Ch#277
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 3 Episode 6
More than anyone, the Emperor, who had welcomed the hero's death, sought to control everything to preserve the perfect illusion she had created for posterity.
The nobles refrained from rash actions out of concern for public attention, precisely as the Emperor desired.
In truth, many deemed the timing of Rade Vishwaldz's death appropriate, but the Emperor and Duchess Rosan had hoped for it sooner. Their desired timeframe was within a year.
However, Cisse disagreed with them. What she needed was time. Thus, Cisse desperately bought more time from the Emperor and Duchess Rosan, running about busily.
Originally scripted was an assassination or poisoning of the count by a foreign spy, but she cleverly delayed the arrival of the god of death by attributing it to an unknown illness.
This was possible because Duke Debenzel, the Count Bischwaltz's patron, served as her shield. As a result, the Emperor could not arbitrarily dictate the count's illness.
By the time the count finally passed away, nearly all authority—save the basic rights held by his vermin-like relatives—had fallen into her hands.
Of course, much still needed refinement, requiring more time. In any case, having achieved her primary goal, Cisse had Jack spread false rumors of a romance between the count and countess. With the count dead, no further alliance with Duke Debenzel could be expected, so she planned to use public scrutiny as a shield.
The control-obsessed Emperor grew displeased at Cisse repeatedly slipping from his grasp. He tolerated her not because of her position as Mel's lover. Rather, entangled in complex emotions he himself could scarcely define, he merely stepped back to observe for the moment.
Thus, Cisse's reckless behavior, as if there were no tomorrow, was exceedingly dangerous. What might happen if the Emperor's interest waned? Duchess Rosan worried over this.
To divert the Emperor's thoughts elsewhere, the duchess exerted immense effort. Thanks to her, his mind shifted midway, leading him to perfect the illusion of Rade Vishwaldz even more flawlessly than Cisse had.
Cisse saw through the Emperor's intentions plainly but feigned compliance since it bought her time. It could be called somewhat selfish given her thoughts of Sir Ailes, but she had no choice.
『Perfection does not exist in this world. Not even for heroes. People are enthralled not by Rade Vishwaldz's flawlessness, but by the absurdity of his tragic death. A great hero inferior to their own ordinary selves! No one could resist falling for it. Thus, when the time comes, I intend to provide them with a ridiculous tale to their liking. So, Mel, please forgive my selfishness?』
Cisse knew well that her decision would wound Sir Ailes. Yet she acted selfishly because stopping here posed greater danger. In her letter to Michael, she emphasized the importance of conversation.
『I know many conversations remain between us yet unspoken. And that I must be the first to muster the courage. Brave knight, can even a wicked, evil witch be forgiven? Perhaps I should be grateful for the knightly virtue of tolerance.』
Cisse worried how Michael Aires would receive the letter's contents. Even a saint would grow angry at being demanded one-sided sacrifice.
How much more so for a mere human like him.
"How will the reply come?"
Jack, who had been savoring her touch for a while, asked softly. Cisse whispered in a gentle voice.
"It's better if none comes."
"Pardon?"
"It's one of those things."
Jack lifted his head and spoke to her. His eyes shone with utmost seriousness.
"I don't know what it is, but it seems terribly difficult."
"You think so?"
"Yes."
"Indeed, it's exceedingly difficult. As complex as the relationship between you and Arina."
"We're not in any relationship, I told you."
"Yes, yes."
Jack's face flushed red up to his neck in indignation. Instead of pointing it out, Cisse smiled faintly and lifted her teacup.
Jack sighed deeply at her attitude, reached for a snack, and thought that upon returning to information headquarters, he should first check for news on House Aires.
That evening, upon returning to the information guild, Jack learned of a request specifically naming him: to secretly deliver a single flower.
The purple flower, with petals blooming densely like cotton fluff, was often sent to prove one's faith and trust in the recipient.
Curiously, the client's name was absent, but Jack instinctively thought of one man and let out a hollow chuckle. It was the sheer audacity of a top imperial information heir using him as a mere errand boy.
Yet thinking of how delighted Cisse would be upon receiving it, he couldn't refuse. Thus, despite his fatigue, he rushed to House Bischwaltz to deliver the flower.
As expected, Cisse beamed with joy upon receiving it. The late-night intrusion's rudeness was worthwhile.
Jack gazed at her face and smiled in return. For him, that was enough.
***
Madam de Lavalier could not bear children. This was the greatest misfortune for a noblewoman. People respected and admired her as Lady Lavalier, but pitied her as a woman.
Of course, her husband later took a mistress and had children, but they were all daughters or died young from illness. Whispers even circulated in society that God had denied her children.
Thus, Madam planned to adopt a child from her relatives with fine qualities and temperament.
Several candidates were already selected and receiving heir education. Had she not fallen ill, she might have chosen a final candidate and introduced them to society by now.
The doctor insisted her ailment stemmed from old age, demanding absolute rest.
Yet no one was ignorant that her true affliction was a form of pent-up rage, boiling like a massive volcano on the verge of eruption within.
The mental shock upon her aged body turned her flesh and soul into a cracked vessel. For a full year, she lay delirious and ill. Midway, a fever nearly paralyzed half her body, but the doctor's skilled treatment limited it to one arm.
Regrettably, accepting that she could use only one hand proved agonizing.
Of all things, it was her right hand that failed, doubling her despair. Her mind understood, yet her body instinctively reached with it, leading to constant mishaps.
The most painful was her inability to sit properly in a chair, her body tilting to one side, making her appear utterly ridiculous.
Having long wielded influence in society, Madam had many friends and foes. If others learned of her broken body, they would surely caricature and mock her.
In the noble world, revealing one's weakness was tantamount to begging to be preyed upon.
Thus, she feigned prolonged bedrest while secretly commissioning an artisan for assistive devices. After all, just years prior, knights maimed—losing an arm and leg in greatsword duels—abounded. Shops crafting prosthetic limbs thrived in the capital, naturally.
Finally finding the artisan, she had the devices made and spent long adapting to them.
When Madam reemerged in society, her arm was bandaged as if merely fractured.
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
Address: 1108-ho, 41 Digital-ro 31-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul
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