56 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards, Episode 56
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I had heard through the grapevine before. The Dibenzel Family is a representative noble family that supports the imperial family, so figures from the imperial court often visit.
Michael Ayres also came here on imperial business, and upon hearing that the young ladies were gathered in the drawing-room, he seemed to have stopped by to pay his respects.
Irene, with a composed expression as if nothing was amiss, gave her assent.
And as soon as the maid left the room, as if she had forgotten, she looked around at the surrounding young ladies and asked for their understanding—"Oh, I hadn't considered you all. Please understand with your generous hearts"—her demeanor was so natural that even I thought she had completely forgotten about us.
In any case, it was the people around who found themselves unable to breathe. Perhaps due to joy, almost all the young ladies began to create comical scenes, as if they had thrown all decorum to the wind.
It was basic for them to blush and let out silent screams before scrambling to their feet.
They urged the maids standing nearby to smooth out their wrinkled dresses and fix their hair. The piano, which had been covered, was opened, and the hands pressing the keys began to exert force.
Some began to act demurely, sitting on the sofa in the most becoming poses. It was instantaneous for the girls who had been playing games to suddenly hold books. It was a change as if magic had been cast.
A moment later, a knock was heard at the door. An unknown tension filled the room, and everyone's gaze was fixed on the door.
What entered through the gently opened door was a man of astonishing beauty.
I realized he was Michael Ayres by his softly fluttering golden hair and his emerald eyes that flickered slightly as if filled with melancholy.
"It has been a long time, Lady Dibenzel."
"Yes, have you been well? It has truly been a long time since I last saw you at your family's residence, Sir."
"Yes."
Ayres's gaze turned to the other young ladies. They all rose from their seats and greeted him.
I did the same. Ayres responded with a disciplined demeanor, his voice sounding as splendid as his appearance.
"If I have disturbed the young ladies' rest, I beg you to forgive this rudeness."
"Everyone will understand generously."
Irene replied with a smile. She seemed unfazed by Michael's overwhelming appearance, unlike the other girls who reacted as if they might faint at his every word.
"I would be grateful if you would think so. Then, I shall take my leave."
He seemed to have truly come only to pay his respects and was about to leave without lingering. Then, he briefly glanced at me, but it was so fleeting that I had to wonder if he had really made eye contact with me or if I had mistaken it.
This was because his face as he looked at me seemed strangely peculiar. Michael Ayres with a flushed expression—whoever heard it would surely think it a lie.
I shook my head as if to shake off the clearly shining emerald eyes. I must have seen something utterly unbelievable.
That evening's banquet was not properly held due to the lingering impression Michael Ayres left behind. All the young ladies, except for Irene and myself, could not properly hold their forks and knives as if possessed by ghosts. Their flushed faces looked as if they were in the fever of first love.
After all, they had not even debuted in society, so when could they have seen a knight like him up close? They had only heard about him through rumors or seen him from afar.
"My goodness. My heart is beating so fast, I can't sleep. How can someone be so wonderful?"
When everyone had gone to bed, Lady Sorin naturally came to find me to pour out her feelings.
She then met my gaze as if seeking my agreement. My own face, nodding calmly, was reflected in her large eyes.
"Lady Bishvarts, you have seen Sir Halberd and Sir Ayres up close. Which of them is more gallant and handsome? It must be Sir Halberd, the family knight, right?"
"Well..."
I trailed off and smiled gently. I did not want to indulge her desire to talk about the two knights. I also wished she would leave my room quickly.
Lady Sorin, seeing my lukewarm reaction that dampened the mood, blushed and raised her voice.
"Why are you reacting like that? Oh my! Lady Bishvarts, were you unaffected even after seeing Sir Ayres?"
I quietly said to Lady Sorin, who let out a low scream of disbelief.
"It would be nice if one could be attracted at first sight, but that is very rare. However, if I continue to see Sir Ayres, perhaps things might change. Of course, that's just a hypothetical. If that were to happen, I might be able to realize what Lady Sorin felt. But that will not happen. Not even by chance."
Unfortunately, Michael Ayres visited the Dibenzel residence the next day, and the day after that. And he always stopped by the drawing-room where the young ladies gathered to pay his respects.
As a matter of basic courtesy, I felt an uncomfortable feeling every time he visited. This was because I could feel Lady Sorin's gaze, which was smiling at me.
"Do you understand a little now?"
Shortly after Michael Ayres visited the drawing-room, she asked me in a triumphant voice, as if to confirm.
She seemed to have no regard for the fact that I was reading. Or, was it too much to expect such consideration? I sighed and closed the book I was reading. Then, looking at Lady Sorin, who was filled with a sense of anticipation, I said.
"Yes, a little. But don't get too excited. It's confusing."
"Confusing about what?"
"Everything."
Just because everyone worships him doesn't mean I have to. Such foolish behavior is enough for those who follow Roena.
Lady Sorin looked at me with an uncomprehending expression at my answer. She genuinely seemed not to understand me.
But soon, as if thinking there must be a reason, she lightly patted my shoulder and said in a cheerful voice.
"Spring comes to everyone equally."
I replied quietly to her words.
"I wish it would."
Time passed, and it was finally the last day of our stay at the Dibenzel residence.
Although we were staying at someone else's mansion, we spent our days as usual, yet everyone's face was filled with a sense of regret. This was also true for Irene Dibenzel.
Perhaps because of that? She suggested a picnic as the last activity at the Dibenzel residence for everyone. It was to have a small tea time in the mansion's garden.
Everyone welcomed the idea with joy and got up to change their clothes for the picnic. Since I had not brought a light dress for the picnic, I decided to wait for them in the drawing-room.
Michael Ayres visited the drawing-room not long after the young ladies had disappeared.
He seemed not to know that they had left to change, so he opened the door after knocking and stopped in his tracks the moment his eyes met mine. Perhaps he was very flustered, as his eyes were wide open.
"Hello, Sir Ayres. If you came to greet Lady Dibenzel, I'm afraid you'll have to postpone it. She is not here. So, please return."
I rose from my seat and greeted him. Sir Ayres bowed his head to return my greeting.
I thought he would leave immediately after finishing his greeting, so I sat back on the sofa and reopened my book. I had some unfinished passages.
Unfortunately, his outstanding beauty, which was said to shake the hearts of society ladies, did not stir any emotion in me. He was merely one of the knights of the imperial court.
It was obvious that Sir Ayres would not want to be with a humble young lady like myself. According to rumors, wasn't he known for being cold to all women?
Therefore, he would surely welcome this attitude of mine rather than consider it rude.
However, for some reason, he did not leave immediately but moved around as if pacing. Michael Ayres walked back and forth behind the drawing-room sofa several times, then strode towards me. And, looking at me with a puzzled expression, he said.
"If it is not too much trouble, may I ask for the young lady's name?"
Come to think of it, we hadn't properly introduced ourselves because we were always in a group. It was natural, as the days of just greeting and leaving repeated.
But why was he suddenly curious about my name? He could have just disappeared quietly as always. More importantly, why was he showing such noticeable signs of anxiety over something like this?
"I am Sissae of the Bishvarts Family."
I rose from my seat again, held the hem of my dress, and greeted him.
"Lady Bishvarts, I see."
He smiled as if pleased. It was like a child beaming with joy after receiving a large teddy bear as a gift.
"I am Michael Ayres."
"Yes."
I replied slowly, as if reluctantly. I wanted him to leave quickly after the greeting.
His noticeably changed demeanor, unlike his usual self, was also uncomfortable. But Michael Ayres did not seem to be stopping here.
"Why are you alone?"
I raised my head and looked at him. Ayres's face showed clear signs of anxiety again. His gaze was fixed on the book on my lap. Was this an indirect protest about my rudeness?
I closed the book and placed it on the side table. I had no desire to converse, but I had to answer his question, so it was important to meet his gaze.
"I am waiting for the others."
"While reading?"
He took a step closer. He picked up the book on the side table and read the title with a rather serious expression.
"What is it about?"
"It's a romance novel."
"A romance novel! It's a good read for light enjoyment. Could you tell me what it's about? It piques my interest."
"Oh my, are you serious? But this book doesn't contain anything that would satisfy Sir Ayres's interest. You know that."
I covered my lips with my hand and smiled. Or rather, I pretended to smile. Considering his attitude towards most women, it was an action I could easily perform.
"Then, what do you think would pique my interest?"
He asked with a stern expression. I curved the corners of my eyes into crescents and replied in a gentle voice.
"Well, that is something only Sir Ayres would know."
"You don't even consider it."
"Sometimes shyness can cover everything. So, please understand."
"Yes, I will. But I am curious. About that shyness."
Instead of answering, I reached out and took the novel from Sir Ayres. He handed it over willingly.
"That is also for you to judge. So, would you please grant me the opportunity to greet you again?"
"What greeting are you referring to?"
"A farewell greeting to remind you of your original purpose. Sir Ayres, you are a distinguished knight, so you wouldn't attach a scandal to a young girl who hasn't even debuted in society, would you?"
Conversations with people I'm not close to are painful. I found this time with him very tedious and just wanted to keep reading my book.
