Ch#266
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 2 Episode 2
However, contrary to Cisse's expectations, the rumors flowed in a very romantic direction. Everywhere she went, the talk was of how a new recruit from the Imperial Knights had rescued Countess Bischwaltz from distress and confessed his feelings.
"It's Sir Alpheus. Sir Ilya Alpheus."
As Cisse lay feigning illness, a few acquaintances visited her. They spilled the gossip rampant in society, freely sharing details about the knight who had saved her.
He was a genius knight who had just joined the Knights Order, only seventeen years old, with a boyish freshness and handsome looks that set many women's hearts ablaze.
Yet this same man had revealed his affection for Countess Bischwaltz, causing an uproar everywhere.
"Heavens, Sir Alpheus is said to adore you—I'm so envious! What's the secret to winning knights' love? Tell me."
The noblewoman grumbled, rolling her eyes. As fellow married women, she couldn't fathom why she lacked appeal from other men.
"Have you met him before? Was it love at first sight? Did he say so?"
The woman's curiosity-fueled passion was annoyingly intense. Her endless barrage of questions was overwhelming. Cisse grew exhausted from the nonstop chatter.
Cisse trailed off her words, toying with the noblewoman's impatience. By repeatedly stalling the conversation, the woman's mouth gradually fell silent.
"Well......"
In truth, House Alpheus was a noble family utterly unconnected to Cisse in her previous life or now. Had she not met him this time, she wouldn't even have known a young lord of that age existed. With such striking looks, she'd have remembered even a passing glance.
Yet no matter how she searched her memories, their eyes had never met.
The odd part was that the story of her being accosted by the pig was completely omitted, with only the confession from the young, handsome knight highlighted. If it had truly been a Knights Order initiation prank as she suspected, the focus would have been on the pig's harassment.
Cisse swallowed a sigh amid her growing confusion. She couldn't fathom how things had unfolded.
'Could it really have been love at first sight? No way...... Why on earth?'
In any case, she now received courtship not only from Sir Ailes but also from a fledgling knight named Alpheus. It was the envy of all. Even the noblewoman before her couldn't hide the jealousy in her eyes, her lips pursing.
'Oh no, another headache.'
Cisse de Bischwaltz flashed a soft smile as if unperturbed, smoothly deflecting the noblewoman's fussing.
"The rumors have been greatly exaggerated. That brave knight was so shy he rescued me and left immediately. We didn't even have a proper conversation. Otherwise, how could I not know his name?"
"So you didn't receive a confession?"
"Of course not. Rumors always get blown out of proportion, don't they?"
"Really? That's strange. It couldn't be......"
"I'm curious who started such nonsense. It's only been so long since my marriage. It upsets me. Do you know, by chance?"
Cisse acted as if the gossip were a complete fabrication.
"Oh, well? Who could it be? I'm curious too."
"I hope this baseless rumor dies down quickly. I don't know who vilely seeks to put me in a difficult spot, but I have only my husband."
At Cisse's words, the noblewoman's face twisted slightly. Her expression screamed disbelief: 'Everyone knows you're involved with Sir Ailes—such pretense.'
Pretending ignorance, Cisse persisted with her claim of innocence and conspiracy. Her feigned outrage was so convincing that the noblewoman eventually softened, agreeing they must find the culprit.
Of course, her darting eyes suggested guilt, but Cisse didn't press. In society, eternal allies didn't exist. She just needed to use the woman well.
With jealousy and suspicion gone, a pleasantly lighthearted, amiable woman sat before her.
Today's visitor was infamous in society for her loose tongue. Having softened her this much, the rumor that the confession was false might circulate before day's end. Cisse truly hoped so.
'Especially, it needs to reach Sir Ailes's ears......'
She had heard various vile rumors about herself before, but this was the first time she fretted over others' reactions like this. Yet thinking of Mel, known as her lover, she had no choice.
His jealousy over Jack, like a younger brother, proved it. Michael Aires was a man of exceedingly delicate emotions.
Of course, no reaction yet despite the rampant rumors suggested they hadn't reached him fully. Still, no secret lasted forever; they'd reach his ears eventually.
Cisse hoped the falsehood of the confession would spread alongside.
Even so, she feared Sir Ailes's reaction. Her only wish was no misunderstanding. Thus, she anxiously awaited his visit.
And soon enough, she beheld the astonishingly calm Ice Knight.
***
When Michael Aires heard the rumor that the Alpheus House fledgling had confessed to Cisse de Bischwaltz, he wasn't as angry as expected.
His family, knowing his foul temper, worriedly watched him instead. They even dragged the returning knight by the hand into a room stocked for destruction—led by his brother, of course.
Michael Aires was bewildered by their foolish plea to rampage freely but spare his sound knightly legs.
He swore by the gods he wasn't angry at the rumor—or Cisse. The Cisse he knew was an exceedingly lovable woman of such worth. No, what could be done about her allure drawing others?
He thought so while irritably kicking his brother's stunned rear in the intact room.
Rather, praise for the discerning eye recognizing a true lady. A genius succeeding Sir Halberd—clearly with one good eye.
Some spouted nonsense that the unchaste woman had seduced the young knight, but that was worthless drivel too. Wasn't attraction to a beautiful woman natural?
It merely drove home that the beauty in his eyes shone for others too. Thus, Michael deeply reflected on appearing so approachable that the boy dared confess. Had he seemed unapproachable, the lad would have valued his life too much.
"Indeed, I must grab one as an example and thrash him."
The 'one' Michael meant was the swollen-gutted Alpheus fledgling. Of course, he hadn't forgotten to first slaughter the piglet who had dared accost Cisse improperly. Michael was meticulous.
The Ice Knight smiled satisfactorily at his swiftly set schedule. He could handle this secretly from Cisse too. He had ample ability.
Thus, Michael casually reined in his feelings about the rumor. First, though, he needed to check Cisse's heart.
Michael Aires had a servant prepare pretty flowers, then visited Cisse with them. While others buzzed excitedly over a lovers' quarrel from the rumors, reality was a gloomy beast prostrating before its beautiful master. Incidentally, to flaunt his appeal too.
'Out of sight, out of mind'—a lapse in vigilance might revert Mel Aires to just a name. Thus, he needed to wag his tail for affection. In their relationship, he was always the emotional subordinate.
Perhaps due to scarce meetings amid work lately? The Cisse he saw after so long was several times more beautiful than remembered. More than at the debutante ball.
Michael Aires was breathless at her pure allure, speechless. He merely hid his trembling hand and quietly offered the flowers.
"Mel?"
Cisse called his name worriedly. The simple sound was seductive. Michael felt his ears burn, forcing a smile.
In that instant, he fell again. Not just for looks. Her indescribable loveliness made his heart pound wildly, dizzingly.
Effortlessly concealing his racing heart, Michael slowly sat. He gazed at Cisse in rapture.
Simultaneously pondering how to receive more adoration. To justify crushing the Alpheus fledgling too.
"Why so silent? Is something wrong?"
"Nothing at all, Cisse."
"But......"
Cisse hesitated before continuing.
"Are you angry, by chance?"
Her subdued voice lacked strength. Michael widened his eyes at her words, denying instantly.
"How could I? I'd die before getting angry at you, Cisse. How dare I?"
Cisse still didn't know. How Michael Aires was too busy thinking of her. Guiding her cautiously, she probed.
"No. If upset, you should express it. No need to hold back."
"What could upset me about you, Cisse?"
Cisse fell silent, observing his expression. Indeed, her knight was unchanged. The kindly curved eyes, the affectionate, gentle voice—all the Michael Aires she knew.
Had he not heard the rumors yet? Or was he enduring despite hearing? He wouldn't stay still if he knew. He'd even been jealous of Jack, like a sibling.
Cisse couldn't broach the rumor first. She knew he wouldn't condemn her conduct, yet slight anxiety lingered. Having never received pure love in her past life, she was clumsy and immature emotionally.
Thus, unprepared for the unfamiliar, she felt vulnerable. Sometimes thinking desperate clinging better.
"Actually, I may spar with Sir Alpheus unavoidably and worried you might misunderstand."
"Misunderstand?"
"Yes. Routine training as Knight Commander, lest strange rumors arise."
For a moment, Cisse nearly blurted, 'You feel nothing about this?' Unlike her anxiety, Michael Aires seemed utterly calm. He claimed she was everything, yet no tension showed.
Thus? A past phrase flitted through her mind.
'Men are all the same. Once they think you're theirs, they quickly look elsewhere. Funny thing is, they keep saying they love you. Tricks to reassure. Anyone can say words.'
Had his feelings cooled already? Was this trivial then?
She couldn't ask outright; past rejections hurt too deeply. Thus, courage failed her. Only to circle words, probing intent as usual.
"One helped me—shouldn't I repay?"
"Usually, yes."
"If they refuse?"
"What happened?"
"......Nothing. Rather, how do you preempt rumors in training?"
"Cisse? It's not as harsh as thought...... Training risks injury, but purely for swordsmanship— no personal grudge......"
Cisse smiled picture-perfect at his rapid excuses. Calmly replying, her tone oddly deflated.
"Yes, Mel handles it well. Don't worry about rumors swaying us."
"Cisse?"
"Who else would I trust if not Mel? Rumors exaggerate anyway. I don't rise or fall for them. Nor you, right?"
"True, but......"
"Speaking of, the flowers are lovely. Thank you. I'll put them in a vase."
Something's off, right?
Michael felt vaguely uneasy but overlooked it, charmed by her carefully handing the flowers to the maid.
Simultaneously vowing: eyes discerning, so crush all but the face. Ilya Alpheus, his subordinate, was easy to handle.
Thus, setting aside the fledgling, he focused on Cisse. Time too short to waste on a dark-haired boy.
As Cisse passed flowers to the maid, Michael wagged his tail vigorously, coaxing affectionate touch.
A few more days, and he'd escape the Emperor's paperwork hell—but feigning exhaustion without hinting, repeating woes. Finally drawing her hand to his cheek.
Michael wanted her to initiate contact. Thus, in kisses, he induced her approach nine in ten times. Gauging her mood, gradually pouring affection like soaking in water.
Like a great beast learning 'wait' from its master. Such contact alone brought world-conquering joy.
"I hope work eases soon, for more time with you, Cisse."
"......Yes."
Cisse mulled one word, watching him nuzzle her palm with sweet sighs.
Trust.
He ignores such rumors because he trusts me. Nothing else needed.
She thought so. Only then could she breathe.
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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