Translator: Nox

4 - Fragments of the Broken Glass Slipper

Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 4

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“Having worked in the mansion for a long time, you must have seen many maids. Therefore, now, just by observing another's actions, you should be able to discern how well she fits into this mansion. Of course, that is also the role of the head maid. So, I am suspicious whether you truly didn't know that Marie lacked the qualifications. Whether it was due to her lack of ability, or intentional, or perhaps her mind has truly aged from illness.”

My father nods at my words. Perhaps there was some truth to his thoughts, as his eyes grew even colder.

“The head maid is truly in a busy position. So how can she possibly check on every single maid? Or perhaps the documents were delivered incorrectly... No one knows the truth yet. Don't you think so, Sissae?”

Roena's defense seemed quite plausible. Considering Margo's reputation, who had worked diligently in the mansion, it wasn't unreasonable. Furthermore, with 'Roena' taking her side, the situation had already tilted. Extremely unfairly.

My father looks at me, appearing confused. He wears a troubled expression, as if he doesn't want to hurt anyone.

So, I bite my lip, visible for all to see, and speak in a low voice.

“Certainly, those present here would know more about the head maid than I do. What kind of person she is, what abilities she possesses. Above all, since Roena speaks as she does, I don't think my opinion holds much weight.”

“Sissae?”

“What is certain is that she did not meticulously check the maid assigned to me several times. If she had, she would have easily noticed. Oh, don't look at me like that. I'm fine. Really.”

As soon as I finish speaking, my mother grabs me and bursts into tears. I stroke my mother's back and whisper,

“It’s alright, Mother.”

“It is all my fault.”

My father says with a hollow voice.

“I never dreamed I would hurt you and Sissae like this. It is my fault for not managing the household properly. Please forgive me. I swear this will never happen again. Please do not shed tears on that beautiful face. It tears my heart apart.”

My father approaches us and embraces my mother and me. And he sincerely asks for forgiveness.

“I suppose I shouldn't have brought it up. How did this start with Roena offering to help me and lead to all this? I should have just swallowed it.”

“No. You spoke well. I will ensure this does not happen again, but if it does, do not hide it, speak up. I swear, no one in the Bishvarts Family will be able to mistreat you. Not even my daughter, Roena. Do you understand?”

At my father's declaration, Margo's expression hardens. The same goes for the maids around us.

I look at them and smile faintly. My father's favor, now firmer than before I left, instills caution in everyone while also confirming where his affections lie.

In other words, things are unfolding exactly as Margo had feared. To my great delight.

“Sissae, I truly hope you can put your heart at ease. And I hope you can resolve your misunderstanding about Margo.”

“Roena, I respect your thoughts. And that will continue to be the case. So please don't say things like that.”

Roena smiles brightly at my words. She doesn't seem to consider the gravity of my father's declaration to be very important. She only watches my reactions, anxious.

What's amusing is that seeing her behavior, others think, 'Ah, Miss Roena truly feels sorry.' Even though that's not the case at all.

Based on my past experiences, this is merely an act to justify her earlier support for Margo. It's nothing more than the expression of her tiny conscience.

Therefore, peeling back the layers, there is clearly no trace of remorse for me anywhere on that face.

However, I cannot afford to miss the opening she has given me. I place my hand on Roena's shoulder and speak.

“Yes, Roena, how about you help me in this way, rather than just teaching me my studies?”

“Help in what way? I'll do anything, Sissae.”

I say to Roena with a sweet smile.

“Send me a maid who can help me well.”

“What?”

“You'll be reducing the head maid's burden. So she doesn't make mistakes again. Perhaps one of the maids currently helping you would be fine? What do you think?”

I still haven't forgotten. Those maids of hers who pointed fingers at my mother along with Margo, treating Roena like a saint.

And how much fun I had with those maids after my father died.

“My maids?”

Roena asks incredulously. I look at her with a triumphant expression, like a general who has won a war.

---

Roena has a strong attachment to what belongs to her. That feeling doesn't distinguish between people or possessions. The maids I mentioned were also precious things that couldn't be taken away from her.

Therefore, as long as they bore the name of 'hers,' she would react sensitively, even if she didn't give them affection.

That's why she must have felt a great sense of loss at my words. She recoils and despairs like a child who has had her teddy bear taken away. I can see it in the pain reflected in her eyes.

But that's only for a moment. As always, she seeks to overcome this situation with one tactic. Through the weapon of tears.

Roena was originally unable to control her tears well. Once she started crying, her angelic, beautiful face would be drenched with tears, crying sorrowfully.

When she was hurt, or sad, or upset, she would shed tears and sob deeply. This was also the case when she wanted to justify her actions.

So, no matter how absurd the situation she created, or how rude she was to the point of being a nuisance, people always forgave Roena.

No, they cursed whoever made Roena cry, feeling sorry for her. The tears flowing from beneath her trembling eyelashes were as brilliant as jewels. She was as pure and beautiful as a lily heavy with dew. The crying her was an angel itself.

It's the same this time. Her clear eyes swell up in an instant, and her flushed eyes soon begin to shed large tears. Her slender shoulders convulse so thinly that it looks pitiful, emphasizing her crying. Beyond her lowered hair, her snow-white nape proudly displays its dazzling beauty, subtly asserting its presence.

Everything was like a painting. Something so lovely that one couldn't help but embrace her, something so pitiable that one couldn't help but comfort her.

The dining hall was instantly filled with silence. The only sound was Roena's stifled sobs. Though she tried to swallow them, they were faint cries that subtly escaped from between her pressed lips. Roena's ultimate weapon, capable of shaking everyone's hearts, had appeared.

As she cried, everyone looked at me, expressing different emotions. My father with a troubled face, my mother with a look of incomprehension, and Margo and the other maids with eyes full of hostility.

I bite my lip. I feel like a hollow laugh is about to escape, so I bite and bite my lip again. How could I have been so caught up in this petty victory that I forgot her true nature?

But swallowing the bitter water rising in my throat comes first. It is paramount to overlay a smile on lips convulsing with anger. I pretend to be calm and ask her,

“Was I asking for too much?”

Roena stops crying as if she had been waiting. And from between her red, wet lips, she incessantly utters the words, 'I'm sorry.'

I suppress the urge to tear her lips apart and gently wipe Roena's cheeks with a handkerchief. Then, blinking slowly, I ask as if I truly don't know what went wrong.

“No, I'm sorry. Actually, I don't know why you're crying. So I don't know how to comfort you.”

“That’s not it. It’s just because you hate me.”

“Roena. When you say it like that, I can’t understand. Won’t you tell me in detail? That way, I won’t repeat the same mistake this time.”

As I ask this, I swallow down the triumphant laughter that was about to erupt once more. At the same time, I tense up. Her second weapon is coming out. That disgusting act of making the other person an idiot by blaming herself.

“It wasn't an unreasonable request. There's no one who can serve you as well as my maids. They are truly kind and gentle. But I don't know why I'm crying like this. It's not like we're parting, so why do I feel so sad and hurt? I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I hate myself for being like this. I'm sorry, Sissae. I'm truly sorry. That doesn't mean I won't send them to you, though. It's just, it's just…”

Unable to contain her overwhelming emotions, Roena covers her mouth and bursts into sobs again.

I hide my fist, veins bulging, beneath my dress hem and tremble. I am astonished by her act of disguising her childish tantrum of not wanting to lose what's hers in this manner.

However, people do not see through Roena's actions clearly. Her demeanor is so peculiar that it makes the other person think of her as the 'villain.'

Who wouldn't feel guilty when a beautiful woman, so lovely one wants to embrace her, bursts into tears, blaming herself with her own words?

Her actions had the power to turn a legitimate request into an impolite one, a gentle tone into oppressive verbal abuse, and a fleeting touch into an assault.

So, third parties who didn't know the exact circumstances always cursed the other party, and even those who knew the reality would scratch their heads with a troubled expression and say, 'Still, can't you yield a little?'

As a result, the one who didn't yield was treated as a cold-blooded monster, a ruffian who didn't consider others. It was absurd.

Look now. Aren't all of them, except my mother, seeing me as an unparalleled thief? As a rude person who dared to covet her precious possessions.

So I smile faintly. At the same time, I shrug my shoulders as if I still can't understand why this would be so upsetting as to make one cry.

“Since you're so sad, I can't help it. Alright, Roena, you don't have to grant my request.”

“Sissae?”

“It’s alright. I’m truly fine. Instead, please stop crying. You're ruining your pretty face.”

Roena's eyes widen in visible surprise, and she stops crying. It's the first time someone has reacted this way to her tears, so she doesn't even try to hide her emotions.

“It’s not that I won’t send them to you. I just…”

“As I said, I’m truly fine. Just like with the head maid's issue earlier, and now. You come first, don't you?”

At the same time, I lower my eyes and murmur in a calm tone.

“It seems like everyone thinks so, too.”

Then Roena waves her hand as if bewildered.

“Sissae, don't think that. I didn't mean I wouldn't send them.”

“Roena, you don't have to try so hard. I'm truly fine. I've realized that you always come first, so that's enough. From now on, I'll consider you first as well.”

I watch Roena, who looks flustered and unsure, with a calm gaze. And I ask with my eyes.

Do you see? I don't cry my eyes out like a child. But I will speak in a casual tone, as pitifully as possible, as if blaming myself for my shortcomings, and without resentment towards you who reminded me of my inadequacies. That way, you'll feel guilty.

“So please, don't let others misunderstand.”