Translator: Nox

89 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper

Shattered Glass Slipper Shards 89

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“……Alright. Miss, you’ve won. I was thinking of the Miss I first met, but I realize that was a misjudgment. You’ve become quite a formidable person. So, I’ll be honest with you.”

She took out a letter envelope from under a small cushion placed next to her and showed it to me. It was as if she had prepared it as a last resort.

Then, she whispered, “It’s a Masquerade invitation.” And she reached out as if to hand it over. She was acting as if I would naturally accept it.

Instead of taking it, I looked at Perinnil. It was a silent pressure to explain what this was. There was also a small threat that I would leave if she didn't tell me properly. My body was already leaning towards the carriage door.

Perinnil shrugged again and rolled her eyes. She even clicked her tongue as if she was appalled by my attitude of not opening my mouth properly.

“Yes, that’s right. Since I said I would be honest, I have no choice but to explain it properly. I’d like you to attend the Masquerade and meet someone. Actually, the purpose of today was to build a friendship with you and attend together, but I gave up because it seemed more beneficial for you to be close to Chatoul than me. So please, please accept this invitation.”

So, was that why she acted arrogant and condescending, stimulating my patience? And that's why she caught me with ridiculous temptations afterward.

But what I couldn't understand was that to Perinnil, I must be an insignificant card. My origin and the Bishvarts Family background didn't give me any strength.

Furthermore, the gossip with Sir Ayres only served to make me look like a better woman, but it was insufficient to exert any significant influence on others.

That's why I couldn't understand why she was so persistent in trying to build a friendship with me, as if it would be beneficial to her.

It was even more so if she was trying to increase her power through social circles. Even if she couldn't build a force like Chatoul, there were plenty of women who would lick her feet for her if they could.

Those who were struggling to escape their miserable lives. So, it didn't have to be me.

In the end, the only conclusion I could reach was that she was trying to use me to check Chatoul, which added credibility to Perinnil's words that 'it would be more beneficial to be close to Chatoul.'

In other words, she was going to make me some kind of offer - probably something beneficial to me - and in return, she would use my friendship with Perinnil.

Therefore, the invitation she was holding out was clearly the only opportunity to hear that 'offer.'

“What happens if I don’t accept it?”

“You want to contact Madame de Châteauroux because you want a background, don't you? A comfortable haven where you won't be left behind even if you go out into society. I heard it's quite scary there, so much so that you can't last even a day unless you're a woman with a strong heart, or unless you join a decent group. So, I'll help you.”

“I have the Bishvarts name.”

“But you’re anxious, aren’t you? Isn’t that why you’re taking the initiative independently like this without going through Madame de Lavallière? Otherwise, you would have quietly waited, cultivating your refinement until your debut in society. And you would have become just another young lady who couldn't integrate into society and married a man chosen by the family. But you are an ambitious person. I can tell. I know you're not someone who will stay in this state. So please, accept it.”

Perinnil's words were much more tempting than her earlier gesture. I stared at the invitation waving in front of me and quietly asked.

“If I attend the Masquerade?”

“Yes.”

Who on earth am I supposed to meet that she's pouring out such a detailed explanation? Who is this person that this cute whore thinks is so important that she's so desperate and revealing her honest feelings?

That's why, apart from her help, I was curious about who wanted to meet me in this way.

The choice is the best that comes from the discrimination of one's own cool intellect and the excellent perception of reason. So, I had no choice but to be careful. Because a single decision can determine one's life.

But strangely enough, this time I was leaning more towards emotion. I was being dragged around without knowing the proper reason, but I thought that this sudden, incredible excitement wasn't so bad.

Perhaps it was because I knew that I could shake hands with anyone if it was beneficial.

I expect that the person who sent this invitation is an ambitious person with such great power or skill that they could push Perinnil to the emperor.

Or maybe it's a villain plotting an unimaginable conspiracy. Or is it a coalition of someone who is dissatisfied with Chatoul's power?

Or it could be the trick of the emperor who came to his senses in his old age. He may be an old man who can't get his mind off women now, but he was a man whom everyone respected when he was young.

In any case, he, or she, used this young whore to easily put a stop to Chatoul's actions and filled all the topics of society with the name 'Flanders.'

At the same time, he was crouching down without revealing his identity. Usually, someone who puts a woman like this forward would come to the fore for the sake of his ambition for power, but he is hiding like a shadow, avoiding everyone's eyes.

Moreover, as if intentionally preventing people from recognizing his identity, everyone in society was not mentioning anything about Perinnil's background.

Rather, they were only focusing on the fact that she had become the emperor's woman as a natural step and had emerged as Chatoul's rival.

Considering that society is something that no one can control, it was nothing short of amazing.

But the person who must be such a person wants to see me. Leaving aside the fact that this is an invitation I'm receiving because the women before me failed Perinnil's test.

This dangerous proposal presented both fear and a small adventure. It gave me an interesting expectation of what kind of future would open up if I joined hands with the background behind Perinnil, not Perinnil herself.

It was like two sides of the same coin, causing two extreme results, success and destruction.

Therefore, before accepting the invitation, I had to make sure of one thing. I needed to make sure that the initiative for the decision was with someone. There's nothing more frightening than being forced to make a choice.

“Promise me that I’ll only be meeting them, and the choice is mine.”

Perinnil smiles softly with a face full of color. Her appearance of agreeing as if I were asking something obvious seemed to have no lies in it.

“Of course. I promise you.”

“It’s not just the Baroness’s promise, but that person really has to do that.”

“I swear on my honor. There will definitely be nothing to worry about.”

What could be more futile and dirty than a whore's honor, but I had no choice but to believe it this time. Curiosity, shining brilliantly with full of greed, was dominating my head. So much so that I thought it was amazing.

Anyway, the reckless courage and boldness that could only be seen in childish days showed off their prowess in unnecessary places and aroused unexpected agility.

The invitation that had already come into my hand was warming the blood at my fingertips as much as the red-dyed material. My hands, slippery with tension, were wetter than ever.

“I’ll send you the dress, mask, and shoes soon. I don’t want to introduce you as a distant relative of mine.”

I gave a wry smile at Perinnil's joke. Then, she added, 'Shall I pick you up?' but I shook my head and declined. The scandal of being entangled with a whore was enough with Chatoul.

More than that, I don't know how they know my clothes size and send them to me, but I was even a little afraid of what kind of discernment they would show.

Even Perinnil, who was sitting in front of me, was boasting of exposure that was no less than Chatoul's.

Madame de Châteauroux was the type of person who didn't allow others to reveal their bodies more than she did, so she kept the appropriate line for the dress I would wear, but Perinnil was another matter.

She might recommend me to wear clothes similar to hers, or even more extreme designs.

But despite these concerns, I couldn't refuse her offer because the young lady of the Bishvarts Family couldn't buy and wear clothes that only a whore would wear.

It might be different in a few years, but even now, the old-fashioned clothes that Madame de Lavallière would like are more prevalent.

Above all, I am a young woman who has not even debuted in society. If rumors spread that I bought extravagant clothes that I couldn't wear except when I went to meet Chatoul, it would be a huge blow to my honor.

However, it was also absurd to wear docile clothes that would become everyone's target - because there was no way I could beat the strength of a rough man who would rush at me recklessly - so I had no choice but to accept her kindness.

“Then, I’ll see you soon.”

Perinnil kisses me lightly on the cheek and whispers softly. I was the only one who was embarrassed by the sudden contact, and she was smiling brightly with a very calm expression.

Are whores originally so affectionate? My lips didn't move well because of the awkwardness, but I bowed my head to show my respect. And I promised myself a future day.

Whether it was a pimp I didn't know who had arranged it, on the day of the Masquerade, I was having dinner with the Countess of a count's family - whose name was the same as the person who provided the Masquerade venue - with whom I had no friendship at all.

The invitation, written in elegant handwriting, contained the content that they would like me to stay at their house until late if possible, which surprised everyone.

The stepfather gave his permission with a mixture of bewilderment and surprise, wondering if the seal and name written on the outside of the letter were those of a fairly prominent person, and my mother looked at me as if she was proud of me for expanding my network.

Marie and Blan raised their cute noses as if I had stolen the person Roena would have in the future, causing laughter.

The highlight was the things Perinnil sent. People couldn't help but admire the gifts I received. In particular, they screamed and envied the dress and shoes.

I don't know whose discernment it was, but the things they sent me far exceeded Chatoul's eyes.

The dress, which had a light blue color, had a design that revealed the shoulders and emphasized the chest, but it was far from vulgar.

The elegant fit that continued to the waist and hips beautifully drew the curves of the woman.

Lace, ruffles, and pearls decorated every part of the skirt like waves, fluttering softly.

Elegance and splendor formed a precarious boundary, shaking hands amicably under the name of sensuality.