Ch#255
# Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe
"Well, I suppose you've said everything you wanted to say? Since you've aired your grievances to the man who will be your brother-in-law. Now, go out and plan how you will live at the villa. I'm sure you will be very lonely and sad during that one year you are away, but what can be done? My husband, the Count, does not wish for you to be here. What more can I do, foolish as I am, other than obey him?"
At my words, Roena let out a paroxysmal scream.
"I’m not leaving! I won’t go!"
"Oh dear, Roena. I do not wish for you to leave in such a shameful manner."
"How can you do this to me? Do you not love me?"
"Oh, of course I love you."
I smiled softly, my eyes curving.
"That’s why I’m removing you from my sight."
"W-Why...? You, you can't send me away."
"No, I can do anything. Think about whose hands House Bischwaldz has fallen into. Sending you away is nothing. So, you must realize the fact that I am being patient and respectful toward your behavior."
I raised a finger and pointed toward the door. Then, I spoke in a resolute tone.
"Get out!"
"Sise, please don't do this. I won't go! I'll stay here somehow!"
"Will you leave if I call the maids to drag you out?"
"You would inflict such shame upon me?"
I answered with a firm "Of course." Then, I lifted the small bell used to call the maids as if I would act immediately if she didn't listen.
Roena looked at me with a face smeared with resentment and sorrow. Then, she soon covered her face and bolted out of the room, looking for all the world like the heroine of a tragic drama. The back of the loser was as pathetic as a dog drenched in rain.
I savored that moment quietly, then called the maids and ordered them to drag Roena down mercilessly if she refused to leave. Since she was already surrounded by horrific rumors, it wasn't my fault regardless of how she was kicked out. Rather, I thought it would be nice if she acted stupidly and entertained people.
Only then would there be excuses for what I would do in the future.
However, Roena was more reckless and lacked a plan than I thought. As if a cursed destiny were telling me to tie the final knot with certainty, her actions were startlingly impulsive.
The day before she was to leave, Roena pestered me to come to her through a maid. The way she threatened that I would regret it if I didn't come was so absurd I couldn't help but snort.
However, since she was causing a scene for the whole household to see, I had no choice but to go. So, I opened the door to her room with a light heart. The smile on my face remained vivid until I saw her standing on the terrace.
She looked exactly like I did before I committed suicide. The terrace with fluttering curtains, and Roena standing on the railing. Dressed in a white nightgown, she glared at me with eyes full of fear and resentment.
"If you kick me out, I’d rather just die."
"You?"
"Y-Yes. So tell me you’ll let me stay here. You shouldn't kick me out."
My fear of terraces remained, so I couldn't easily approach her. Roena mistook my appearance for anxiety caused by her actions and put strength into her voice.
Since pleading or crying didn't work, she was resorting to this kind of foolish behavior.
Therefore, there was no desperation in her actions. There was only a child trying to justify her own behavior.
"It's only for a year."
"Only a year? In that one year, House Bischwaldz will fall entirely into your hands. You’ll swallow my whole family! You’ll ruin it!"
The way she screamed at the top of her lungs was no different from a child throwing a tantrum. Perhaps because of that, my head began to throb.
"Ah, dear. Why are you acting so childishly? If you fall, all sorts of talk will surely arise."
"...Is that all you can think of while I’m standing here?"
"Then what more should I do? Now, be a good girl. Do not make things difficult for me. Come down quickly. You’re an angel-like child, aren't you?"
"Why are you staring so nonchalantly? Are you not afraid of this sight?"
I let out a sigh and spat out the words she wanted to hear, as if I were reading from a book.
"I am so scared my heart is trembling. So, for my sake, will you come down? Please."
"...Are you mocking me right now? Am I laughable to you?"
In an instant, Roena looked at me as if she had finally realized.
"Good heavens. You never loved me even once."
I spread both hands toward her and spoke in a calm tone.
"Surely not. I love you. My angel-like sister. How could I not cherish you?"
"Liar! I gave up everything for you."
"Yes. So please give up on this matter as well. Be a good girl. It’s dangerous there."
I endured my fear and walked forward. Though nausea surged due to the phobia, I had no choice but to do so to persuade that fool.
I could have had the maids and servants drag her down, but since she threatened to drop immediately if anyone took a step closer, I had to be the one to approach.
Ridiculously, Roena was still hoping that I would catch her.
"Right, from the beginning, you didn't like me. Why didn't I know? Why did I keep getting fooled by your sweet words?"
She turned her head to look at the ground. As if a devil were whispering, a dangerous resolution was being etched onto her face. It was a familiar look.
"If I fall, you’ll be in trouble, won't you?"
"No."
"Liar. That’s why you’re trying to catch me."
"That’s not it. It’s for your sake."
"Why do you keep lying? You aren't thinking of me."
Eventually, tears burst from her eyes. The bottom that had collapsed due to fear, sorrow, and despair was driving Roena mad.
"Please let me stay here. Do not take House Bischwaldz. Sise, do not make me hate you. I only have you. Hmm? Do not abandon me."
"That’s why I’m telling you to be a good girl, En."
"To be a good girl? Is going to the countryside being a good girl? Being kicked out of here?"
"Yes, I wish for that. Otherwise, what more can you do?"
At my question, Roena trembled as if she were shocked. Because of that, her body swayed violently back and forth, and everyone let out a scream.
"No. That’s not true. I, I can do it too. If you, who haven't been in the mansion long, can do it, there’s no way I can't!"
I lightly mocked her words.
"Well, I have no faith in that at all. I can see that your current behavior is a disgrace to the family's name. Do not make things difficult for everyone."
Then, Roena looked over the terrace once as if she had made a grand resolution. Her throat was bobbing heavily as if she had swallowed hard. The words that followed were startlingly ominous and chilling.
"Sise de Bischwaltz. If I fall, you’ll be in a lot of trouble, won't you?"
"Do not think stupid thoughts, Roena. You’re a truly clever child, aren't you? If you think of me, especially do not do that."
She looked at me. It was the Sise of the past. No, the Roena I had seen in my dream before was standing precariously with a pale expression. She spoke as if muttering, watching me flinch at the ominous premonition.
"...I hate it."
'This time it’s my turn.'
Was this a reenactment of the dream I had before? Or was it a prank of the devil? Roena's body was slowly tilting backward.
I instinctively bolted forward. At this moment, the fear of terraces and everything else was useless. I only saw her, following in my previous footsteps.
Time was flowing at a strangely slow pace. As if the whole world were submerged in water, my body didn't move forward well. Still, I desperately reached out my hand. Only one thought was floating through my mind.
Roena is going back. Just as I did, she will also start anew.
Just as when I saved the Crown Prince's life before, a bizarre conviction was seizing me. The sounds I had heard in the dream were buzzing loudly. It felt like I would go mad.
You must not go back. Think of the position I’ve finally obtained. You and I must not go back.
We must end like this. This is the true end of this story. Your turn will not come. No, I won't let you go back.
*Thud.*
I let out a scream at the pain that felt like my arm was being pulled out. Everyone around me, and Roena who was caught by me, screamed together.
Between her violently shaking eyes, I saw myself, terrified. There was the me who feared returning to my previous life.
"I will never allow it. For whose benefit! You think you can start over like this?"
The Sise who lived a wretched life due to an inferiority complex, and the past days where I suffered so much because of the Crown Prince, were flashing by like a kaleidoscope. How could it make sense to start that filthy life again?
So, I gritted my teeth and held on and on. Just like the drawing on the paper Wagus had given me, I gripped her hand firmly. Until the horrified servants helped me and pulled her up.
Roena, who was narrowly pulled up, wept in my arms with a sorrowful voice. She pleaded, hugging my back tightly as if I were her everything. She dug into me like a cub searching for its mother's milk. She was moved by the fact that I had saved her.
Did it go well? Is this the end?
I thought with difficulty, retching at the headache that rushed in sharply.
Wagus's prophetic paper, the dream, the Crown Prince's charm, and Roena who attempted suicide as if to remind me of my previous self.
Events that resembled the past yet didn't followed one after another, repeating and vanishing, confusing me.
It was to the point that I repeatedly asked myself if it was truly over.
Fortunately, when I opened my eyes after enduring several bouts of nausea and dizziness, I finally realized that I had been flung out of the wheel of destiny.
Also, that I no longer had to be anxious about dreams and prophecies. It was like a bizarre conviction. Just like when I ended the Crown Prince's prophecy before.
Just like then, someone was whispering to me.
That I had finally overcome even the last destiny. That I had found true freedom.
So, for the first and last time, I softly stroked Roena's back and whispered like a sigh. Enduring the maid's words that the physician would soon arrive, I slowly closed my eyes.
'I won. It’s a true happy ending.'
Thus, the cruel fairy tale came to an end.
***
**Epilogue - Broken Shards Cannot Be Reattached**
Within the social circles, Count Rade Bischwaltz was a very bizarre man. He usually lived in seclusion in his mansion, acting as if he had no interest in politics, yet he would always appear at gatherings discussing the Emperor's consort to show his loyalty.
Most of all, Count Bischwaltz seemed to be greatly impressed by Duke Dibenzel, who sponsored him, and was loudly declaring that the Duke's daughter was the only one fit for the position of Empress. He did this alongside his rival, Knight Commander Aires.
Come to think of it, Michael Aires was also a man whose true intentions were difficult to discern. When did he ever cast aside Sise de Bischwaltz as the wife of Count Bischwaltz, only to nonchalantly linger by her side and flaunt his affection?
Even if Count Bischwaltz was so sickly that he couldn't even hold a proper wedding, wasn't it too much? It was as if he were flaunting that such a man wasn't even his match. Or was he deluded into thinking the Countess's heart was still with him?
Countess Sise de Bischwaltz was also somewhat questionable. She took advantage of the fact that her husband, Count Bischwaltz, was head over heels for her to allow Knight Aires' approach and was flaunting it.
Well, it couldn't be denied that she was a charming woman, but still, she should know how to conduct herself with restraint.
Anyway, looking at Count Bischwaltz's health lately, it seemed the day she would become a widow wasn't far off, so it was truly pitiful. To think she could lose her husband less than a year after getting married.
The injuries sustained to save His Majesty the Emperor shouldn't have caused his health to deteriorate that much. As expected, the rumor that Roena de Bischwaltz fed him poison to remove him seemed correct. Seeing as the Countess kept her mouth tightly shut regarding that rumor, it was certain, wasn't it?
Wasn't it also that young lady who injured the leg of the young master, the original heir of House Bischwaldz? Truly terrifying. But they say she’s returning to debut in the social circle this time; is it alright to just watch? Such a wicked woman is a disgrace to the social circle, isn't she?
But aren't that couple quite funny? The Count supports the daughter of House Debonzel, while the Countess supports the daughter of House Rosan as the Empress.
"Is the rumor currently spreading in the social circle," Lady Debonzel said to me.
Since I hadn't appeared in the social circle at all, using the Count's nursing as an excuse, she had come to find me personally. Using the excuse of comforting me, who had risen to the position of her closest confidante. It was to flaunt her friendship with me. For all to see.
Time flowed relentlessly, and it was already nearly a year since the new Emperor had ascended the throne.
During that time, the social circle had been split between House Debonzel and House Rosan, waging a silent war. It was to obtain the supreme position of Empress.
The maneuvers they had fiercely carried out under the surface against each other were so sharp and biting they were difficult to describe. Some even clicked their tongues, saying it was a fight more terrifying than politics.
However, even this was slowly coming to an end. And with the victory of House Debonzel.
Understandably so, for although House Rosan received the Emperor's full support, it did not cross a certain line, and in the meantime, Duke Dibenzel fully displayed his abilities and overwhelmed them, so there was no choice.
Of course, the current Emperor's power was mighty, but one cannot simply crush everyone like a lone wolf.
Therefore, the outlook within the social circle was that the daughter of House Debonzel would first receive the title of Imperial Consort, but would soon overwhelm the daughter of House Rosan and ascend to the throne of Empress. It wasn't a bad result for a year's worth of effort.
I smiled broadly, thinking of the single bitch who was still offering all sorts of devotion to receive the Emperor's gaze.
Poor Lady Roshan. She was still floundering in a state of terminal unrequited love for the Emperor. Continuing to guard the back of a man who wouldn't look back at her, just like that. Even while doing everything for him. In the end, everything was going to be taken away like this.
I poured tea into Lady Debonzel's cup and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Lady, you will attend my husband's funeral, won't you? In your capacity as the Imperial Consort. Ah, my husband's health has deteriorated so much lately that I am worried. But since there is no improvement, it cannot be helped."
Now that it was certain the daughter of House Debonzel would ascend to a noble position, there was no longer a reason for Rade Bischwaltz to exist. So, I indirectly hinted at his death, and the Lady nodded as if it were natural.
Today's words would likely be conveyed to Duke Dibenzel as well. And he would help so that the Count could die perfectly. The one to fill the seat beside the poor widow was Michael Aires, no—Mel Bischwaltz.
"Oh, what a regrettable thing. But since it is the death of the Count who greatly contributed to my becoming the Imperial Consort, of course I must attend."
"It will be an honor for the family."
She gave a light nod at my words and then praised the tea, saying it was delicious. And she showed curiosity about the writing I had been reading before she arrived.
"By the way, Sise, what were you looking at?"
"It’s a story Roena, who is recuperating at the villa, has been writing lately for amusement. It seems she is very lonely since it’s the countryside. The head maid who went with her sent it to me, saying her talent is quite exceptional."
In reality, Mullang had sent it with the meaning to be on guard since she was harboring such insolent thoughts.
My loyal maid, Mullang, was doing her best in her role of following Roena and monitoring her. To do so, she had even handed over the position of head maid to Marie.
"Oh, really? I’m very curious. Come to think of it, Lady Roena is returning soon, isn't she? For her debut in the social circle. Suddenly, I’m reminded of when Sise debuted in the social circle. You were truly beautiful."
My debutante occurred not long after the new Emperor ascended the throne, so it wasn't that grand. The fact that there weren't many noble daughters of my age also played a part.
However, for me, it was a more than satisfactory debut. Unlike my previous life, there was no one who pointed fingers or ignored me. Everyone wanted to dance with me. They gathered around me and flattered me.
That day, Mel covered my entire room with roses to celebrate my debut in the social circle. Not satisfied with that, he appeared at the debutante ball and brought out a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet that resembled the color of my eyes, personally putting them on me before everyone's eyes.
It was a swoon-worthy courtship that made every woman at the ball let out a gasp of envy.
We laughed and danced together all night that day. Until our legs were so sore we couldn't move anymore, just like that. And finally, we shared a kiss that felt as if our bodies were melting. Mel kissed my face and kept whispering in a sweet voice that he loved me. It was the most perfect day.
"Thank you for saying I was beautiful. It was a truly happy day."
"I hope Lady Roena's debut will be like that too. I heard her health wasn't good; is she able to come up to the capital?"
"Yes, likely. If she’s writing fairy tales like this, it must mean she’s much better, so it will be fine."
"That’s quite a relief."
I thanked her for her concern, then signaled with my eyes to Arina, who had been sitting by my side reading Roena's writing before the Lady arrived, to read the text again.
The child who had been learning to read and write for the past year with me—to stay by my side, this level of education is essential—had now grown enough to read this level of fairy tale without difficulty.
So much so that occasionally Jack would grumble, "Arina teases me for being stupid."
Arina soon began to read down Roena's fairy tale, which was filled with her sense of unfairness and malice, in a clear voice.
"Once upon a time, in a country long ago, there lived a Count. That Count had one beautiful daughter. Her name was Elle. One day, the Count introduced a stepmother to Elle. She had two daughters. But they were neither as beautiful nor as wise as Elle. They were jealous of the beautiful and virtuous Elle. One day, the Count departed for a distant land by ship."
In truth, Roena's fairy tale wasn't even that interesting. No, the story, with names so obvious that anyone listening would think of the parties involved, was absurdly ridiculous and unpleasant.
Was it not so? The childishness of changing her own nickname 'En' to 'Elle'! Making Lian into a wicked older sister who tormented her by changing his gender was also laughable.
To think she could inform people of the truth with such writing. Roena was still trapped in her own world.
Nevertheless, the reason I feigned ignorance was because I needed a Roena who would be alive with a sound mind. That was why I could generously tolerate such insolent behavior.
One must create a space to breathe, must one not? Whatever the reason, she was a woman carrying the name of House Bischwaldz. And this would be a mercy that would continue until she married another man.
Even if the life with me for Roena, who would come up to the capital, felt like hell.
Anyway, after Lady Debonzel leaves, I should send a letter to Roena and encourage her to work harder since no one would realize the truth with this level of writing.
It also seemed fine to threaten her not to even dream of a debutante since she had made me unpleasant.
Or should I indirectly mention that she needs a glass slipper to capture the Emperor?
Whatever it was, it would be very interesting. As a price for this insolent behavior.
"...The Crown Prince proposed to Elle. So she happily accepted his proposal. Elle, who became the Crown Princess, lived happily ever after with him."
The leisurely afternoon tea time was so peaceful. It was no different from the end of a perfect fairy tale, just like Arina's final words.
The position I had longed for so much, and the destiny I had come to perfectly control, were so pleasing I felt like laughter would burst out. So, I smiled brightly and enjoyed this time. It was a better day than any other.