Ch#268
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 2 Episode 4
A man's jealousy was ferocious. In vulgar terms, it was like a beast losing its reason and rampaging. Outwardly calm and composed, the boiling rage crushed his patience relentlessly. After learning that the insolent fledgling was daring to send letters to Cisse—the fact that House Bischwaltz had one maid already in his pocket beforehand was fortunate—murderous intent arose.
Indeed, his mind was filled with all sorts of cruel imaginings. Michael Aires let out a hollow laugh, rubbing his forehead. He felt like he might really commit something irreversible at this rate.
Those around him praised him as the Knight of Ice, so cold and composed, but one's innate nature couldn't be fully hidden. Now, merely rolling him in the training grounds no longer satisfied. His gaze kept drifting toward a real sword rather than a practice one for that reason.
The young knight of House Alpheus knew no moderation. He kept provocatively challenging Michael without fear. It was less courage and more a lowly ploy born from shallow scheming. He knew the weight of honor Michael Aires bore was heavier than his own name, making it possible.
Throughout history, winning a beauty was never easy. Michael Aires readily acknowledged this truth. With even his friend the Emperor coveting her, there was no reason she wouldn't catch others' eyes. But what could be done? Falling for her was the crime.
Of course, such reckless charging lacked thrill. The clueless worm squirming at his feet was quite irritating. At this point, shouldn't he eliminate it decisively?
In truth, if Michael Aires willed it, he could destroy Sir Alpheus right now under any pretext.
But the crucial matter was Cisse's feelings upon receiving the letters. If she grieved over the young knight's removal, it would be exceedingly troublesome. Michael never wanted to see Cisse unhappy, no matter the circumstances.
Thus, he suppressed his murderous heart firmly. He wanted to rush to her and demand what they discussed, to question why she accepted that fledgling's letters, but he barely held back.
Above all, he wanted to check if her heart wavered, but he deliberately averted his gaze.
It was fear. Though bound under the name of lovers, it was truly his one-sided courtship.
It was a hand finally grasped. If she deemed his actions obsessive and felt contempt, leaving him—he couldn't endure it. When he'd expressed jealousy over Jack, her troubled expression made it even more so.
She already loathed suspicion due to the Emperor's tests. Because of that experience, Cisse de Bischwaltz hated any behavior that restrained or monitored her.
Thus, Michael couldn't act rashly. A man in love inevitably became such a coward.
***
"Madam......"
Head maid Marie glanced warily at Cisse before placing the letter from the silver tray on the desk. Cisse swallowed a sigh at the familiar handwriting on the envelope.
Despite her previous reply telling him to stop, the young knight clung persistently. She couldn't fathom what about her ignited his heart, but he insisted she deserved happiness.
Astonishingly, the knight's letter brimmed with contempt for Sir Ailes. Ilya Alpheus seemed to have forgotten Michael Aires was her lover, harshly condemning his actions—despite the Knight of Ice personally wielding a sword to nurture his talent.
[......No, Madam, you are deceived by his mask. So please grant me just one meeting. If you do, I can prove Sir Ailes's ugly side. This is not jealousy-driven slander. I merely wish happiness for the lady who stole my heart. That suffices. Please allow it. If you do, I promise no more letters to bother you.]
What 'ugly side' did he mean? Surely not referring to Sir Ailes's rough nature.
Cisse de Bischwaltz let out a hollow laugh, recalling the man who always showed only tenderness before her. She knew Michael Aires possessed exceedingly harsh hands, contrary to his moniker.
Outwardly cool as ice, inwardly boiling ready to erupt. Was Ilya Alpheus decrying that as duplicity?
[Will you truly send no more letters? Then I accept.]
She hesitated briefly before dipping the quill deeply in ink and writing elegantly. Last time she'd circled vaguely at length, but this time, she needed blunt finality, penning straightforwardly.
[I gratefully accept your wish for my happiness. But I am truly happy now.]
Her hand paused at the final sentence, but she forced it to end.
"......My affection hasn't cooled. But why show no interest in this? You're suddenly becoming distant, Mel."
Murmuring 'Mel,' her tongue tip grazed her lower teeth, curling to the palate. It stung at the end, scraped too hard.
In any case, how absurd. Cisse set down the quill with another hollow laugh. Forgetting all his courtship over this one incident and growing anxious......
But to date a less unfortunate Cisse, such pain must be endured. People's feet are always held by past experiences. Deeming herself foolishly melancholic, she poured red wax over the envelope.
"Thus, end this cleanly and forget."
Days later, Ilya Alpheus sent a letter with time and place. Cisse gazed indifferently before burning it in a candle flame.
***
'He's complaining of harsh treatment and wants to leave the Knights Order. What happened, Knight Commander? Not venting personal grudges over prior rumors, I hope? Or protesting to strike down House Alpheus?']
Michael Aires paused mid-corridor in the Imperial Palace, roughly sweeping back his bangs. Summoned suddenly by the Emperor to his reception room, he'd been berated over House Alpheus's fledgling.
As if all fault lay with him. His good mood plummeted accordingly.
Michael Aires twisted his lips in a cold sneer. In truth, there was no reason for His Solar Majesty to fuss so over a middling noble house like Alpheus.
Another knight dubbed Sword Genius could bolster the Emperor, but after rigorous training, he lacked potential to surpass Michael or Sir Halberd.
His honest, by-the-book swordplay lacked adaptability and instinct. Superior to peers in textbook forms, but that was it. No cause for the Emperor's investment.
Yet summoning Sir Ailes for a warning was for appearances. To show embracing nobles amid conflicts.
No, House Alpheus was pretext; it was ugly jealousy toward Michael monopolizing Cisse. Fitting for that man.
'Ha, but he schemed astutely.'
The Knight of Ice grinned ferociously, thinking of the fledgling hiding behind his house for such a clever ploy.
The unexpected blow stung. Deeming him middling, yet a beast with sharper claws. A male eyeing the hierarchy. Thus, his eyes burned fiercely despite the training grounds ordeal.
"At this point, time to break him. Haha. Fearless pup. Quite amusing."
Had he been too lenient? Should've snapped a leg early, risking Cisse's ire. 'Harsh treatment'—a plausible excuse.
What nonsense. If real, he wouldn't have a tongue left.
In truth, the Imperial Knights Order oath included enduring broken bones in training willingly. Mishaps deemed personal negligence.
Knights signed gladly themselves. Thus, House Alpheus's head or Emperor couldn't interfere. Ignoring the sacred contract undermined discipline.
Yet pressuring thus?
He strode swiftly to the training grounds. At center, House Alpheus's fledgling sparred relentlessly with a senior knight.
Arms crossed, watching, Ilya met his gaze challengingly. Michael flashed an outward smile—lips curling on an expressionless face.
Chill radiating, surrounding knights recoiled in alarm. Ignoring, Michael called the young knight.
"Sir Alpheus."
"Was my instruction too harsh?"
"Yes."
"To the point of brutality?"
"Yes."
The training grounds chilled rapidly at Ilya's unhesitating replies. Michael scoffed.
"Have you never read the oath before joining?"
"I have."
"Then you're not illiterate—just stupid."
"......"
Bristling at the sarcasm, Ilya bit his lip without retort. Face full of worldly grievances. That expression screamed youth. A child dissatisfied when things didn't go his way. Had the Crown Prince looked thus at five? Michael continued calmly.
"Youthful folly, perhaps. I'll provide evaluations henceforth—take them."
"......What do you mean?"
"So House Alpheus's head rests easy. His Majesty too."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Who lacks complaints like yours? Dislike training? Leave. Or endure silently. Praised as genius by all, thought yourself empire's unparalleled talent? Delusion. Your talent outpaces peers abnormally, but not mine. Far from Sir Halberd's. Using inevitable stagnation as shield for this farce—bold indeed."
"Aren't you tormenting me using your position?"
Gasps echoed. Knights gawked at Ilya incredulously. Eyes screamed, 'Has he lost his mind?'
In a hierarchy-bound Order, a green rookie near-insubordination.
"Not just dim—delusional too."
Such deadpan scratched deepest. Ilya clenched fists, quelling tremors. Hated that sleek face gazing leisurely.
"Am I wrong?"
"Why would I?"
"Because!"
"Even if so, why?"
Michael curved eyes softly, smiling chillingly.
"Once in my Order, endure. Or leave. Talents aplenty to fill your spot. Training ends here. Practice autonomously if you wish. Dismissed."
Gracefully turning, elegance dripped. Knights stared blankly at the superior vanishing after dropping a bomb. Silence fell; only the culprit moved.
Ilya ground teeth, charging after Michael. Too swift for interference.
"He's mad."
"Agreed. Utterly deranged. Hasn't grasped the situation."
"Thinks Knight of Ice moniker means true composure?"
"Perhaps. After all that beating—still clueless?"
"Idiot."
"......Can't fathom how he joined. Skilled with sword, but utterly obtuse. Maddening. No tact? Just more beatings?"
"Leave him. Needs it to wise up."
Knights murmured, sighing, gathering scattered weapons. Some bet if Sir Alpheus would appear tomorrow.
But no worry for the pursuing junior. Can't endure? Fall behind. Reason for no insubordination thus far.
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
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