Ch#274
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 3 Episode 3
As she grumbled, Michael shrugged his shoulders.
"But I did order tea to be brought. Doesn't that make it all good?"
"Next time, I'll make you prostrate and beg."
Michael snorted at her attitude, declaring it with such confidence. The idea of him prostrating at Rosan's feet was unimaginable—even the Emperor himself had never demanded such humiliation.
If he ever did something so degrading, it would only be at Cisse de Bischwaltz's feet.
"Just as I respect you, Lady, please respect my pride as well."
"I'm smiling widely for you, aren't I? And even treating you to tea. So you should be grateful that I'm your friend, Sir."
Michael raised both hands instead of replying. It was a gesture laced with the nuance of 'What do you want from me?'
Then, pierced by Rosan's fierce glare, he quietly sipped the tea the maid had poured. It was fortunate her patience was vast and deep enough to surpass their friendship.
"Alright, what brings you here today? It's about Cisse, of course, but I still want to hear the specifics."
At Lysette Rosan's question, Michael cleared his throat and spoke in a polite tone.
"I intend to propose to her. But I can't think of a good way to do it. That's why I've come to you for advice. Aren't you wiser than I, Luse?"
"Propose? To Cisse? Mel, you just said 'propose,' right?"
Michael Aires nodded with a slightly flushed expression. Though he'd come seeking help, discussing it concretely made his heart race unexpectedly.
However, that thrill faded quickly at her pitiful gaze.
"Heavens, Mel, you poor thing. It's unfortunate, but you can't propose to her yet."
"Yet? What do you mean by that?"
"The world still sees Rade Vishwaldz as the hero who saved the Emperor."
"I don't understand why that name comes up."
"You don't?"
Lysette Rosan sighed and explained in a calm tone.
"Why do people idolize heroes? Because he did what they couldn't. That's why they envy him. Thus, a hero must be perfect. Without a single flaw. And that applies to his lover as well."
Michael exclaimed in an excited voice.
"That's absurd. Do you think I'll accept that? Elevating Cisse onto that ridiculous stage?"
"Calm down, Mel."
"Above all, why should she care about those fools' gazes? I can't comprehend it."
"You're right—I fully agree with you. But we can't judge Cisse's surroundings by our standards. Her foundation is still unstable. It's only been three years since she took over House Bischwaltz. Moreover, Mel, you're not the heir to House Aires, are you? So right now, there's nothing you can do."
"...Thank you so much for reminding me."
As he retorted sarcastically, Rosan spoke in a soothing, gentle voice.
"Don't take it that way. I'm asking you to think rationally. Don't you get it? Rade Vishwaldz is dead, but his ghost still lives by Cisse's side. No—it must live. That way, the greedy relatives won't target her house."
"Then why kill him at all?"
Michael Aires asked her, as if unable to understand.
"Because Rade Vishwaldz had to die when he was still vividly etched in everyone's minds. That's a hero's fate. And the Emperor doesn't want a living hero."
Michael Aires sighed repeatedly in confusion. Unable to bear it, he rubbed his dry face several times before suddenly jumping to his feet and pacing restlessly.
Rosan continued calmly, as if soothing him.
"Why do you think Cisse turned the story of her and the Count into a romance? It wasn't to avoid blame for his death."
"I need to go to her."
Rosan shook her head at Michael's words.
"That's not a good idea. Cisse needs time to mourn her husband."
"So I just wait around doing nothing? Even now, fools eyeing her house swarm around her!"
"Does she seem shaken by them? Good lord, where has your faith in Cisse gone?"
Michael Aires stopped pacing and bit his lip hard. His eyes, filled with disappointment, shook violently—like a stormy sea.
"You've endured with patience so far. Can't you think of this as just an extension of that time?"
"Luse, I'm not a saint."
"I know."
"Nor a fool ignoring my lover's plight. But I can't just sit idly by."
"There are plenty of things you can do. I'm just saying to delay the timing a bit longer."
"How long?"
"A year?"
"Too long."
Michael dismissed it coldly, then added three months. Luse shook her head as if it were absurd.
"Can you erase his shadow from people's minds in three months? Without Cisse suffering any harm, that is."
"If it were me, I'd just kill all those idiots. That would simplify everything."
"Sure, Mel, you could probably do it. But would His Majesty allow it? Above all, if House Bischwaltz's relatives start dropping dead, Cisse would be suspected as the culprit. Surely you don't intend to put her in a difficult position?"
"...So I should just watch?"
Lysette Rosan rose and approached Michael closely. She took his hand and patted it gently, as if to calm him.
"How about finding a plausible proposal method during those three months? That should improve your mood. I guarantee it."
"Hmm? More than that, Luse, aren't you freer than anyone else, as long as you don't defy His Majesty's orders? I want to believe you'll do the same this time."
She asked him with an incredulous expression.
"...Even if it means making you a clown on stage?"
"To obtain Cisse, that's no issue."
Rosan turned back to her seat. She sipped her tea calmly, catching her breath, then spoke to Michael, who awaited her words.
"Then, as recompense, make me Empress? Then I could help even more eagerly. Sir Aires, what do you think of this proposal?"
It was nonsense to him. Thanks to it, his anger over the failed proposal plan dissipated. Michael Aires sighed openly at the tension in Rosan's eyes.
"Are you asking me to make you unhappy? Is that what you want?"
"Heavens, Mel. Why do you assume I'd be unhappy? What I want is to hear you say you'll help. Don't evade."
"That's what I should say, Luse. Please—you know what my answer will be."
Rosan furrowed her brow and replied in a plaintive voice.
"Yes, I know. But why? It's unfair. Why won't you grant my request? I always end up losing. Yes, that's right. Both you and Edi only take what you want from me."
"The only thing I can say right now is that I truly worry for you, Luse."
"If you think that way about me, grant my wish just once. But a nobleman like Sir Aires wouldn't, would he?"
Finishing her words, she slumped her shoulders and swallowed dryly in silence.
In truth, Rosan knew her request was unreasonable. If life were a book, her story as Empress would be a tragic saga filled with grief and despair.
"Perhaps I could help. If our relationship sours enough for you to curse me. Then I'd do everything to make you Empress."
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper
Novel by Yeolmae
Author: Yeolmae
Publisher: Kwon Tae-wan, Woo Cheon-je
eBook Publication Date: 2024-05-07
Production: CL Production
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