59 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 59
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And you say that time was better? That's a terrible thing to say.
“Because it’s society, Mother. You know that. More than anything, I truly wish not to become a laughingstock for others. This letter will be a stepping stone for that.”
“But you’re a courtesan. You’ll surely be ridiculed. You can’t help but be a laughingstock. Even with the Emperor’s favor, a courtesan is inherently such a being. So, can’t you reconsider? Above all, your aunt won’t like it.”
“She won’t even care about me, will she?”
Of course. If she had even a shred of regard for me, she would have introduced me to her people. To help me debut smoothly into society.
“Oh, child. Don’t say such things. As long as you bear the Bischvarts name, she won’t disown or ignore you.”
“That would be possible only if I don’t tarnish the Bishvarts Family’s honor. And it’s already been tarnished. Even if you try to deny it, Mother. Of course, she’ll be angry. But if I don’t do this, I probably won’t be able to bear it.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“That’s a matter I need to consider after meeting her.”
In fact, until I sent the letter to Chateauroux, I had hoped she would become my ‘chaperone (a guardian for a young lady entering society).’
However, my relationship with Madame de Lavalier had progressed significantly compared to the past, and with the unexpected appearance of Irene, I felt I needed to think more carefully.
Of course, it was true that my acquaintance with her would be a good connection for me. But a ‘connection’ and ‘an ally’ are different things.
I had to devise a good way to maintain my relationship with Chateauroux without damaging my honor.
“Will that be so easy?”
“No. But it won’t be impossibly difficult either. Don’t you see? Madame Chateauroux herself sent me a letter. And until just now, I was staying at the Dibenzel residence. Isn’t this enough?”
“Yes. I see.”
Mother nodded, agreeing with my words. It was clearly a reluctant nod, but I was relieved that she seemed to understand to some extent.
“So, Mother, could you call for the courtesan you mentioned before?”
“That’s not difficult, but why do you ask?”
“Madame de Chateauroux had the status of a courtesan. Although she is currently the Emperor’s favorite, I don’t think her past self has completely disappeared.”
“It’s truly difficult.”
“Yes. That’s why it’s worthwhile. Please make a good excuse to my adoptive father.”
“Can I really do it well? I’m not confident.”
“Of course. I believe you will do well, Mother.”
“But Sissae, my child. I, I…”
I quickly spoke to my mother, who shook her head without finishing her sentence. At the same time, I didn’t forget to hold her hands as if to reassure her.
“I swear to you, Mother, I will never do anything that would bring shame to this family. So please don’t worry. I am Sissae. Your daughter. If you don’t trust me, who will?”
“That’s right. If I don’t trust you, what will happen? Alright, I’ll try my best to talk to him. I’ll call for the courtesan as soon as possible. Will two or three days be enough?”
I smiled brightly at my mother’s answer.
“Yes. The sooner the better. I have so many questions I want to ask her.”
My mother rose from her seat with an acknowledgment. I rushed into her embrace as if to cling to her.
“Please don’t be anxious. I haven’t changed at all. I’m still your Sissae.”
Instead of answering, my mother embraced me tightly, expressing her emotions. It was an indescribable feeling, precariously balanced on the edge between anxiety and joy.
But the warmth remained, making me smile. Mother has always been faithful to me. Nothing was more reassuring than that.
\*
It hadn’t been long since I left the mansion to stay at the Dibenzel residence, but Marie didn’t seem to feel that way. She exaggeratedly described the days I was gone as ‘days without sunshine.’
And she complained about how arduous that time had been. Like a child whining for someone to take her side.
According to her, the head maid, Margo, had been constantly nagging and yelling at the maids who caught her eye, especially Marie, who was a thorn in her side. She was like a mad, lawless outlaw that no one could stop.
“She was like a crazy woman.”
Marie grumbled as she brushed my hair with a large brush.
“She truly seemed out of her mind. She found fault and yelled all day, stomping her feet. I couldn’t even breathe properly. Ah, it’s a relief that you’ve returned quickly, my lady.”
“Is that so?”
I subtly asked about Roena, but Marie shook her head, muttering, ‘Lady Roena just stayed in her room. Without paying attention to anything.’
“My lady, Margo is too old. She’s often not in her right mind.”
“But unfortunately, it seems there aren’t many people who agree with your opinion. Not even our lovely Roena.”
“But you know, my lady. Isn’t that enough?”
I reached out and grabbed Marie’s wrist, pulling her towards me. She was dragged forward obediently. Her pouting lips clearly showed her displeasure.
“Margo’s experience and credibility are incomparable to yours. Think about how many people flock around her. Now, let’s end the complaints. I want to hear other stories.”
Cleverly, Marie quickly understood what I wanted to hear. As if she hadn’t been complaining just moments ago, she began to speak in a casual tone about the events that had occurred at the mansion in my absence.
But this time, it wasn’t about the annoying Margo, but about the maids around her. Interestingly, she said that most of the maids doing menial tasks had switched to her side.
This happened because she constantly reassured them that they would receive the same rewards if they followed me.
Marie whispered excitedly that through this, my reputation had improved slightly, and even some knights occasionally asked about my well-being with concern.
Furthermore, Blan had returned to the laundry room—Marie added that she found this satisfying—and since yesterday, Yonel had suddenly started acting friendly towards her, which she found unpleasant.
“Yonel?”
“Yes. The one you told me to befriend before, my lady. Roena’s maid.”
“Why her?”
“After I was assigned to you, she acted distant, but suddenly yesterday she started acting like she knew me? Of course, I haven’t forgotten your words, my lady, and I tried to keep being friendly with her. But she kept me at a distance, saying the head maid hated me.”
“Is that so? Marie, what kind of girl do you think Yonel is?”
Marie couldn’t answer my question readily. Her eyes darted around, and her cautious glances seemed suspicious.
“Tell me honestly.”
“Oh, my lady. Please don’t think I’m deliberately slandering someone or being malicious. This is truly the truth.”
Marie took a breath and then quickly continued.
“Yonel is a child who is good at reading the room. She’s very shrewd and doesn’t do anything unless it benefits her. And she’s good at flattery and sycophancy.”
For a moment, I thought Marie was talking about herself. Because the Marie I knew was exactly like that.
But she seemed to think she was different from Yonel. Her mouth twisted as if speaking of Yonel made her feel bitter.
It seemed she had relied on Margo and been quite defiant towards me, and her animosity towards Margo overflowed.
“That’s why the head maid favors her the most. Lady Roena also likes Yonel. But she’s a truly wicked girl. She used to treat me with such contempt and disregard, it makes me furious even now.”
“And yet, she suddenly started acting friendly towards you yesterday?”
“Yes. She was quite friendly until she came to you, my lady.”
As soon as Marie finished speaking, I smiled faintly. I could roughly understand how things were unfolding.
“Margo seems curious about you. Or perhaps that child Yonel’s loyalty is excessive.”
“What?”
“Just leave it as it is. Aren’t you curious about what sweet words Yonel can offer you? I want you to learn them.”
Marie’s eyes widened as if she couldn’t believe it. She seemed anxious about my interest in Yonel.
Perhaps because of that? Her twitching lips quivered as if about to utter a polite refusal. But her training had been excellent, calming her down, and she soon lowered her head with a look of resignation.
“Then, continue brushing my hair? I plan to get new dresses and jewelry today.”
The allowance my adoptive father had sent through the butler was not a small amount. He sent money very consistently, as if to win my favor. Sometimes it was more than Roena received.
The reason was that I had less than Roena, so it couldn’t be helped. It was natural for Margo to complain.
In any case, unlike in the past, I hadn’t spent it lavishly and had saved it well, so I could now afford a few dresses in the latest fashion. And they were high-quality dresses adorned with jewels.
So, I intended to use this to purchase the dresses and jewelry I desired. For now, I still needed to show the image of a frugal girl living contentedly within her given circumstances.
But this morning, my adoptive father sent money again through the butler. He even added a note telling me to buy new dresses and jewelry.
I don’t know what Mother said—but it seemed she made a good excuse, contrary to my worries—the money I received today far exceeded the previous allowances. It seemed Mother wanted me to be fully prepared, given the place I was going.
Marie and Seril couldn’t close their mouths at the gold coins filling the silk pouch to the very knot. They seemed unable to fathom how this money could be spent in a single day.
According to them, this was an amount that even Roena herself could not easily touch.
However, it was also money that would disappear quickly if I bought a couple of dresses made of the finest satin embroidered with gold thread, along with shoes, a hat, a parasol, gloves, a bag, and jewelry.
And through past experience, I knew which boutiques offered the absolute best.
Places where one could never enter if the customer’s demeanor didn’t match the shop’s atmosphere. A dream shop that was forbidden to me in the past.
Wouldn’t I need to be dressed like that to meet Madame de Chateauroux?
