48 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards, Episode 48
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Blan must have hidden the key very well, as Margo had been unable to find the culprit for nearly a week. Thanks to this, the number of soldiers guarding the warehouse increased, and their shifts became extremely short.
Regarding this, Mother said that Father was very enraged and deeply saddened by the situation where he had to suspect the servants.
Therefore, she subtly hinted that she was doing her best to appease Father's heart, but that it was very difficult. She could not reveal it overtly, as it was a tea time with Roena.
Mother wanted to create more opportunities for 'together' time. She was afraid of potential problems arising from the subtle atmosphere between Roena and me. So, she often hosted tea parties, inviting her and me.
It was truly a pointless consideration, but knowing Mother's heart, I tried to follow her words. Unless it was an unavoidable situation, I consistently attended to ease her worries. Today's gathering was also at Mother's invitation.
The theme of the tea time was Roena's key. The start was cautious, but once the conversation flowed, it naturally led to adding various assumptions and pondering how to find the culprit.
But can one find a hidden key by racking one's brain? Eventually, the topic shifted to a new 'key.'
"I have invited a renowned craftsman to create a new key and lock," Mother said.
At Mother's words, Roena paused mid-sip of her tea. I pretended not to notice and chimed in.
"Could we ask them to engrave Mother's favorite flower on the back of the key? It would be truly beautiful."
Normally, the warehouse key would bear the family crest and be kept by the mistress of the house. By mentioning Mother's favorite flower—though difficult to implement—I was implying that the owner of this key would be Mother.
Wasn't that right? If Mother is the Countess of the Bishvarts Family, why should her stepdaughter possess the warehouse key!
In truth, this should have happened from the very first day Mother entered the Count's estate. That would have been the right thing to do. It was only because the shield of 'memento' had been too strong until now.
"Still..."
Mother trailed off, looking at Roena. I resumed my act as a naive girl, uttering thoughtless words.
"Would lilies be good? Mother likes lilies. Yes, that would be best. What do you think, Roena?"
"Huh?"
"The new key we're making. We'll engrave the family crest on the front and lilies on the back. Wouldn't that be magnificent? It would be truly splendid."
"Mhm, I think so."
"It was the key that should have been kept by you from the beginning, but now it has finally found its owner. It's hard to understand why it took so long."
"Sissae, my dear..."
Mother couldn't finish her sentence, looking troubled. Roena's face was flushing red. I tilted my head as if puzzled and continued cheerfully, acting as if I knew nothing at all.
"Isn't it true? Oh my, why is everyone looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
Mother did not deny my words. She merely fidgeted, glancing at Roena. My poor stepsister's face had already turned pale, then a deathly blue.
How can the love between men and women be described? There are various metaphors, but none are as fitting as 'fireworks.' They appear incredibly passionate and spectacular, yet after a certain time, only a wisp of smoke remains as they collapse in vain.
Or perhaps they can be seen as lanterns soaring high into the sky. They capture everyone's attention and soar more brilliantly than anyone else, but who can predict their end!
Does anyone know if they are torn apart on a tree or fall into the river and sink? It is certain that their end will not be happy, though.
Mother's faith in Father was similar. While she is now focused on him and showering him with affection, the anxiety that he might change his mind at any moment makes her insecure. That is why she is timid, watching Roena's reactions, isn't it!
[Men, in the end, give their hearts more to their own blood. A man's passion holds no more weight than a handful of dust. Are we not family, yet unable to be family?]
Ironically, the current reality is that one cannot fully rely on a man's heart, which can change at any moment, to exert authority. This is precisely why, despite being the mistress of the Count's estate, she cannot fully exercise her prerogative.
It is also why the maids behind Roena exude such an arrogant aura. Margo and everyone else knew this.
In other words, without Father's attention, we can do nothing. Therefore, Mother wanted to get along well with Roena and prepare for the future, while I, hiding in Mother's shadow, plot to cripple Roena. So that she will eventually lose her head, Margo.
This is also why I feign the act of a naive girl in front of Mother. Although I have the recognition of the nobles, I want to appear as a pathetic person who, due to her actions, cannot even dream of intricate schemes.
Though suspicion and certainty are separated by a thin sheet of paper, doubt without proof is merely skepticism. Thus, if I naturally make mistakes again and again, they will surely lower their guard against me.
Until I climb up her ankles and bite her neck! Haven't I learned enough from Roena that getting angry while smiling makes one look petty!
Therefore, I continued to act oblivious and grated on Roena's nerves. I pretended not to notice Mother's unease. Instead, I asked, "Mother, why does your complexion seem so poor?"
And then, I shifted the concern about you to Roena, asking if she was worried about you. Until she, unable to bear it, hastily left.
"Sis, my lovely child. Your mother earnestly wishes your intelligence would extend to your words."
After Roena left, the tea time naturally concluded. All that remained was an air that felt suffocatingly heavy. Mother, after sighing and touching her forehead, dismissed the maid and clasped my hands tightly.
And she spoke with a worried tone, and I could not help but listen silently, as her feelings were understandable.
"Can't you be a little more careful? Just a little more. You feel so precarious to me, like a child left by the water."
"I'm sorry for causing you worry. But Mother, I don't think I did anything wrong. It was something I naturally had to say."
"My child, you didn't have to. It is only natural that you couldn't. You know that."
"Why is that natural?"
"Sissae..."
I quickly cut Mother off.
"No, Mother. You are the one forgetting what is natural. At least within this mansion, no one can hold a superior position over you except Father. Why don't you know that? Roena is not Madame Lavalliere. What are you afraid of?"
"I fear the lack of foundation. We have nothing. Family? Money? Oh, it's just the two of us. How long do you think romantic affection lasts? A year or two? And after that? Sis, my dear child, I don't want you to live a life of eating coarse bread and running barefoot through the streets again. Do you understand? So, what we must do is get along with Roena."
"By watching her every move?"
"My child!!"
I pulled my hand away from Mother's grasp. Then, I caressed her cheek and whispered sweetly.
"Mother, why do you find my actions wrong when you accept Roena's innocence as it is? Please do not tell me the situations are different. If you truly care for me, it's best to stop this 'discrimination.' Why do you think I, even more than her, must act maturely and wisely? Aren't you the one who should support me, no matter what mistakes I make? It's just the two of us."
Mother's lips moved as if she wanted to make an excuse. But no sound came out. So, I continued.
"But I truly didn't know anything. Really. So please don't worry. I'll know soon enough. Until then, I will always be like this."
"Until when?"
Mother asked back, her voice trembling. I replied with a gentle smile.
"It will be soon."
After speaking, I kissed Mother's cheek and rose from my seat. It was a silent gesture that I had nothing more to say to her. In fact, if we spent any more time together, it was clear we would only hurt each other's feelings. So, it was better to withdraw immediately.
Instead of bidding farewell to Mother, I walked directly to the door and said to the maid waiting outside, as if I couldn't understand.
"Mother seems to be in a very bad mood. I don't know why, but could you take good care of her?"
The maid replied obediently that she would. However, her eyes held a look of pity towards me. A gaze that seemed to say, 'Why don't you know what I know?' I pretended not to notice, patted the maid's shoulder, and left.
As I walked down the hallway to return to my room, the maids' gazes felt sharp. I walked on, feigning indifference, when I heard whispers as if meant to be overheard. It seemed the conversation in Mother's room had already spread, and blatant criticism poured out.
"Her true colors are showing. She's clearly coveting the fortune. Just look at that shameless face."
"Shh, she'll hear. Lower your voice."
"So what? Will she even understand?"
A particularly loud voice caught my attention, and I turned towards the direction of the sound to see a familiar face. It was one of the maids who worked in Roena's room, attending to her. In the past, though less so than Seril, she was a woman who had sided with Roena and opposed me until the end.
Perhaps because of that, when our eyes met, she startled and bowed, but her bend was not deep, and her posture clearly indicated it was done out of obligation.
I turned my steps and walked towards her. The maid beside her looked terrified, fidgeting and unable to meet my gaze. She too swallowed hard, her tension palpable as I approached.
It was like this in the past, too. Every time I passed, such blatant criticism would pour out. The taunts, cleverly devoid of a subject but undeniably directed at me, would fly like arrows and embed themselves in my body.
If I got angry and confronted them, they would quickly bow and flee with swift steps. If I stopped them and reprimanded them, they would look at me with resentful eyes and put on a tearful, wronged expression.
Everyone was in league, making me the only one who was awkward and insignificant. Therefore, all I could do was cover my ears and endure, or torment Roena, whom they loved so dearly.
But what about now?
