211 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards 211
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Sir Ayres finally pulled away from my lips after a long while. He coaxed and soothed me as he indulged his desires, and even after all that, he seemed unsatisfied and deeply regretful.
If it hadn't been a less intense kiss than before, I would have been left trembling in a languid state, unable to lift a finger.
Truly, a sly, smooth, and... oh so tender and sweet-kissing man. A man who could prostrate himself at my feet without a second thought. The only person in this world who thinks of me more than himself.
I stared blankly at him, not even trying to cool my flushed face. The man's voice, saying he couldn't bear how lovely I was, kept echoing in my head.
The Knight of Ice gave me a gentle smile as he saw me gazing at him, then said in a playful tone, "Please apply the ointment." His voice, full of childishness, didn't detract from his masculine charm but rather seemed like an act to gain favor from his owner.
"I'm very clumsy at applying bandages. So, please get it treated again when you return to the Aires estate."
I scooped up a generous amount of ointment that the maid had brought and gently applied it to his wrist. I wanted to apply it to his forearm and elbow as well, but Sir Ayres said his wrist hurt the most, so I focused on that area.
Fortunately, he sat still like a well-trained animal while I applied the medicine, as if I hadn't touched the wound. Or perhaps he was enduring it for my sake. Wasn't he just groaning about how his entire arm hurt a moment ago?
The problem started when I began to apply the bandage. The roughly and clumsily wrapped cloth looked like it would fall off at any moment, so crude it was.
I somehow managed to tie a knot, but as soon as he lowered his arm, the fan-shaped pieces of cloth stretched out and fluttered so wildly that it was hard to tell if I had applied a bandage or attached a new sleeve to his wrist.
Sir Ayres thanked me profusely and rejoiced, despite my embarrassment. And he pretended not to hear my words to reapply the bandage as soon as he got home, changing the subject.
As a matter of fact, I later heard that the social circles suffered greatly because of Sir Ayres, who went around with the cloth dangling from his wrist and even kissed it.
Many women cried out, "My Knight of Ice would never smile so sweetly!" Of course, even that disappeared because I told him I would be angry if he didn't apply the bandage properly.
Anyway, the topic he changed to was related to the rebellion. Since Sir Ayres already knew that I was aware of the whole situation through the Crown Prince, it wasn't awkward to ask about the Grand Duke. It just made me wonder if things had become so urgent that I had to have this conversation with him.
"Have you met His Highness the Grand Duke recently?"
"Yes."
I answered honestly. I was going to tell him anyway that I had offered the Crown Prince to help him find Roena. It was the same whether he heard it from the rogue Crown Prince or from me now, so there was no reason to hide it.
"Weren't you afraid?"
Sir Ayres twisted his lips at the fact that I had met the Grand Duke alone. It wasn't jealousy of me meeting a man, but fear that something might happen to me.
So, he urged me with a worried voice to always bring a maid or keep a knight nearby. He even questioned why I would bring a regular knight when Sir Halberd could escort me, given my position. It seemed like he was reminded of the time when I was severely beaten and dragged around by him.
"In truth, I am a very narrow-minded and jealous man. I also have strong possessiveness and monopolistic desires. But what good are they if they threaten your safety? So, please, accompany Sir Halberd."
He only wanted one thing. For the smile to never leave my face. Sir Ayres said he wanted to give me a peaceful life. He whispered that he was sorry for causing me such hardship because of him and the Crown Prince.
He believed that everything started because he fell in love with me at first sight.
"I only wish for your safety as well. Even if it's just a play for others to see, please don't come back injured like this."
"Are you worried about my injuries?"
Sir Ayres looked at me with a pleading expression. He constantly proclaimed his love for me and craved affection, but at the same time, he doubted and felt insecure. He was afraid that the feelings he gained through pity might not be genuine.
As a matter of fact, the time when I received his kiss was right after my adoptive father died, when I was outwardly very unstable.
I hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding. Was I worried? If not, would I have bothered to reach out and check his injuries? Would I have even applied the ointment and clumsily bandaged him?
Sir Ayres smiled brightly at my response and reached out his hand. And before I could react, he kissed the back of my hand and whispered. His voice was low and soft, like sharing a secret, but also cautious.
"In war, it's not surprising for unexpected things to happen. Sometimes, events occur that defy the Goddess of Fate. So, please promise me one thing."
"A promise?"
"As a knight of His Highness, it is right to believe without a doubt that we will be victorious, but it is not bad to dig several escape routes like a rabbit, so I am saying this. If someone ever comes to you and says 'Blanche,' follow him without hesitation."
"Sir Ayres?"
"I will give you a ship ticket to a foreign country, an identification card, the key to a mansion to stay in, and some jewels. This is something even His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't know."
"But..."
"Will you do that for me?"
His serious voice made me nod involuntarily. Sir Ayres seemed relieved and lightly pulled me in for a kiss on the forehead. After hesitating for a moment, he quickly whispered as if he were embarrassed.
"If you evacuate to a foreign country and the rumor of my death is not spread, could you wait for me for at least a year? No more, no less, just one year. I won't be greedy beyond that."
Even though some minor destinies have changed since I returned, the major outline remained the same as before. Therefore, the future where the Crown Prince suppresses the rebellion and ascends to the throne was unlikely to change. That's what I believed, anyway.
But after hearing Sir Ayres' words, this belief was wavering. I wondered what to do if an event that defied fate were to occur, as he said.
Of course, the document given by the Emperor would prevent the current foundation from being shaken. But as long as the Grand Duke, who became Emperor, was there, there was no way I could live a peaceful life. The Empress would be eager to devour me, so wouldn't that be the case?
Roena's existence would also be a great threat. It was obvious that my position would be shaken because of her. It would be better if she returned as a corpse after being kidnapped.
Anyway, I had to prepare for the possibility of losing. Although he was overly friendly to me and didn't feel as sharp as before, the Grand Duke was a man with great abilities who had deceived the Crown Prince for quite a long time. Perhaps he could find a way to kill me, ignoring the document.
But did Sir Ayres not know that I had received a document from the Emperor at all? Did the Crown Prince not tell him?
I swallowed the rising sigh and slowly felt the warmth remaining on my forehead. I felt a sense of suffocation, wondering what to do with this foolish man who had prepared a way to save me without regard for his own safety.
Besides, he was only asking me to wait for a year. Wasn't that the same as saying he would willingly accept whoever I met after that?
"Is a year too long?"
He asked quietly when I couldn't answer readily. Then, in an insecure voice, he reduced the number to eight months, six months, and eventually muttered, "Even just one day is fine. It would still be proof that you thought of me."
This frustrating, foolish, and overly kind man! Even if he was swept up in affection, how could he not be greedy for his own desires?
I bit my lip, struggling to suppress the rising anger.
Even in my past, when I was chasing after Sir Halberd, my feelings came first. It felt like I would die otherwise. So, I whined and cried like a child, begging him to look at me. I didn't care about the gazes around me or the difficulties Sir Halberd was experiencing because of it.
But here, in a more developed form, Sir Ayres was trying to sacrifice himself solely for me. All he had received were a few kisses.
In fact, he was also human, so there were times when he acted recklessly. But when I firmly refused or showed signs of dislike, he would whimper like a tail-wagging beast, cautiously seeking permission.
Of course, there were times when he skillfully coaxed and soothed me to satisfy himself, but he never crossed the allowed line. That's how much he cherished me.
Still, that's not the point. He could have insisted on things like this. You foolish man.
"Is just one day really okay?"
He was silent for a moment when I answered in a brazen tone. He said that, but it seemed like he was greatly shocked to actually hear it.
I reached out and carefully stroked the messily wrapped bandage. As if soothing his wounded self.
"Tell me. Is just one day enough?"
Then I'm free from you?
Did he accurately recall the unspoken words? Suddenly, his breathing became rough. It seemed like his heart was breaking at the thought of letting me go.
So why did he act so bravely? Well, I understand the desire to remain a perfect person in front of someone you admire.
Anyway, should I start soothing his wounded heart? A dejected dog is cute, but if it continues, I can't help but feel sympathy.
"Looks like I have one more reason to win."
"Yes?"
"You said one day, but I don't want to live in a foreign country without any connection, even if it's just one day. I don't like waiting without a promise either."
"My lady..."
"You have no choice but to win."
How easy would it be to suppress a rebellion? But Sir Ayres seemed quite surprised when I rejected all his words and instead motivated him.
Perhaps that's why. After a moment of silence, he took a deep breath like a greatly puffed-up dough, then burst into stifled laughter, shaking his shoulders uncontrollably.
"I see. All I have to do is win. Goodness, have I been saying 'just in case' all this time? Please forgive my rudeness."
"But as you said earlier, it wouldn't be bad to evacuate, if necessary. But the waiting won't be just one day. It won't be a year either."
"...I don't want to torment you."
"Then think of it as dividing that torment in half."
Wasn't this what he wanted to hear anyway? What a sly man. But it was strange that I didn't hate it.
No sooner had I finished speaking than he showered my forehead and nose with small kisses again—my face must be completely his. He doesn't even ask for permission anymore—and so was his attitude. I must not be in my right mind either, as I was holding back from letting out a silly laugh.
Still, embarrassment was embarrassment, so I kept pulling my head back, and he even used the hand with the bandage to try to hold my face.
This man, who smiled brightly as if he were happy at my nagging him not to use his injured hand carelessly, made me wonder if he was really the Knight of Ice.
"If I win, everything will change. I promise you."
Mikael Aires said, not even trying to hide his flushed face. He shook me so much, begging me to trust him and follow him no matter what choice he made.
Until Arina came to me with a blood-stained letter, sobbing that Jack was in danger, Sir Ayres had taken control of everything.
As if only a peaceful life of reading a book with a light shawl in a warm sunny garden was suitable for me, he made me taste the most peaceful emotions in the world.
