It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Broken - Chapter 15

Huge thanks to Jorelaine for the kofi! (1/2)

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Dark clouds lay low, and the moist air was heavy.

 

However, Elise was completely absorbed in an intriguing new toy she had never seen before. The bouncing and resilient shape of the toy fascinated her.

 

Amidst her excitement, she suddenly lifted her head at a distant shout.

 

“There it is!”

 

Just beyond the low fence, a boy she hadn’t seen before stood with a group of sturdy guards.

 

‘He has the same hair colour as me.’

 

At that moment, that was the only thought that came to the foolishly naive child.

 

Although his eyes were a different violet shade from her own blue eyes, their silver hair was strikingly similar.

 

Her mother’s long, silky brown hair was also a favourite of hers, but it was the first time she saw someone with the same colour as her own. So, Elise felt a little happy.

 

“That kid stole my ball!”

 

Until the boy yelled ferociously at her, pointing his index finger precisely.

 

The boy pointed at her with a determined expression before snatching the ball she held. Elise didn’t cry. Instead, she tried to apologise.

 

Apologise for touching it recklessly, saying she didn’t know it belonged to anyone and didn’t steal it. She believed the boy would understand.

 

But that was the child’s assumption.

 

“I’ll make sure she’s punished, so bring her out!”

 

Elise suddenly felt afraid.

 

It was because she remembered her mother’s request that she never go outside the fence.

 

“I can’t get out of here.”

 

Elise stammered and took a step back. Then, heavy raindrops started falling as the thick clouds loomed overhead.

 

Even the puzzled guards tried to restrain the boy.

 

“Young Master Fritz. It’s going to rain soon, so it’s better to leave now…”

 

“You won’t listen to me?”

 

But the boy was relentless.

 

Suddenly, with unexpected strength, he grabbed Elise’s shoulder tightly and tried to forcefully drag her.

 

“Don’t do this!”

 

Surprised by the violent touch, Elise reached out and pushed the boy with both hands.

 

Fritz, who never expected to be counterattacked, fell backwards and hit his back.

 

At first, the boy’s face, which had been sitting with bewildered face, gradually began to fill with anger.

 

Fritz got up and pushed Elise with all his might this time.

 

“Ow!”

 

“You dare hit me?”

 

The little body of the child fell to the ground.

 

Her entire body throbbed at the shock of the bump, but Elise thought clearing up the misunderstandings was the first priority, so she stammered open her mouth.

 

“I-I didn’t hit you… … .”

 

“What is going on here?”

 

A high-pitched, piercing voice cut through the heavy air.

 

Everyone’s eyes moved towards the sound. A gorgeously dressed lady and a maid stood next to her, holding an umbrella.

 

The lady was beautiful, with her lush purple hair pulled up high, but her ferocious eyes glared at them.

 

No, it was directed towards her girl.

 

“Mother!”

 

“Fritz.”

 

The boy dashed up to the noblewoman and pointed at Elise assertively.

 

“This girl not only stole my ball but also dared to hit me! I was trying to punish her, but the guards ignored my words!”

 

The guards were taken aback and exchanged glances.

 

“Madame, it’s not like that…”

 

“Enough noise!”

 

The stern rebuke of the Countess silenced the guards’ excuses.

 

As if pouring cold water on them, the atmosphere immediately quieted down.

 

A distorted face mixed with anger and contempt turned to Elise.

 

“Did you dare to hit my son?”

 

There was deadly intent in the eerie voice. Her amber eyes flashed menacingly, causing Elise to shudder. Even in her young mind, she thought she had to run away, but somehow she couldn’t move an inch.

 

The Countess pointed out one of the guards and ordered.

 

“You go now and pick up some sturdy twigs.”

 

The guard paused for a moment. It was because he guessed what the Countess was thinking.

 

However, he couldn’t resist her will and went to break some branches.

 

In the meantime, the increasing raindrops soaked Elise’s shoulders and back.

 

“I’ve broken you, Madame.”

 

As the guard bowed his head and handed over the branch, the Countess’ bright red lips drew an arc.

 

“Punish this girl.”

 

Soon, a voice colder than ice came out.

 

“Not only did she steal my son’s belongings, but she also dared to lay hands on his precious body. She deserves punishment.”

 

The icy glare directed at the girl was even colder and more cruel than an iceberg.

 

Elise desperately tried to defend herself and shouted.

 

“I-I didn’t steal!”

 

“Shut up. I never allowed you to open your mouth.”

 

Surprised by the cold words, Elise hiccupped. But the Countess had no mercy to show to the frightened girl.

 

Even just looking at the child made her nauseous, especially when it came to evidence of her husband’s infidelity.

 

“What are you doing? Can’t you hear me?”

 

The guards hesitated. They knew the girl’s identity.

 

Although she was an illegitimate child, she was of the Count’s blood. They didn’t know if it would be okay if they touched her carelessly.

 

This defiance only further provoked the Countess’s anger. Her fury began to surface on her face.

 

“Now that the Count is not around, I, the Countess, am in charge of this mansion. Even so, I can’t help it with this insolence.”

 

With her back straight and her head held high in arrogance, she declared.

 

“I cannot keep an employee who disobeys the master’s orders. You are all dismissed.”

 

The guards’ faces turned pale in an instant.

 

“No, Madame!”

 

But the woman did not bat an eye.

 

If this continued, they would be driven out of the Count’s residence, leaving them without a livelihood.

 

The guards hesitated for a moment, and eventually shared the sticks.

 

Their eyes now turned to the child, who was trembling in fear and confusion.

 

The girl shook her head pitifully.

 

Her tears dripped from her big eyes. Although sympathetic, the guards struggled to turn a blind eye.

 

They couldn’t help it if they wanted to live.

 

Some of the guards had already made their decision. Moreover, they only followed their employer’s orders.

 

As they added more reasons to justify their actions, their guilt faded away.

 

“I’ll give a gold coin to the one who strikes first.”

 

It was the moment when even a hint of guilt disappeared like smoke. All of the guards raised their hands, holding branches high. It was then.

 

“No!”

 

With a shrill cry, a slender woman jumped between them. Then she wrapped herself around the little child.

 

‘Mother…?’

 

Elise’s eyes widened.

 

Her mother’s face was filled with tears. At first, Elise thought it was because of the raindrops falling on the ground. But no, it was tears.

 

Her mother was crying.

 

The sight was so heart-wrenching that tears filled the girl’s eyes again.

 

Marisa desperately embraced Elise as if protecting an egg in her arms, just like a mother bird.

 

“If there is anything wrong, it is all my fault for not teaching her properly.”

 

The pleading voice was thin, as if it would cut off at any moment, and at the same time, it was desperate.

 

“So please, punish me and forgive this child.”

 

Marisa looked up at her Countess and begged.

 

Elise, who followed her mother’s gaze and raised her head, was left speechless. The Countess’s face was filled with a twisted, maniacal smile.

 

It was the joy of being in front of what she had longed for.

 

* * *

 

Heavy rain poured down.

 

A deafening roar of thunder echoed across the land, and the rain fell so hard that it was impossible to see.

 

In the midst of the downpour, Marisa took the punishment on behalf of Elise.

 

Countless raindrops shattered white on Marisa’s body. The cloth clinging to her weak back lost its original colour and turned red.

 

The crashing raindrops easily ate away the child’s screams. Her struggles were of no avail. Captured by the guards, Elise was forced to watch helplessly as her mother suffered.

 

Amid the miserable scene, Elise lifted her rain-soaked face and looked at the Countess.

 

Even in the blurred vision caused by the rain, the face that smiled with a despicable satisfaction was vividly clear.

 

Elise realised.

 

The Countess didn’t see them as human beings. That was why she could easily crush them like bugs without hesitation.

 

It was suffocating. Elise struggled in desperation, flailing her arms and legs. It was a desperate to live, not to be swallowed by despair.

 

‘I want to live. I want to save Mother.’

 

As if driven by instinct, the remaining breath became her only goal, ringing loudly in her head.

 

“Ah!”

 

Elise bit the arm of the guard holding her with all her might. Then, as soon as the guard’s grip gave way, she ran into the rain.

 

She had to find someone to rescue her mother and herself from this hell.

 

For the first time like that, Elise got out of her fence by her own will.

 

“Stop right there!”

 

Looking back, the guards were terrifyingly pursuing her. Elise turned her head again and ran as fast as she could.

 

But she couldn’t get very far, and thud!

 

With that noise, she bumped into someone hard.

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