Ch#288
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 4 Episode 2
Thus, no one would think of fishing themselves while demurely waiting for a man to catch the fish. No one except Duchess Rosan, that is.
There were very rare women who hunted, but they were mostly impoverished ladies from remote rural areas.
However, they never even hinted at knowing how to hunt, lest they be treated as ignorant and barbaric women.
Noble ladies residing in the Capital knew only how to pet cats or dogs; they couldn't even imagine wringing a chicken's neck.
Thus, Duchess Rosan's words struck me as utterly fresh.
"Fishing, you say? Surely you don't mean you've done it before?"
"Yes. I often went with Eidi and Mel when I was very young. How about it? Don't you want to try? It'll be so much fun. I guarantee it."
She tempted me with narrowed eyes, like a witch from a fairy tale.
Good heavens, the empire's duchess urging me to go fishing and swimming. It was truly an unexpected side of her.
Yet, amusingly, my heart wavered. The tomboy from my past was peeking her head out. Saliva gathered in my mouth unexpectedly.
Duchess Rosan, seeing my hesitation, played her final card as if she'd been waiting.
"If you're still worried, I'll have someone bring documents to the villa every day. Plus, I'll provide unwavering support to House Bischwaltz during the trip. How about that?"
I paused momentarily. Her words had filtered through my mind. A trip for rest, yet bringing documents?
I stared at Duchess Rosan's face. It was a very tempting offer, but my instincts from years of observing her wouldn't allow me to accept it outright. Now I saw it: rest was just an excuse, and taking me along was the main goal.
Now, let's think. What reason could there be for me not to stay in the Capital? Was there an answer only discoverable by leaving?
Thus, I nodded slowly, pretending ignorance.
"Yes, sounds good. But not right away—give me a little time. An hour or two should suffice."
Duchess Rosan visibly brightened at my words. Instead of returning to her mansion, she sat in the drawing room to wait for me. It was suspicious no matter how I looked at it.
I had the maids pack a clothing bag, informed Mother and Lian that I had business and would be away from the mansion briefly, and wrote a letter to Jack. It was a commission to notify me immediately if anything suspicious arose.
I especially requested thorough surveillance on Roena. I was anxious lest the Emperor be involved in this. Otherwise, how could Duchess Rosan embark on such a long trip?
Having roughly completed preparations, I entrusted Mother and Lian to Marie and boarded the carriage Duchess Rosan had prepared.
The carriage soon glided smoothly toward House Rosan's villa. It was my first trip since entering House Bischwaltz.
***
House Rosan's villa was exceedingly beautiful.
The mansion rising majestically on a vast estate was grand yet antique. Walking paths through light woods, a hunting ground, a well-manicured garden, and a large pond created a scene straight out of a fairy tale book.
It was certainly different from the Capital teeming with people. Her villa was optimized for rest.
Arriving at the villa on the first day, we were exhausted from the long carriage ride. Skipping dinner entirely, we crawled into our rooms and fell straight asleep.
The next day, we rose late, drank tea prepared by the maids, and ate bread. Amusingly, just this much felt like a fantastical morning to me.
As Duchess Rosan had said, this place was paradise itself—no interference for sleeping in or eating anytime. No need to behave demurely under others' scrutiny.
We could simply live leisurely and freely. Sleep when sleepy, read when desirous, stroll to our heart's content.
No one interfered with my actions. Duchess Rosan, who brought me here, had cast aside all formality first.
Her change in this regard was astonishing.
She shed her usual ornate dresses for light attire. Instead of graceful steps, she strode boldly with thudding feet. She laughed loudly like a country girl and galloped about on horseback.
The duchess, adorned only with earrings, looked exceedingly simple yet liberated. Though just one night had passed, vitality already bloomed on her face.
I was immensely surprised by this side of her, which I'd never seen before. It felt uncomfortable, as if glimpsing a secret part she hid. The Lysette Rosan I knew was the epitome of a perfect noble lady.
Yet the woman before me was freer than my past self.
Anyone seeing her like this would never guess she was the same as society’s duchess.
Thus, I pondered what gave her the confidence to show me this side.
Years had passed since knowing Duchess Rosan, yet a small wall existed between us due to certain events. Thus, revealing such unguarded living wasn't ideal for either of us. Wasn't this her true self, unknown even before the wall arose?
Yet why suddenly expose everything? From bringing me to the villa onward, it was all riddled with questions.
Even more astonishing was the servants' attitude toward her. They acted nonchalantly, as if accustomed to this duchess. They even asked the leaf- and dirt-covered duchess if she needed anything else. The old maid who precisely predicted her return and prepared bathwater deserved nothing short of awe.
"Because they've seen this side of me for a very long time."
The duchess replied to my praise of her tight-lipped servants and maids, crunching into fruit.
Today, she had dragged me to the pond, declaring we'd fish. Spreading a large cloth under a big tree, she rolled about like a rascal before flashing a bright smile.
"Mel and I came to the villa and caused all sorts of commotion with hunting and fishing, so they're used to it by now. This is a secret, but I once climbed a tree and broke my arm."
I smiled at her lowering her voice as if sharing a grand secret. My suspicions of her behavior were fleeting; truthfully, I enjoyed this unguarded life and had softened considerably.
Suddenly, I thought occasionally visiting this villa like her and living freely might be nice. It didn't suit the mansion filled with elegant, beautiful furniture, but oh well.
"Now, I'm going to fish. Want to join, Cisse?"
Duchess Rosan, who had lounged on the cloth munching fruit, sprang up and asked me. I shook my head, showing the book I'd brought.
"I want to finish this first."
"Then at least watch."
"Possible if I had four eyes, but sure, I'll try."
Duchess Rosan burst into loud laughter at my words. Not her usual refined laugh, but refreshingly hearty.
I thought perhaps this laugh truly represented her.
Usually, she planned and executed all sorts under the Emperor's summons. Then, she seemed coldly merciless, without room for a needle, full of dignity yet lacking vitality.
The Emperor's doll with a cold heart.
People evaluated her thus.
Who could imagine a woman laughing so heartily hid within Lysette Rosan?
Had the Emperor cherished and respected her even a little more, society might have glimpsed this side. And Duchess Rosan would have been far more active.
She might even have left her name as the empire's greatest woman in history.
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.