Ch#281
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 3 Episode 10
She shook off Cisse's hand as if she could not bear it. It was not a loud resistance that made a sound, but it was enough to make Cisse pause.
"Stop with those lies. You're not thinking of me. You, you're truly a vicious liar."
Cisse let out a low laugh at the words 'vicious liar' that came from Roena's mouth. It was the worst insult a kind-hearted girl like Roena could muster. So it made sense that she herself trembled as if greatly insulted right after uttering it.
Cisse thought it was a mystery how her aunt had so readily accepted Madam's request upon seeing Roena like this. Shrugging her shoulders, she said to Roena,
"So?"
"What?"
"Thanks to my lies, House Bischwaltz is running smoothly. Isn't that enough?"
Roena said in a low voice, as if grinding her teeth.
"Have some shame, Cisse."
"Then what should I do? Tell me, honest Roena. No, dishonest Roena, right? You're deceiving others too."
"I'm not. I've never done that."
"Oh, really? Does Madam know that you injured Lian's leg?"
Few knew that Lian had come to limp because of Roena. Probably only Cisse, her mother, Duchess Rosan, and Roena herself.
Madam de Lavalier believed Valerian's injury was an unexpected misfortune. Cisse had let her think that, so the incident could serve as Roena's weakness.
"No, it wasn't me."
"I asked if Madam knows you nearly killed your successor brother out of jealousy."
"I said it wasn't."
Cisse sneered at Roena's strong denial, her voice mixed with tears.
She knew well that Roena harbored resentment toward her. Otherwise, Roena would not have written that strange fairy tale and distributed it on the streets.
It was obvious how much more Roena would rampage if she took the Lavalliere name.
'I need to crush the bud from the start.'
In Cisse's view, Roena needed to know herself better. That she was not a brightly blooming flower but a timid mimosa that shrank at the slightest touch.
Thus, Cisse decided to instill fear in Roena. Taking care of her pitiful sister was a natural duty as an older sister, after all.
Soon, her lips parted, and a single phrase laden with impure intent popped out.
"Sure, you'd like to think that. But your competitors won't see it that way?"
"Competitors?"
"The men who strove to become heirs of House Lavalliere before you appeared. How much they're gnashing their teeth, poor Roena. I was just trying to let you know..."
Cisse reached out and stroked Roena's hair. Soft golden locks that smelled nice slipped through her fingers. Even in the harsh rural environment, she hadn't neglected her appearance.
"Madam will never tell you about them. But I'm different."
"…."
Being adopted as Madam's ward didn't mean she was immediately set as heir. That was what Cisse was saying.
"Poor Roena. Soon you'll realize it. That the days bearing the Bischwaltz name were happier."
Roena barely opened her mouth to retort. But her face was filled with fear.
"No, that's what you hope."
"Who knows? Actually, you probably can't understand why I'm acting like this. But Roena, calm your heart and think deeply. Who do you think I learned this from? Who was the first to teach me?"
Cisse smiled faintly and lightly brushed Roena's cheek.
"Well, it's Madam, who never once said she wanted to see that child first after hearing he would limp. No one loves the family like she does. Don't forget, Roena. No matter the outcome, it was always me who helped you. Right?"
She gently kissed the cheek of her trembling sister, who looked about to faint, murmuring, "Reasonable suspicion is a good thing." Then she brushed past as if there was no more business to attend to. Having achieved her goal, there was no need to stay longer.
As soon as Cisse separated from Roena, people flocked around her. The countess, having shed her black dress, seemed like easy prey. With Sir Michael Aires absent, it was the perfect time.
However, she soon excused herself, claiming dizziness, and left. People were baffled, wondering if she had truly stormed out of the mansion just to meet Roena. Her affectionate heart, abandoning even mourning her husband for her sister taking a new name, felt strangely touching.
"House Bischwaltz is truly pitiful. They're just being used left and right."
Unless they were fools, they knew how House Bischwaltz was being utilized by the Emperor. They simply stayed silent under his pressure. The irony of a powerless noble house being wielded like a sharp sword was the naked truth of current politics.
The reason the countess had broken her seclusion must be this. To reveal the sorrow of being used.
"Speaking of which, there's a strange rumor going around lately, right?"
"Ah, that rumor? About His Majesty..."
"Exactly. The brave man who saved the Crown Prince suddenly fell ill—it's suspicious."
"...Well, before power, even benefactors are useless. Isn't that politics?"
"Still, mind your words. If His Majesty hears, it's big trouble."
Lately, a subtle rumor had begun spreading in the Capital. That the Emperor, jealous of the hero's popularity, had killed him.
People scoffed at the absurd tale, but nobles in high society whispered it might be true.
Not because of the Emperor's temperament, but because it was relatable as those in politics.
Of course, it wasn't a key element in high society's entertaining gossip. What was certain was that the jealousy-maddened Emperor had killed House Bischwaltz's hero and used it as an excuse to tear apart the two healthy sisters.
People chatted while watching Roena head to a corner of the hall, supported by an acquaintance.
"I'd rush out throwing off my dress too. The countess appearing in a fine dress isn't grounds for blame. We should applaud her courage instead."
"Indeed. For those sisters, being adopted by their aunt is some consolation."
"My goodness, I feel sympathy for her for the first time."
"Right? Look at that little Lady Bischwaltz's face. Pale and at a loss. Poor thing. She must have wanted to follow her sister the countess."
"They say she's already living separately. The carriage she came in today was from House Lavalliere, right?"
"Oh my, is that true? His Majesty moves fast. How pitiful."
Those speaking had no thought that House Lavalliere had taken Roena to make her their heir. To nobles, Roena was just a beautiful angel perfect for exploitation.
No, they would have thought the same of any other lady.
To nobles, the family was pride and the foundation of honor, so carrying it on was naturally a man's duty.
Even if the subject was a eunuch incapable of reproduction.
A few days later, Cisse received a letter stamped with the Emperor's seal and House Lavalliere's mark. It was a document permitting Roena's adoption.
Cisse unhesitatingly took out her seal and stamped the blank space. On her desk lay a letter from Duchess Rosan, unfolded.
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
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.