31 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards, Episode 31
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The knights in the training grounds were also showing great interest in the rumor that Lady Roena had been reprimanded by their lord.
I felt a sense of patheticness at their sight, engrossed in gossip and engaged in heated debate as if they were no different from maids.
“Good heavens, what reason could an angelic lady have to be scolded? The one who asked for a maid is the one who's in the wrong.”
“Precisely! How hurt our Lady Roena must have been? Just thinking about it tears my heart apart. Ah, my lady. Do you know of this burning heart of mine?”
“Sir Halberd. You’ve been escorting Lady Roena and have been with her. Did you see her today? Hmm? How is she?”
One of the reasons I tolerated Pel's frivolous attitude was his skill in polishing swords.
Though he was irritating with his loose tongue, his efforts were quite commendable when it came to his duties.
I looked with satisfaction at the sword blade, shining brightly as it reflected the sunlight. It was quite pleasing, as a well-sharpened edge seemed to hum with sharpness.
“Hey, Sir Halberd. Didn't you hear me?”
“I do not understand what you are saying. More importantly, it is not a knight's duty to visit a lady privately. Therefore, would you please allow me to concentrate on my sword?”
A sharply gleaming sword was enough to intimidate an opponent. If they wished, I was willing to spar with them right then and there.
In truth, it is difficult to be loved by everyone. Not everyone can like the same person.
However, for a knight to be swayed by baseless rumors and condemn a delicate girl was beyond the pale of understanding. Where had the knight's oath and principles, so often heard when first learning the sword, gone?
Setting aside faith in their lord, a man who reveres ladies should be able to judge situations coolly and think.
People should have seen those eyes, swaying delicately, that I had found in the garden. Then they would not be able to mock her so easily.
If one can condemn her so fiercely even after seeing those eyes, their heart must be made of iron, or they are simply a cold-blooded creature devoid of empathy and compassion.
Pel displayed a peculiar tenacity in areas where it was unhelpful. His patience and effort showed a natural talent for spreading gossip.
He incessantly spread rumors about Lady Sissae everywhere until Madame de Lavalier visited the mansion.
However, much of what he spoke was unbelievable, such as, 'Lady Sissae killed the maid sent by Lady Roena and buried her, and she curses Lady Roena every night.'
I tried to correct his vulgar behavior every time, but Pel's disposition was not easily changed. Instead, I was met with resentment for not taking Lady Roena's side.
Amidst this, Madame de Lavalier's visit to the mansion was nothing short of a boon for Cis de Bishbalz.
By receiving Lady Lavalliere's approval in front of everyone, she solidified her position. Madame de Lavalier was a woman renowned in high society, and her approval was equivalent to high praise.
The people who had been whispering and gossiping about Lady Sissae began to quiet down, starting from the point of Lady Lavalliere's approval.
Although the Count led the Bishvarts Family, it was Madame de Lavalier who exerted influence beyond the family and into high society. Her presence was immeasurable.
“Madame is taking charge of Lady Sissae's education. Good heavens, that Madame, for Lady Sissae? What should we say?”
Pel and many others exclaimed with confused expressions. Their faces were contorted with disbelief.
It was natural to sigh at their pathetic sight. They, who had constantly doubted their lord's decision, now struggled to deny it when the truth became reality, a sight that was almost contemptible.
Had Madame not visited the Bishvarts mansion, they would have continued to tear apart Lady Sissae with glee.
I felt even disillusioned by this unbearable pettiness. I felt nauseated by the stench they exuded.
Fortunately, Lady Sissae seemed to be a very intelligent girl. While benefiting from Madame de Lavalier's patronage, she did not step forward to the front of the mansion and engage in behavior that displeased everyone.
She simply accepted her circumstances humbly, yet strove as if she wanted to belong to this world as soon as possible. Her face, smooth and shining like a well-crafted vessel, was calm without any sign of excitement.
I thought it was the customary face a noble lady should possess. Perhaps that's why? I felt a sense of relief.
However, had I known it was the flip side of 'resignation,' I would not have praised her composure so easily.
Lady Roena had been participating in the falcon hunt since two years ago. Though called a falcon hunt, it was in reality more like a small picnic.
Count Bishvarts appointed me as a knight to escort her. My father considered it a great honor, and other knights were also very envious.
Lady Roena was a lovely girl. She was very kind to those around her and treated everyone with a lively and gentle tone.
It goes without saying that most people belonging to the Bishvarts Family were her followers.
However, her loveliness did not quite work at the hunting grounds. The group, led by a noble lady from a ducal family, was noticeably cold and possessed a talent for grating on people's nerves with subtle remarks.
I felt goosebumps every time they looked at me with a faint smile.
I tried to endure, recalling the virtues expected of a lady, but their condescending criticism, mixed with coquetry and flattery, made me feel nauseous.
Therefore, when I heard that Lady Sissae would accompany us on this falcon hunt, I experienced a peculiar feeling.
Dressed in riding attire and mounted on a horse, Lady Sissae was, to anyone's eyes, the very image of a Bishvarts lady.
She maintained a gentle expression despite the muddy ground and the hot, sweaty weather. Her posture never faltered from the moment we arrived at the hunting grounds until we sat down.
Inside the tent, it was humid and muggy. It was suffocating. Maids stood by the ladies, fanning them, while knights like myself stood a little distance behind the chairs, guarding the surroundings.
Outside, the young lords' hunt was in full swing, making it very noisy. Inside the tent, the young ladies were beginning their own hunt.
Last year, their gazes would have been directed at me and Lady Roena.
But this time, it seemed different. After a brief chat about trivial matters, they soon turned their attention to Lady Sissae and spoke to her, with words that were overtly insulting.
In the sight of Lady Roena, whose eyes welled up with tears, and Lady Sissae, who watched it calmly, I was reminded of my second elder brother and myself.
Someone had spoken such rude words to me in the past. How did I react then? And my brother?
The sad memory etched in my mind was stained with fiery rage, shouts, and shame.
It was unimaginable to pass over the situation with composure like Lady Sissae. I was young and more driven by emotion. Therefore, I thought it was a natural reaction.
But you, Lady Sissae, how can you accept it so easily? I couldn't believe my eyes and ears.
It would have been better if she had been sad like Lady Roena. But her face, smiling as if nothing had happened, felt precarious, like a flower swaying on a cliff.
Her posture, looking out towards the front after stepping out of the tent, seemed as if it would crumble like sand in one's hand.
Perhaps that's why? I entrusted Lady Roena to Sir Vern and followed Lady Sissae. It was an impulsive act, something I could never have imagined doing in the past.
Yes, let me admit it. When I face Lady Sissae, I commit acts that are close to 'impulse.' It was incompatible with the chivalry I had learned, and it was too much to be considered the demeanor of a well-educated knight.
What kind of rudeness is it for an escorting knight to speak to a lady first? Yet, impulse had a magical power that shattered everything.
Therefore, I could only consider this piece of my heart as part of the 'worry' that Lady Sissae spoke of.
“You don't have to worry.”
Lady Sissae's face was pale. She looked at me as if she were terrified. Even though she tried to appear composed, her whitened face looked as if she would collapse any moment.
She, who had remained unfazed even amidst the pack of wolves inside the tent. I couldn't understand what she feared.
“Aren't you Roena's knight?”
And what was she trying so desperately to push away?
Perhaps, if a horse hadn't charged towards you, I would have dared to ask, disregarding propriety, 'What did those words just mean?'
The body pulled into my arms was so fragile. The sky spun, and a faint pain spread through my limbs, but the feeling against my chest came first.
Her trembling, delicate body from fear, her eyes wavering with confusion, her softly whispered voice as if holding her breath – there was nothing not to pity.
What would have happened if I hadn't followed her? Just thinking about it makes me dizzy. It was a sense of duty as a knight, and yet something inexpressible.
Considering I dodged the charging horse, the injuries I sustained were minor. No, they were mere small abrasions, hardly worth calling wounds.
My arms, legs, and back ached from hitting the ground, but these were things I could experience even in the training grounds.
Therefore, the doctor should have attended to Lady Sissae, not me. But what followed were only the fuss directed at me and Lady Roena's words, saying she would forgive the servant who seemed to be the main culprit of this incident.
No one, absolutely no one, asked Lady Sissae if she was alright. No one worried about her injuries. Among those present, no one noticed this discrepancy. Not even Lady Sissae herself!
In fact, Lady Roena should have examined and worried about Lady Sissae's injuries first, rather than saying she would forgive the servant.
But she did not. Lady Sissae also did not seem to show any particular interest in it.
No, it seemed as if she didn't even expect it. What did this mean? Could this be considered normal?
Why? I felt a chilling sensation, as if cold water had been poured over my head.
Even though I, a strong man clad in armor, was being examined by a doctor, no one questioned it.
How can this be overlooked? Why? For what reason?
Suddenly, Lady Sissae's words came to mind.
'Aren't you Roena's knight?'
I finally understood her words. No, I had no choice but to understand. Lady Sissae, you knew.
That no one present here worries about you or welcomes you.
That you have nothing of your own, nor can you have anything of your own. Even among those belonging to the Bishvarts Family.
