Ch#286
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 3 Episode 15
Cisse rested her forehead on his broad shoulder and closed her eyes. Relief finally washed over her entire body, as if everything was truly over.
"Kind knight, you're not treating me like a child, are you?"
That must be why such a joke slipped out.
"How could I? Though it would be enjoyable in its own way."
Cisse let out a soft laugh at his words. His embrace carried the scent of sunlight—intense like the sun yet comforting.
Thus, she unwittingly rubbed her cheek against his shoulder, acting spoiled. She felt truly alive.
"You said just now you were afraid I might be disappointed?"
"Yes."
"Why did you think that?"
"Because it was selfish. I acted on my own whim and only informed you later."
"It couldn't be helped. I would have done the same if I were you. And you can be as selfish as you like with me."
"Mel is too lenient with me."
"Does that displease you?"
Cisse's cheeks flushed red. She whispered softly.
"No."
Michael chuckled gently and patted her back lightly once more. Then he uttered the words he had most wanted to say upon reuniting with his beloved.
"You did well."
"……."
"Thank you for your hard work."
A voice thick with moisture flowed from her lips.
"……Thank you for waiting."
"Thank you for not letting go of my hand, even though I couldn't be of any help."
"Thank you. Truly, thank you."
Michael pulled Cisse away from his embrace. He kissed her tear-streaked cheeks once, her moist eyes once more, and finally pressed a tender, affectionate kiss to her lips, from which pure, wet breaths escaped.
Having cried and laughed while exchanging several kisses with Michael Aires, Cisse calmly spoke while nestled in his arms.
She explained her situation from months ago, the choices she had to make because of it, how much work still remained, and so on.
Of course, she downplayed dealing with the relatives and concealed using Jack to manipulate information, but even so, Michael could tell she had endured exceedingly difficult and busy days.
That she had held on alone atop a treacherous cliff where one misstep could send her tumbling down.
"There's still much to do. But now, no one will speak to me of Rade Vishwaldz anymore. Not even the Emperor."
Cisse declared firmly.
A week ago, Duchess Rosan's visit had solidified her conviction. The duchess's face, stating for the first time that she had sided not with the Emperor but with Michael, looked immensely relieved.
‘Sir Aires probably won't thank me. That's just how he is. Yet why do I feel no regret at all?’
She shrugged and handed over a box she had brought.
‘“This is a gift from His Majesty to Cisse. I don't know what's inside. His Majesty said you'd know when you see it.”’
Though wary of a gift from the Emperor, she couldn't refuse. With reluctance, Cisse accepted the box and opened the lid. Her eyes widened round.
Inside lay a pair of glass slippers—the ones she had shattered before—restored to perfect form.
A note was tucked atop the slippers, bearing the concise yet forceful script: ‘Debutante.’ It was the Emperor's handwriting.
Cisse fell silent.
Years ago, at her debutante, the Emperor had acted as if he would gift her something, preparing these instead.
Strangely, the glass slippers—clearly held for over three years—were spotless, without a speck of dust. The red cushion presenting them was vividly fresh, as if newly made.
‘He told me to deliver this to you?’
‘Yes, whatever could he mean?’
Cisse gave Rosan an awkward smile and closed the box.
Typically, glass slippers symbolize purity. Had another man given them, she would have flung them away in displeasure.
But for the Emperor and her, the glass slippers held more complex meaning, impossible to dismiss lightly.
‘No other words?’
‘No. Just that you'd know upon seeing it.’
When they had each taken one slipper, the Emperor said he would come searching for it. And when Cisse shattered it before his eyes, their relationship broke into perfect pieces—friendly feelings or hostile ones alike.
Thus, the Emperor making identical glass slippers likely meant a gesture of reconciliation: let's rebuild our relationship as before.
But Michael Aires had thwarted the delivery, worsening their relations day by day.
It was the same when they faked Rade Vishwaldz's death.
Yet on the day he chose friendship with Michael Aires, he sent the glass slippers. What did it signify?
"Please convey my thanks to His Majesty. Of course, I'll write a letter, but I wanted to express it first."
"Yes, I will. It would be rude to ask what's inside, right?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Understood. I won't ask then. So, you've fully secured House Bischwaltz, banished the threatening relatives far away—what remains now?"
"The finishing touches."
‘Isn't it all done?’
‘One thing has slipped from my grasp.’
Duchess Rosan quickly realized what Cisse indicated and smiled faintly.
‘Come to think of it, that place is noisy lately over succession issues, isn't it?’
‘Who knows, I've heard nothing of it…….’
‘If Cisse takes an interest in society, it won't be boring.’
‘That place has always been lively. I'll just observe.’
Duchess Rosan nodded with a satisfied expression at Cisse's words. Before leaving the mansion, she couldn't resist one last remark.
‘Don't make Mel wait too long.’
The wait she mentioned undoubtedly referred to the wish Michael so desperately desired. Lysette Rosan was right.
Cisse had made Michael wait far too long. It was a mistake even a beautiful princess shouldn't make—let alone a wicked witch.
Finishing her thoughts, Cisse resumed in a gentle voice, explaining from the Cinderella fairy tale to the recent dissipation of rumors about Count Bischwaltz. It had been a long journey.
"Then it's all over."
"The important parts, yes."
Cisse pulled back slightly, slipping from his embrace. She stared intently at Michael. Now was the time to finalize matters between them.
"My finale isn't finished. Is yours, Mel?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about us."
Michael's puzzled face, momentarily uncomprehending her words, gradually brightened. Unable to contain his surging joy, he gripped her shoulders firmly and asked in a trembling voice.
"The finale, right. There was something left unfinished."
"Now it's my turn to wait, kind knight."
Michael nodded with a radiant smile and embraced her again. Her soft, slender body fit perfectly against his. It felt like bliss.
"I won't make you wait long."
"Yes."
"So please wait just a little."
"For your matters, Mel, as long as it takes."
Visions of rings, flowers, romance novels, and sofas flashed through his mind. The grand proposal he had planned was finally about to see the light.
Their finale.
Perhaps the period marking a new beginning. Michael laughed aloud. Strangely, it already felt complete.
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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