Translator: Nox

34 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper

Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 34

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But now I know. I know how useful this mealtime, when everyone gathers together, can be.

Mother was a frail person, but when something happened to you, and she felt the need for a sense of duty, she showed unexpected drive. This was most evident when it concerned me or, perhaps, the treatment you received.

The mealtime when everyone gathered, that is, the dinner with Madame de Lavalier, was more solemn and quiet than usual. No one had the audacity to clink their cutlery in front of her. Occasionally, there was a sound when serving food, but it was almost silent, and even the sound of chewing was very faint. Everyone except Roena was cutting their meat with expressionless faces.

“Sister.”

At Father’s call, Lavalliere turned her head. Her brow was slightly furrowed, and her wide-open eyes trembled as if in disbelief. It was extremely rare for Father to call Madame de Lavalier during a meal, and it was almost unprecedented.

But Father’s face as he looked at her was filled with seriousness. He had a stiff, determined expression, as if he had made up his mind.

“You must know how much I respect you, Sister. Your bright intellect, elegant demeanor, and beautiful actions that never lose their nobility are often an example to others. This will be the same for my two daughters. It is a joy to have a perfect idol to aspire to.”

“If you are saying this to flatter me, you can do it a little later, can’t you? I don’t know why you are in such a hurry.”

“Because it is something that must be said in front of everyone. Sister, I am the head of the Bishvarts Family. You know that, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do. Isn’t that an extremely obvious fact?”

“And my wife, this lovely woman sitting beside me now, is the mistress of the Bishvarts Family. You know that too, don’t you?”

Lavalliere picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. It meant she would not eat any more. Instead of answering Father, she moistened her lips with wine. Her slightly furrowed brow clearly indicated his discomfort.

I raised my eyes and looked at Mother. Her face seemed to hold a resolute determination, along with fear. It was the noble pride that resided in one aspect of a lovely woman.

I realized that Mother would no longer back down or stand by, but would boldly confront all the unreasonable things directed at her. It was a very brave and utterly ladylike decision.

Madame de Lavalier spoke in a low, sharp voice. Her voice, cold and subdued as if filled with frost, made everyone shrink back.

“I don’t think this is the place to have this conversation.”

“No, this is the place to have it. It is indeed. Therefore, no one will be able to leave their seat until I finish speaking. This applies to you as well, Sister.”

“Good heavens! I am utterly speechless. No one but the monarch who stands supreme above the empire and my husband has ever dared to command me so forcefully. If you were to treat me with the respect due to a sister, you could not speak to me like this.”

“But I am the Count of the Bishvarts Family. Even though your surname has changed to Lavalliere, as long as we are blood siblings, you must respect and follow my opinion. And I have a duty to set my house in order. Above all, Sister, there is one thing you must know: I have never once considered you a guest.”

“Very well, so what is it you want to say to me?”

Father declared in a firm tone.

“Please respect her, my wife and the mistress of the Bishvarts Family. If you love me, or rather, if you love the Bishvarts Family, I believe it is entirely possible. Of course, I am not unaware that appropriate advice can enlighten the foolish and give birth to the dissolute anew. But there is a time and place for everything! You, my wise Sister, must know this, mustn’t you?”

Lavalliere’s face turned bright red, as if it were about to burst. Her tightly closed lips and stiffly raised chin trembled with shame and anger.

Therefore, it was not difficult to imagine the blue veins standing out on her fist, hidden beneath the tablecloth. Lavalliere should be grateful that the dress she was wearing today was made of silk.

Otherwise, it would have left unsightly wrinkles on the hem of her dress and made her the laughingstock of everyone.

“Is that the opinion of your wife, the Countess? Did that girl tell you to say that?”

“No. It is entirely my personal opinion. It is something that should have been done much earlier, but it is just too late.”

Is this the eve of a storm, or should I call it a situation on the verge of explosion? Lavalliere’s lips twitched as she placed her hand on her chest, as if trying to hold back her ragged breath.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on her. Father tried to endure the uneasy atmosphere with composure, and Mother, with a terribly frightened face, trembled but did not turn away. Only Roena was looking around with a crestfallen expression. I quietly enjoyed this pleasant tension.

After a moment of silence, Lavalliere opened her mouth. Her face was still red with anger, but her voice was as gentle as usual. No, it seemed she was trying to be. She seemed to think that raising her voice in opposition to Father would only cause harm to both of them.

“I apologize to the Countess. I hope you will understand with a generous heart. Whatever misunderstanding may have arisen, please know that it was never my intention. It can happen, can’t it?”

When had Madame de Lavalier ever spoken to Mother with such deference? All she had shown was contempt, disgust, and cold indifference mixed with mockery.

Strictly speaking, Lavalliere’s attitude was not as gentle as she showed to Roena.

It was merely a superficial pretense, nothing more and nothing less. But Father and Mother seemed quite satisfied with that.

Especially Mother. She was so happy to have received an apology from Lavalliere in front of everyone—even if it was with Father’s help—that tears welled up in her eyes.

“Oh, of course. Of course. Naturally, it can happen.”

Ah, naive woman! Why can’t you read the miserable anger in his eyes?

I felt dismay at Mother’s attitude. I was disappointed in Father for not pushing Lavalliere further. If it were me, if it were me...!

In fact, if I had decided to confront her, to stand against her, I should have pushed harder. Fierce like a wolf, agile like a fox, cunning like a snake.

Therefore, the response just given was worse than not attempting anything at all. Ah, why do they not know that a naive reaction like a lamb’s is not the only elegant way to respond as a noble?

Above all, Madame de Lavalier is not a woman to be trifled with. She is not someone who would smile and endure such an insult.

Yet, Father’s clumsy handling only provoked Lavalliere’s resentment. Now, what does this mean?

“I will leave the table first. I am not feeling well.”

Lavalliere stood up from her seat. As if she could no longer bear it. Father and Mother could not stop her.

I also lost my appetite for the meal, so I asked for permission and stood up. Did I leave the table like that? I heard a voice calling me from behind. It was Roena.

Does her coming out like this mean she wants to talk about what just happened?

“Sissae, um… can you talk with me?”

Her cheeks were flushed red, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. Her voice, full of shyness, was as clear as a bird’s chirp. Things I could not have. But things I would soon have.

I smiled and replied,

“Of course.”

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I didn’t want to talk with Roena for long, so I didn’t suggest moving to another spot. There was nothing more awkward than sitting face-to-face with him for a long time.

Above all, I had just been eating delicious food, hadn’t I? If I couldn’t stomach it and vomited, it would be a great disgrace.

Roena, who had called out to me so boldly, now hesitated and glanced at me as if trying to start a conversation. Her lips, moving silently, seemed to speak of her worries.

Wasn’t she going to talk about Mother and Lavalliere?

I patiently waited for him to open his mouth and speak.

The corridor where I stood was a place where many people passed by. Therefore, I needed to maintain a gentle demeanor, no less than Roena. It was tiring, but I endured it with composure.

After a moment, Roena nodded his head decisively. Then he looked at me, and I almost let out a hollow laugh at the anxiety and something more that flickered across his face. It was a thought of ‘Could it be?’

“Sissae, I’m sorry. You must be very disappointed in me, right?”

Ah, so that’s it. He had come to talk about that after all.

But why today? If he was going to do it, he should have done it that day. Hiding behind Lavalliere and Mother, what more could he do now? It wasn’t like he was trying to provoke me. In the end, she was only acting for her own convenience.

I forced myself to smile, my lips feeling twisted. And I asked back gently, as if I couldn’t possibly guess,

“What are you talking about? What could I be disappointed about?”

“It’s about when I forgave the servant without asking you. But please don’t misunderstand. It’s because you said you weren’t familiar with noble etiquette the other day, so I was trying to help. You haven’t been taught by your aunt for long, have you? That’s why I did it.”

“Ah, I see.”

I smiled brightly. Then I reached out and clasped Roena’s hands. Otherwise, I felt like I might slap his cheek. Instinctive impulses are that frightening.

Roena looked very touched that I held his hands. The anxious look on his face vanished, and he immediately smiled brightly. He seemed simple, even foolish.

Ah, right, he seems foolish. Have I ever used the word foolish to describe him? For some reason, I feel like I’m in a good mood. I spoke softly and gently,

“It’s okay. It means you were thinking of me. It was nothing.”

“I’m relieved. I was afraid you were greatly disappointed in me.”

“No. Because it’s you, Roena, it’s okay. Anytime.”

I have no intention of giving him any advice, only praise. Even if he acts wrongly. I just want him to remain as he is. To appear strange in the eyes of others, to raise questions, yes, like that.

Didn’t I already experience Roena growing and soaring if given the chance?

Therefore, I earnestly wish for Roena not to grow. I hope he remains a child who cries in Margo’s embrace. Matters like etiquette or common sense are secondary.

Instead, I intended to suffocate her with interpersonal rudeness and innocent malice. Based on the words, ‘Because it’s Roena, it’s okay.’