Translator: Nox

55 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper

Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 55

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Regardless, tonight was undoubtedly a good omen for me. I was ready to praise her excessively light tongue.

“What did you want to talk about?”

“This and that. Anything is fine.”

“Then how about this? I don’t know much about the ladies in this mansion. So, how about Lady Sorin taking the time to introduce them to me?”

“That’s a good idea.”

Lady Sorin, her face flushed with pleasure, began to chatter away to me. Although I interspersed my own biased opinions, she was undoubtedly recounting who played what role in this gathering and what their rankings were.

Then, she started telling an anecdote related to Roena, and through it, I understood why Irene disliked Roena.

To summarize, the difference between Roena’s kind heart and Irene’s aristocratic demeanor clashed.

As shown at the hunting grounds last time, she must have shielded a servant who made a mistake in front of Irene before. Forgetting the fact that a noble’s leniency is only extended to fellow nobles.

Ladies are flowers. Beautiful flowers blooming vibrantly. Especially Irene de Dibenzel was a rose that bloomed most splendidly among countless flowers.

Her thorns were her noble pride, and her petals were the background and appearance that supported her. Her fragrance was her unique, fatal charm that captivated people.

Therefore, everyone praised and revered her as a matter of course. The prevailing opinion was that if she were to debut in society, she would reign as the pinnacle of all women.

Yet, Roena wounded such flawless perfection. Surprisingly, this small Bischwartz made Irene de Dibenzel appear as a ruthless girl in front of many people.

Completely disregarding the fact that only the master has the right to decide a servant’s punishment.

Irene felt deeply humiliated by Roena’s defiance and was enraged by the situation where she had to step back due to public attention. What angered her most was Roena’s attitude, as if she were lecturing her.

Some might dismiss such situations as mere childishness and find them amusing. They might say she was making a big deal out of something that could have been simply overlooked.

However, it is women like us who move society, and it is pride that supports those women. Without noble honor, this sharp, deadly weapon, how can one survive here?

“Lady Roena is a bit strange. I don’t know why she thinks she’s always right. Sometimes she should respect others’ opinions, but she never does. Most of all, I don’t understand why she always shields servants, both male and female, who make mistakes. And not just servants belonging to her own family, but servants from other families. Surely, you don’t find it bothersome, do you?”

I nodded. Perhaps pleased by my answer, Lady Sorin smiled again.

“I’m glad Sissae is with us. It’s as if we’re showing that there are people with proper thoughts in the Bishvarts family too.”

She reached out and clasped my hand. The clasped hands felt awkward and uncomfortable, but I endured it.

“So, I truly welcome you. I wanted to tell you this.”

I looked into her blue eyes and gently closed my own. Welcome. A word that suited me least echoed in my mind. A terribly lovely word that didn’t apply to the Sissae of the past.

Yet, it was profoundly strange, and very much so, that Lady Sorin, who seemed to resemble Roena, uttered it.

Lady Sorin continued her chatter for a while longer, and only when her eyelids grew heavy did she return to her room.

“Is the fact that I came a secret?”

Well, if her tongue is this light, I suspect she’ll confess on her own before I even have to reveal it.

But I needed to reassure her, so I nodded and said I would. Her expression brightened considerably at my answer, and she bid me goodnight.

The door closed, and silence descended. It was the first night at the Dibenzel mansion. I lay on the soft bed and closed my eyes. It felt like I could finally rest.

\ \ *

For young girls who do not debut in society, leisure is consumed in very limited ways. Horse riding, reading, embroidery, walks – the same activities repeat endlessly. A day at the Dibenzel mansion was no different.

The first day was somewhat enjoyable with the merchant’s visit, but the subsequent days were a continuous stream of boredom.

Among the ladies gathered in the drawing-room, some played the piano, some painted, some read books, trying to pass the long hours that stretched into the evening.

Others took out their jewels and earnestly discussed the latest jewelry-making designs.

I sat on the sofa and began reading a book. Lady Sorin, overtly trying to be friendly, suggested playing the Rhomium Game (Monopoly), but I politely declined.

A game involving rolling crystal-engraved dice to move to designated spots was not my preference. More than anything, I was reluctant because the person who suggested the game was someone I needed to maintain a distance from.

Her excessively light tongue and her almost dissolute behavior made me feel repulsed.

I even wondered if she would have the right to be included in this gathering if not for the immense wealth derived from the mines in the Sorin territory.

It was around then that two ladies, who had been chatting over tea around a table in a corner, approached me.

They looked at me with very flushed faces, giving me the strange feeling of encountering girls in love.

“You must see Sir Halberd often, don’t you? His gallant and beautiful appearance.”

One of the reasons the past Roena was envied by everyone included Lustewin Halberd.

This beautiful man, considered the knight among knights for his exceptional talent and looks, was the object of everyone’s admiration.

Didn’t I myself cling to him miserably? To the point of cursing Roena, who monopolized him, so deeply.

The two ladies before me seemed to be completely smitten with Sir Halberd’s charm. Yesterday, they had lowered their eyes demurely and couldn’t utter a proper word, but now they were blushing like this.

I recalled his face at the mansion and offered a wry smile. It was because I didn’t know what to say to those looking at me with expectant eyes.

“Yes, I’ve seen him a few times when he came and went. But he seems to be a very busy person, so I’ve only seen him a handful of times.”

They didn’t seem entirely satisfied with my answer. They seemed to want something that would fulfill their fantasies. I added, with an ambiguous smile,

“And Sir Halberd is Roena’s knight, so I rarely have occasion to see him.”

Roena’s knight. Ah, what a bitter phrase! The ladies’ faces stiffened and their brows furrowed the moment I finished speaking.

Their cold, sunken eyes held strong jealousy towards Roena. But it was only for a moment, and then, as if nothing had happened, they mentioned another figure.

“I see. What a shame.”

“Indeed. It’s a pity such a wonderful person only escorts Lady Roena.”

“Oh, speaking of which, Sir Delphine was there last time…”

A romance with a handsome knight is a beautiful fantasy that appeals to both older and younger women.

Even a woman with high pride carves out a small space in her heart for a sliver of innocence. This applies to the girls before me as well.

I quietly closed my book at the sight of the ladies chattering away, showing no intention of leaving me alone. And I listened to their words. Numerous knights’ names were mentioned from their lips.

In particular, there was much talk about ‘Michael Ayres,’ who could be considered Lustewin Halberd’s rival.

Michael Ayres is a knight belonging to the Imperial Palace, whose swordsmanship is considered to be on par with Halberd’s.

This handsome man with long, golden, flowing hair and striking green eyes is admired by many women, but few approach him due to his cold disposition.

Nevertheless, he enjoys popularity comparable to Lustewin Halberd, because his noble bearing incites a desire to conquer in others.

In my past, I was so infatuated with Sir Halberd that I lightly dismissed the existence of such a person, but it seems others are not the same.

In any case, perhaps because they learned that Sir Halberd was designated as Roena’s through me, they began to eagerly discuss Michael, his rival. They seemed to have many fantasies about his icy personality.

“According to my sister, no woman has ever received his escort.”

“Oh my, who could be the woman to melt his heart?”

“Who knows. Even if there is one, I hope he maintains his current disposition.”

“I agree. I can’t imagine a gentle Sir Ayres.”

“Lady Bischvarts, do you admire any knights?”

I trailed off with a faint smile.

“I don’t know what to say, as I don’t know many knights yet.”

“How about someone as kind as Sir Halberd?”

I looked at the lady who asked the question. Her lips held a deep sense of pleasure from uttering such a mischievous remark.

I met her gaze and smiled quietly. With an innocent expression, as if I hadn’t perceived the malicious intent.

“Sir Halberd is kind to everyone, so it’s difficult to say. I wouldn’t want to mistake his pure kindness.”

“Something happened?”

“Yes, yes. I received a very small favor once.”

At my words, everyone’s expression changed. They looked at me with the eyes of romantic young girls.

“Please tell us what happened.”

“It was such a small thing that I’m embarrassed to speak of it. When I was crying alone, he handed me a handkerchief with his name on it.”

“Oh my, what a truly kind person.”

“Then, do you still have that handkerchief?”

If I had said yes, they would have demanded I show it immediately. I put on a pained, sad face and said,

“Unfortunately, it disappeared at some point.”

“Disappeared? Why?”

Instead of answering, I pursed my lips. At the same time, I offered an awkward smile, as if troubled.

The ladies, seeming to understand something from my demeanor, let out small coughs and began to cover their faces with fans. Their eyes moved busily, as if engaged in silent conversation.

It made sense. I am merely an adopted daughter of humble birth, but I bear the noble surname of Bischvarts.

Therefore, from their perspective, it would be quite amusing that the discipline of the maids within the family is so lax that they would boldly steal my belongings.

Suddenly, the drawing-room door opened, and a maid entered. She bowed politely to everyone and then addressed Irene.

“Miss, Sir Ayres requests an audience.”