Translator: Nox

Ch#250

**Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe**

**Chapter 250**

The Crown Prince was exceptionally busy, to the point of splitting his sleeping hours to work. The task of reclaiming the assets of the nobles who had rebelled for the national treasury and filling the resulting vacancies in manpower was no easy feat.

Furthermore, since he had to prepare for the Victory Banquet to award merits and the coronation ceremony, having two bodies wouldn't have been enough. The remaining nobles worked hard to be of help to the Crown Prince, but suspicious as he was, he did not overlook even a single document submitted to him.

He scrutinized every paper, thinking several times before finally applying his official seal. This was true even for reports sent by Lady Roshan.

Thanks to this, the nobles were dying of exhaustion. Even if the power of the aristocracy had drastically decreased due to the rebellion, the political situation was chaotic enough that they could have engaged in back-room dealings to increase their own strength—such as pocketing some of the traitors' assets—but the Crown Prince gave them no such opportunity, leaving them pinned down.

Some houses were even imprisoned on suspicion of previous ties with Pulkeor, despite having contributed to suppressing the rebellion.

Until the Crown Prince—now essentially the Emperor—beheaded the traitors, no noble could be free from the framework of rebellion. Therefore, even if the Crown Prince wielded them as he pleased using this as an excuse, they could only prostrate themselves and flatter him.

The only ones who could raise their heads and speak directly to him were House Dibenzel, House Rosan, and House Aires.

However, although they could convey their opinions properly, even they could not avoid the Crown Prince's sharpened blade. He was thoroughly laying the foundation to become the most powerful monarch in the history of the Empire.

Is that why? Seeing him after a long time, he was more dignified than before. It was a sharp spirit that only a ruler could possess.

It was more suffocating than when I had been dragged before him because of Roena. The ruthless Crown Prince I knew. The man I feared was right here.

"Your wrists?"

As soon as he saw me, the Crown Prince cast his gaze on my hands, which were already fully healed and free of bandages. I offered flattering words in a polite tone, saying I had recovered thanks to His Highness's grace. All the while, I wondered why he bothered to ask when he already knew I was perfectly fine and moving about.

"I hear your recent activities are quite interesting?"

His sharp eyes scanned me. Previously, I would have trembled in fear, but now, accustomed to him as I was, I replied in a composed voice.

"It is merely a mundane daily life, but I am simply grateful that you view it with interest. However, had I a guardian, I would not have attracted such attention."

"That's not what I meant. Lady, I am currently meeting you by cutting into my precious time. So let's be honest without weighing this and that. What need is there to circle around words like the fools of high society?"

It was exactly what I wanted. Conversing in the rhetoric of the Crown Prince and the social circle was horrific. It made one's mind ragged, as if fighting with invisible blades. So, I confessed the fact he would be most interested in first.

"Actually, I met Roena."

At my answer, the Crown Prince pushed up the corners of his mouth. It was a sneer.

"I know. You visited under the name of the Lady of House Dibenzel? You used your head quite well. You were able to meet your sister without adding suspicion to your house. It is truly tearful sisterly affection. So, do you wish for her release?"

"House Bischwaldz merely follows Your Highness's intent."

"Even after saying you would save her from her current state? Yet you say you will follow my intent?"

Ah, as expected, someone was eavesdropping on the conversation between Roena and me. After all, if he knew even of my secret conversation with the late Emperor, there was no way he would leave Roena, who was known to be associated with Pulkeor, alone. So, I made an excuse as if it were nothing.

"What wouldn't I say to reassure my pitiful sister? I only hope you look upon it kindly."

"Pitiful... Do you truly find her pitiful?"

"Is 'pitiful' all? She is even lovely."

"Even though if she returns, everything you have achieved so far will be taken away? Yet how can she be pitiful and lovely? You are truly generous."

I barely restrained my head from tilting in confusion. It sounded as if he had detained Roena for my sake. But there was no way he would do that. Unless he had another scheme in mind. If I were him, I would use Roena as a witness to pressure Pulkeor.

Ah, right. Now I see. Why he separated me and Roena. I feel like all the puzzle pieces are finally fitting together.

House Bischwaldz is the only family in the capital where troops can be stationed. This was a promise from the first Emperor, an oath so sacred no one dared break it.

However, from the perspective of the Crown Prince who was becoming Emperor, he wouldn't have liked House Bischwaldz possessing uncontrolled soldiers—specifically, the Knights of the Clear Sound—within the capital.

The fact that Pulkeor and the Grand Duke had planned to move troops naturally using the family's merchant ships must have felt extremely threatening to him.

So, he detained Roena, the likely heir, to emphasize that she was a criminal. He did not stop the rumors that Knight Sylphice had tried to assassinate him. He wanted the nobles to feel anxious that only House Bischwaldz possessed private soldiers.

After all, if the nobles of the Empire rose up together and shouted that the rebellion must be punished, what would the first Emperor's promise matter? What could a shattered house do?

Even if Madam de Lavallière existed, she had become a different person by taking her husband's name. No one could help Bischwaldz. Not even House Rosan.

Therefore, House Bischwaldz, with a criminal heir and a limping heir, would be left to wither and vanish into history, and the Knights of the Clear Sound and the soldiers would naturally be annexed by the state.

But before that could happen, I, backed by the power of House Debonzel, had once again made House Bischwaldz the talk of the town.

Despite having no guardian, I had composedly stepped forward to organize the house and was crossing the social circle like a whirlwind even before my debut. From the Crown Prince's perspective, it was undoubtedly an unpleasant turn of events. That was likely why he was reacting so sensitively.

"What did House Debonzel promise you?"

I gave a casual answer to his question.

"They said they could let me meet Roena."

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm saying let's talk honestly about the benefits each side can gain."

"They requested that I associate with the Lady. Since I was already acquainted with her, I could not refuse."

Even for the Crown Prince who held the Empire in his hands, it seemed eavesdropping on Duke Dibenzel's study was beyond his reach. He seemed entirely unaware that the Duke had decided to sponsor Rade Relshin. Instead, he interpreted it as House Debonzel helping me become a countess.

"...Is House Rosan not enough?"

"Your Highness, what I want is only Bischwaldz."

At my words, the Crown Prince let out a hollow laugh as if it were absurd. He looked at me as if I were a strange person.

"You have a curiously strong obsession with your house. As if you were a noble from the beginning. To some, it might sound like a desire for status. But seeing as you refused my proposal, it's not quite that either. So I don't understand. Are you doing this believing in the promise you made with the deceased late Emperor?"

*No, it's something deeper than you can understand.* I answered inwardly. My abnormally strong obsession with the house and the name Bischwaldz was because I believed that only by being 'Cisse de Bischwaltz' could I fully establish my identity.

Because before returning, I was nothing more than the daughter of a vulgar woman who seduced my stepfather, not Cisse of House Bischwaldz. It was also the best way to perfectly destroy Roena, who believed herself to be the heir of the house.

So, I asked the Crown Prince as if I didn't understand.

"The document left by His Late Majesty the Emperor is perfect. Therefore, I do not understand your intent in saying such things."

"There has never been a countess in the history of the Empire."

"Graciously, the late Emperor must have intended to grant me the title of the first."

The Crown Prince chuckled at my words. It was a mockery. He spoke to me as if telling me not to dream an impossible dream.

"Who do you think would permit that? The nobles steeped in the stodginess of tradition? Or me?"

"...Did you not say you would give me a reward?"

I reminded the Crown Prince of the fact that he had dragged me to the battlefield. At that, he approached me and lifted my chin with his fingertips. He was pitying me as if looking at a young girl floundering in a vain delusion.

"As that reward, I shall release the sister you cherish so dearly. And I shall liberate the house from the charge of rebellion."

What a bastard. I barely managed to open my mouth, suppressing the urge to slap his cheek for spouting such nonsense. As soon as I showed my obsession with Bischwaldz, he was trying to ruin my wish by releasing Roena.

"The Knights of the Clear Sound were loyal to Your Highness. That is also the will of House Bischwaldz."

"And what will you do if the charge is framed that he conspired with Knight Sylphice to kill me?"

"Are you going to ignore even the knight's loyalty?"

"What is so special about that? He is a talented individual far too good for House Bischwaldz to possess, but he is not so important that he cannot be hanged. So do not even dream a vain dream. Furthermore, the Emperor was not of sound mind due to illness when he wrote that document. That is why he could make such a strange promise. Ah, and the prostitute who was with him is not suitable as a witness, so do not even expect it. No one will believe the words of such a vulgar woman."

I was speechless at his conduct, now even making his dead father out to be a madman. The Crown Prince was determined to prevent me from having House Bischwaldz.

"Why?"

"I cannot allow confusion in high society because of you alone. The nobles need to prostrate themselves at my feet and bark like dogs a bit more. But if I make you, who is known to be close to me, a countess, their spirits will be revived. I do not want such confusion."

The Crown Prince's answer seemed plausible on the surface. However, I realized he hadn't revealed his full intentions and did not lower my guard. It was impossible for the Crown Prince to be swayed by nobles over such a matter.

"...What becomes of House Bischwaldz, now cleared of the false charge of rebellion?"

"They must showcase the price of loyalty."

The price of loyalty he spoke of was undoubtedly the Knights of the Clear Sound. I swallowed the hollow laugh that threatened to burst out.

In the end, this was why the Crown Prince had called me. To warn me not to even dream of becoming a countess using Duke Dibenzel. The fact that he didn't even mention Rade Relshin was proof of that.

This was why I had wanted to meet him before the merits were awarded. Because I knew he was such a bastard.

I took a step back, away from him. And to him, who wore an enigmatic smile as if he knew I had no choice but to follow his words, I slowly bowed my head in response. The hands hidden within my skirts were trembling with rage.

"I am merely grateful for Your Highness's consideration. You have looked after the affection between sisters so carefully and granted the grace to preserve the house, so how could I not be? House Bischwaldz merely follows Your Highness's intent."

"Ah, you are truly wise. That's why I truly covet you."

The voice falling over my bowed head was quite disgusting. I felt like covering my ears. But the Crown Prince continued speaking. It was something even I hadn't expected.

"The Victory Banquet will be held in a week. I would like you to bring the slipper we shared before."

At the unexpected words, I raised my head to look at him, and the Crown Prince gave me a deceptively sweet smile.

"Must you not repay the debt on the back of your hand, Caerula?"

the voice whispering lowly as if seducing was soft, as if he had never threatened me with rebellion as bait. However, his deeply sunken eyes were casting a murky energy, proving that the previous story was no joke.

I don't know why, but the Crown Prince truly coveted me. As if his previous words weren't a lie. The glass slippers we had shared one each were a trap for this. What the wolf at the masquerade had foretold was finally coming to pass.

I kept my mouth tightly shut, frozen without a word. Knight Aires flashed through my mind. His lingering smile, requesting that I call him 'Mel' if he returned, flickered before my eyes.

"Yes, Your Highness. I shall do so."

But contrary to my heart, my lips were uttering words of obedience. The Crown Prince laughed with satisfaction, watching me close my eyes in resignation. He was smiling like a victor. Most disgustingly so.

***

The Crown Prince had found time to meet me, yet strangely, Knight Aires could not even find such time. I went to the Imperial Knights to meet him before the Victory Banquet, but I only heard that he had left for the Border Count's Castle as of yesterday. He was scheduled to return to the capital the night before the banquet.

*I can't even make an excuse to him.*

To me, who returned to the mansion feeling hollow and weak, the head maid handed over a letter. It was a letter Knight Aires had sent before leaving for the border.

The timing was so perfectly skewed that I couldn't even manage a hollow laugh. It felt as if someone were intentionally interfering.

However, when I used a paper knife to open the letter he sent, I couldn't help but break into a smile.

『To make a shameful confession, I do not know what words like resentment or sorrow are. However, I do know the word submission, and thus I dare send this letter. I declare that my will belongs to you, the Lady of House Bischwaldz.』

I didn't know in what sense he had sent this, but in the current situation, there were no more appropriate words. As always, the one who protected me, even if late, was Michael Aires.

So, I laughed like a madwoman for a while, and then a moment later, I had Mullang call Jack.

And I said to the boy who came to find me with a bright smile:

"Could you secretly bring me a theater actor who is skilled at cross-dressing? Someone tight-lipped. I will not spare the reward."

A few days later, Jack brilliantly fulfilled my request. The middle-aged woman he brought was someone who helped with the theater's makeup and had become mute after an accident as a child. She was also illiterate and could not even write. Her only means of communication was sign language.

I spoke in a soft voice to the woman who was bowing, not knowing the reason.

"There is something you must do. Something very important. If you satisfy me, I shall grant you a reward you won't regret."

And watching her as she bowed her head deeply as if to obey, I laughed aloud. There were only two days left until the Victory Banquet.

***

The Crown Prince returned Roena to the mansion the day before the Victory Banquet. Along with the word that no charges could be found against her. People harbored doubts about this, but since the man who would become Emperor said so, they only nodded their heads without being able to protest.

I ground my teeth lowly at his action. The Crown Prince was intentionally not mentioning Knight Sylphice. He was intentionally warning me that the possibility of framing House Bischwaldz for rebellion still remained.

The reason he released Roena was truly because her actions were insignificant—and because using her as a witness was possible even in an innocent state—and to praise me for not contacting House Debonzel since meeting him. It was no different from a declaration that he would tame me perfectly.

When Roena returned to the mansion, Madam de Lavallière and her maternal relatives visited to comfort her. But Roena's expression was not bright. She looked somehow very gloomy and sad.

I quickly realized the reason. It was because of Roena, who muttered while eating dinner at the mansion after a long time.

"The Crown Prince said he released me for your sake. He said he doesn't believe I'm innocent, but that he's turning a blind eye for you, Cisse."

In her eyes, disappointment and anger were complexly intertwined. It likely resembled the humiliation I had tasted when I was released from prison because of her before returning. That was why it was all the more pleasing. It was the only treatment among the Crown Prince's many actions that perfectly suited my taste.

"I did nothing wrong."

Roena spoke to me as if making a pledge. In her mind, there seemed to be no room for our mother or Lian. Nor did she show any gratitude for the fact that she was released because of me.

She truly believed she would be released, and expected that once she returned, everything would be fulfilled. However, the mansion was already full of my followers, and everyone was busy with preparations for the Victory Banquet, so they didn't pay much attention to Roena. Her friends had only managed to send letters.

I replied in a short tone to Roena, who was looking at me as if seeking agreement for her words.

"Right. You did nothing wrong."

Because that's what she would want to believe.

But Roena, as if even that didn't please her, wore a smile close to a sob and then soon stood up, making the excuse that she had no appetite. Along with the word that she wanted to go to her room and rest.

She couldn't stand the fact that she had to ask me even for such a small action. So I gave her a very kind answer that was close to a command. And I smiled, watching Roena's back as she quickly vanished in humiliation.

Likely, what she wanted was the sound of, 'I'll tell the Crown Prince to let him know you're innocent.' But since I didn't give such an answer, she was quite disappointed.

And mixed in there was resentment toward me for not handing over the seal of House Bischwaldz to her.

How impudent.

I snorted, looking at the food she had left behind. I was already looking forward to seeing how much more frustrated she would be at the Victory Banquet after showing such an interesting appearance so early. Simultaneously, I grew even more joyful thinking of the Crown Prince's appearance, which would be distorted because of me.

So, I wished the Victory Banquet would open as soon as possible. The glass slipper I had tucked away in a corner of the room was already wiped clean and kept in a small box. So that I could take it with me at any time tomorrow.