93 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards 93
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Since the fastest way for women of low status to rise in the world was through such means, she couldn't understand why I was so adamantly denying it.
Above all, she had tried to invite me to her mansion several times since our first meeting, so it was no wonder she misunderstood.
"You've become a very difficult young lady."
She sighed and handed me the shoe. I shook my head.
"You must take it anyway."
Perinnil seemed determined to keep offering it until I accepted.
"Or shall I visit you directly to deliver it?"
"You urge me as if my honor, truthfulness, and purity were yours. Where has the respect for me gone?"
"Oh, don't be so angry. It's just a small constraint. Besides, an ordinary maiden would be unable to overcome her shame and eventually agree. But you seem to regard your purity as merely a brooch pinned to your dress. That's why I have to keep checking. Well, sadly, it's time to end our conversation."
The carriage stops, indicating we've arrived at my residence. I glance sideways and see the Bishvarts Family's main gate. Perinnil hands me the shoe again.
"Take your honor, young lady."
So, I couldn't refuse. Her lips were annoyingly brazen.
Before opening the door and getting out of the carriage, I asked her again.
"By the way, I'm curious about the true identity of Young Master Beatrijs. So, will you tell me? Until you do, my mind won't change."
How many people could speak so casually to a countess's daughter?
Even if you searched the entire empire, you could count them on one hand. Above all, among those with the titles of marquis and duke, there was no one with the surname 'Beatrijs.'
So, I couldn't help but be curious. About the true face hidden behind the mask.
Perinnil looked very flustered. As soon as I closed the carriage door, she leaned out the window and tried to shout something.
But as if it were something to be heard in secret, she soon only moved her lips and then quickly retreated inside. And as it immediately departed, I thought it looked like the end of a cowardly liar running away in a hurry. So, it was quite amusing.
It was past midnight, so the gatekeeper who opened the door looked drowsy. He seemed startled to see me and even spoke to me several times to confirm my voice.
Then, he suddenly shook his head violently and muttered, 'Am I dreaming?' I was dumbfounded by his bizarre behavior and had to declare once again that I was Cis de Bishbalz.
Since everyone was asleep, only my footsteps echoed in the hallway. Even though it was the sound of bare skin touching the floor, it was louder than usual.
Even if I tried to walk carefully, the hem of my skirt dragged along, making me feel embarrassed as if I were waking up everyone in the house.
As I was nearing my room, I couldn't help but stop when I saw something faintly crouching in front of the door. Dressed in white silk pajamas, it was easy to recognize who it was without even trying to look closely.
Good heavens. I'm seeing all sorts of sights in my life.
Unable to hide my discomfort, I asked in a cold voice.
I couldn't understand why Roena was squatting in front of my door in such a state. Where had she thrown away all pretense of being a perfect noble lady, acting like such a commoner?
"What are you doing here? It's very late."
Roena rises and looks at me. She was looking at me with an unusually melancholic expression, her transparent, swollen eyes seeming so poignant that they would overflow with tears at the slightest touch.
"Sister, no, Sissae. You're late?"
"Yes. Were you waiting for me? But I'm very tired. So, please move aside."
"That's a wonderful mask. It suits Sissae well."
Startled by her words, I raised my hand and touched my face. I could feel the rough texture of the mask now. So, that's why the gatekeeper was so surprised earlier. I took off the mask and held it in one hand along with the shoe.
"Sissae, do you know how many months it's been since we met? But we haven't gotten any closer than we were at the beginning. And you're so busy that you don't stay home much. Even when you are here, you don't seem to have time to meet me. Why is it that even though I have a stepsister, nothing has changed for me? No, it feels like I'm even lonelier."
Roena mutters as if lamenting. But her gaze was directed at me.
Annoyed by her whiny complaints, I tried to pass her and enter my room.
But Roena grabbed my hand, preventing me from moving forward. She was truly an exasperating girl.
"I feel upset when Sissae is sick, and I feel both envious and lonely when you're with other people. I wish we could spend more time together like other sisters, but it seems like Sissae is more comfortable without me. Why is it that I'm only seeing this perfect dress you're wearing now, later than everyone else?"
"What are you trying to say? Is it something important enough for me to hear? If not, I don't want to listen."
"No, Sissae needs to hear this. We need to talk."
"So, you waited for me in this state? That's impolite. If you have something to say, come again in the afternoon. I can spare some time for tea."
"…That doesn't mean you'll actually have tea with me. Don't avoid me."
I was starting to get annoyed. So, I forcefully shook off Roena's hand that was holding my wrist.
"Fine, I understand. Tell me. Let's have this conversation. What's the topic?"
"…Aunt often goes to gatherings in Nümuze. Won't you come with me to those gatherings? As sisters."
Madame de Lavalier's Nümuze gatherings were the social connections that supported her now.
It was a private gathering of true nobles that was not allowed to either the past me or the present me. She had been taking Roena along often since last time, and it seemed she had sent another invitation this time as well.
This meant that Roena was being firmly accepted into their group. It was no different from saying that she had been marked as the successor to lead the gathering after Madame de Lavalier.
Roena was going to that gathering solely under the name of 'Bishvarts.' This was the same as saying that she was the only young lady of this family. Otherwise, it would have come to me, who was older.
Wasn't I the one who silently attended the gatherings, knowing that? I didn't know what wind had suddenly blown for her to say let's go together. Why, to spread the word that there was another girl in Bishvarts?
It was absurd. I scoffed and asked sarcastically.
"Why, was even one letter of my name written on the invitation?"
"That's not it. But Sissae, I wish we could spend time together. That's why I'm saying this."
"Is that so? Instead, I'll incur my aunt's wrath. Do I have to endure that for you? And would that gathering suit me? No one would think so."
"Don't say that. Then what should I do? Am I the only one feeling it? That we're growing further and further apart. Please, say something. I don't know what else to do here. Blan's matter was also done according to your wishes. But why don't you tell me anything? Is it this difficult because we're not real sisters? The imperial palace, scandals… I always hear it through other people's mouths. Am I that untrustworthy?"
"If I say no, would you believe me?"
"Sissae, you seem so distant."
"So, what do you want me to do? Please, don't try to pass your emotions onto me."
I put the deer mask I was holding on her face and said in a sharp, muttering voice.
"Instead, listen to your voice while wearing this. Feel how uncomfortable it sounds to whine like a child."
Roena was silent, perhaps surprised by her appearance with the mask on. I liked the moment of silence and regretted not putting the mask on her sooner.
Anyway, since I had made her quiet, I felt like I could go into my room with a happy heart.
"I don't want pity or sympathy. But can't you empathize even a little?"
"Fine. I'll tell you."
I felt the need to say anything to chase her away. So, I picked up any words.
"I don't trust you. Why? How can I have a conversation with you when you're acting like this? It's the same now. So, please, will you be generous enough to let me go inside?"
Originally, I should have said something else. But I made the mistake of saying something that provoked her because I was not in my right mind due to the annoyance of meeting her in an unexpected situation.
It was because my head, which was throbbing from thinking about Young Master Beatrijs, was not thinking properly. It was the moment when my initial intention to make her a child who would forever cling to Margo was completely twisted.
Roena was silent. I thought that silence was a positive answer and opened the door and went inside.
Roena stood still with the mask on until the moment the door closed. I thought I saw her body trembling through the slowly closing gap in the door, but I soon forgot about it.
And after being attended to by the sleepy Marie, who had not yet rubbed the sleep from her eyes, I changed my clothes and crawled into bed. The sleepiness that rushed in instantly erased everything. Perinnil, Young Master Beatrijs, and Roena.
After that, as if the events of the dawn were a dream, Roena acted quite nonchalantly—that is, when we faced each other at meals—or kept her mouth shut as if she didn't want to talk.
Marie said that Roena suddenly seemed distant from Margo and was puzzled. My mother was very worried that Roena's visits for tea time had decreased. She was afraid that you had come to dislike her.
I comforted my mother and reassured her that everything would be fine soon. And I ordered Marie not to talk about Roena.
As I needed to create another opportunity to contact Chatoul, I didn't have any room to care about her even a little.
But after a few days, I could no longer ignore Roena because of Marie, who ran to me with a pale face.
"Did you hear, young lady? Her Majesty the Empress sent an invitation to Lady Roena. It's for a tea time where other noble ladies gather together."
I jumped up from my seat and headed to where Roena was. She was chatting with her adoptive father and mother, looking at the invitation that had flown in from the imperial family. Then, when I entered, she smiled brightly, her eyes curving deeply like crescents.
"Oh, Sissae. Look at this. It's an invitation from the imperial family."
My mother got up from her seat and showed me the invitation with the imperial seal. Her face was full of joy. I glanced at it and went to Roena and asked.
"Is it Aunt?"
"Yes. She helped."
She readily admitted it. At the same time, she looked at me without hiding her proud expression, and it was the most disgusting face I had ever seen in my life.
My mother was also chattering proudly. But unfortunately, I didn't hear a single word. It was because I had to hide myself, who was denying the impossible reality and feeling uneasy.
Before returning, Roena had attended the Nümuze gatherings but had never met the Empress even once. She had never even set foot in the imperial palace until she went to the ball with the help of the people around her, let alone the tea time she hosted.
But an invitation came from the imperial palace? She's having tea time with the Empress?
Something is wrong. Something was seriously wrong.
This is not the future I know. But why, suddenly?
But there is no one who can answer this. I can only deny the reality blankly, and there is nothing I can do. It's a terrible thing, but that's it.
Roena's voice flows into my ears as I stand there stunned by the shock.
"I won't act like a child anymore. So, Sissae, when the time comes when you don't hate hearing my voice with the mask on, please be with me. I'll work hard."
I moved my trembling lips and forced a smile.
"I'll look forward to it."
It felt like a terrible nightmare was coming.
End of First Piece
