It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Broken - Chapter 12

Huge thanks to VIRGINE for the kofi! (1/1)

***

In response to his master’s cold reaction, Michael cautiously added.

“It seems that the lady of the house is quite upset about being unable to attend the banquet.”

“So, she came all the way to the Duke’s mansion to find someone to vent her frustration on. Truly motherly of her.”

Due to Cardale’s firm assertion that he would not attend the banquet if Madame Vassenberg were invited, the Emperor did not send her an invitation. As a result, Madame found herself in a position where she couldn’t even show her face at the victory celebration, despite having the war hero as her son.

Once a prominent figure in high society and a respected noblewoman, Victoria Vassenberg could not quietly endure this humiliation.

“What would you like to do?”

“Just leave her alone. She needs to find one more reason to stay here and meet my expectations.”

Cardale retorted nonchalantly.

Even the soldiers who fought on the battlefield needed rewards. He had the honour of winning the battle, so he should be given time to enjoy it.

And…

[It is an honour to meet you, Your Grace. I am Elise Schuvan.]

He would have time to assess the usefulness of the woman who claimed to be thankful to him.

Cardale’s finger slowly stroked the feather of the goose quill pen, a premium item made from the feathers of the goose he used to raise. The animal that brought joy during its life was now used in various practical ways after its death.

Useful or not, his standards were always clear and straightforward.

Therefore, Cardale had no hesitation in making any decisions.

Just as he had once used a woman from the slums to trap Count Schuvan, this time, he would use the b*st*rd child as a shield to protect himself from the Crown Princess.

Then and now, he simply made perfect choices based on convenience and necessity.

***

Gerhard Schuvan was a seasoned opportunist.

Obviously, he was not foolish or dull enough to miss out on the golden egg that rolled its way to him. Especially if it was an opportunity he had carefully prepared for.

The day after Vanessa asked about the news Gerhard had been waiting for, he called for Elise without hesitation.

Elise’s face turned pale when she heard the Count’s summons.

‘Could it be about what happened at the banquet yesterday…?’

Perhaps he was planning to punish her.

Today’s punishment would be much harsher than usual if that were the case. It might be so severe that it would be difficult even to endure the pain…

Elise followed Vanessa to the room where the Count was waiting.

It was a place to inquire about yesterday’s incident. She braced herself for a thunderous scolding.

However, instead of the expected anger, she heard a calm voice.

“I thought you were just an ordinary girl, but you surprisingly have potential.”

Elise lifted her head reflexively, and there was the Count, smiling at her.

“Yes. Expressing gratitude in person is proper etiquette.”

Gerhard, who was mumbling incomprehensible words, gave a signal to Elise.

“You should prepare yourself, as you will have to visit soon. Vanessa will give you the details.”

Elise, who did not understand Gerhard’s words at the time, stuttered, unable to hide her bewilderment.

“What do you mean…?”

“Oh, haven’t I told you yet?”

The Count said with a satisfied expression, as if dealing with a well-behaved pet dog.

“The Duke of Vassenberg wishes to see you.”

***

On the day Elise was to visit the Duke’s mansion, the sky was covered with thick dark clouds, unlike the previous day. It was a gloomy day when the rain wouldn’t be surprising at all.

The spring breeze, still carrying the scent of winter, blew softly. Feeling a bit chilly, Elise wrapped her cloak tighter around her.

Just before boarding the carriage, Vanessa once again advised her.

“Just be yourself, neither more nor less, just like at the banquet.”

However, this enigmatic advice was unfortunately of no help to Elise.

‘Can I do well?’

Elise searched her memories with a pale face.

What was her demeanour at the banquet?

Helpless and pitiful, she had felt insignificant while being showered with humiliation and disgrace.

In the end, she had to escape from that place as if fleeing. She just wanted to get out of the place.

Her appearance would have been one that no one could help but look down upon, so Vanessa’s advice to stay the same was puzzling.

But what truly remained incomprehensible was the fact that the Duke wanted to see her again.

‘Why me…?’

He was a man with such ruthless eyes that one could hardly dare to speak to him. His overwhelming presence was still vivid, as if it could crush her just with a glance.

Even when they held hands to dance, he had looked down at her from a distant peak.

Elise shivered lightly.

Perhaps it was her instinct, sensing that a man’s summoning could not be mere warm courtesy or consideration.

Due to nervousness, her fingers twitched involuntarily. She firmly clasped both hands together to stop the wrong habit from recurring.

After a while, the speed of the carriage began to slow down.

Elise peered outside through a small window. The carriage had approached the Duke’s mansion in no time.

A large iron gate came into view in the middle of the tall surrounding walls. Its black surface shimmered under the sunlight.

On top of the gate and the walls were sharp spikes, giving it a military-like solemn appearance.

Elise found herself holding her breath as she gazed through the iron gate.

The enormous grey stone mansion, built on a huge piece of land, seemed to be looking down at her. If the architect intended to impress visitors with a sense of awe and intimidation, he had undoubtedly succeeded.

Elise was utterly intimidated by the size and grandeur of the mansion, which couldn’t be captured in a single glance.

When the guards confirmed the visitor and opened the gate, the carriage sped up again along the well-maintained road.

The landscape on both sides of the road was meticulously planned, with carefully arranged fountains, statues, and even the smallest shrubs. It was a garden meticulously designed by the Duke, praised by people from all walks of life, but Elise had no leisure to appreciate it.

‘I mustn’t make any mistakes.’

She rehearsed the words she had memorised countless times one last time, remembering the Duke she would soon meet.

Finally, the carriage came to a complete stop, and the door opened.

The first person to greet Elise was her grey-haired and good-looking old butler. He greeted politely in a gentle voice.

“Greetings. I am Norman Crowood, the butler of the Vassenberg mansion. We have been awaiting your arrival.”

“Hello. I am Elise Schuvan. Thank you for your hospitality.”

“The master is currently in his study on the first floor. Would you please follow me?”

Elise nodded calmly and followed Norman.

Soon, they arrived in front of a large door, and he turned to her and spoke.

“You can go inside.”

Norman opened the door and stepped aside, indicating for her to enter.

Elise nodded slightly, thanking him as she walked inside.

However, upon entering, she was startled to find a stuffed animal head with a severed neck mounted on the wall right in front of the door. Elise stopped.

It was a large antlered stag with its majestic antlers spreading widely on both sides.

And that was not all. The walls were filled with various stuffed animal heads, including bears, wolves, deer, and foxes, as well as creatures she had never seen or heard of, like strange-looking birds.

To Elise, who had no hunting experience, most of them were animals she had only come across through pictures in books Vanessa showed her. Some were bizarre and unheard of.

Elise tried hard to avoid looking into the lifeless eyes of those animals, feeling overwhelmed by the sight.

Her tense feet moved cautiously, and stepped inside.

As she stepped further into the room, the heavy door behind her closed shut.

Elise held her breath and glanced around her room. A hunting gun was displayed on the left side of the wall where the taxidermy was hung.

Her cautious steps continued, and she noticed a collection of hunting rifles displayed on the left side of the wall. There were more than ten rifles, each slightly different in colour, shape, and size, but they all served one purpose.

Killing the targets.

The cold metallic barrels sent shivers down her spine. She quickly turned her gaze away and continued her exploration.

On the floor were shimmering fur pelts of unknown animals, spread like a carpet. Elise deliberately avoided stepping on that area as she passed by.

Near the desk, she noticed a large silhouette but didn’t dare to look at it and quickly lowered her head.

“I see you, Your Grace. I am Elise Schuvan. Thank you for allowing me to visit you.”

Elise greeted the Duke with a polite tone.

However, there was no response from the Duke.

The silence in the room made Elise nervous.

She closed her eyes tightly and spat out the words she had memorised dozens of times.

“For your help at the party, I sincerely express my gratitude-“

“Enough.”

The Duke’s voice interrupted her in a low tone, causing Elise’s body to shudder.

“That insincere greeting is unnecessary.”

Elise raised her head, unable to hide her embarrassment.

She had heard that the Duke wanted her to come and express her gratitude in person. But now, the Duke seemed uninterested, leaving her unsure of what was really going on.

“Why do you think I called you here?”

***