Ch#265
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 2 Episode 1
Side Story 2: Discovery
The empire's social circles were exceedingly licentious and strongly immoral. When someone started dating or married another, it was easily assumed to be for sexual reasons.
This was especially merciless toward women, with newlywed brides typically targeted as prey.
Cisse de Bischwaltz—no, now to be called Countess Bischwaltz—barely managed to straighten her twitching lips and remained quietly silent.
Before her stood a squat, ugly man spouting incessant bad jokes and seductive words. He boasted of his wealth, bragging that he spared no expense on his lovers.
Like a peacock fanning its splendid tail feathers to woo a mate, the man's attire was literally drenched in money.
Normally, such finery would elicit ritual praises like "quite fitting" or "rather impressive," but regrettably, the man's face ruined it all.
The stench pouring from his mouth with every word was like sewer water.
Above all, his fat, spread-out body made him seem older than he was, giving a sluggish and filthy impression. He was truly the worst kind of man—no appeal whatsoever.
Cisse inwardly lamented how laughable she must seem for such a man to pester her.
He seemed to believe himself as attractive as Sir Ailes. Or perhaps he blindly trusted the hideous third leg bulging over his pants. Or maybe someone lowborn had put him up to it. In any case, he was utterly unacceptable.
Social circles were lenient toward men compared to women, but not toward this one.
Beyond his hideously ugly appearance, his bedroom manners were utterly filthy. His sadistic, dirty lust and excessive narcissism provoked ridicule from partners.
If ugly, at least have a good personality.
Nobles often sneered about the man like that. Even courtesans avoided him.
In truth, he couldn't secure a lover normally. He had to buy them with money or blackmail. Thus, relationships never lasted. No woman could endure his mercenary demand for value equal to his payment.
Of course, he proudly boasted of frequently changing lovers. It cost a fortune, but it required ability nonetheless.
Though his wealth dwindled due to superficial women ignorant of true manhood.
However, such complaints would soon end. He eyed with greed the woman likely to become a wealthy widow, with her frail husband possibly near death.
Beyond her beauty, her obedient demeanor pleased him greatly. Having dealt with society's bold women, he inevitably yearned for such pure, innocent charm.
Thus, he wooed her with even greater fervor. His looks might pale slightly next to Sir Ailes, but he was confident in his wealth and manly prowess. After all, wasn't bedroom skill the pinnacle of manhood?
"Do you know how rare a man like me is? I excel at pleasing women and..."
Cisse swallowed a sigh at his attitude, which seemed endless. She'd listened patiently for reputation's sake, but his confidence had apparently soared. His sudden arrogant smile and puffed chest betrayed it.
The man sent her a lewd gaze as if she were already his, blatantly scanning her chest. Mistaking her distress for coquetry, he even winked.
Startled by the repulsive act, Cisse unwittingly bit the soft inner flesh of her cheek. Shame flushed her face crimson.
In truth, just a month ago, this man had molested a young lady debuting with Cisse, only to be soundly thrashed by her father. The comical incident lingered in everyone's minds.
Not only the blade relentlessly targeting his groin, but his terror-induced urine staining his pants made it unforgettable.
Cisse had witnessed the duel with a lady friend; she couldn't forget him slipping in his own piss, falling on his rear, and bursting into tears. It highlighted how bloodlines enabled such noble pretense. He was utterly pathetic.
Anyone with shame would seclude for a year until rumors faded. Yet he brazenly hit on women everywhere, desperately salvaging his pride—like a dog in heat.
Moreover, he seemed dimwitted, failing to use proper address for Cisse.
"...Lady Bischwaltz, so come with me—"
Unable to endure, Cisse swiftly cut him off. She'd restrained for reputation, but patience exhausted. She just wanted this vile pig gone from sight.
"You're not denying my husband's status by calling me that, nor unaware of my marriage—why address me as Lady? Do you know denying me and my husband defies His Majesty's command?"
Her icy tone flushed the man's face with bewilderment.
"A-hem. That's not it..."
"And what do you take me for to make such an unpleasant proposal? How rude."
"Unpleasant? Everyone knows you're involved with Sir Ailes—why react like that? Surely you don't judge men by looks like other fools? A man's not just a pretty face. A sturdy, inwardly upright man like me is best. A-hem, and I don't think I lag far behind Sir Ailes? Shall I prove it personally?"
The man reached with sweaty, sticky hands for her shoulder. Words failing, he'd resort to groping. His mind pictured the countess in his arms, coquettish.
*No matter how haughty, one good grab of those tits ends it.*
He smirked lewdly, thinking her fortunate to meet a true man like him.
No one suited her better. The impotent Count Bischwaltz or scrawny Sir Ailes couldn't possibly give her nightly pleasures.
Of course, her distressed evasion was mere teasing strategy. Such a naughty one.
But his intent was thwarted by an unexpected intruder shielding Cisse.
"What do you think you're doing? Can't you see the lady's frightened?"
Cisse's eyes widened in surprise. A stranger protected her. Racking her brain for familiarity, his back and voice were utterly unknown. Only his uniform was familiar—worn solely by Imperial Knights.
Caught off-guard, the man faltered. Facing the knight's menacing glare and interrogation, he hastily hid his hand behind his back, forcing an awkward smile.
Terror from a month ago resurfaced vividly—the humiliation of a blade flashing before him. Having wielded only knives for meat, he feared swordsmen.
He didn't even consider the youth's house. Only escape mattered.
Clearing his throat, he blurted, "We'll continue this later," and fled without awaiting reply.
His undignified retreat lacked any noble grace—like a whipped dog. Cisse sighed in relief.
"Are you alright? I hope I didn't disturb you by intruding."
The knight turned immediately upon the man's flight, apologizing to Cisse. Youthfully boyish, his shy face held innocent freshness.
Cisse eyed him politely. Indeed a stranger.
"No, thank you truly."
Her soft smile of gratitude flushed his face beet red. His prior bravery vanished; he blushed openly.
*Which of the two Imperial Knight Orders? Ideally under Sir Ailes.*
Cisse blinked slowly, pondering calmly. His youthful face evoked Jack.
"N-no, it's an honor to protect you, ma'am."
Objectively, unlike Jack, he was refreshingly handsome. Yelling at that rude man with this face would evoke a novel hero knight.
Yet before Cisse, he stiffened like wood, flustered. Red from cheeks trailed to his neck.
"How can I repay you?"
"Y-your words suffice."
Cisse stifled laughter at his demeanor. Amid society's serpents, this knight seemed wondrous.
Even devoted Sir Ailes wasn't this innocent. After Jack and Arina, a rare pure emotion.
Anyway, he'd saved her from the vile pig; she wanted to repay him. Without him, she'd have been trapped.
She refused her honor sullied by such a man. House Bischwaltz's honor was hers alone to tarnish.
"I can't. It's only right to repay."
"It's fine."
"Please. Don't make me an ingrate."
His face crimson, eyes squeezed shut, he blurted unexpectedly.
"I admire you."
"...Pardon?"
"I-I admire you, ma'am. That's why I wanted to protect you. So no repayment, please."
"So right now..."
Cisse trailed off, scrutinizing him.
Buttons to his neck, spotless new cloak, crisply ironed pants—reeking of fresh knight recruit.
Thus, she couldn't properly react to the absurd confession. Rookies sometimes faced hazing initiations.
Was this such a prank? Noble men often belittled women.
Suddenly, the once-innocent knight seemed vile. Thinking her easy prey amid the bad reputation man?
Her eyes chilled, narrowing slyly. Pondering how to satisfy their base tastes was headache-inducing. Truly mountains beyond mountains.
But the knight reacted first.
"I'll take my leave. Be careful!"
Regardless of her response, he valued confessing. Avoiding her gaze betrayed it.
His overly formal farewell? Urgent footsteps echoed as he vanished instantly—fleeing shame.
Left alone, Cisse stared dazedly after him. From sleazy pig to feigned-innocent knight—what was happening?
Sighing at the successive disasters, she pressed her forehead. Imagining knights snickering unseen irked her.
"What the hell? What is this...?"
She always felt the empire's nobles were subpar. No, beyond bad—indescribably awful. Thus, such situations revived past disgust, driving her mad.
Enduring as elegant lady had limits; constant harassment for being woman or married grated.
Social circles spared few women lechers' advances. Unless grotesquely ugly, old, poor, terrifyingly backed, or shamelessly mad.
"But I still can't even raise my voice properly."
Regrettably, the frail Count Bischwaltz couldn't shield her.
Nor could she rely solely on Sir Ailes morally.
Affairs and lovers abounded, but leniency for social newcomer? Unlikely.
Few endured deliberate taming. The pig approached Cisse due to such tacit assumptions removing barriers. Thus, swallow the injustice—for now.
Cisse sighed, retracing steps. She'd promised a palace garden stroll with lady friends, but this mood ruined it. Claiming illness, she took to bed.
Fuming at impending gossip, she feared rage-induced illness.
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper
Novel by Yeolmae
Author: Yeolmae
Publisher: Kwon Tae-wan, Woo Cheon-je
eBook Publication Date: 2017-12-22
Production: CL Production
Address: 1108-ho, 41 Digital-ro 31-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul
This book is published as an eBook by KWBOOKS under contract with the copyright holder.
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