Ch#267
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 2 Episode 3
At some point, the man dubbed the "pig" in social circles vanished from sight. It turned out he'd been ambushed and wouldn't be able to move for at least a few months. There were even rumors he'd been stabbed in a vital spot, rendering him a eunuch.
In any case, with the fool who'd entertained everyone temporarily exiting stage left, people smacked their lips in regret.
Some cackled that he could no longer pester women, mocking him as a sodomite. But even that soon became trivial banter.
The next rumor was that Sir Aires was drilling the Knights Order mercilessly. Initial suspicions linked it to Countess Bischwaltz's sake—given Sir Alpheus's presence in the Order—but the sight of knights being trained equally quelled doubts.
Well, Sir Alpheus did hit the ground more often and run the training grounds excessively, but as a newbie, it was unavoidable, leaving everyone convinced.
Thus, Michael Aires naturally gained justification to thrash Alpheus. He beat the Alpheus scion ruthlessly to prevent any foolish thoughts toward another.
A man hale in the morning would crawl out like a beast by training's end. Sometimes vomiting mid-crawl. Fainting was routine.
Yet to the vice captain's query if such brutality was warranted, Michael casually replied, "Don't they hammer a blade repeatedly to forge a fine sword?"
As if sacrificing himself to nurture genius.
Thus, people praised Sir Aires for genuinely cherishing talent, rumor or not. Sir Alpheus, crossing swords up close, thought otherwise.
Thwack.
A dull impact echoed across the training grounds. Paired knights flinched, sighing. Their faces read, "Here we go again."
Ilya Alpheus swallowed a groan, steadying his reeling body. The captain's kick to his gut carried emotion today—as always. Not speculation, certainty.
No fool, he'd quickly realized from experience the captain harbored personal feelings toward him. Rage-like, even.
Ilya struggled to straighten. The detestable captain loomed before him, but exhaustion made even holding his sword grueling.
Still, he yearned to smack that smug face once. Gritting teeth, he charged.
Yet only agony and yellowed vision returned. Genius though he was—Sir Halberd's heir—he couldn't match Michael Aires, peer to the legendary knight.
That fueled rage more. Ilya truly couldn't fathom why Cisse de Bischwaltz chose such a man. A coward abusing rank to torment rivals.
Ilya recalled first meeting her. Forced to a ball proxying his ailing father, he'd witnessed her sudden collapse.
A stranger's death struck intensely, fearfully. Thus, her revival mesmerized him. Blood returning to pale lips, life flushing pallid skin, sealed eyes softly fluttering—reverence dawned.
He'd never known life's return so beautiful. Inexpressible emotion. His boredom-stiffened heart thundered vividly.
From then, he adored Cisse de Bischwaltz. Young and powerless, he watched from afar—content. Her imperial-forced marriage to a lowly commoner incensed him, yet proximity consoled.
Her groom an impotent invalid near death? Welcome news. Soon, opportunity to approach.
Did others think similarly? Men swarmed her. Overt courtship scenes furrowed brows. Ilya clenched fists.
Among them, Michael Aires worst. He didn't suit her. Hadn't he publicly forsaken her at victory banquet? Thus her pitiable marriage. Yet shamelessly clinging—unfathomable. Penance, perhaps.
Noble Ice Knight?
Ignoring clinging women made him "noble"? Ilya sneered at the absurd moniker. Insult to language.
The man was an emotional beast, unfair coward, deceiving fraud.
Ilya had never met baser. Someone must expose the truth behind that pretty face—yet all praised blindly, even his father.
'Training under Sir Aires? An honor. Study diligently.'
Damn honor.
Ilya conceded Michael's skill genuine—not face or house. He'd gasped unwittingly at first clash.
But that was it. Sparring revealed jealousy beyond measure, casual brutality via strength, vile speech. Noble restraint hid barbs—worse.
"Slacking due to talent? My methods dissatisfy? Fitting for a pampered genius."
A blunt "Leave my lover" would've earned scorn. Instead, merciless training—petty.
Initially, Ilya took pride sparring the captain. Mistaking sacrifice for growth, he'd felt respect. Expressing thanks amid thrashings—until realizing the ploy for his feelings.
Ilya glared openly, rage undisguised. Did Cisse know this filth? Pity her wasted on arrogant brute. She deserved better—like him.
The young Alpheus knight masked cold fury, replying lowly.
"I'm trying."
"Trying's insufficient. Devote all to sword, save sleep, to training. Else, you'll fall behind."
Sounded advisory. But Ilya no longer fooled. Warning: no room for Cisse amid sword focus. Thus, unwittingly provoking.
"Dreams alright then?"
"What?"
The captain's grimace confirmed understanding. Vigorous youth's night dreams—what else?
"No, my dreams—no permission needed."
"Sleeping while dreaming? Training too easy."
"Can't call it Aires-training if I can't endure."
Michael laughed at his words. Perpetual ice thawing to sun-like brilliance, beauty.
Ilya grasped women's frenzy. Emperor and Crown Prince days dominating society—likely.
Suppressing ire, eyes fixed. Nothing superior—no house, sword, looks, build. Only youth.
"Good spirit."
"Pardon?"
"Thriving in training—satisfying. No hesitation onward."
Michael scraped casually. No novice to provocation. Paths diverged vastly.
Elite on smooth roads? No—struggles crowning emperor. Mere flea bites, laughable. Irksome: target adoring Cisse.
Should've severed leg sans mercy. Moderating for her reputation's sake.
Michael quelled killing intent, smiling benevolently. To others: superior cherishing subordinate.
Thus, Ilya rolled harder. Crawling fortunate; daily blackouts ensued.
No aid. Cheers, perhaps. Barracks bets: how long till Alpheus breaks?
***
Cisse de Bischwaltz denied firmly; Michael Aires cherished, trained confessor—Alpheus rumors faded swiftly.
People lamented easy end. Simultaneously relieved: Countess no such seductress.
Few envied her cute knight scandal. Better than none.
Regrettably, her scandals ongoing. Shy flight post-confession? Vanished—now persistent letters from Ilya Alpheus.
Cisse frowned at bold missives to House Bischwaltz, heedless of eyes.
Rumors dormant now, but inevitable eventually. Avoid reproof from start.
She eyed neat envelope gravely. Initially burned suspiciously; persistence exhausted her. No replies expected—yet continued.
Knights so relentless?
Brow arched, she grudgingly gripped paper knife. Reply "enough" required reading.
Uncertain if sincere or trap, hoped no blushing. Prayed no ploy to torment her.
Reviving House Bischwaltz overwhelmed. Beasts lurked to devour; vigilance essential.
Mother's unchanging illness depressed. Her actions shut heart's door—but past life, who sacrificed more?
Lame sister, fatherless brother—must stand firm. Even Michael ignoring scandal, aiding growth, seemed envious.
Complex mood tore envelope ragged. Stubborn seal mangled corner. Thankfully legible.
Knight's script neat as envelope. Direct content. Gist: tragic with hypocrite Aires; break for happiness. Meddlesome overreach.
What does he want?
Cisse sighed exasperatedly, quill in hand. Noblewoman-like flourishes elongated simple message.
[My affair. None of yours.]
Crushing affection easy—experienced. No leeway. Dubious sincerity anyway.
True care? No loud proclamation. Mere mire-invitation.
Else: senseless knight sans politics, insight.
Anyway, heed intent. Quiet retreat welcome.
Cisse massaged stinging eyes, sighing. Tea soon; mother, sister visit study.
Roena's grumbles, whines incoming routine.
Forced smile, refocused on documents.
Michael seemed rumor-oblivious. Likely unaware of letters.
Cisse forced twitching lips up. Quill-hand heavy today. Gaze on blank sheet. Finally, closed documents, eyes.
Jealousy recurrent, ever novel. Thus, current fear. Ugly relapse?
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.
Unauthorized reproduction of this book's content without the publisher's permission is prohibited by copyright law.