5 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 5
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What sound could make Roena more uncomfortable than the words, "Because of you, I've been put in a difficult position"? She, who has always been on the opposite side of that perspective. That's why she's flustered to an observable degree, desperately making excuses.
"A misunderstanding? Who in the world would misunderstand you?"
If it were me in the past, convinced I had gained the upper hand with the answer just given, I would have aggressively cornered her. She clearly would have, having never experienced how Roena toys with others.
But reflecting on my life as Cis de Bishbalz, continuing to speak with Roena in such a situation was no different from digging my own grave and lying down in it. Regardless of the process, the outcome would inevitably favor her. As it always had.
Especially when Roena has so many people on her side, as is the case today. Unfortunately, when it comes to a battle of endurance, no one could defeat her.
Therefore, rather than striving for victory until the very end, it's better to strike and retreat at an opportune moment. It's even better if you can leave an uncomfortable lingering feeling for those who remain. Just like now.
"But Roena, ever since you started crying, everyone's expressions have been grim. Oh, perhaps this too was my misjudgment? I'm still not very knowledgeable, so it's possible. In any case, it's best to stop talking. It will only add to your distress."
I stood up from my seat and spoke. The voice that flowed from my parted lips trembled thinly, contrasting sharply with my composed expression. It was a silent protest, indicating that I was suppressing my upset feelings, even while acting as if nothing were wrong.
"Excuse me, but may I leave first? Please, generously forgive my rudeness."
"Are... are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I just feel like I should."
My adoptive father accepted my request with an awkward expression.
I looked at Roena, who wore a bewildered look, and everyone else, who seemed to shrink their shoulders as if sensing the strange atmosphere, and added an awkward smile. Then, as if I could no longer bear it, I hurried out of the dining hall. As if what happened next had nothing to do with me.
Later, I heard from my mother that Roena was severely scolded by my adoptive father after I left.
She was pointed out for her presumption in hurting me with her assumptions, for subtly insulting me, an uncultured noble lady, and for the rudeness of offering false hope with the word 'anything' when she couldn't possibly deliver.
Then, having promised to grant anything, he ordered one of the maids under her to be sent to me.
Honestly, I was very surprised by this part, but I didn't show it and quietly nodded. My adoptive father kept his declaration that even Roena couldn't treat me carelessly.
This was clearly an action taken with my mother in mind, revealing the extent of my adoptive father's burning passion for her. Oh, the sweetness of a newlywed couple! Count Bishbalz is truly a man.
Roena, unfamiliar with her adoptive father's angry demeanor, stood there blankly, unable to even cry.
I imagined the scene and suppressed a laugh. How much could that foolish girl have been scolded by her adoptive father? This incident must have truly shocked her into her senses.
I stormed out of the dining hall and, instead of going to my room, entered the garden, which was made up of small hills. My stomach felt uneasy from dealing with Roena.
After walking a few steps, the sunlight was so intense that I crouched down for a moment, my head bowed.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over me, and someone offered me a handkerchief with a swipe. It was a plain piece of cloth, neatly folded, with no embroidery—an unexpected kindness.
Is this to be placed on the ground to sit on?
I raised my head to look at the owner of the handkerchief. I wondered who could possess such a beautiful heart, as there should be no one within the mansion who held any favor towards me yet.
However, I soon regretted looking up to see the owner of the handkerchief.
"……!"
Because he was standing there. The man who had stolen my heart completely in the past. The man who was so indifferent to me that he was cruel! The knight who had devoted his entire heart to Roena.
Lustewin Halberd! The noble Knight of Clear Hearing. The sword of the Bishbalz Count family.
My heart pounded violently. My mouth grew dry, and my whole body trembled. My legs felt weak, as if I would collapse.
Why? Why did you give me a handkerchief? You, who never even spared a glance for any woman other than Roena! And yet, why me?
Just pass by as usual. Pass by indifferently, as you did before.
I bit my lip, hiding the rising resentment. Then, I gasped for breath and averted my gaze. I was mute and like a statue. A fool standing there dumbfounded, unable to say a word.
Just like my past self, repeating the same pattern of acting like an imbecile, unable to speak in front of him.
In the past, I was a girl who knew little of giving up. If I wanted something or wanted to do something, I would pursue it by any means necessary.
I never stopped charging forward until my desires were met, until I obtained what I wanted. Even if it meant falling and scraping my knees.
My mother always watched me with concern. While she took pride in my stubbornness, she was also anxious that I might break down and be frustrated by the walls of reality.
That's why she often endured her own hunger to try and fulfill my desires.
Her marriage to my adoptive father, which led to misunderstandings that she had seduced him, was also to satisfy my vanity.
Although she was a member of a Viscount's family, the previous head of the household had gambled away their fortune, forcing them to sell their title. She became a commoner overnight and had to take on all sorts of menial jobs. She didn't want to pass down such a life to me.
As a child, I never understood my mother's feelings. I didn't know, or rather, I didn't want to know, what insults she endured to make me a Count's daughter. At that time, I was too busy reveling in the new, glamorous life that had opened up. I only thought of myself.
Until I was consumed by inferiority towards Roena, I was the happiest girl in the world. Even if she occasionally acted in ways that upset me, it was very pleasing to see the haughty maids of the Count's family call me 'Miss' and attend to me, and to see them bow and grovel at my words.
When I said I wanted a jeweled ring, it was on my vanity table the next day. That was happiness.
Delicious food, luxurious dresses, soft and plush beds, sparkling jewelry, and handsome knights calling me 'Lady'. Everything felt like a dream.
The fact that the life I had only seen in fairy tales had come true was so enchanting, it felt like walking on clouds.
So, I deluded myself. I thought my life would always be filled with rosy hues and that I would live a happier life than anyone else.
Unfortunately, I was completely unaware that the ground I stood on was not solid earth that could fully support me, but a frozen sea covered in thin ice.
I didn't even realize how foolish and idiotic my actions were, how childishly I was behaving.
Ironically, it was Lustewin Halberd who pulled me out of my dream-like state.
Through him, I became aware of my inferiority complex towards Roena, and I learned that others were only treating me out of obligation, not love, and were even mocking me behind my back.
Lustewin Halberd was the first and last person I tried to possess but could never have.
I still remember. Back then, when I believed I could have anything if I just wanted it, the time I begged my adoptive father to assign Lustewin Halberd as my knight.
That day was truly strange. The potato salad the maid served was dry and choked me, and the bread was slightly hard, hurting my jaw to the point of irritation. My knife kept missing, sending a piece of meat flying to the center of the table, and with just a slight movement of my arm, a wine glass fell, drawing everyone's attention.
My adoptive father frowned at my poor table manners. His gaze was filled with strong condemnation, as if asking why I hadn't even learned table manners after being in the Count's family for so long.
But I was thinking of the beautiful knight who would come into my possession and didn't read his gaze, becoming even childishly excited. And when the meal was over, I opened my mouth as usual and uttered an almost forceful request.
"Please allow Sir Halberd to escort me. I want to have him. Is that alright?"
Normally, if I spoke like this, I could have anything. My adoptive father tried to grant me anything so that I wouldn't be intimidated by Roena after joining his family, and my mother also did her best to ensure my satisfaction. So, I thought I could have him this time too.
However, my adoptive father, whom I had no doubt would grant my request as usual, spoke with a troubled expression, trailing off. Roena, with tears welling up, couldn't lift her head. What followed were the sharp gazes of those around me.
But as I was in love for the first time, I couldn't understand why they were looking at me that way.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Does it mean no? Why?"
To my question, my adoptive father said,
"Sir Halberd is Roena's escort knight."
"There are many knights. So, you can give Roena another knight."
"Sir Halberd is different from other knights. So, it would be better to choose another knight."
"No, I want him. I can't have anyone but him."
My adoptive father looked at me. It was a cold gaze I had never seen before. I trembled all over at his look, which was close to anger.
"Do not act childishly. It seems you still haven't realized that you are a member of the Count's family."
In fact, Lustewin Halberd was no ordinary knight. He was a genius born of the empire, the representative knight of the Bishbalz family, the very sword of the Count's house.
Therefore, he was not someone that I, who was not of my adoptive father's bloodline, a mere commoner, and who had not yet learned the etiquette of high society, could dare to covet.
But I didn't know such things. I didn't know how noble and honorable a knight I was trying to claim.
Having spent half a year in the Count's family engrossed in jewels and dresses, pouring all my energy into a life of luxury, how could I possibly know his worth? Or that the Count's family could soar even higher because of him!
I opened my mouth to make excuses out of indignation. But seeing my adoptive father rise from his seat, I couldn't say anything. My mother, without even thinking of coming to me, glanced at my adoptive father and left the dining hall. So did everyone else.
Left alone in the dining hall, I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling a chill I had never experienced before. A deep anxiety washed over me. The cracks had already begun to form.
The maids of the Count's family never told me the value of the knight named Lustewin Halberd. When I asked, "Why can't I have him?" they just kept their lips shut as if they hadn't heard. As if he wasn't even worth explaining.
So, I went to find Roena. I went to her and told her to give him to me. I thought that Roena, known as an angel, would easily grant my request. It was a request I could make because I didn't know her attachment to her possessions.
