking at her. It was just a matter of moving her lips, so I couldn't tell what it meant, but the intention to convey it seemed clear. It was mockery.
“Sis, what are you doing? We have to go back. Even if you have regrets, it can't be helped.”
Roena called me. I turned my body and looked at her. Her beautiful face was dyed with uncontainable excitement and joy, shining brightly.
…Thank my sister for her sisterly affection?
I nodded towards Roena.
“Yes, let’s go.”
