Ch#228
**Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe**
**Chapter 228**
In the world of the nobility, women are either objects to be conquered or mere dolls for visual amusement. Even those who build their own influence and move freely within high society find themselves marginalized when matters of true importance arise.
This was even more true for those who did not hold the standing of women like Pulkeor, Madam de Lavallière, or Lady Roshan.
Consequently, the only thing such women could do was gather the news they had heard bit by bit from their husbands over tea and indulge in gossip.
I was no exception to this rule. Even after sending Knight Halverd off, I could not obtain any significant information. Useful stories were rare, and as the date of departure drew closer, more people were tightening their lips.
It was for this reason that I could not meet Knight Aires, who was leaving for the Border Region with the Crown Prince. An order had been issued forbidding private meetings with anyone other than family or relatives, under the pretext of taking every precaution against unforeseen events.
Because of this, I had to take a detour and send the talisman I had prepared for him to the Aires estate instead. Although Knight Aires sent a brief letter expressing his gratitude, it was true that I felt anxious and restless.
Fear stirred within me because a war that had never occurred in the past was beginning. For the first time in my life, I borrowed the name of God and prayed fervently. I hoped that everyone I knew would return safely. I prayed like that until late into the night.
The departure ceremony was conducted very simply. This was due to the Crown Prince's insistence that they could not commit further acts of impiety while the Emperor's funeral was suspended and scandalous incidents continued to break out one after another.
He spoke to the people who had come to watch the departure in a firm, declamatory tone.
He declared that he would wipe out the seeds of the barbarians. Then, he shouted loudly that only victory would lie before them. At his dignified and gallant appearance, everyone cheered in excitement. The people firmly believed that the Empire would achieve a great victory.
A massive wave of aspiration covered everyone. The intoxicated public sentiment was rising as if to pierce the heavens. It was like a thrill that made people everywhere tremble with emotion. The Crown Prince stood arrogantly, watching them. He was the undeniable picture of a perfect Emperor, and shouts of "Long Live!" swirled from every direction. It felt more like a coronation than a departure ceremony.
After a speech and a prayer for safety and success from a high priest dispatched from the temple, all preparations were complete.
People scattered flowers and cheered for the Crown Prince and the knights. Even though they were just departing, everyone was as jubilant as if they were welcoming home soldiers who had already triumphed.
From among the crowd, I stared blankly at Knight Aires, who was positioned behind the Crown Prince. Around his neck, the talisman I had given him hung loosely on a string. Originally, such things were meant to be tucked inside the armor, but the way he displayed it openly drew everyone's attention.
In fact, a young girl standing next to me with her mother clasped her hands together in ecstasy at the sight of Knight Aires and whispered, "His lover must have given that to him, right? It's so romantic." I felt my cheeks flush for a moment.
Ah, how wonderful it would be if I could lock eyes with him in a moment like this, like a scene from a novel. But all I could do was see him off in this manner.
Of course, we didn't actually meet eyes. No matter how good a person's vision might be, it was impossible to find me, tucked like a tiny dot among the swarming masses.
Furthermore, since he was riding his horse almost glued to the Crown Prince's back to guard against potential threats, it was even more impossible for him to identify me.
The same was true for Knight Halverd; it was difficult to even get a glimpse of his face among the gathered crowds. Thus, I watched their retreating backs as they departed amidst the cheers, quietly praying that they would return with their bodies intact.
The Crown Prince took the Grand Duke with him to the Border Region. There had been backlash from the Empress's side, questioning how they would prepare for unforeseen events if the Grand Duke left while the Prince was away, but the matter was quickly settled when Duke Dibenzel and other nobles stepped forward, saying they would remain to guard the Capital.
What was unusual was that the Marquess of Roshan did not follow the Crown Prince. Since Duke Dibenzel was such a sly character, the Prince could not easily put his mind at ease, so the Marquess remained to act as a check against him.
Indeed, since the Duke was the representative of the aristocratic faction, it was only natural that there was mutual distrust.
"Take even greater care of yourself during times like these."
Lady Roshan advised me to stop following her around for now and instead stay at the mansion to watch the situation unfold. It was not unreasonable that her advice, laden with a strange nuance, sounded ominous. This was because she did not tell me from whom I should be taking care to protect myself.
Not long after that, Knight Sylphice was discovered in front of the mansion, covered in wounds. The servants immediately brought the unconscious man into the house. Relieved sighs flowed from everyone's lips that he had returned at last.
However, I felt an entirely uneasy sensation and did not approach him closely. The doctor's words—that he had not sustained fatal injuries and would soon wake—sounded chilling to me. His appearance, following Knight Halverd's departure as if he had been waiting for the moment, and his search for Roena the instant he regained consciousness, were suspicious beyond measure.
"Lady Roena is very anxious, and since the identities of the kidnappers haven't been revealed, I have moved her to a safe location."
At my answer, Knight Sylphice’s expression hardened, and his cheek twitched. His face, much more haggard than before, had a foreign quality that made me doubt if he was the Knight Sylphice I knew.
Thinking it might be because of his injuries, I examined him closely again, but the feeling was so unpleasant that I didn't even want to be alone with him.
After a moment, he grimaced as if his wounds were throbbing and opened his mouth to ask.
"Are you saying the identities of the kidnappers have not been revealed?"
In Knight Sylphice's voice, there was a faint trace of relief.
"Do you know who they are, Knight Sylphice?"
"No, I don't know either. It's because they blindfolded me every time we faced each other. Regrettably so."
"Then that means Roena knows."
"No. I asked because I thought it would have been revealed by now."
At his attitude of repeated denial, I signaled with my hand to stop a maid who was just about to leave the room. The previous conversation had convinced me that Knight Sylphice had not escaped on his own.
He was acting in a way unbefitting a knight, constantly gauging my reaction. Every time he blinked, his eyes flashed with a chilling glint that made my heart pound.
Naturally, my spine stiffened and my fingertips turned cold. For a fleeting moment, the thought crossed my mind: *Is this man truly Knight Sylphice?*
Furthermore, the realization that this might be the meaning of the warning to "take care" from Lady Roshan made me tremble. It seemed the Grand Duke intended to use Knight Sylphice to pinpoint Roena's location and then do something to me. Was it because the Crown Prince had seized House Bischwaldz's merchant ships?
"Please allow me to see Lady Roena."
I refused Knight Sylphice's request. I spoke evasively, saying that seeing him would surely remind Roena of the terror of that time, so it would be impossible until she regained her composure. Then, I commanded the maid, who was standing there blankly observing me.
"Take good care of the Knight."
At that moment, Knight Sylphice hurriedly grabbed my hand as I was about to stand up. Before I could even rebuke his rudeness, the sensation of his skin touching mine was so strange that I instinctively shuddered. Unlike Knight Halverd or Knight Aires, his palms were remarkably smooth and soft.
"Forgive my rudeness. I was so worried about Lady Roena that I couldn't help myself. Are you truly not going to let me see her?"
I couldn't bring myself to pull my hand away heartlessly despite his desperate voice. It was because of appearances. To anyone else, Knight Sylphice's behavior would surely be seen as a display of loyalty toward Roena and would be overlooked with generosity.
Even the maid standing beside me was looking at Knight Sylphice with shining eyes. Since he was known as the one who stayed behind alone to face the enemy to rescue her, it was only natural.
"Since your heart is so desperate, Knight, I suppose I have no choice. Still, shouldn't you meet her only after you've recovered properly? So please, rest first."
"I appreciate the consideration, but these wounds are no problem. If I wrap them with clean bandages and change my clothes, it won't even show."
I let out a sigh at his stubbornness. Even when I spoke kindly, asking him not to make me out to be a heartless person who forces an injured man to move, he remained immovable.
"I shall speak with her first and then we can talk. What matters is her will."
"But..."
"If Roena is afraid to meet you, Knight, there is nothing I can do. That isn't something I can force. Of course, I know well what you are worried about. But if you truly care for Roena, please let this go for now. She is currently in a state where she even refuses visits from her aunt because she is so frightened of people."
"Even so, one never knows. Lady Roena is..."
I quickly cut him off.
"One thing that worries me is that because of your escape, Knight, we may never know who the kidnappers were. Anyone with sense would have erased their traces and fled by now. Of course, we will continue the pursuit, but it is truly regrettable that we cannot guarantee anything. I never imagined that my inability to strike them out of concern for your safety, Knight, would leave such lingering trouble."
Knight Sylphice shut his mouth tight and averted his gaze. At that moment, I subtly moved my hand and slipped my wrist out of his grasp. Although his long fingers had fairly firm calluses, the fact that they were soft in places—comparable to my own—was quite strange.
"I will go and capture them myself."
"No. You must rest, Knight. With Knight Halverd gone, is there anyone left for the people here to rely on besides you? I am glad you returned in this way, Knight Sylphice."
His face and voice were those of Knight Sylphice himself, but why did he feel more chilling the more I looked at him? I gave a soft smile to the man, whose lips were parted as if he had more to say, and then I left the room. I then had a passing maid call Marie to me.
"Did you call for me, My Lady?"
A moment later, Marie entered the room, unable to hide her surly tone even as she made an effort to bow. Now that Mago had disappeared and even Roena could barely exert any power, she had expected the position of head maid to return to her, but since there was no sign of that happening, her old wicked nature was starting to resurface.
Thus, her behavior was incredibly insolent and arrogant. It was an attitude she could maintain because she believed all the maids followed her. Just as Mago had in the past.
But who would truly like a tyrant who only coaxes with money? Since Mullang was being provided with the same funds, public opinion was slowly shifting toward the head maid. Knowing this, Marie's current attitude was quite laughable.
"You don't seem to be feeling well."
"Pardon?"
"I'm saying so because your complexion is poor. And is that all? Your neck and waist are so stiff; it seems you need a few days of rest. Ah, come to think of it, you've been unwell like this before, haven't you? How did I show you consideration back then?"
"A-Ah, My Lady..."
Marie looked at me with an expression that said things weren't going as she intended. She couldn't hide her emotions, seemingly flustered by my forceful behavior. Her flickering eyes grew faintly hazy as if she were reminiscing.
Was she thinking of when Seril was trapped in the coffin? Fear began to settle over her face, which had turned pale in an instant. Naturally, her neck and waist bowed as limberly as a willow branch.
"It won't do for you to be so unwell when you still have so much to do. Isn't that right?"
"Y-Yes, yes."
"Now, go to the Marquess of Roshan's estate and deliver this letter."
I gave a soft smile and handed her the letter I had been writing until she entered the room, having sealed it with candle wax.
"Me?"
"Yes. Is there anyone else I can trust besides you?"
"My Lady."
Marie nodded, her eyes welling with tears. How simple she was. As if ashamed of her previous petulance, she bowed repeatedly, saying, "Please forgive me, My Lady." Then, she gripped the letter in her hands, trembling like someone who had just seen gold.
And at my word to dismiss her, she stood for a moment with tearful eyes as if moved, then soon turned and left the room.
After Marie left, I wrote one more letter. Then I had a maid call for the head maid. A moment later, Mullang entered the room and bowed politely.
"Deliver this letter to the Marquess of Roshan's estate, but go secretly so that you do not run into Marie."
Mullang took the letter and withdrew quietly without asking any questions. I watched Mullang's retreating back and tapped the table with my index index finger.
I remained in that spot, listening to the ticking of the clock like a lullaby. I stayed there until Marie, having been attacked by a mysterious assailant, came to find me in tears.
**Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe**
