Translator: Nox

32 - Fragments of the Broken Glass Slipper

Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 32

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I could not meet Lady Sissae at all on my way back to the mansion. The same was true after I returned.

People called me a brave knight. They praised me for upholding my knightliness, though I regretted not being Lady Roena's knight.

None of their words pleased me. Rather, they were contemptible. Not even within the 'Bishvarts Family' was there anyone who worried about Lady Sissae. That was more chilling than believing baseless rumors and slandering her.

I could not help but feel sadness at their heartlessness and immoral behavior. This emotion reached its peak when I learned that the Lady had been placed under house arrest by Madame.

Lady Sissae watched a horse charge at her with her own eyes. The shock of that moment must have been indescribable.

Even a robust man would feel terror at such a thing. How much more so a delicate woman. Yet no one, still no one, felt pity or concern for her.

Even the Count's physician who came to treat me mentioned in passing that she was worried about me. When I heard that, I could not help but give a bitter smile. Who was worried about whom. Who was worried about whom!!

So when I met Lady Sissae in the garden I had chanced upon, I could not help but speak of the isolation she must be feeling.

"I am also your Ladyship's knight."

This is something I should have said earlier, something that should have been conveyed to you. The resignation or despair etched on your face does not suit your beautiful features.

But was it too soon, or too late? Your figure, as you hastily fled the garden, fearing people's eyes and mouths, felt like an unattainable phantom.

As if foretelling that I would often be left gazing only at your retreating back from now on, just like that.

I reached out towards the place where you had vanished. There was nothing to grasp. Even the shadows cast were short, leaving no lingering trace.

"There is no need to reveal your heart? True affection, even if unseen, shines brightly like the stars in the sky?"

Somehow, it felt like a hollow laugh escaped me. This feeling reached its zenith when I discovered a handkerchief lying carelessly among the bushes in the very garden where I had first met Lady Sissae.

Though it was difficult to recognize, covered in mud and dust, I knew instinctively. This was indeed the handkerchief I had given to Lady Sissae.

Had you been prepared from the very beginning?

I kissed the end of the handkerchief and clutched my bursting heart. My heart ached thinking of Lady Sissae, wandering in solitude and weeping alone.

I did not think it important whether this was a knight's sense of duty or pity for someone who reminded me of my elder brother.

No, it wasn't bad to think it was something more. What mattered was that I, you, Lady Sissae...

I heard Fell calling me from afar. I folded the handkerchief and tucked it inside my chest.

I thought that someday, perhaps, it would be held in someone's hand again, just like that. Hoping that it would be innocence, not resignation; joy, not despair; attraction, not isolation.

Then I would no longer have to see a retreating back like a mirage.

---

Since meeting Sir Halberd in the garden, I had stopped taking walks around his vicinity and sought to soothe my mind with reading.

In truth, small pleasures like sitting in a chair in a light chemise, drinking tea, and reading a book were not so tedious.

Of course, I also engaged in various other activities such as napping when I felt tired or having light snacks, but mostly I read, and if that didn't suffice, I practiced embroidery with Marie.

When I grew tired of these activities, I would smell the fragrance of flowers Marie had picked early in the morning, choose a suitable dress, or play by spraying perfume on my hands and feet.

I put considerable effort into forgetting what had happened in the garden, and it seemed to be almost successful.

Therefore, the letter from Princess Irene, which arrived around this time, was more than enough to make me happy. She had returned home and wished to share her girlish sensibilities with me by sending copperplates depicting the latest fashionable dresses and shoes.

It was an attempt to show off her upcoming debut into society and simultaneously flaunt her elegant taste. There was also a hidden intention to increase her followers through such exchanges.

To my dearest Lady Sissae.

I hope you do not find it amusing that I am writing this letter while standing before a bureau decorated with seashells.

This desk, with its elegant taste, often perplexes me with my mother's aesthetic. I prefer more delicate and beautiful furniture.

How is your health? Is the loyal knight of the Bishvarts Family well? I still find myself smiling a little when I think of that day.

You were more noble and elegant than your own step-sibling. Your composure and dignified tone, which defied everyone's expectations, were so dazzling, so enchanting. Therefore, I am very pleased to be writing this letter to you.

I will soon be debuting into society, so I have many preparations to make these days. From dresses and parasols to shoes and jewelry, merchants visit my home every morning and exhaust me until evening.

I don't even have time to read. I am not allowed to play musical instruments or sing either. It's a miracle if I don't collapse and faint on a méridienne.

I can only endure by looking at elegant gold embroidery fabric, beautifully ripened lace, and delicately tilted feather decorations. I am sending you copperplates depicting the designs of the latest fashionable dresses and shoes. I hope you will enjoy them together.

Looking forward to the day we meet again,

Irene de Dibenzel.

Marie did not fail to let out a shriek mixed with ecstasy as she looked at the copperplates sent by Princess Irene.

Seril also cast furtive glances at the copperplates, her eyes full of longing. As befitted designs sent from a ducal residence, the drawings on the flat plates were so vivid they seemed about to pop out, possessing an indescribable splendor.

"My Lady, you will also choose dresses and shoes while looking at such copperplates when you debut into society, won't you?"

Marie, even while wiping a silver basin with a cloth, could not hide her excited voice. Her face was flushed with a faint blush.

Indeed, around this time, I would pester my mother to call a designer and order dresses haphazardly. However, most of them were of vulgar quality, not just unsightly but utterly pathetic. This was due to my unrefined taste.

Nevertheless, my clothes cost twice as much as those Roena wore. My mother and I, being blind as moles when it came to noble possessions, were thoroughly swindled by the merchants.

Some maids even committed the audacious act of taking kickbacks from those merchants by introducing them to me.

Looking back, my mother clearly wanted to do something more productive than simply ordering dresses and jewelry to flaunt her nobility.

This can be seen from how she tried to get me a history or etiquette tutor, and earnestly pleaded with me to learn at least one musical instrument.

But to the past me, the dignity and duties required of a noble were unnecessary. I cared more about a single chocolate or a glass of wine, or sweet cookies that entered my mouth.

I thought I had fulfilled my duty simply by smearing makeup on myself, rather than washing off the vulgarity clinging to my body. There was no need to bother with other trivial matters.

Of course, this often led to arguments with my mother. Each time, I would stomp my feet or scream like a madwoman to frighten her. Even though I didn't know what I needed most.

Now, Madame de Lavalier was providing the noble education that my mother had so desperately desired in the past. Therefore, arguments of this nature had ceased.

However, my mother seemed to think that since my learning was so far behind other ladies, I needed to acquire much more.

So, by finding other external aspects that the Lavalliere family had overlooked, she sought to prove her own worth.

I thought it was not a bad thing, so I merely observed. But if I had known beforehand that my mother would commit the audacious act of bringing a back-alley prostitute into the Bishvarts mansion, I would have earnestly dissuaded her and refused.

In fact, summoning a prostitute within the mansion was not surprising. It could even be considered common. After all, how many ladies my age had not received sex education from a prostitute?

However, my mother should have acted at least after Madame de Lavalier had left the Bishvarts Family. If only to avoid her disapproving gaze.

Unfortunately, my mother committed the atrocity of summoning a prostitute to my bedroom. Excessive ambition had overcome rational thought. As a result, I was faced with 'Perinnil,' standing alluringly with a peculiar smile as if I had been expecting her.

"It's nice to meet you. You can call me Perinnil."

Her lips were still bright red. Her breasts, pushed up with all her might, seemed about to spill out of her clothes. Her hair, which fell naturally to just below her neck, was as dark as a snake's and so seductive that one could not tear their eyes away.

The black silk dress was a very ascetic color for a prostitute, but on her, it looked like the most vulgar and lewd garment in the world.

"Oh, many noble ladies receive very private education around this time. And I am exceptionally skilled in that regard. So you will never be disappointed."

I knew that someday I would receive education about sex and men through a prostitute or an old maid. It was also my duty. However, I never thought I would meet Perinnil so easily.

My original plan was to receive education from a family-appointed prostitute, and then, as if I had learned of 'Perinnil' from her, summon him.

Therefore, an unplanned meeting like this was neither welcome nor pleasant. Especially considering the wrath Madame de Lavalier would show.

I sat on the sofa with a reluctant expression. Seeing my mother's face, which was smiling with satisfaction, I didn't know what to say.

"Shall we begin then?"

Perinnil smiled. Then, lifting her chin and swaying her hips, she began to walk forward, step by step. As if demanding attention.