181 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Chapter 181
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It was only natural that people would associate me with the Crown Prince since I spent time with him.
However, Chatoul's words were quite unexpected, as I had never acted in a way that would suggest I was a behind-the-scenes manipulator. Madam tilted her head, puzzled, as I stared at her without saying anything.
"Wasn't he trying to anger the Empress by assigning you a guardian?"
"Why would you think that?"
"Because His Majesty said so."
She yawned softly and returned to her seat. Then, regardless of whether her thighs were exposed, she flopped down on the sofa.
It was an incredibly vulgar gesture, but considering Chatoul's flamboyant appearance, it suited her well.
"I told you before, didn't I? His Majesty is truly amazing. That's right. He's still amazing. Because he knows everything. Sis, it was His Majesty who told me to grant your request. He whispered sweetly as he kissed my cheek."
'My beloved She-cat. After listening to the Bischwartz Young Lady's request, return to the bedroom and tell me while weeping sweetly. Then I will grant you anything.'
Her hand, lying on the sofa, fell weakly to the floor. It was quite rude for a guest, but Chatoul's eyes were gradually narrowing as if she were about to fall asleep.
But it didn't feel repulsive, as it resembled a cat. People pointed fingers at her, calling her the Emperor's whore, but in reality, there was no one more free and beautiful than her. That must be why the Emperor still couldn't escape her embrace.
"I'm getting sleepy. So hurry up and say it."
Chatoul prompted me, stifling a yawn. She seemed ready to return to her bedroom if I didn't say what she wanted to hear. There was no time to ponder whether it was a trap or not. The best way to deal with simplicity was with simplicity.
"Roena is still young. I don't want to show her the dark side of this world yet."
"Liar. Roena knows more about the aristocratic world than you do, doesn't she?"
"But she has been cherished. Her innocence is so remarkably clear that it reminds me of thin paper. Easily stained and easily torn. So, for the sake of her deceased father, I want to protect her."
The lies flowed out of me so smoothly that I was surprised myself. Even I thought my voice sounded quite sincere.
"In short, you want me to stop what the Empress is doing?"
"If that's how you see it, what more can I say?"
"You've become a true member of this society in just a year and a half. Do you remember when I said I would help you become His Majesty's concubine?"
"Yes."
"I don't want to anymore."
"Pardon?"
Chatoul stared straight at me with a face devoid of any smile and slowly spoke. Her voice had already turned cold.
"If you were to receive His Majesty's favor, someone like me would disappear without a trace. So, I should be grateful. That you rejected my offer back then."
I was about to say something, flustered, when Chatoul stopped me by putting her finger to her lips and shaking her head. Then, she continued her own words.
"Sis, your request will be fulfilled perfectly. Of course, don't worry, it won't be revealed that you made this wish. It will just spread as a rumor that I, who am desperate to devour the Empress, have once again blocked her path. His Majesty also wants that. So, you just need to speak well of me to His Highness the Crown Prince later."
Madam waved her hand at me as if she had finished speaking.
"Goodbye, Sis."
Her back view, disappearing into her bedroom without any farewell, showed a prostitute's characteristic gait, with her hips swaying excessively.
I blankly watched Madam's departure and then burst into uncontrollable laughter. Such audacity to say everything she wanted and then disappear!
More than anything, the fact that the tables had turned in just a few months was surprisingly amusing. Chatoul's attitude of nonchalantly begging for her future with a prim expression was the highlight of today's meeting.
"At this rate, she might even beg me to arrange a meeting with His Majesty."
The Emperor who knows everything, a new variable. Of course, not everything Chatoul said was true, but it was a point that couldn't be easily dismissed.
Wasn't she the one who clearly stated that the Crown Prince and the Empress were on bad terms? Now, Mother's attempt to pass Roena off as a burden and the Crown Prince's refusal of her, choosing a friend instead, seemed to make sense.
And a few days later, the Empress's claim that Roena needed a guardian was thwarted by the Emperor's words.
Having two guardians in one household was unnecessary, and it was an insult to ignore the abilities of the eldest daughter recognized by the Emperor.
Everyone in the aristocracy was either intrigued by this unusual reaction or cautiously watching the Emperor's mood, keeping their mouths shut. The relative, who had been confidently raising her plump chin while stirring up society, fled that very day.
In response, the Empress confined herself to the palace, claiming to be in poor health, and did not come out for several days. But the rumor circulating in society was that the Emperor had scolded her for doing unnecessary things, rather than her being bedridden.
There was also talk that Madam de Châteauroux was the reason the Emperor had intervened. As she was originally on bad terms with the Empress, she had proceeded with this matter with the intention of giving her a hard time.
Madam wore a subtle smile at these rumors, neither confirming nor denying them. She merely pretended to worry about the Empress's health, mentioning it at every tea time or party she attended.
However, it seemed more like she was subtly mocking and teasing her rather than genuinely caring for her. People realized that the rumors were true based on Madam's actions. No one knew that I had met and talked with her.
Chatoul was keeping her word.
Margo was noticeably disappointed when she missed the opportunity to have a guardian for Roena again. Even if she couldn't muster the energy to desperately cling on, the way she glared at me and turned her head whenever I passed by was almost laughable.
It seemed that all she had left was malice. After all, she had been demoted from head maid because of me. Thanks to that, her influence over the maids had diminished, and now she couldn't do anything at all. I would grind my teeth if I were her.
Even Roena, after talking with me, was once again following me around with affectionate eyes. Ignoring Margo's worried gaze as she looked at her.
Each time, I pretended to be generous and increased the time I spent with Roena. Of course, without Margo.
I coaxed Roena, saying that Margo was old and needed time to rest. Roena deeply agreed with my words, and naturally, whenever she met me, she made various excuses to get away from the old She-cat. Margo's disappointed expression couldn't shake her heart.
Whenever I had tea with Roena, I shared various kind stories and won her favor. Roena seemed pleased that I was showing her a more affectionate side.
She especially liked the attention I gave her. Noticing changes in her hairstyle, buying new ribbons, listening to her stories, and so on.
Roena's expression, chattering in a happy voice that she felt like she had a real sister, was noticeably different from before. But the dark circles under her eyes were still there.
"The maids seem a bit inexperienced?"
I stopped drinking tea and stood behind Roena, retying her hair. Soft hair flowed down, tickling my fingers.
"Oh, no. It just came undone on the way."
"Your complexion isn't good either."
"I haven't been sleeping well."
"Because you're sad? Are you having nightmares?"
"Yes. When I sleep, my father appears and calls my name. He laments that the sea is too cold and dark. And he spreads his arms as if asking for a hug. But when I run to him, he disappears like smoke. And he never appears again. Then I wake up crying. It's so heartbreaking that I can't sleep again. Do you feel the same?"
"Similar. But I force myself to sleep because I have things to do. Anyway, I'll tell the head maid to send you some tea that's good for insomnia."
"Thank you."
"What for? We're sisters."
I tied the ribbon tightly and returned to my seat to finish my tea. Roena smiled bashfully, touching the hair I had tied with her fingertips.
"But it's true that the maids are being too complacent. You haven't been able to sleep for days, and no one tells me."
"No, it's not that..."
"Does Margo know?"
"Huh? Uh-huh. Margo knows. Margo brings me various things to help me sleep well. The incense she got from the Witch last time really helped."
"Witch?"
I paused while drinking tea. Witch, why is the dead Witch coming up here? There was no information that another Witch had entered the capital.
"Yes. I was actually a bit reluctant, but Margo told me to try it and earnestly recommended it, so I had no choice but to burn the incense, and it was okay."
"When did she bring it?"
"Hmm, was it the day before yesterday?"
"Really? Then can you give me one too? Don't say you're giving it to me, but ask her to get one more, saying you want to use it."
Roena nodded with a bitter smile at my words. This idiot lady had no idea why Margo and I were on such bad terms.
"I will."
"Thank you."
I should have Seril observe Margo later. Margo going to an unknown Witch. Isn't that very suspicious?
After drinking tea, I immediately sent Roena out and had Marie call Jack. Then I casually asked him if there was another Witch who had entered the capital. But the child seemed to know nothing.
"Really? Then can you look for the Witch for me? I'm asking you."
Jack carefully tucked the money pouch I gave him into his arms and nodded. Thanks to the rewards I had given him, the child, who had been eating better than before, had gained a healthy amount of weight.
"Don't do anything too dangerous."
Jack's lips pouted at my concern. He was complaining that he was already grown up but was still being treated like a child.
"I have to earn the Silver coins. And as I've repeatedly said, I'll say the Young Lady's name if I feel sick, okay?"
"Yes, yes. You have to do that? Don't make the mistake of being too scared to say my name."
"......Tch, I understand."
I reached out and gently stroked Jack's head once. The child, who would normally get angry and embarrassed, was sitting quietly like a tamed cat today.
I was so pleased with that sight that I laughed out loud without realizing it. Then Jack got angry and stomped his feet as before, but once the laughter burst out, it couldn't be easily suppressed.
Was that why? I laughed without realizing that Sir Ayres had arrived. Forgetting my dignity, so easily.
Opening my mouth wide and clutching my stomach while laughing ha-ha-ha was too boisterous for a delicate woman to do. My Adam's apple was exposed because I tilted my head too much. Tears were welling up in my narrowly curved eyes.
Even I thought it was too ugly a sight, so how shocking must it have been to Sir Ayres, who had only seen beautiful things?
Perhaps that's why he just stood there stiffly, unable to say anything as soon as he made eye contact with me. Until Jack, who was watching Sir Ayres and my reactions, slipped out of the room.
I quickly shut my mouth and tried to act nonchalantly. But because of the laughter I had forcibly swallowed, I suddenly had hiccups and ended up showing another unsightly appearance. It was shameful.
Hic.
Even though I covered my lips with my palm, I felt a stuffiness throughout my entire throat, so I couldn't help but hiccup and naturally inhale and exhale. Because the room was silent, the sound I made was too clear.
"Sir, hic, Ayres. Hng."
I desperately shouted, pressing my palms against my cheeks and face, which were boiling with shame. Asking him to go outside for a moment.
And without waiting for his answer, I poured the remaining tea from before into the teacup and gulped it down like water.
My eyes were red with embarrassment, but I didn't even have time to notice that. That's why I discovered the expression Sir Ayres was making much later.
The face of the Knight of Ice, smiling happily.
