117 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards 117
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In fact, the 'respect' I demanded wasn't a big deal for the Crown Prince. What would he lose by giving me an extra greeting every time we met?
Even if others saw it, they would just think he was respecting me because I was the lover of a beloved knight.
But it was different for me. It meant a lot. Being treated almost like a 'Lady' by the future emperor of the empire was like raising my own value.
It was a veil that concealed my innate limitations, and it would be a force that would allow me to seize a favorable position in terms of connections when I later entered society.
"You want me to treat you specially for just that one time? Isn't that too unfair?"
"But Your Highness, I'm saying I'll go out with you at the risk of my honor. Isn't that enough?"
I began to persuade him with a soft smile. I pretended that my request was nothing to everyone, speaking in a gentle voice.
"You just need to see me as the eldest daughter of the Bishvarts Family. I'm not asking you to treat me more specially than other Young Ladies. It just means you continue the kindness you have for Sir Ayres. In other words, it's a trivial, very light request."
He is silent. I waited for the Crown Prince's answer, hiding my nervousness.
After a while, he nodded casually as if it were nothing, then made eye contact with me again. And when he opened his mouth to speak, he was taking on a much more polite and courteous attitude, so much so that it was hard to believe he was the same person as before.
"I will do so, Bischwartz Young Lady. I will grant your request."
"Thank you for listening, Your Highness."
I bent my knees slightly and bowed to him. My heart was pounding with relief.
"I will visit you after lunch tomorrow. Surely, you won't disappoint me with an Afternoon nap?"
"Of course not."
The Crown Prince smiled as if he liked my answer. Then he reached out and kissed the back of my hand. This action was also something that would surprise those around him, and it was tantamount to declaring, 'I respect this girl.'
Escorting me all the way to where Lady Roshan was and then stepping away was also part of this meaning.
"I'm getting a lot today. Bischwartz Young Lady is truly an amazing person."
Lady Roshan opened her mouth only after the Crown Prince was far away. It wasn't sarcasm or teasing, but a pure admiration mixed in her impression.
"I wish everyone would think like you, Lady."
I barely managed to calm my pounding heart due to tension and answered in a calm voice.
"Even if they don't, no one will dare to touch you today. It's no different than ignoring His Highness the Crown Prince. So rest assured."
As she said, many Young Ladies glanced at me but couldn't even think of approaching. They just glared at me with jealous eyes and gnashed their teeth.
This was all because of the Crown Prince, who was only drinking wine as if he had no more interest in the ball after dancing with me.
"I wish I could wear a mask. Then I wouldn't feel the gazes on my cheek."
"You're getting through it very bravely for someone who says that, though."
"Aren't you going to dance, Lady?"
"At least not today. Probably not until you leave, Lady."
"You sound like you're protecting me."
"Bischwartz Young Lady."
Lady Roshan calls. She begins to speak as if explaining in a flowing, languid voice. It was as if she was lightly patting a child in her arms and explaining calmly.
"I've known Michael Ayres since I was young. Because of His Highness the Crown Prince. We quickly realized that we had similar temperaments. We also realized that it was more beneficial to remain friends than to become enemies by opposing each other. Still, we've been good friends ever since."
She reaches out and takes my hand. And she continues to speak.
"Mel and I have the same eye for people. Both the people we like and the people we hate. That's why I'm standing next to you now. It's the same reason I helped you when you were in trouble because of the carriage."
"Lady Roshan."
"Lücette. No, call me 'Lüce.' I'll call you Sis."
When Michael Ayres said he fell in love with me at first sight, I could easily understand it because I had had such an experience. Because the heart is an emotion I cannot control.
But in the case of Lady Lücette, it was the first time I had experienced such a thing in both my previous and current lives.
So I was very confused. Even if we have the same eye for people, is it possible to approach and show kindness so openly? In my experience in society, 'friends' are just easy people to use.
Above all, unconditional affection is like a cupcake with poison on it, and if you are deceived by its appearance and swallow it, you will end up killing yourself.
So I couldn't easily believe her words. Unlike Lady Dibenzel, who subtly reveals her sinister intentions and makes you agree with her actions, approaching in this way is something that only someone with considerable cunning can do.
In other words, Lady Lücette Roshan is either a rare emotional fool or a viper hiding her true intentions, one of the two. And I was leaning more towards the latter.
"Yes, I will."
So it's something to watch quietly. To see what she wants from me.
The nobles' banquets usually continue until dawn. They spend the night drinking and dancing, and of course, they walk out onto the terrace with their chosen partner and whisper sweet love.
There were also those who participated in gambling dens disguised as card games, betting the jewels they wore on their bodies and eventually returning empty-handed.
At events like today, bedrooms are provided for the nobles, so there was no need to worry about staying drunk until morning.
But an individual like my adoptive father would never enjoy a banquet while drinking until late. He would have no choice but to think of Mother even more.
Therefore, at the right time, he sent a servant to the small hall to call Roena and me. It meant it was time to go back.
My adoptive father's message that we would be returning to the residence, not the annex, was enough to disappoint Roena, who was in high spirits. She said goodbye to her followers with a slightly sullen expression.
I greeted Lady Roshan and thanked her for being with me. I had been spending time chatting about useless things, so I was starting to get tired.
"Can I send you a letter? I'd like to invite Sis to my mansion."
"Of course, I'd be grateful. I'll be happy to wait for Lüce's invitation."
When I returned after saying goodbye to Lady Roshan, Roena clung to my side and grabbed my hand again. Considering the eyes around us, I couldn't bring myself to shake her off, and now she was even tightening her grip on my fingers.
At the same time, she asked me as if she was questioning me, and she seemed to think of her attitude as natural.
"Let's be together tomorrow. Everyone's asking why Sissae is only with Lady Roshan. Do you know how sad that is?"
"You can just make something up. Then it would be over soon, right?"
"No. There are some things I can't do."
Then, as if venting her frustration for not being together, she began to chatter endlessly. Until the servant informed us that the carriage was ready. She kept bothering me by talking about things I wasn't even curious about.
But since I couldn't openly show my annoyance, I calmly accepted her words. Since the servant was walking ahead, I had no choice but to pretend to have the softest voice possible.
"It must have been really fun."
"It would have been really fun if you had been with me too. I mean it sincerely. I really wanted you to be with me."
She was too weak for me, just like before we came. So sometimes I couldn't understand why Roena was like this to me.
If this was part of Roena's goodwill, I would rather she show an attitude close to hatred. Because what I want is not 'embracement.'
In all sincerity, Roena Bishwartz needed to distinguish between sympathy and sincerity.
Even if the former Countess, who passed away from illness, couldn't leave her bed after giving birth to Roena, there was no reason to fill the resulting deficiencies with self-consoling pity. Therefore, the affection she expresses cannot be said to be a true emotion.
"We can't always be together."
"But we've never been together from the beginning. I'm sad about that."
"Isn't the name of sisters enough? I don't know."
At my answer, Roena bites her lip as if she can't understand. Deep sadness was on her face. She seemed hurt by my attitude of refusing to be with her.
The problem was that she and I would soon arrive in front of the carriage. It was impossible to show Roena with such a face to my adoptive father and Mother. So, even if I didn't mean it, I had to say what she wanted to hear right now.
"We're together now. Isn't that enough?"
At the same time, I raised the hand she was holding. The intertwined fingers, perfectly aligned without distortion, seemed to tell the story of her and my tiresome fate, making me feel goosebumps. I felt like I was about to vomit from disgust.
But regaining Roena's smile was the priority. I watched her face being filled with happiness and then lowered the hand I had raised.
Before I knew it, the carriage with the Bishwartz Family crest was visible in front of me.
The servant, who had reached the carriage door first, opened the door to help me get inside. I bowed to my adoptive father and Mother, who were already sitting inside, and then sat opposite them.
When Roena sat down, the carriage slowly began to move. Mother waited until I had finished arranging the crumpled hem of my dress before opening her mouth.
"Did you have fun? Did you get along well with Roena?"
Ah, please. I barely managed to smooth out my frowning brow and cried out inwardly. I couldn't understand why Mother was telling this story in front of my adoptive father.
I know you want to show him that Roena and I are getting along well, but this is really not it.
Still, I couldn't not answer, so I opened my mouth and said in a small voice.
But Roena was faster. She smiled brightly and quickly cut me off.
"Sissae was with Lady Roshan. Lady Roshan of the Roshan Marquis Family. I was with my friends."
"Is that so? Why weren't you together?"
"It's good to be with me, but I think Sissae should meet new people too."
Is this what someone who said she was sad because she couldn't be with me until just now would say?
As I was only inhaling and exhaling in disbelief, Roena winked at me and grabbed my hand again. The action was as if she was telling me to trust only her.
"Lady Roshan is a girl who is more than worthy of being friends with. That's very good."
My adoptive father says in a gentle voice. I forced a smile and answered, "Yes."
Meanwhile, Mother continued to ask Roena about what happened in the hall. Roena said in a cheerful tone that the snacks served were delicious and that the people were very kind and friendly.
She was a little lonely without me by her side, but she was happy to see me meeting new people.
Mother seemed very relieved by Roena's words. Then Roena smiled at me as if to say, "See?" I remained silent and lowered my gaze. I was getting angry at the frustrating situation.
As I was biting the soft flesh inside my mouth with my teeth to prevent myself from shouting, I felt a bitter and salty taste.
In the meantime, the carriage had reached the front gate of the mansion and stopped, and Mother finally closed her mouth, which she was about to ask again.
