Translator: Nox

26 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper

Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 26

==========

What I did then, running not on the path but into the forest, was largely an act of impulse. It was a foolish thought that if I ran out of the forest, I could go home. At the same time, I harbored a vain hope that Sir Halberd would follow me.

But perhaps my earnest wish was heard, for it was Lustewin Halberd who followed me. He did not lose sight of me running along the forest path and quickly closed the distance. You could never imagine how relieved and happy I was at the sight of Sir Halberd slowly approaching, pushing through the bushes.

However, this feeling was fleeting, and soon despair washed over me. Even as he handed me a handkerchief while I cried my eyes out with a disheveled face, his gaze remained fixed on Roena's tent.

In other words, his actions were born of duty, not genuine concern for me. His heart was entirely directed towards Roena.

Perhaps those who haven't experienced it can't possibly know how terrible that is. They wouldn't know what it feels like for the world to crumble.

It was closer to rage, a mixture of emptiness, futility, and the injustice of it all. My pride vanished somewhere, and only a desperate, almost frenzied clamor rose within me.

So, I had no choice but to scream like a madwoman and cling to him. To beg, displaying my misery. Pitifully, desperately.

‘Did you worry about me? If so, why aren't you looking at me? Why did you follow me if you were just going to do this?!!’

If I were to walk into the forest now, would you follow me?

A foolish thought. I sighed and moved my feet. From afar, the laughter of young ladies hunting falcons echoed faintly.

As I mentioned before, Lavalliere did not hide his displeasure when I said I would participate in the hunt. He tried to dissuade me, very displeased with my decision. But unfortunately, you could not perfectly control a beast like me.

It was because my adoptive father became extremely agitated when I said I would attend with Roena.

Madame de Lavalier still lacked faith in me. She seemed apprehensive that I might make a mistake at an external event where she was not accompanying me.

You sincerely wished that I would not tarnish the name of the Bishvarts Family. Lavalliere was someone who cherished and loved his younger sibling and family more than anyone.

‘They can be more cruel than the old foxes of high society. They will gladly endure your mockery and ridicule. Will you still go?’

Lavalliere was wrong. The young ladies were rough and fierce like hungry hounds, but that was all. Their fangs were not aimed at me. For them, there was no more attractive prey than Roena.

Perhaps their probing, especially from Princess Irene, would be persistent and long-lasting until my value in shaking Roena was sufficiently proven. And that was something to be welcomed.

As I walked quietly along the forest path, I suddenly looked up at the sky and saw the shadow of a bird, likely a falcon, drawing a long arc as it flew. The hunt seemed to be in full swing.

When this time ended, there would be a time to feed the falcons, and many young ladies took advantage of that break to admire the falcons or spend intimate time talking with someone they fancied.

I, too, planned to admire the falcons then. Thinking of the dignified appearance of the hunting falcons I had seen within the Bishvarts Family, my heart inexplicably fluttered, and I felt a sense of joy. Perhaps I might even get a chance to pet a sleek, handsome hunting dog?

While falconry was a popular pastime among young ladies these days, few women dared to touch them bravely.

Most people were simply interested in the picnic enjoyed at the hunting grounds. After all, there was nothing more enjoyable than sitting askew in the shade of a quiet tree and sharing refreshments.

Today's falcon hunt seemed likely to turn out that way as well. Servants and maids were already carrying cloths and tableware to a clearing with a large tree a short distance from the tents, preparing for a small banquet. The scale seemed quite grand, as the items being moved were numerous.

“There are many dangerous places in this vicinity. If you intend to take a stroll, it would be best to walk elsewhere.”

When did he start following me? A familiar voice tickled my ears.

Lustewin Halberd. The Knight of Clear Hearing himself. He was clearly supposed to be by Roena's side, so why was he standing behind me? Unlike in the past, I was merely strolling around the area now…

Extremely surprised by this unexpected turn of events, I struggled to hide my trembling voice and managed to ask in a small voice,

“Isn't my escort someone else? Why are you, Sir?”

“Lady Roena is resting with her companion. Please do not worry, as Sir Bern is escorting her.”

Perhaps he thought I, wandering around the area, was more dangerous than Roena, who was resting.

Therefore, he must have temporarily entrusted Roena to Sir Bern, who was assigned to escort me, and followed me to the hunting grounds.

It was a perfectly reasonable action and the expected behavior of a knight of the Bishvarts Family, but I felt strangely embarrassed that his bright blue eyes were filled solely with me.

It was even more so when compared to the past, when his gaze was directed towards Roena even when he was with me.

The human heart is truly strange. I thought I had put my feelings in order by discarding the handkerchief he gave me, yet I still felt small like a child in front of him.

The venomous snake had disappeared, leaving only a small cat stretching lazily in the warm sunlight.

In truth, I should have learned indifference from Madame de Lavalier, not etiquette. Or perhaps I should have learned how to coldly cut off a piece of my heart. If not, I, I…

“You don't have to worry.”

I hid my trembling fingertips behind my back and spoke calmly. I worried if my voice was trembling strangely, or if the faint smile on my lips looked unsightly.

He was not interested in my appearance, but for me, who was feigning composure, it was a miracle that I didn't collapse on the spot.

Yes, let me admit it. A part of me did hope you would follow me. A foolish shred of lingering attachment still binds me.

However, I could no longer be swayed by him. So, I decided to resist this foolish lingering attachment once more.

“If this stroll causes fear in others, I will not do it. In other words, the incident you are concerned about will not happen. So, you don't have to be here. Aren't you worried about her, crying sadly? You are….”

I forced myself to suppress my gasping breaths, like someone who had run a long distance, and continued speaking calmly. It was the utmost courage I could muster.

“You are Roena's knight.”

Just then. Suddenly, a piercing scream and someone's shout were heard.

I instinctively turned my head in the direction of the sound, and in an instant, I saw a wild horse charging fiercely towards me and servants running to catch it. They were shouting something at me.

"Get out of the way?"

Heaven and earth turned upside down in an instant. In the blink of an eye, I felt pain in my head, back, and waist, and small specks of dust and grass tickled my face and neck.

I gasped for breath, trying to think clearly, as something solid pressed down on me. My ears were ringing, and my stomach churned.

After blinking a couple of times and moistening my trembling lips with my tongue, I finally realized the situation I was in.

The rough breath of another person tickling my nape, a strong forearm around my waist, and our legs tangled together – it was a situation I couldn't ignore.

“S-Sir Halberd?”

His blue eyes were inches from my face. He, the Knight of Clear Hearing, frowned and whispered to me.

“I told you about this danger. Are you alright?”

Even in this situation, his eyes were dazzlingly blue, reminiscent of the sky visible over his shoulder.

The fantastic feeling of Sir Halberd saving me did not last long. Being held in his arms was undoubtedly a sublime experience, but I could not ignore the temporal limitations that a knight's consideration could provide.

“Oh my! Are you alright, miss?”

With Marie's help, I managed to break free from his embrace. My arms and legs felt prickly from rolling on the rough grass.

Not only that, but I also felt a slight pain in my head and waist. My stomach churned so much that I wanted to throw up everything inside me. Whether it was a thick liquid mixed with saliva or the dregs of my feelings for him.

As the commotion was not small, the attention of the young ladies resting in the tents was drawn to us.

They approached me with curious expressions. Seemingly finding the commotion amusing, they chattered in light voices.

“Sir Halberd is truly a brave man.”

“Oh my, how could something like this happen?”

I looked at Roena, who was among the group. Her expression was one of extreme anxiety, as if she would have rushed to her knight to ask about his condition if no one were watching.

I thought she was worried that Sir Halberd might have been injured.

The praise for his bravery and dazzling chivalry, showered by the other young ladies, was too meager to compensate for any potential injury.

I suddenly feared if he—despite wearing armor—had been hurt. But knowing that all of this was due to my own past foolishness, I couldn't bring myself to approach him. Nor could I express my gratitude. All I wanted was to back away and flee.

All I could do was stand there blankly like a stone statue and watch them, but even that failed because of a servant wailing at me.

“I am so sorry. Please forgive me. Please, have mercy.”

He was dragged in by a servant belonging to the Bishvarts Family. He seemed terrified, perhaps anticipating his future.

His tear-streaked face was devastated by despair, looking like a condemned prisoner awaiting execution.

He appeared as helpless as a child, yet his eyes were sunken like those of a dying old man. Cold sweat poured down his darkened face like rain, and his lips, with their peeling white skin, convulsed with fear.

“The horse was startled by a bug and became extremely agitated, so I couldn't pull the reins properly. Otherwise, an accident where the horse charged at the young lady would not have happened. Please spare me. Please forgive me.”

Although it was an unexpected accident, the fact that the horse was not properly managed and that it charged directly at me was the problem.

Therefore, the fact that he was a servant belonging to another family was not an obstacle at all. Rather, it was his own lady who should have bowed her head in shame and embarrassment.