Ch#284
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 3 Episode 13
"What? No way. How dare a mere woman...?"
"Why not? Isn't my daughter, who holds a pillar of high society, a woman too?"
"No, that's different, isn't it? Politics and high society... I mean..."
The duke openly furrowed his brow, unleashing a scolding laced with reproach. His eyes brimmed with utter pity.
"What isn't politics about the power struggles in high society? Get your head straight. How can you be so dull? At this point, you should read it as par for the course. How long will you wait for others to spoon-feed you? Be grateful the countess isn't Radel Relshin herself. I see several who could lose their seats."
White smoke slowly rose from between his wrinkled lips.
The old duke glanced at his own people before clicking his tongue at the noblemen chatting among themselves.
The word 'idiots' lingered on his tongue, but the duke held it back. The more he looked, the more pathetic they seemed.
With such fools meddling in politics, the noble faction was still being toyed with by the young emperor.
Duke Debenzel stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray as he thought of the countess. He had sponsored the man called Radel Relshin out of momentary curiosity, but he was still satisfied.
She would surely be a fine ally when his daughter ascended to the empress's seat.
After all, wasn't one clever, well-trained horse—even if underfed—better than twenty donkeys?
"I'm curious how His Majesty will react. Heh heh."
In any case, thanks to her, the arrogant emperor was suffering a major blow, which put Duke Debenzel in a good mood. He sat back leisurely and sipped his wine. Imagining the emperor's office in chaos made the alcohol go down smoothly.
Contrary to Duke Debenzel's expectations, the emperor's office was quiet. There were no shouts or sounds of thrown objects—just a suffocating silence.
Both the emperor and the summoned Duchess Rosan kept their lips firmly shut, glaring at one spot.
After a moment, the emperor spoke.
"They think me a complete fool. Idiots abound in this world."
It was thunder from a clear sky, literally. To dare touch him.
The emperor growled, exhaling roughly.
No emperor in history had escaped public ridicule, but this emperor, prouder than any, was seething at being entangled in such a trivial matter.
He especially couldn't endure that Cisse was behind it. He knew exactly why she had orchestrated this.
Cisse's intent was obvious: to acknowledge her relationship with Sir Ailes out of consideration for him. Thus, she had deliberately tarnished Rade Vishwaldz's reputation—and even sacrificed her own honor.
She was truly absurd.
Lysette Rosan looked at the emperor and calmly defended Cisse.
"It means she was that desperate. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Luse!"
The emperor bellowed her name, but Rosan didn't blink.
"She helped make Rade Vishwaldz an immortal hero for Your Majesty—despite it betraying Mel. Did Cisse not know? Yet she remained compliant. She was waiting."
"...So you're saying Cisse did well now?"
Rosan soothed him in a sigh-tinged voice.
"That's not what I mean. Your Majesty, please let her go now. Mel needs Cisse, and Cisse needs Mel. You know that. Otherwise, summon her and punish her. Of course, you won't. Even if Mel rages, Your Majesty has no desire to harm Cisse."
"Enough. I didn't call you for this."
"No, I must say it all. Your Majesty, please make a wise decision. What you need now is cool-headed resolve. You must know the word 'give up.'"
"Give up?"
Lysette Rosan smiled bitterly.
"Yes, face reality. I've been trying hard lately. Wondering if regaining reason might bring us back."
Her face after speaking looked exceedingly forlorn. Words of resignation and surrender were deeply etched there.
Having swallowed tears countless times from unrequited long love, Rosan's heart had grown so numb toward this indifferent man that she no longer held expectations.
Now, she merely endured harshly, fearing a political marriage to some worthless man and aimless wandering in society.
Thus, she wished to become empress consort at least, to meddle in politics as now. Empress was beyond dreaming.
Lysette Rosan was gradually growing accustomed to giving up.
"And Mel becomes a Bischwaltz?"
At the emperor's question, she paused before asking in a subdued voice.
"...Your Majesty, do you love her?"
"What?"
"No, let me rephrase. Do you consider Mel a true friend?"
"Of course."
"Then won't you bless him?"
"Luse!"
"Your Majesty. Until now, I've done everything as you wished. Mel has too. So I boldly ask: can't you yield once for your poor friend who sacrificed for you? As a true friend, not your loyal subject."
"Lysette Rosan!"
The emperor repeatedly calling her name meant he had no rebuttal. Thus, for the first time since meeting him, Rosan pressed her will forward.
"Allow me, for once, to act for Mel, not Your Majesty. For my precious friend. I have the right to see him happy. Don't you too?"
The solution was already there. The emperor need only relent and bless Michael Aires.
<Rade Vishwaldz was indeed the hero who saved me, but he lusted after position. Thus, I had no choice but to separate him from his beloved. What he showed in the family is unknown to me as emperor. But at least on the battlefield, he was braver than any man.>
The emperor would claim Rade Vishwaldz's heroic illusion, Cisse de Bischwaltz would become the pitiable widow healed by true love with Michael Aires through marriage. A truly perfect ending.
"And leave her, who damaged my honor, be?"
"Dissatisfaction with using House Bischwaltz runs deep in high society. They never cared before, but it's still a noble house. They see themselves in it."
"So?"
"Punishing her now would intensify their backlash. It was already noisy over Roena de Lavalliere."
"Ah, that was her doing too. She became the victim."
"And Your Majesty drove it that far."
The emperor let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.
From prince to emperor, choices had always been his alone.
No one forced him. Even killing his brothers for crown prince was his decision.
His father the emperor thought he manipulated the crown prince, but ultimately, even he was a piece on the chessboard he created.
Yet a single small woman had cornered him, forcing one choice. Absurd.
The emperor fell silent briefly. But it was short. Stubborn, yet not foolish.
"...For Mel's sake."
Rosan replied to his words with a faint smile. Her courteous bow lacked strength.
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.
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