6 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Episode 6
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Roena simply replied with a small voice, 'Yes,' without any excuses or retorts.
It would have been better if she had told me about Sir Halberd's importance, making me realize that he was someone I could never have.
Because then I would have found another way. I would have taken a step back and quietly bowed my head. I would have lowered myself as if waiting for the right time, thinking I would have him someday, and then sprinted down that path.
But Roena said nothing to me. Instead, she went to him, put on a pitiful expression, and 'asked' him to serve me. Trailing off her words, weeping, she asked him to protect me, a 'Lady' better than herself. She requested that he treat me kindly, as he would think of her, because I was precious to her.
If she had truly intended for him to listen to me, she should have given him a 'command' instead of a request. But by asking Lustewin Halberd, Roena gave him a choice. It was an action she could take because she knew Sir Halberd would not choose me.
And Lustewin Halberd, with his free will, naturally did not grant Roena's 'request.' Instead, he came to me and spoke words close to a warning in his characteristic cool voice. For me, it was a situation close to despair. What did he say to me?
'From now on, the only Lady I will serve is Lady Roena. Until the day my life ends. My sword exists to protect House Bishbalz and Lady Roena.'
'I am also a Bishbalz. Why do you not listen to Roena?'
'...My Lady merely asked, she did not command.'
'Then will you listen if she commands?'
'I would rather break my sword. So I hope we do not meet again for such matters.'
His heart was resolute. My reflection was absent from his cold eyes. I felt a shiver run down my spine from his gaze. I was suffocated by the direct coldness I received for the first time since entering House Bishbalz. He, Lustewin Halberd, hated me.
Upon realizing this, I was struck with a shock as if the sky had fallen.
Why? For what reason? Was it so wrong to ask for him? What was so bad about it?
But no one answered. My mother and I were merely nominal family members of the Count's estate, foolish people who knew nothing of the important matters concerning the family.
From then on, the situation unfolded as expected. Before I knew it, I had become the wicked older sister who selfishly pestered Roena, defying my adoptive father's authority, and Roena had become the pitiable younger sister who tried to accommodate her older sister's rude request.
It was only natural that people began to point fingers and whisper about me.
'To think she wants Sir Halberd's escort, with no manners or refinement befitting the Count's estate. Isn't that an ambitious dream?'
'Who would want to be guarded by such a vulgar woman? Look, it's been half a year since she entered the Count's estate, and all she does is eat, sleep, buy dresses, and adorn herself with jewels. She's just like her mother.'
'Exactly. I wonder if she even knows the word 'refinement.' If she debuts in high society looking like that, she'll be a great disgrace to the Count's estate. Does she even realize her own position? It's truly embarrassing.'
'In contrast, Lady Roena is the very embodiment of an elegant lady. How beautiful and kind her demeanor is. Ah, I can see why Sir Halberd is so loyal to Lady Roena. Even the Princess would be no match for our lady. I'm even envious of those who serve him.'
'And yet, here we are. It's heartbreaking.'
What I felt when I heard their words was not anger, but shame. I felt humiliated not by the shock of them calling me 'vulgar,' but by their actions contrasting me and Roena.
To me then, Roena was just a kind fool. I thought the only difference between us was our birth status. But the idea that Roena was superior to me was unbelievable.
At the same time, this thought arose: If I showed myself to be more outstanding than Roena, would Sir Halberd look at me again?
Honestly, I still don't know. Since when did I start liking him? Have I been yearning for him, clinging to him almost obsessively? I simply felt that I loved Sir Halberd naturally at some point. Before I realized it, my heart was filled with the person named Lustewin Halberd.
Yes, there was no reason. Just standing before him made my face turn red, my vision turn yellow, my legs tremble, and my breath quicken. If his gaze happened to fall upon me, I rejoiced as if I had gained the whole world. When he spoke to me under duress, I was so happy I could cry.
Lustewin Halberd was my entire life. That's why I wanted him. No matter what it took.
However, the time given to me was cruel. I didn't realize how remarkable Roena, whom I had only mocked as a simple, naive fool, truly was.
Yes, four and a half years. That time when I despaired at my own incompetence and wailed. The memories of days when I lost my self-esteem. Sadness, anger, and despair. The 54 months that created Cis de Bishbalz, the monster that tormented Roena Bishbalz.
I slowly closed and opened my eyes. Then I turned my gaze to the Lustewin Halberd of reality. Grieving that my returned heart was still beating powerfully for him.
Why does my heart ache so much, even though I know you will never look at me?
I clutched my handkerchief tightly. My trembling lips parted, and I barely managed to speak.
"I am grateful for your kindness, Sir. I will have it laundered and return it later."
"It's fine."
After flinching at his response, I desperately forced a natural smile.
Ah, yes. You always refused everything I gave you. Anything that my hand touched. Because I wasn't Roena.
You know this, Cis de Bishbalz. So why are you still sad, when there's nothing more to be hurt by? You are not the same as you were before. So walk past him as if nothing happened.
I lifted the hem of my skirt and offered a greeting with a natural curtsy.
"Please forget what you saw just now. I ask of you."
Because I don't want your name to be mentioned from your lips. Fortunately, Sir Halberd nodded and granted my request. I let out a sigh of relief and passed him.
I saw Sir Halberd's lips move as if to say something to me, but I deliberately ignored him, pretending not to notice.
And when he was no longer in sight, I buried my nose in the handkerchief in my hand and shed tears. Deeply burying the scent of Lustewin Halberd and his kindness, which I could never hope for again.
After a moment, I relaxed my grip. The handkerchief fluttered and began to fall, but I deliberately did not pick it up. Instead, I feigned composure as if nothing had happened and walked towards my room. His scent lingered at the tip of my nose, but I acted as if it were nothing.
Thanks to that, by the time I reached my room, I had returned to my usual cunning and wicked self.
As a wicked woman who smiled maliciously at Marie, who was already trembling with confusion and fear, as if she had been caught not only failing to prank me but also for her own misdeeds.
Right now, Marie must not only be extremely confused but also feel fear. Not only did she fail to properly prank me, but she was also caught for her own wicked behavior.
Moreover, Margo was dragged away by my adoptive father and reprimanded because of this incident, so how terrified must she be? Given the head housekeeper's personality, she wouldn't let Margo off the hook.
Perhaps she might be demoted to cleaning the Count's estate's human waste or doing menial tasks like washing laundry in the basement tower. Or perhaps even dirtier work. Margo was fully capable of such things.
What is certain is that Marie can no longer serve as a dedicated maid to a superior. She has been branded a maid who doesn't even know the basic manual, so why wouldn't she be?
This is no different from saying she can no longer live the comfortable life she once had. The life of a menial maid and a lady's personal maid is worlds apart.
That's why she's looking at me with such pitiful eyes. Begging for forgiveness with her hands clasped together. Ironically, her only lifeline in this situation was me.
I strode quickly towards Marie and pressed her head towards the floor. Then, I whispered to her, who let out a low scream.
"Your neck is still stiff, as if you still don't know how to greet. Standing so arrogantly when your mistress has arrived. Do I have to teach you everything from A to Z?"
"Ah, Miss, I'm sorry."
I smiled coldly and pushed her body backward onto the floor. She lost her balance and fell backward. A tearful scream escaped her.
"Shhh, be quiet."
I whispered.
"Otherwise, you might not know where your tongue has disappeared to."
Then, Marie nodded frantically with her tear-streaked face. I clicked my tongue at her appearance.
"Poor Marie."
"Yes, yes. Miss."
"You must have heard the rumors. That's why you're trembling so pitifully, right? How pathetic. So, what did you hear?"
"I, I..."
"Why are you so scared? You're completely different from this morning. It's not like you."
I grabbed her lips with my finger and pulled them hard. Looking at Marie's lips stretching like a duck's beak, I wore a cold smile.
I didn't care if her face turned bright red from the pain. Instead, I asked in a cheerful, singing voice.
"Who brought you this delightful news?"
I confess, before my return, I had different conduct and inclinations than other demure ladies.
Unlike them, who hid themselves behind the pretense of refinement, I did not shy away from physically punishing my subordinates, and if necessary, I could resort to torture. Amusingly, I seemed to have a natural talent for it, becoming adept at tormenting others.
Therefore, although my past self tormented Roena using all sorts of torture methods, no one knew she was physically suffering until the truth was revealed. This was because I inflicted wounds so subtly. Thus, only I knew about the blue bruises hidden beneath her clothes.
So, playing with a mere girl like Marie is no trouble at all.
"What should I do?" Marie shook her head vigorously at my whispered words, her eyes pleading. Her mumbling, strange lips were filled with sobs.
Perhaps she realized my words were not mere threats. Perhaps she felt a deep tension from the minor violence of me biting her lip.
Is that why? Marie's large eyes rolled around, and she trembled like a leaf in the wind. Her pale face was filled with terror towards me.
