Ch#294
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 5 Episode 1
5. Remaining Pieces
First – Wedding Night
The wedding was splendid.
The weather was clear, the dress was beautiful enough to earn acclaim, and the kiss sealing our vows before everyone was sweetly melting.
Above all, when Michael slipped the large gem-encrusted wedding ring onto my finger, someone let out a loud groan—and I swear by God, it was the most meaningful moment of the ceremony.
Bathed in envious gazes, I gripped his hand.
Even after remarrying, I was still Countess Bischwaltz. I was immensely satisfied with that fact.
In a sense, it was my first wedding, so Mother's insistence on making it grand was right.
With House Aires's wealth and House Rosan's active support, it became lavish enough to be talked about for ages.
As someone whispered to their neighbor, mistaking it for an imperial wedding, it was grand beyond compare.
Well, there was a brief commotion when Mel signed the marriage vows—several ladies fainted from weeping—but after that, it was perfect.
After vows before the altar, we left the temple and returned to the mansion for the wedding banquet.
The feast spread across the drawing room, banquet hall, and garden continued late into the night. Wine and food were endlessly replenished, and people danced without respite, blessing us.
Mel was frantically downing glasses due to those constantly toasting him.
Mischievous men kept pouring into his glass under the guise of celebration, intent on getting him drunk.
The damned tradition that one must never refuse drinks at a wedding feast tormented him.
Fortunately, he was holding up well so far, but his reddening face suggested he was nearing the danger zone.
They hoped he'd get blackout drunk and ruin his wedding night.
His brother finally pulled him away midway, or it might have happened.
I was in a bind too, surrounded by noblewomen with no escape.
Confusingly, they pinned me down with explicit vulgar talk, assuming I knew it all from my second marriage.
Of course, I'd received various education from elder maids, but nothing this blatant—I paled.
The noblewomen cackled at my reaction, feigning shyness, then shared their own wedding night tales in excruciating detail. My soul nearly fled.
If the maid hadn't said it was time to retire, I'd have suffered longer. Truly fortunate.
Back in the room, with the maid's help, I washed from head to toe. Using new perfumes prepared for today, I massaged my body, neatly trimming brows, nails, and toenails. Mother, despite her frail health, oversaw it all.
Tears in her eyes at my adorned state, she rejoiced. Her umpteenth tears today.
"Holding a proper wedding—I'm so happy. Today is the happiest day of my life."
Grasping my hand, Mother led me to the bed prepared for the night and cautiously advised on behavior.
Most was about acting demure like a pure maiden to guide his pleasure.
She added to suppress sounds, lest honest emotions seem vulgar.
Absurd. Mel would accept me however I acted—why worry? He'd rejoice in me as saint or whore alike.
So I nodded perfunctorily. Mistaking it for nerves, Mother smiled contentedly.
A proud smile only a mother who splendidly arranged her daughter's wedding could wear.
"Any man seeing you now would go blind. My lovely daughter. You'll live happily, of course. Where's a more perfect man?"
Mother kissed my cheeks repeatedly. She prattled unhelpful advice endlessly.
Then, meticulously checking surroundings once more, she ended her role as bride's mother. Her relieved sigh drained me.
It lasted until she left, supported by a maid.
Soon Mel would arrive.
Alone, my body suddenly trembled. Tension choked my breath. Fingertips chilled, mouth parched. Even feigning calm brought sighs. Would I faint seeing him?
Suddenly worried, I thought of wine.
Fortunately, wine and glasses awaited on the bedside table.
I reached for it. A sip to loosen up.
But the door opened—Mel entered. His face flushed, likely from drink.
Seeing me reaching, he froze. His eyes shook noticeably.
"Cisse... so... um, may I come closer?"
His small voice.
Good heavens, Mel was shy. The brave knight with his massive frame.
I realized his flush wasn't all alcohol.
His demeanor reddened my face. Barely nodding, my heart pounded louder as he neared.
Mel hesitated, gauging me, then perched on the bed's edge. Rubbing his face, he exhaled shortly repeatedly.
Wine scent rose each time. Awkward silence.
"Cisse, um, sorry for coming drunk."
Bowing apologetically. Tense and tipsy, he was cutely un-knightlike. I laughed unwittingly.
"Too happy to hold back. Should've shown sober self... not disappointed in this me?"
"No, of course not."
Fixing gaze at my voice, he murmured hazily.
"Beautiful."
"Pardon?"
"Why are you so beautiful, Cisse? Perfect. And now my wife."
"Mel?"
Liking 'wife,' he smiled softly, repeating it.
"Wife, yes, wife. What sound more ecstatic?"
"Mel, you're really drunk."
I worried. Make him drink water?
But Mel grabbed my hand, tilting to kiss. Uncharacteristically bold.
Like a pubescent boy, ravenous. Devouring kiss.
Soft flesh prying lips, inhaling sharply. Intense kisses swallowing breath left me helpless.
Firm hand on nape, persistent tongue coiling. Sucking lips burned like fire.
He lewdly licked saliva from lip corners.
Another's tongue on skin—erotic, frightening chill.
Only when breathless I pounded his shoulder did he stop. Wet lips glistened seductively.
Gulping air, I glared reproachfully.
He grinned brazenly.
"May I kiss?"
"What was that?"
"A kiss, of course."
Speechless, I stared blankly. Wedding night tension forgotten, his cheeky act stunned me.
Not that drunk?
Using alcohol as excuse...?
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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