Ch#278
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 3 Episode 7
Around this time, appeals from relatives claiming they could not breathe under Cisse's pressure were incessantly arriving at House Lavalliere.
It had only been 45 days since Count Bischwaltz's death, yet cries of desperation filled the air from all sides. Already, some were prostrating themselves at her feet, wagging their tails like dogs.
Madam sighed at their behavior—having banded together only to now beg even her—and dismissed them in a cold tone.
"Your matters are your own to handle. They do not seem like something I must bear."
She was not immune to loathing Cisse's actions either. How could she not despise that vulgar woman greedily devouring her younger brother's house without knowing her place?
The scam Cisse had orchestrated was a filthy act deserving universal condemnation. It was an utterly shameless crime.
Yet she had no choice but to endure because the Emperor had acknowledged Rade Vishwaldz's existence.
Without him, she would have exposed Cisse's lies long ago and driven her from the mansion immediately.
The family was already dancing in the palm of Cisse's hand. It was obvious that with more time, it would perfectly fall into her grasp. No matter how the idiot relatives clamored and stomped their feet, there was nothing left they could do.
If she could, Madam wanted to counterattack by relying on the bloodline left by her deceased brother, but the soft-hearted Roena was no match for Cisse, and Valerian was severely disadvantaged physically.
In the end, the only thing Madam could do was extract at least Roena from that filthy place.
Madam was furious upon realizing Roena had been confined to a rundown countryside villa for years, unable to attend social events. Though called recuperation, it was imprisonment to anyone who saw it.
Her niece, who should have been mingling in high society and enjoying splendid days, was wasting her youth like that!
Having heard only grim tidings on her first outing in ages, Madam swallowed her surging rage and sent a carriage to Roena. She brought her back to the capital without telling Cisse.
Upon hearing the news, Cisse visited Madam immediately. Though rumored not to have stepped out once since the count's death, she apparently could not let this pass.
Madam swallowed a hollow laugh at Cisse's casual arrival and affectionate greeting. Contrary to rumors, Cisse's face was not just bright but vibrant—an irritating sight for Madam.
"You look well. Well, that's hardly surprising."
As Madam sneered, Cisse smiled faintly and replied,
"I'm gradually overcoming my grief, so I must appear that way. But you, Aunt, look well yourself."
One could hardly call her well with that arm wrapped in bandages, but Cisse feigned ignorance and continued calmly.
"The artisan's skill is quite impressive, isn't it?"
Madam paused briefly at Cisse uttering the word 'artisan,' then flashed a soft smile. Regaining her composure as if never rattled, it befitted a woman who had dominated high society.
"That's how I obtained this beautiful teacup."
Cisse swallowed a sneer at Madam's smooth deflection.
She already knew all about Madam's arm through Jack. Since she had revealed it first, prodding the weakness elicited an amusing mimosa-like recoil.
"They say even the Emperor struggles to see your face. Yet you grace me with a visit—truly grateful."
"How could I not come upon hearing Aunt has recovered?"
"My health isn't fully restored yet. In truth, even sitting like this is taxing."
It was a hint to leave since she didn't wish to sit together, but Cisse feigned obliviousness and uttered a sorrowful sigh.
She sprang up, approached Madam, and sat leaning lightly against her knees.
Placing one hand on Lavalliere's knee, she tilted her head up with teary eyes—the picture of a worried niece.
"Oh dear. Thinking of you pains my heart so. You must stay healthy for many years. Yes? If it's too much, shall I summon the physician?"
When had this child grown so bold? Madam felt a chill at Cisse's brazen command of the conversation.
Once obedient and pliant to her words, she now seemed an entirely different person. The very model of a high society noblewoman.
Madam swallowed a bursting sigh and said no physician was needed. She requested Cisse return to her seat.
With Cisse playing the high society lady, mere talk was futile. Unless one threw down a white handkerchief, it would loop endlessly.
As expected, Cisse would steer toward Madam's immobile arm—a grave disadvantage for Lavalliere.
Thus, Madam resolved to speak more bluntly.
"Your concern touches me, but won't you first ease my worries?"
"Of course. How may I soothe Aunt's heart? Please tell me."
"I know you've endured hardships lately, but you must tend to your family too."
"Mother's health is much improved, and Lian grows bravely. Oh, right—Aunt, I'll visit with Lian next time. He's utterly lovable and adorable."
Madam felt breathless at Cisse's impudence in deliberately skipping Roena.
She, the adult, had yielded first to broach Roena, yet this illegitimate blood acted insolently as expected.
It felt like a protest against her arbitrary seizure of Roena.
"It's about your sibling."
Madam gave Cisse one last chance. But Cisse brushed it off with calm composure.
"I hadn't realized Aunt worried so for Lian. Mother would be thrilled."
"Is Lian your only sibling?"
Cisse smiled faintly with an ambiguous expression.
A classic high society ploy clearly signaling no answer.
From Cisse's demeanor, Madam realized she had never held the conversation's reins.
Truly a cunning woman without peer.
Could a person change so in mere years? Or was this her unveiled true nature?
Likely the latter.
In the end, Madam smiled bitterly and tossed an invisible handkerchief. Retrieving Roena left no choice.
With Cisse manipulating House Bischwaltz, even Roena's fate rested in her hands.
"It's Roena."
"Oh, thinking only of those troubling you, I considered just Mother and Lian. Forgive my oversight. Roena brings Aunt joy, so she slipped my mind."
Cisse spoke with innocent candor. She parried without yielding an inch.
"Yes, as you say—Roena makes me happy. That's why I can't bear her suffering."
"Goodness, Roena suffering? What happened? From my checks, nothing seemed amiss."
"Nothing amiss? What nonsense is that? Anyone confined to such a villa would feel wretched. A countryside devoid of tea parties or balls—horrifying to imagine. No suitable company for intellectual exchange? A villa is for brief respite, not long-term residence. Yet you kept her there for years—do you even have a brain?"
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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