Ch#298
Fragment of the Broken Glass Slipper Side Story 5 Episode 5
Third – After That Day in the Past
News that the Crown Princess's wicked new older sister had committed suicide rocked high society.
People found her death intriguing and mocked the Crown Princess's haggard face. It was ironic that the figure revered as an angel had driven her stepsister to suicide.
Who could say she hadn't exacted revenge in unseen places under the guise of mercy? Just looking at the house she had given to her stepmother and half-sister made it easy to guess the Crown Princess's feelings.
High society whispered, "Even angels are human, it seems."
Before long, rumors spread among them that there must have been a reason she was bullied.
Some chattered that Cisse de Bischwaltz needed reexamination as to whether she deserved punishment.
The site of Cisse's suicide became a famous spot, drawing many visitors. There were even cases where soldiers who handled her body stole her belongings and sold them at high prices, only to get caught.
It was the death of a villainess who had earned quite a notorious reputation, enough to be talked about for a considerable time, if not for centuries.
And since she had jumped in front of the Crown Princess, everyone couldn't help but be interested.
Some claimed to have seen Cisse's ghost in the dilapidated mansion, saying she told them the Crown Princess had murdered her.
Others boasted that Cisse's ghost had left evidence of her murder before dying.
Reports of ghost sightings were increasing here and there.
All pointed to the Crown Princess as the culprit.
A murder disguised as suicide, and of the empire's second-highest noblewoman.
It was an incident big enough to shake the Capital.
Thus, no one paid attention to the Crown Princess holding a grand funeral for her stepsister. Instead, they pointed fingers at her smooth face and cursed her.
"How venomous. How can she walk around so shamelessly? If it were me, I wouldn't be able to lift my head in shame."
"It seems the Crown Princess really murdered Lady Cisse, seeing as His Highness the Crown Prince remains silent. Heavens, how horrifying."
"Then His Highness is taking a murderer as his wife? Oh my, how scary."
Of course, not all public opinion had turned against the Crown Princess.
Roena's followers, led by Madam de Lavalier, fervently appealed her innocence.
But after the Crown Prince sent a warning to exercise restraint, even they fell silent.
He seemed utterly unconcerned that his beloved was caught in an unsavory scandal and facing criticism.
He merely said in a low voice, "Endure with dignity."
Roena swallowed her tears and forced a smile.
Now, all that remained for her was the position of Crown Princess.
The Bischwaltz name had changed to the imperial family's, the house had been taken by a relative, and Sir Halberd had become the Crown Prince's possession.
The result of enduring for the word "love" was one-sided sacrifice. It was utterly desolate, as if standing on the edge of a cliff.
Yet since it was an irreversible reality, she had to strive not to lose even this.
Thus, she endured the criticism pouring her way with an innocent smile. The position of Empress was imminent.
***
Roena occasionally recalled the day Cisse died. It was an unforgettable event. It was something more artistic than frightening.
If the skirt hem soaring toward the sky felt like flower petals, would everyone shudder? Roena couldn't tear her eyes from Cisse's eyes blazing with rage, so vivid.
The fallen flower was more wretched and ugly than anything, yet beautiful in one way.
Had people not rushed to stop her, Roena surely would have caressed Cisse's mangled face.
Ah, how even your falling form is beautiful. Roena hugged her arms and bowed her head.
'Roena, I hate you.'
Her final words echoed like tinnitus. They carried a low, gloomy melody. It was a song of death.
In truth, Roena knew Cisse hated her to the point of loathing. She also knew that behind that hatred lay a fiercely trampled pride.
This intense emotion made Roena focus on Cisse.
Having only received love from everyone until now, the pure negative emotion directed solely at her was fascinating and surprising.
Roena was curious. What aspect of her made Cisse shiver? So she asked. What about me do you hate?
'Everything. I hate your hypocritical attitude.'
Cisse called Roena a hypocrite. She said Roena's kind nature, which used others, made her nauseous. It was incomprehensible to Roena.
'Why does being kind make you nauseous? Being gentle to everyone is a good thing. Look, other people like me. So why do only you hate me? We're sisters. Aren't sisters supposed to get along?'
Roena had been educated since childhood to grow into a kind and polite lady. That was the basic refinement a noble lady should have.
People praised her gentle demeanor and kindness as the most beautiful lady in the world, adoring her greatly. They kissed her cheeks, saying she was an angel, hugged her tightly in their arms, and whispered how lovable she was.
Of course, being human, she had made mistakes that hurt others a few times.
But each time, by miraculous coincidence, her fault was covered up or shifted to the other party.
Roena didn't like that. She was the one at fault, so why was the other person scolded?
Yet she never confessed her wrongs in front of people. Having always been praised, she lacked confidence to face sharp questioning from others.
So Roena used the method of apologizing to those unintentionally hurt by her, thereby acknowledging her fault to some extent.
She thought they would forgive her since she apologized sincerely.
Fortunately, the other party forgave her actions and even offered comfort.
'You have remarkable courage. Admitting one's faults isn't easy.'
Each time she received such praise, Roena smiled brightly, proud of herself.
Most ladies tried not to admit their faults, so she was remarkable for doing so.
Thus, the more Cisse hated her, the sadder Roena felt. She couldn't understand why Cisse criticized her as pretentious when she apologized for her wrongs.
The words Cisse attached to Roena—'pretentious, cunning, hypocritical'—were adjectives for bad people. It was a view opposite to others.
Could Cisse have no eye for people? Roena pondered seriously.
'It's because she envies you, miss.'
Mago dismissed Roena's worries with one word: 'envy.'
'She can't help but feel upset seeing how lovable you are compared to her and how you receive everyone's affection.'
Roena nodded at Mago's words.
'I knew it.'
'Of course. Even I would be jealous if such a beautiful lady were my sister.'
'But Lady Myurin’s sister adores Lady Myurin greatly?'
'That's because they're blood sisters. You and Miss Cisse share no blood; you're strangers. So envy takes precedence. Moreover, aren't you the lady of ladies chosen by Sir Halberd?'
'I wish Cisse liked me.'
'Well, for that, Miss Cisse would need to first acknowledge her own flaws.'
The relationship between Roena and Cisse hadn't been bad from the start. Though awkward and stiff, they had conversed a few times under the name of family.
Cisse's attitude turned icy rapidly after the Sir Halberd incident. Furious at not acquiring him as intended, she ignored Roena with a cold wind thereafter. Unable to endure, Roena grabbed Cisse and said,
'I sent him to you as promised. Why are you angry at me? What did I do wrong?'
But the response was only a voice laced with anger.
'As promised? So you gave him autonomy? Let him choose for himself?'
'Then what should I have done?'
'Ordered him.'
'Oh, Cisse. I couldn't do that. Sir Halberd isn't my servant. I need to respect his will. And I didn't expect him to make that choice. I thought he understood my sincerity.'
'Ah, so that's why you said that?'
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
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