25 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards, Episode 25
==========
After riding a little further like that? The forest ended, and a wide field with colorful tents set up came into view. The young lords had already finished their preparations for the hunt, receiving assistance from their servants.
I dismounted with the help of a knight. Then, I entered the largest tent among them. Inside, several chairs were placed, and in a corner, a long table was also set up for displaying food.
People found their seats according to their positions, starting with Irene de Dibenzel taking her place on the main seat in the center.
Surprisingly, my chair was placed next to Roena's. Considering her seat was placed close to Dibenzel's, this seating arrangement was nothing short of unconventional. Especially when I thought about how I used to sit at the very end of the group before I returned.
In high society, people sit fanned out around the leader of the gathering. And it was common for those in higher positions within the group to sit closer to the main seats.
Therefore, the courtesy shown today was no different from being recognized as a member of the Bishvarts Family.
No one uttered any complaints despite me being seated in ‘that position.’ As if it were natural.
This was all possible because Irene had spoken with me. Irene de Dibenzel herself is the very ‘recognition’ that they can understand.
Although I had accompanied them for the sake of camaraderie, there was little that young ladies could actually do at a hunting ground. Other than drinking wine with honey and gossiping about others.
Or perhaps they could discuss the knights who accompanied them, or talk about the currently trending dresses, jewelry, or hair ornaments.
Indeed, as soon as they sat down, they began chattering away towards Irene de Dibenzel. Amidst that pleasant noise, only Roena and her friends, and I, remained silent.
Truthfully, I would have preferred to go outside and watch the young lords hunt rabbits using falcons rather than sit and talk like this.
In the past, I had been too focused on Sir Halberd to properly watch the young lords hunt.
However, if I were to stand up to watch the falcons, I would undoubtedly be criticized, and that would not be what Irene de Dibenzel desired. So, I had no choice but to listen to their conversations while maintaining a smile until my lips ached.
“Come to think of it, Miss Bishvarts, this must be your first time in a place like this. Yet, you’ve shown yourself so admirably, I am quite surprised.”
“That is undoubtedly thanks to the excellent guidance shown by Madame de Lavalier. Honestly, I am quite envious of Miss Bishvarts. You have no idea how many young ladies wish to receive direct guidance from Lady Lavalliere.”
“Yes, I am also very grateful.”
Suddenly, the topic shifted, and all eyes turned to me. Was she the daughter of a Baron? She smiled brightly, skillfully changing the flow of conversation as if she had done it many times before.
The highlight was watching another young lady pick up the conversation.
“I heard you accompanied Madame de Lavalier to the exhibition this time as well? You looked so beautiful that everyone who saw you praised you. Speaking of which, Lady Lavalliere doesn’t usually enjoy accompanying young ladies who haven’t debuted in society. Is Miss Bishvarts a bit special?”
“That’s something even Miss Roena hasn’t experienced. Miss Roena accompanies Madame de Lavalier to the exhibition, but you always go separately inside.”
I answered in a calm tone, instead of Roena, who blushed as if flustered.
“I attended the exhibition to broaden my horizons. Therefore, it is natural for me to be with you.”
“Oh my, how humble you are.”
“Miss Roena is known to be perfect not only in etiquette but also in other aspects, so Miss Bishvarts’ words have merit.”
Then, someone spoke up as if waiting. It was just a small whisper, but at that precise moment, everyone was silent, so it sounded louder than any other sound.
“Oh my, that would be true. There is nothing more frightening than having a perfect sister. You can’t help but compare, can you? No, you already are.”
I turned my gaze to Irene de Dibenzel, who was seated at the head of the group. She was looking at Roena, her calm eyes seeming unfathomably deep, making it impossible to know what she was thinking.
However, her subtly trembling lips and her action of condoning the rude remark without identifying the speaker indicated how willingly she was embracing this situation.
Therefore, I had no choice but to be certain. That some kind of conversation must have taken place between them when I moved around Princess Irene before.
Roena’s face turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes. At the same time, she began to gasp for breath as if she had suffered a great insult. Even though her followers were offering words of comfort, she was so severely distressed that she couldn’t regain her composure.
Being intelligent, she seemed to have quickly grasped what they were aiming at. This was in stark contrast to me, who calmly drank the wine brought by a maid and let their words flow past lightly.
Unfortunately, the angel of the Bishvarts Family was not bold enough to fight against the blatant hostility and sharp sarcasm. Roena was a girl closer to the ideal of men than anyone else present, but she was too elegant and delicate to step onto the battlefield of high society.
She simply lacked the strength to endure this kind of pressure.
Perhaps that’s why? Roena would often cry in Margo’s arms after being invited to a tea party. Unfortunately, this poor stepsister was the favorite prey of the pack of jackals known as high society until she was surrounded and protected by her followers.
It would be a very distant future before she could arm herself with mental fortitude and refute others’ criticisms.
Everyone except her followers acted as if they couldn’t see Roena’s tears. Instead, they took out their fans and slowly waved them back and forth as if showing them off. They moved their wrists so slowly that the pictures drawn on the fan ribs were clearly visible.
At first glance, their fanning might seem like an attempt to escape the heat. However, this was merely a screen to hide their wicked and cunning tongues, and it held no further meaning.
Who could have imagined that behind the fan ribs adorned with splendid paintings, there lay petty sneers disguised as goodwill?
A moment later, as if this wasn’t the end, the young ladies brazenly and boldly covered their mouths. And they began to talk about the rumors they had heard. Most of what they brought up directly compared me and Roena, with some comparisons being quite blatant.
Even the most affectionate sisters would surely quarrel and fight if they heard such things.
Gossiping like this in front of the very people involved is extremely rude and shameless, but Roena was not bold or courageous enough to stop them.
So, we could only continue to listen to their chatter, and I found it somewhat amusing to see the faces of my friends, who had put their arms around my shoulders, contorted with shame.
After chattering away excitedly for a while, as if they had said all they wanted, they began to make excuses, as if they were now going to observe decorum and etiquette.
“My mother told me that such rumors are circulating widely in society. It’s a regrettable matter. But listening to such gossip is also one of a lady’s duties, so what can be done?”
“Of course. Above all, this is all just talk. No, looking at it now, I can see how baseless those rumors were. I didn’t realize you were such an excellent young lady. Are you alright, Miss Bishvarts?”
“Alright with what?”
I narrowed my eyes and offered a gentle smile to them, who were scrutinizing my complexion.
“I know well that nothing is as lovely as a trembling flower, so do not worry. I am perfectly fine.”
“Oh my, you are even magnanimous…”
“Ah, it is truly saddening that there are people who speak such despicable words about such an excellent lady.”
When the young ladies realized I wasn’t falling for their tricks, they forced smiles and offered words of praise.
Naturally, the arrow turned towards Roena, who fidgeted, trying to make eye contact with me. Her appearance was quite amusing, like a child worried about losing affection.
“But Miss Roena, your complexion doesn’t look good.”
“She is quite delicate. She prefers books to falconry, so how difficult must this situation be for her? Nevertheless, we are grateful that she continues to attend.”
“But wouldn’t a little more composure be a considerate gesture? It’s just a rumor, after all. Not everything can be sweet like honey, can it? Sometimes, bitter medicine is necessary.”
“Miss Bishvarts, who is beside you, is showing a composed demeanor. Oh, how ladylike…!”
“In such times, honeyed wine is just right.”
Irene de Dibenzel speaks. She, who had been observing the situation and pretending ignorance, offers Roena the kindness of offering wine with a benevolent smile and a gentle tone.
“Or perhaps you need a little rest? Miss Roena, you need to become a bit stronger.”
Roena opened her mouth with a faint smile. She looked so weary, as if she were about to collapse.
“Thank you for your concern. But I am truly alright.”
“Poor thing. Don’t take it too much to heart. It’s just a story that will soon disappear anyway. Like passing time. That’s right, it seems better to rest a little. No, shall we all take a break?”
“Oh, that’s a wonderful suggestion.”
“Princess Irene is always so kind. I am always impressed by such thoughtful consideration.”
Irene de Dibenzel stood up first, followed by her retainers.
I didn’t know what her intention was in suggesting a break, but her face, as she passed me, didn’t look displeased, so it seemed she wasn’t suggesting it out of discomfort.
Roena nodded, listening to the comforting words of her friends who were concerned about her. Her face, ashen to the point that it was remarkable she hadn’t burst into tears, was quite a sight.
I glanced at them once and then rose from my seat. I wouldn’t go far, but strangely, I felt an urge to look around this area and recall the not-so-pleasant memories of that time.
Coming outside, the scent of damp grass tickled my nose. The rustling sound sounded like pleasant music. I stood blankly for a moment, gazing ahead.
Now Roena was suffering, but around this time in the past, it was I who had been humiliated and burst into tears.
I had barely endured times filled with shame, unable to utter a word in response to attacks like today’s. Then, unable to contain my rising indignation, I had run outside.
