Ch#226
**Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe**
**Chapter 226**
“I see why you’ve come to find me. That must be why you are acting so submissively.”
Madam de Lavallière snorted at my attitude. Her eyes were filled with contempt, as if looking at an unprincipled scoundrel. She resented me for wandering about so calmly despite many days having passed since Roena was kidnapped.
“Those are hurtful words. I have always been obedient to you, Aunt.”
“What ridiculous nonsense. Your tongue is as smooth as a snake’s, matching your shameless face. If not for the sake of the family, there is no way I would have let you in here.”
I gave a bright smile and chimed in.
“You are absolutely right. That is why I came to see you. You are not one to be swayed by personal feelings, Aunt.”
Madam de Lavallière had briefly associated with the Empress’s side because of Roena, but she was fundamentally an independent power who maneuvered freely through high society.
Though she was keeping a low profile for the moment due to various incidents, there were still plenty of nobles who respected and admired her. It wasn't for nothing that she was called the ‘Lady of Ladies.’
Therefore, if I could utilize the prestige and power she held, it was certain that even other nobles wouldn't be able to easily pressure our family.
This was especially true because it would be a cooperative relationship established between noble houses rather than a guardian-like position. There were few families capable of ignoring House Lavallière.
Until now, Madam de Lavallière had acted as Roena’s aunt, striving solely to exert her own influence over House Bischwaldz. Since her maiden name was Bischwaldz, she had a natural justification. The fact that the late Count had followed her well also played a part.
This behavior continued even after the Count’s death. She was cautious of rumors that House Lavallière was trying to absorb House Bischwaldz. Thus, Madam made a great effort not to wield the power of her title over House Bischwaldz alone.
It was for this reason that she had stepped back obediently when the guardianship was assigned to me instead of Roena. Consequently, many nobles had forgotten the fact that House Lavallière cherished House Bischwaldz so intensely that they would do anything for it.
Since Roena’s disappearance, her burning anger toward me and her blatant distancing made such a perception inevitable.
However, I had not forgotten. I remembered her love for the family, which bordered on obsession. That was why, as soon as I heard the guardian’s words, she was the first person I thought of.
Of course, in my previous life—no, even just a few days ago—we were in a state where such a conversation would never have taken place. It would have remained that way until death if the nobles hadn't tried to touch House Bischwaldz.
Thus, this moment was very precious. If not now, there would be no opportunity to lure her in. Therefore, I first had to lower the guard of this old leopard.
“No matter how much you say that, I will never look upon you fondly. So let us get to the point. Is it because of the fief's military forces?”
“Yes.”
“I heard as well. It was a truly shameless statement. How dare they try to use House Bischwaldz as a sacrificial lamb. This all happened because that man left us too early. To think he passed away without even seeing Lian—poor thing. No, if even Roena were here right now, no one would have dared to open their mouths so carelessly. Yet you have the nerve to come to me and bow your head.”
“It is because I have no reason to feel ashamed before you, Aunt.”
“To say such a thing—have you no sense of shame?”
“If the shame you speak of is the emotion following powerlessness, I am feeling it quite enough right now.”
At my answer, a look of bewilderment crossed her face. Madam waited for my response with a gaze full of suspicion.
“I have discovered who kidnapped Roena. And also where she is being held.”
“Is that true? Who on earth is it? Why are you hesitating so much?”
“I will answer if you promise to believe my words.”
Madam de Lavallière quickly caught my meaning and her face hardened. As if trying to calm her mind, she took a sip of tea, let out a sigh, and nodded with difficulty.
“I swear before God that there is not a single lie in what I am about to say. I am revealing my sincerity.”
“Fine.”
“The Grand Duke kidnapped Roena. The real Grand Duke.”
Madam de Lavallière’s lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but she soon shook her head. Her face was growing darker beneath the shadows.
“……Continue.”
“After Roena was kidnapped, while I was wandering around trying to find her, I happened to meet him by chance. After seeing Roena’s portrait, he approached me as if interested in the reward money. His behavior was so suspicious that I asked the knight accompanying me to tail him, and we discovered Roena at a certain mansion. So, I asked Knight Halverd to rescue her.”
“So, did you bring Roena back?”
“Yes. But Knight Halverd was severely injured. Since Knight Sylphice remains a hostage on the Grand Duke’s side, they surely know who rescued her. That is why Knight Halverd is acting healthy as usual, but in truth, he is in a state where he can barely even swing a sword.”
“But I haven't heard any rumors that Roena was rescued?”
“It’s because of the Crown Prince.”
I deliberately lowered my voice as if I were about to cry. Forcing tears that hadn't even come out, I tapped around my eyes with a handkerchief.
“What does that mean?”
“His Highness intends to send Roena to Count Kiran.”
“What? Surely not what I’m thinking?”
“If only that were the case. Unfortunately, it isn't. His Highness wants Roena to become the Countess of Kiran. That is why he asks me every time if I have found her.”
As I spoke, cleverly mixing lies and truth, Madam’s eyes wavered greatly. She was in a state of deep conflict over whether to believe this fact or not.
“That is why I couldn't spread the rumor that Roena had escaped safely. If it became known that the Crown Prince intended to send Roena to Count Kiran, the Grand Duke wouldn't stay still.”
“Why do you think that?”
I lowered my gaze, pursing my lips as if it were too scandalous to speak of. Madam was enduring this attitude of mine with a fairly composed demeanor.
“……Lately, the Crown Prince has not been on good terms with the Empress. So, I felt that if Count Kiran were to side with His Highness, the Grand Duke—who is close to the Empress—wouldn't leave Roena, the catalyst for that alliance, alone. In fact, perhaps the reason he kidnapped Roena was to prevent that very thing?”
“What?”
“If the rift between the Empress and the Crown Prince has existed for a long time and finally exploded following the Emperor’s death... His Highness has been trying to join hands with Count Kiran for a very long time, and he likely promised Roena’s hand in marriage as a reward. And the Grand Duke, knowing this, kidnapped Roena for the sake of the Empress. It’s a blasphemous thought, but doesn't it sound plausible?”
“You certainly have a remarkable talent for delusions.”
Madam clicked her tongue and dismissed it at once as worthless. However, the fact that she immediately fell into deep thought was proof that she was shaken by my false hypothesis. I stifled a laugh that felt like it might leak out and waited for Madam to speak.
“Fine, where is Roena now?”
“I have hidden her in a secret location within the mansion.”
“Does she know of this fact?”
“She knew the Grand Duke kidnapped her. However, regarding the marriage, she believes it was ordered by the Empress, not the Crown Prince.”
“You didn't reveal the truth? Why on earth!”
“……You know that Roena harbors feelings for the Crown Prince, don't you?”
At my answer, Madam flinched and covered her forehead with her hand. A look of ‘Oh, right’ was plain on her face. As expected, when it comes to Roena, that face—usually as solid as a fortress wall—crumbles without fail.
“She looked as if she didn't want to believe it. So I couldn't persuade her any further.”
“Bring Roena to me. I will protect her.”
“She is afraid to go outside. Fearing she might be kidnapped again.”
“Then I will send knights. I will send a carriage without a crest so it won't be discovered.”
“The Grand Duke’s people are watching my mansion, so it will surely be found out.”
“How do you know that?”
“Knight Halverd told me.”
“……Then we must wait. Yes, so that’s how it is. That’s why you’ve come to me.”
If anyone else had said this to Madam, she wouldn't have believed it easily even if they had presented evidence. Since high society is a place where schemes run rampant, selling out God with lies is nothing.
But I was different. Madam remembered me only as a thoughtless girl who had learned etiquette from her, and she was slightly lowering her guard.
Despite the various things I had experienced while following Lady Roshan, she wondered how much more a provincial commoner—who had only just been a noble for nearly two years—could have learned about schemes.
Specifically, revealing the Crown Prince’s scandalous behavior was the key. In a situation where the family’s rise or fall was at stake, there was no reason to betray him, the one described as the only hill one could lean on.
After all, no matter how much power House Lavallière had, how could it compare to the Crown Prince?
Thus, she believed that I had made the difficult decision to seek her out because of Roena, House Bischwaldz, and Knight Halverd.
The arrogance of Madam de Lavallière, who had always looked down on my status as insignificant, ended up deceiving her own eyes.
Snap—the snake bit the leopard’s leg. The venom flowing from the sharp teeth began to spread slowly through the veins. But the leopard merely walked on arrogantly, feeling nothing.
“Do you believe all my words?”
“Not until I see Roena with my own eyes. However, since I have become well aware of your difficulties, I will provide help for the sake of my poor brother. I was just about to oppose that matter anyway. We cannot let things collapse like this before Lian grows up to inherit the family.”
Good heavens. She was excluding Roena from the succession entirely. I thought the congratulations she had shown before were merely formal, though there had been some rare changes in her behavior. Does she truly want my brother to become the Count of Bischwaldz?
Ah, no. That isn't the subject we should be discussing now. That was a conversation that could wait until later. So, I submissively bowed my head and expressed my gratitude.
“There is no need for thanks. This is only for this once. Still, you’ve done quite well. Other than replacing a few servants, you’ve been striving and working hard to sustain the family. Originally, that is a task your mother should be doing. At any rate, I will come to see Roena soon. You’ll have to show me the evidence then.”
“Yes. But please, do not speak to Roena about the marriage.”
“I will not. I also do not wish for her heart to be wounded.”
“Yes.”
At my answer, Madam de Lavallière narrowed her eyes. She tilted her head slowly as if something were strange.
“But it is very odd. You certainly... no, never mind.”
I responded to her calmly.
“I know what you were going to say. But you are mistaken. It was just that Mago didn't want Roena and me to become close. She utterly loathed the idea of someone of my status becoming sisters with Roena and being on equal footing.”
“Mago was indeed quite excessive when it came to Roena. Is that why you were so merciless back then?”
“It is fine for her to treat only me that way. But I could not tolerate her threatening my mother and brother.”
“Is that why you didn't refuse the guardianship?”
“Yes. It is to protect everyone.”
The lies flowing out smoothly sounded remarkably sincere even to my own ears. Since I had suddenly come to manage all of House Bischwaldz’s wealth and yet hadn't indulged in luxuries like dresses or jewelry, and had protected the family alongside the guardian, she had no choice but to believe it.
My miserable past status played a significant part in this. Madam de Lavallière’s arrogance, looking down on me completely, veiled the truth like a mist.
Despite standing beside the Crown Prince, the fact that I had stayed back without taking any initiative until now completely demolished Madam’s suspicions.
“I felt it before, but you have a very bold and rude side. However, I didn't find it bad. That is why I taught you until the time I left, did I not? But for a moment, I was very angry and displeased that you associated with the Emperor’s mistress, were shamed in the Empress’s presence, and later accepted a guardian to manage the mansion. It was because I thought you were a greedy child who didn't know her place. But you have been working very hard in your own way.”
To think she would become generous the moment I showed a side that favored Roena. A sneer almost escaped me, but I maintained a moved expression and shook my head.
As if hearing those words alone resolved all my past heartaches. At the same time, I mimicked a girl thinking only of her family, striving to draw out Madam de Lavallière’s help.
“These are people who ignore the family and try to swing it this way and that even while Knight Halverd is here. What would happen if such military power disappeared? I only hope for your wise choice, Aunt.”
“Yes. It must be so. Go back to the mansion and wait.”
“Yes.”
Pretending to bid farewell, I glanced up at Madam de Lavallière; unlike when I first visited the mansion, her expression had softened significantly.
Yes, it was the look she had when she received that kiss from me before. So, I boldly made one request that wouldn't benefit anyone’s reputation. Adding the excuse that it was unavoidable to deceive the Crown Prince’s eyes.
And a few hours later, a rumor spread like wildfire that I had been driven out of Madam de Lavallière’s mansion after being met with her roaring anger. Along with the story that I had angered the Madam and was dragged out the door.
