Ch#271
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 2 Episode 7
Being honest wasn't difficult. The problem was just getting started. Michael Aires began spilling the feelings he'd kept bottled up in half-denial. Pretending to be a good man was no longer feasible. His obsession-tainted heart had long surpassed acceptable limits.
"You asked how I felt hearing the Alpheus House young knight confessed to you? I was too busy pondering how to eliminate him and pry him from you to even glance your way. I've always done that."
"Always......"
"Yes, always, every time, without fail. I couldn't just watch the mongrels loitering around you go free. No, that's all I can do. Because I believe the choice is yours."
"The choice is mine?"
"You still don't know?"
Michael Aires smiled. A smile full of anguish. He clenched his fist, finding her innocently questioning him both lovable and terrifying.
"Then now you know."
The truth they now faced was nothing short of a nightmare for both. It laid bare the veiled reality.
The love they'd thought solidly bound was in truth thin ice riddled with cracks. A man forever anxious of his lover's moods and a woman unable to fully reveal her heart to him—it could only be so.
"Even as I hide my jealousy tightly, I act without qualms. Thus, if I don't rein it in well, you might tire of me someday. It's beyond jealousy over that kid Jack. Better to stay one step back like now, respecting your opinion. If you allow it now, I'd kneel and beg you not to discard me."
Was this truly Michael Aires, casually uttering unimaginable words in a cynical tone? She'd thought only his hidden personality was bad, but this peeled layer matched her past self perfectly. No, eerily identical. She'd thought herself a better Cisse de Bischwaltz, but it was delusion. Merely better at control.
"You embraced my violent acts and rough words generously, but you can't embrace this wicked heart too. Even I'd be afraid. But today, I'll be honest. Like always, leaning on your generosity to act spoiled. So forgive me a little. I won't even hint afterward."
Having experienced the past, she'd thought jealousy ugly. No, she'd thought so. Thus, his nonchalant attitude felt cruel, yet she couldn't express it.
Men naturally shaped love to their ideals, so she feared his feelings changing at her altered demeanor.
Yet this commonplace attitude hid such sticky emotions. How had she not noticed until now?
It proved his actions covert and calculated. She should curse the cunning bastard and feel revulsion, yet oddly, joy came first.
*You felt the same as me. Anxious with the same heart. Thank goodness.*
Cisse pressed her churning chest with one hand. Thinking him disinterested had hurt, but learning otherwise nearly drew laughter.
"Is that all?"
"What do you mean?"
"No more hiding."
"...If you promise no gaze of contempt."
Michael Aires, in anxious panic, missed her voice softening from moments ago. He merely cowered in fear of abandonment.
"Yes, I promise."
The man opened his mouth docilely, nearly resigned. Her not fleeing despite his words sparked faint hope.
A torrent of misdeeds poured from his lips. Unimaginable numbers. He counted them on fingers, exceeding ten. Among his victims were those Cisse didn't even recall.
Cisse's expression grew ever more peculiar as his words dragged on. Blinded by jealousy, his acts were thorough and systematic. Some punishments seemed so justified she doubted using her as excuse. Others so childish she wanted to ask why.
Of course, Michael downplayed his misdeeds—not wanting to shock her further—but cases seeming trivial pretexts were inevitable.
Moreover, remembering every detail was astonishing. It meant that much rage toward them. His persistence chilled her.
"Am I scary?"
The man, finished speaking, sneaked glances. A large beast with drooping ears overlaid his face.
"If I say yes, what changes?"
"I can't stay by someone who fears me."
"You'd just watch me leave? Heartless."
"But I can't watch you wither by my side either. Who am I to burden you? Better I suffer. And circle you obsessively like when we first met, craving affection."
"And if I ignore you?"
"That's fine."
What a fool. Cisse finally sighed. The terrifying man pressuring Sir Alpheus had vanished; here was a pathetic beast. One saying drag it by the collar if you please.
*We're alike after all. Fearing outright jealousy would scare the other away. Circling the important, peeking at each other—laughably identical.*
Cisse relaxed her shoulders, reaching for the teacup. She slowly sipped the cold tea.
"Mel."
Michael's eyes widened at the pet name. If he had a tail, it'd wag furiously.
His blatant reaction melted her inner complaints. Rising then were joy, satisfaction, and kinship.
*So I must be honest too. It's only polite.*
"I was scared."
"Pardon?"
"Hurt. Angry. Upset. Frightened."
Michael's face twisted oddly as her words continued. He looked unable to comprehend—or believe—what he heard.
"What does that......"
"You seemed disinterested in me."
"Why think that......"
"Sir Alpheus confessed, yet no reaction. You didn't even inquire about our exchanges afterward. You even helped train your rival."
"That's!"
Cisse swiftly cut off his excuse.
"Yes, now I know. It wasn't training. But think: I'm officially Viscountess Bischwaltz. A stain on your reputation. How could I not be anxious?"
"Don't think that. You know how badly I want to be Bischwaltz?"
"I know. You always watch out for me. Always. This too—gauging my reaction?"
"Yes."
"While tormenting Sir Alpheus behind my back."
"...I won't deny it."
"But without showing it, how was I to know? Good lord, we needed time like today."
At her near-exclamation, relieved Michael joked deliberately.
"Takes courage to sip cold tea nonchalantly."
"...Worried I'd rise without drinking?"
"Yes."
"How rude of me."
"Not at all."
Cisse shook her head with a faint smile at his demeanor.
"Don't say that. You've never once blamed me. How?"
The men he'd handled numbered enormously. Once or twice, fine—but persistent harassment would anger anyone.
He might suspect and vent sleazily like others. Yet Aires looked puzzled, as if hearing nonsense.
"Why blame you? Flowers aren't pretty only to me, jewels don't sparkle solely for me. They have proper taste. Aesthetic eyes finding the most beautiful. But since they can never have you, shouldn't I warn them off forever?"
"Plan to keep warning?"
"...If you don't fear me."
"If I do?"
"...I'll find undetected ways."
No promise to stop. Utterly brazen. Cisse nearly laughed aloud. He felt no shame in his jealousy. Merely feared her hatred.
"Not too harshly."
"Yes."
In the end, needless worry self-inflicted. He was ever constant.
Cisse felt ashamed of her foolishness. Clinging to anxiety, she'd forced his hidden efforts into the open. He'd deceived her; she'd made Mel the victim. Yet only Michael Aires fretted apologetically.
Cisse reached, grasping his sleeve. In a low voice, she murmured apology.
"I'm sorry."
"Pardon?"
"Sorry for not trusting."
"Forgive me. Sorry for deceiving. Forgive this base heart that can't let go."
"No. Whatever your personality, actions—never scary or frightening. All for me, right? Just don't hide it."
Michael rose, approaching closely. Kneeling, he looked up. A large dog at her feet gazing at its master.
"I won't hide, so scold if excessive. But don't hate me. And never call me Aires again, please."
"Were you scared?"
"Yes."
"If honest, unhidden—you'll always be Mel to me."
"Even if suffocating? Won't let go if you regret later."
Her hand softly caressed his cheek. In a gentle whisper:
"You asked to be scolded. Isn't that enough?"
"True. Your hand holds my leash."
Her other hand now touched his opposite cheek. His arms wrapped her waist.
"Truthfully, I like jealousy. Good at it too. So today, if jealous, I'll pretend not to know your plea to run for a kiss."
Laughter burst from him at the sudden confession. Smiling at his sole master, he whispered low.
"A bit disappointing, but perfect. Beyond perfect."
A woman permitting harm to others for her sake and a man willing anything for her—fated union.
With anxiety's root gone, Cisse smiled pleasantly at her fulfilling heart, embracing his face.
Regrettable no more hiding his dirty side, but fine. Better than trembling in fear. He'd remain tame beast before her. Thus, it'd only improve.
Their first conflict as lovers ended anticlimactically. Confirming one absolute dominance.
***
Ilya Alpheus couldn't handle heartbreak adeptly at his young age. He wandered dazed for a while, drunk nightly, late to dawn practice routinely. His body deteriorated. Ultimately, the pitiable young knight left the Order on sick leave pretext.
Rumors spread he'd fled the Commander's harsh training. Consensus: overzealous hammering ruined steel.
"How hard did you beat him to make him run?"
Lysette Rosan muttered snidely, handing Emperor-assigned papers. Mocking how soon after Alpheus House's mediation request this mess arose—clearly enjoying.
Michael eyed her indifferently. Showing unannounced, just for this. Truly rotten friend.
"What if Cisse learns? No harsh training rumors spread, but still cautious, right?"
"She knows."
"What?"
"She knows too."
Lysette gaped unwittingly. Unable to believe her ears.
"Already caught? Heavens, must've shocked her. Gonna run away? Never see you again? Go appease her!"
"She's fine."
Michael replied casually, sorting her papers. Nonchalant as if no big deal—leisure evident. No anxiety.
"Fine? Knowing your actions? Your dirty personality?"
"Yes. Says she understands."
"Impossible! How? Even Aires Marchioness gave up on you? Blackmail?"
Michael smiled softly.
"Always thinking alike. Hopeless idiot."
"Else no accepting your personality."
"All explained by my friendship with His Majesty."
Perfect irrefutable answer. Lysette shut her mouth unwittingly.
Birds of a feather: Emperor and Aires equally dogged. No, "In the beginning was the Emperor's filthy personality. Beneath him, Michael Aires."
Having endured their cunning since childhood, no wonder. Cisse had endured Emperor's tests manifold too.
Thus, Michael seemed merely bad-tempered. If backroom dealings undetected.
"...I see. No restraints now?"
"No? Must act gentler harder."
"Why?"
"Why? What reason to anger her? Too busy cherishing."
"...Right."
*Half that to me, might've liked you, bastard.*
Sudden rage surging, Lysette fled without farewell.
Rushed excitedly for new tease fodder, got thrashed instead. Sunny day, clear air.
She glared at his window once. Bit lip firmly. Blue eyes blazed defiance.
That evening, a letter arrived at Cisse's study. Familiar script detailed Michael Aires's childhood antics—highlighting dirty traits.
One or two daily, until Michael learned contents.
When bizarre letters ceased, rumors swirled of Michael and Lysette's fierce quarrel.
Afterward, Michael politely requested Cisse burn them; she lightly refused, cherishing in desk drawer. For a long time.
<Side Story Complete>
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.