18 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 18
==========
[A Story Cishe Doesn't Know 1]
The hem of her dress billowed like a shadow. Her erect posture was as dazzling as the pride displayed on her face. She was truly a girl who perfectly embodied the title of a noble lady.
Perinnil, forgetting the momentary inferiority she had felt towards her, genuinely exclaimed in admiration. In truth, it was also a gesture of respect towards her counterpart.
Cishe de Bishwaltz.
The new lady of the Bishvarts Family was as noble and beautiful as the ‘surname’ attached to her name. To the extent that one might have mistaken her for a true noble, had it not been for the widely known facts about her birth.
Therefore, Perinnil, using her past experiences and her wits, could have easily won the exchange with the young lady. But she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of defeat from her retreating back, as she withdrew like a queen without showing any sign of having lost.
A typical young lady would have thrown a tantrum out of anger or repeatedly engaged in nonsensical conversation until she won, thereby shaming me. But she did not do that.
Surprisingly, Cishe de Bishwaltz, the moment she realized she had lost, maintained her dignified demeanor as if nothing had happened and stepped aside as if she were the victor. She was like someone who knew when to advance and when to retreat. Even though I deliberately raised my voice to mock her, Cishe de Bishwaltz remained unfazed.
Like a calm lake with not a breath of wind.
Because of this, Perinnil had no choice but to admit it. The young lady of the Bishvarts Family was no ordinary person. She was a woman unlike the baseless rumors circulating in society.
With this thought, as soon as Cishe de Bishwaltz had completely disappeared from view, Perinnil poked Theodore Bitrise’s side with her finger. It was an expression of resentment towards the irresponsible man who had acted like a drunken scoundrel and only put the young lady of the Bishvarts Family forward.
“Get up. She’s gone. There’s no need to pretend anymore.”
“I know.”
Theodore, as if his side, poked with a finger full of malice, didn't hurt, got up with a gentle smile. The man who had been snoring loudly as if drunk moments ago had vanished, and his appearance as he ran a hand through his hair and replied in a low voice was radiant, as if he had grown.
“Are you satisfied now?”
Perinnil glared at him with a prim voice. At the same time, her hands were gently fastening his vest buttons.
As if accustomed to Perinnil’s service, Theodore twisted his body slightly, allowing her to fasten his buttons with ease, and replied in a low voice.
“Yes.”
As soon as his answer finished, Perinnil chirped like a bird and began to chatter incessantly. This was precisely what Theodore, her master, desired.
“She’s an astonishing woman. I understand why Master wanted me to deal with her. Even though she hasn’t been in the Bishvarts Family for long, she’s more ladylike than any other noble lady. No, she’s practically a lady already. She wouldn’t feel out of place even if she debuted in high society right now.”
“She seemed to be.”
“Her pride as a noble, her elegant demeanor, her self-esteem—it all seemed higher than anyone else’s. Yet, she showed a magnanimity that wasn't ashamed of her defeat. She’s not an ordinary woman. Despite being just a young girl who hasn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony, she displays a shrewdness greater than any noble. I look forward to her future growth. If she were to learn proper etiquette, she would undoubtedly dominate high society. Master must have seen something special in her, right?”
Theodore did not answer. Instead, he merely looked at her with eyes whose intentions were impossible to discern. Perinnil fell silent under Theodore’s gaze.
Based on her past experiences, it was better to remain silent and not ask further questions when he looked at someone like this. Theodore acted courteously and gentlemanly towards everyone, but in reality, he was a cruel and terrifying man, more so than anyone else. Perinnil, who had served him as ‘Master’ since childhood, knew this best.
So, instead of waiting for an answer to her question, she continued to speak about what she felt while looking at Cishe. That was likely what Theodore wanted.
“But there’s something strange. I don’t know if I read it correctly, but Cishe seemed to want to become like us.”
“Us?”
“Yes. Like a prostitute like me.”
“That is peculiar.”
“Of course, I don’t mean she wants to sell her body. But she seemed to want to act and talk like me. She seemed to want to emulate how we deal with clients. It’s strange, isn’t it?”
“Why do you think so?”
“It was obvious. She tried hard to hide it, but her ears and eyes were solely focused on my gestures and expressions. Every time I made a move, she flinched and tried to remember it. It was a gaze close to ‘envy’.”
“So that’s why she didn’t refuse my request.”
“Master’s request?”
Perinnil blinked and looked at Theodore. Perhaps a habit from dealing with clients had slipped out, but her actions were secretive and alluring, as if seducing a man.
“An ordinary woman would not sit with a prostitute. But she was not like that.”
“I see. Actually, I thought she had less aversion to prostitutes because she was a commoner. But after seeing how she treated me, I realized that wasn’t the case. However, I might be mistaken in thinking she wanted to emulate us.”
“Why do you say that?”
Perinnil smiled brightly when Theodore showed interest in her words and continued speaking. Her generous master remained kind throughout, without reprimanding her vulgarity. She was very grateful for that.
“The moment she lost control of the conversation, she showed a rapid loss of interest and left. Even though I subtly tempted her to visit my shop, she wasn’t swayed at all.”
“That’s natural.”
“What? What do you mean? Master, please enlighten this ignorant girl. I don’t understand why she acted that way.”
Perinnil urged him with a voice full of coaxing affection.
“Because you are not the only prostitute. She may be of a lower caliber than you, but this city is full of seasoned prostitutes who are adept at dealing with people. In other words, even if she felt a fleeting interest from a brief encounter, your value to her was not significant enough to risk losing face over.”
“Ah, I see. That’s why she could leave me with such a confident demeanor. As expected of you, Master.”
Theodore gave Perinnil, who was admiring his words, a deep smile and reached out to stroke her hair. His gesture was affectionate, like stroking a pet, but at the same time, it held a clear boundary. His eyes, which were cool and distant, held no warmth, unlike his gently moving hand.
“Perinnil.”
“Yes, Master.”
Perinnil replied in a breathless whisper. Although it was merely a touch, she trembled as if being caressed, immersed in deep pleasure.
It was understandable, as Perinnil felt an ecstatic bliss, akin to a spiritual union, every time her master, Theodore, stroked her head.
Among the many women under his command, used as ‘tools,’ only ‘Perinnil’ received this head-stroking. And Perinnil knew this very well.
So, every time Theodore touched her hair with his hand, she felt profound joy and was moved. It made her feel important to her master.
“Make contact with the Bishvarts young lady.”
“Master?”
“She is a very interesting piece. If things go well, she might be of help to my ‘greater cause.’ So, somehow make contact and let her have what she wants.”
“Yes, Master.”
Perinnil purred like a cat, closing her eyes. It was an attitude of utter obedience. She was more docile and gentle than a well-fed beast. Without a leash, Perinnil was nothing more than a tail-wagging dog.
To her ears, Theodore’s voice descended as softly as a feather.
“But don’t do anything too conspicuous. Strike and retreat appropriately. You won’t fare well if you get entangled with a noble family.”
Ah, Master. Perinnil nodded with a face full of emotion. Her disappointment towards her cold master, who had returned after a long absence only to ask her to deal with a young lady, melted away like snow.
It had always been like this. Because of her innate beauty, Theodore had saved her from a noble man who tried to rape her when she was only five years old, and he had always acted kindly.
Of course, if she didn’t obey his orders, he was terrifyingly fierce. But looking back, everything he had ordered her to do was for Perinnil’s own good. That was why she could leave her hometown holding his hand and become a prostitute, rolling under the hands of men at his command.
It was all for her master, Theodore. Otherwise, she would have bitten her tongue and died, unable to bear the shame and humiliation. If she hadn't known that her struggles in the mire translated into ‘information’ and ‘funding’ for her master.
It was the same now. He was using her for a task that would help his ‘greater cause.’ This meant she was an important ‘tool’ to Theodore.
So overjoyed by this fact, Perinnil couldn't help but shed tears. She waited silently until he wiped her cheek with his gentle hand.
“Don’t worry. I have a way to meet her confidently. So, please trust me and wait for me, Perinnil. I will make you a great ‘piece’ that can help Master’s cause.”
Perinnil leaped into Theodore’s embrace, rubbed her cheek against his broad chest, and whispered in a low voice. She waited impatiently for the joy of him replying ‘Yes’ in a low voice, smiling like a flower. She smiled without knowing how cold Theodore’s eyes were as they gazed at the top of her head.
Her affection for the man grew hotter day by day, becoming too much for her to control. It was like a volcano about to erupt.
But the man, knowing this, did not push her away. He merely stroked her trembling, hot body and small shoulders in his embrace. Like taming a beast in heat.
It was only natural that within less than a month, Perinnil visited the Bishvarts Family unofficially.
When I returned home, Marie was there to greet me. Though it was only a short time, she looked confused, as if she had been worried about me not accompanying her.
Indeed, although we were separated by my command, she would surely receive a scolding for not accompanying her master. She must have been parched with anxiety while waiting for me to enter the mansion. Especially since she was already under scrutiny from higher-ups due to past incidents.
She let out a sigh so loud it seemed to make the floor sink, perhaps deeply relieved to see me return safely from my walk, despite not having a single knight escorting me.
