Ch#218
Chapter 218Roena's return was carried out very quietly. This was because the atmosphere in high society was already turbulent enough, and there was no need to add such gossip, so the surroundings were strictly controlled. My claim that the kidnappers might try something else again also played a part.
Thus, people welcomed her back in a subdued atmosphere. Only Mother reluctantly said, "Welcome back," before returning to her room, claiming she felt dizzy.
At any rate, Roena, who returned under the guidance of Knight Halverd, had a gaze that had grown even sharper. Unlike before, when she had been practically chased out to the villa, she walked with her chin held high and a dignified air that was almost unsightly.
No matter how one looked at her, she didn't seem like someone who had just returned from being kidnapped. Some whispered in sympathetic voices that she was just forcing herself to act calm, but she appeared so ordinary that it felt strange instead.
Knight Sylphice was nowhere to be seen; according to Knight Halverd, he had remained behind alone to buy time for their escape. He said that was how they were able to return safely.
Most of the knights who had come out to meet Roena were moved by his words and shed tears, but I was not fooled. While there might be some meaning in buying time, it was more certain that he remained as a link to the Grand Duke.
Perhaps that was why Roena's voice also felt relatively less sorrowful. The corners of her eyes only drooped pitifully when she received comfort for her own situation.
I approached her ostentatiously, took her in my arms, and spoke with deep emotion.
“I’ve finally found you. Oh, do you know how much I worried?”
It was to emphasize that I had done my best to find Roena. At those words, the gazes of the knights in Roena's faction softened toward me.
Putting aside Knight Sylphice's sacrifice, I had shown the boldness to send Knight Halverd alone to bring her back, so it seemed they were seeing me in a different light.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying. I’m glad I could return safely too.”
In the past, Roena would have been happy and felt blessed by my physical affection, but this time, she felt somewhat indifferent. I didn't know what the Grand Duke had whispered to her, but it seemed to have worked quite well. To think Roena would avoid my gaze and twist her shoulders to escape my embrace—it was hard to believe.
I instructed the butler to bring some soft soup and immediately called the doctor to check her health. Mullang, the head maid, had already received my orders before Roena’s arrival and was cleaning out an attic room.
She must have fared well even while kidnapped, as her face was glowing and she wasn't harmed in the slightest from head to toe. The doctor even widened his eyes in surprise.
But that was only for a moment; at my signal, he quietly moved out of the drawing room. Roena was accepting all of this passively.
“A kidnapper who didn't even ask for a ransom. I was very surprised. I was worried they might harm you. Who on earth could it be?”
“I don’t remember. I was kept blindfolded the whole time. But how did you know? By what method did you find me?”
“By using every possible method. I searched for you like a madman, to the point where I spent many sleepless nights. And eventually, I succeeded.”
Roena shook her head as if she couldn't believe it, then asked again.
“It’s because I’m curious about the method. Tell me honestly. So that I can be impressed by your ability.”
“Is that important? Why? Isn't it enough that I found you?”
At my reply, her mouth shut tight like a clam. So I asked back, ‘Aren't you happy to be back?’
“It’s because I’m tired. And I’m very confused.”
“Is that so? Oh dear, what should I do?”
“Why?”
“There’s something you absolutely must hear right now, but since you’re confused, I thought it might be better not to. I’ll tell you next time. I think I was being inconsiderate. You should rest now, shouldn't you?”
“No, tell me. I’m prepared to hear anything.”
When I hesitated as if I couldn't bring myself to say it, Roena urged me with a ‘Hurry.’ So, as if I had no choice, I opened my mouth.
“Did you know? Rumors are spreading through high society that the person who kidnapped you was the Grand Duke.”
Instantly, Roena's cheeks turned slightly red. From that reaction, I was certain she knew the Grand Duke's real face and identity. And that her claim of being blindfolded was a lie.
It seemed his beautiful appearance had played a part in the background of the words that had deceived her. After all, his appearance was more than just decent; it was extraordinary. Since he possessed looks that rivaled the Crown Prince, what more was there to say?
She looked very bashful, fiddling with her fingers with her head down, as if she were imagining something. This was no time for her to be showing her feelings, just being happy that her kidnapper was the Grand Duke.
What a fool!
I swallowed my ridicule and slowly observed Roena's attitude.
Having lived as a noble for five years in my previous life, and now for a year and a half in this one—a total of nearly seven years—I found Roena even more laughable than before.
Actions that would have seemed perfect in the past were now so easy to read. Part of it was because I hadn't given her a chance to grow, but it was also because I had made a lot of progress myself. Thus, I could quickly notice emotional changes that I hadn't been able to detect before.
Therefore, it was very easy to pop Roena's heart, which was inflated with fluttering excitement.
“But did you know? It’s been revealed that he was a fake Grand Duke.”
“……A fake Grand Duke?”
I grabbed both of her hands as if I were worried. Then, looking at the flinching Roena, I spoke in a voice mixed with sighs.
“Yes, a fake Grand Duke. Do you happen to know that the Emperor has passed away?”
“Yes. Knight Halverd told me on the way to the mansion.”
“That was when the real Grand Duke appeared. Because of that, the man who had been posing as the Grand Duke all this time was revealed to be a fraud. The man known as a lecher, that is.”
In an instant, Roena's face turned pale. She asked back in a trembling voice, ‘Are you saying rumors are circulating that the fake kidnapped me?’ I nodded without hesitation, and she trembled, not knowing what to do.
“Meanwhile, hideous rumors about Pulkeor are also spreading, so things are very bad.”
“……What on earth is happening?”
“That’s what I want to ask. To be honest, I’m not pleased that you’re in this house right now.”
“What? My goodness, Sise. Why are you saying such a thing?”
“Why? Because you believe the words of a kidnapper more than mine.”
Suddenly, Roena tried to spring up from her seat. I put strength into the two hands I was holding and forced her back down. Because I pulled her so strongly that my nails dug in, a short scream escaped Roena's lips.
“What are you doing, Sise! Don't say such strange things. And let go of my hands. It hurts.”
“Shh. Stay still. And listen to me. People will soon find out that you’ve returned. But unfortunately, they won't be able to meet you because you’re ill. Why? Because the kidnapper fed you drugs. Let's say the reason is, yes, a grudge against our late father. No one will dig that deep anyway.”
“Are you speaking in your right mind?”
“That’s how I’ll ensure that neither Knight Sylphice nor you do anything foolish.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Roena's body went stiff. She looked at me with her eyes wide open. She tried to force a smile, but her emotions, already exposed, were leaking out everywhere.
I wore a perfectly relaxed expression and spoke with a mix of lies. It was to test Roena.
“You asked earlier, didn't you? How I found you. It’s simple. When I was going around looking for you before, I happened to meet the real Grand Duke. We exchanged a few words and parted. But after I left, someone came out of the alley. When I looked closely, it was you. You, who were reported kidnapped, were walking out perfectly fine.”
“That’s not true.”
“Not true? Then how else could I have found you? And how could I say in my right mind that you believe the kidnapper's words more?”
“……Did you tail us?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe it. How?”
“Don't ask me how. You should think of me, who risked my life to save you. Shouldn't you? Not only that, I even risked others getting into danger. I spent money as I did. And yet you dare to act like this?”
“Let go. It hurts!”
“Why is that?”
Roena didn't answer. Instead, she glared at me with her lips pressed tight as if she were trying to hold out. Her spiteful gaze didn't even make me want to laugh. So I calmly continued. There was no law saying I couldn't tell another lie once I'd already told one.
“Do you know where the rumor that the fake Grand Duke kidnapped you came from? It was from Pulkeor’s side. They can act like that because they know the real kidnapper is the Grand Duke.”
“Lies.”
“It’s true. Didn't I just say that scandalous rumors are circulating about the Empress and the real Grand Duke? Monstrously so. So they sacrificed you to divert that attention. Think about it. The Empress, who promised Knight Halverd a position as an Imperial Knight. Everyone knows how important Knight Halverd is to you—no, to House Bischwaldz. Yet she tried to take him away. Can you still assert that my words are lies even after this?”
Although Roena had socialized with young lords and ladies since she was very young and had a taste of small-scale high society, she was quite vulnerable to actual noble schemes and plots.
It was because as long as she cried prettily, everyone would coax and soothe her and take her side, so she was always saved before she could even fall into a trap.
In her previous life, the time she became able to engage in political maneuvering was when she was reduced to a maid because of me. It was because the people around her wouldn't leave Roena alone after she had fallen from a noble lady to the depths in an instant.
Her current self was also very simple, no different from the previous Roena. Even though she had made up her mind quite firmly, as soon as I started to alienate her from her partner and sprinkle in some spice, her spite vanished in an instant, and she became wavering and indecisive.
Furthermore, her mournful gaze toward me for providing this information had softened like a baby bird looking at its mother. Should I say she was weak-hearted? Or was she foolish to the point of being laughable?
I didn't expect the example of Knight Halverd to hit the mark so well.
“……It’s for House Bischwaldz.”
Eventually, Roena opened her mouth and spoke weakly. Her violent struggling to escape my hands ceased, and she soon sank into a calm like a sea after a storm. What was contained in the voice flowing softly from her small lips was deep futility.
“You don’t know anything. What I saw and heard there. All my actions were to protect the house left by our father. I was afraid. So I had no choice but to listen. Because that is the truth. The fixed future!”
“Roena!”
“He is the one who passed away because of me! You said it wasn't my fault, but it clearly was. If not for me, he wouldn't have died. If not for that, I wouldn't be so anxious about losing everything like this.”
As she spoke, her emotions must have flared up again, as her voice grew sharper. Her inner thoughts also poured out without filter.
“Did you think I was taking things from you?”
When I asked back, dumbfounded, Roena answered quickly with a piercing tone.
“Otherwise, why do you keep pushing me? Why do you hate me? Why don't you love me? It was like that from the beginning. You were like that from the very start! You were always hostile toward me, treating me kindly only when necessary and not sparing me a glance otherwise. So I wanted to set things right. I thought I had to take hold of the house and everything else anew from the beginning. A house that would be destroyed by the Grand Duke—I had to protect it like this! I did!”
“You did? Was it hard to wait for your debut in high society? And destruction? Do you think it’s that easy? You foolish lady, why can't you see even an inch ahead? You’ve been deceived.”
When I spoke in a mocking voice, Roena looked at me with eyes glistening with tears. Nowhere on her deeply distorted face could the beauty of Roena Bischwaldz, called the most beautiful girl in the Empire, be seen. Only an ugly nature filled with greed resided there. It was exactly like my past self.
“No, you’re the one deceiving me. You’ve already taken everything of mine, so what are you talking about? Wait for my debut? Then what’s left in my hands? I can't protect the house in this state.”
“Oh dear, I don’t know what the kidnapper whispered to you, but you’ve been thoroughly deceived. I’m just an organizer. A person who paves the way for you. Doesn't everyone in House Bischwaldz think so? Not to mention your maternal family and even high society. That’s why everyone has left me as I am. Poor Roena. You’ve become completely blind.”
When I threw out the sweet bait laden with lies, Roena's face turned blankly stupid.
“……What?”
“Didn't he tell you that I went to see the Emperor in the middle of all this?”
“He did.”
Seeing her answer so submissively, as if her soul had left her, I naturally clicked my tongue. Oh dear, I told you he found the wrong target to win over. I am the one Roena trusts even while turning a blind eye to Mago—could he really change her in just a few days of kidnapping?
At any rate, words close to secrets gushed out as soon as I poured in a little primer, to the point where even I, who was inducing it, felt a sense of futility. How appalled would the Grand Duke be if he saw this?
“Why did His Majesty call me? Why did he appoint a guardian for me? His Majesty knew everything. That’s why he had me prepare in advance.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Good heavens, Roena! Do you still not get it? I’m acting right now as if I know everything you heard from the real Grand Duke. That’s why I didn't even blink at the word 'destruction'.”
“Sise, wait a moment. I’m very confused right now. What on earth…….”
I pulled her hands inward and drew her into my embrace. Then, kissing the cheek of the bewildered Roena, I whispered softly.
“The real Grand Duke used you because he was after House Bischwaldz's fortune and Knight Halverd. Originally, he intended to blackmail you while you were leading the house, but since I suddenly appeared with a guardian and protected you, he couldn't lay a hand on you. His attacks were so persistent that it was a foolish decision to have you take refuge at the villa for a while. Who could have expected it? That you would be kidnapped? How on earth did the information leak?”
“It’s a lie. I can’t believe it. The reason I went to the villa was because of Mago.”
“Goodness, Roena, why can't you trust me? Is it because I’m sitting in this position in your place?”
I let out another sigh as if I were hurt and tucked her hair behind her ear. Roena's body trembled at the tender and kind touch.
“Think about it. When you were sick and struggling, who did all the dirty work you were supposed to do? It was me. I endured all of this in your place. And Roena, if I truly coveted what was yours, I wouldn't have gone to such trouble to find you. Or I would have pretended to find you and then killed you. But you returned perfectly fine. So why do you say my words are lies?”
“……Sise.”
“Shh, keep listening. The one who let go of my hand at the decisive moment was you, not me. My hand is always available. And if they had intended to help you, they would have stopped the rumors about the fake Grand Duke. But they aren't doing that. So Roena, please see things clearly.”
I softly stroked her straight back with my palm and whispered in a low voice.
“How long has it been since Father passed away, and yet you mistreat me? I told you. You’re the only one I have. But if you act like this, what am I supposed to do?”
“……My God, Sise. Is that true?”
“Have I ever deceived you? Not even once.”
“Oh, God, what have I done? My goodness, how could I……. Sise, I, I……!”
Suddenly, Roena buried her face in my shoulder and burst into sobs. What flowed through her parted lips were only excuses that it was for the sake of House Bischwaldz.
A sigh escaped me at that pathetic sight, but I held it in and said it was okay. Roena seemed to have completely put her mind at ease at my attitude, as she continued to sob.
After I had spent quite a while coaxing, soothing, and patting her, Mullang came and respectfully said that the room I ordered was ready.
I signaled Mullang with my eyes and stroked Roena's back again. Then I whispered softly that I had something to show her. Asking her to stand up for a moment. It was now time to reveal the attic room I had specially prepared for her.
Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe
