It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Broken - Chapter 22

“After the promised time, I want to take the lady first. I ask for your understanding.”

 

The ladies replied, of course, and Raymond extended his hand to Elise, requesting an escort.

 

Elise stood hesitantly, greeted the ladies, and walked out of the garden with Raymond.

 

As they distanced themselves moderately from the gazebo, he began with an apology to Elise.

 

“I apologize for the inconvenience. Were you surprised by the invitation?”

 

“Oh, no.”

 

Although she was exhausted from managing a strenuous schedule for the party attendance, Elise tried not to show it and nodded.

 

With a sigh that seemed to imply Raymond knew everything, he spoke.

 

“If her mother had known that I had invited the Lady to the tea party, she would have stopped me somehow…”

 

“I’m fine, Little Marquis.”

 

Elise barely lifted her lips and smiled at him. Only then did Raymond put on a relieved look at her smiling face.

 

Raymond, who had been waiting, escorted Elise even to the carriage and called her to a halt just before she got on.

 

“Lady Elise.”

 

He cleared his throat with a somewhat awkward smile. Then, he straightened himself and asked seriously.

 

“May I have the honour of escorting you to the upcoming spring ball?”

 

“Ah…”

 

Elise’s mouth opened slightly. She was neither delighted nor surprised. It was because of what she had been warned about in advance by the Count.

 

“If the Little Marquis requests an escort for the spring ball, be sure to accept it.”

 

Like this, every time she realized that the Count was foreseeing everything that would follow, Elise became frightened. And her conviction, verging on indoctrination, that she must never rebel grew stronger.

 

When she didn’t say anything, Raymond asked anxiously.

 

“Do you happen to have an escort partner?”

 

“Oh, no.”

 

Elise, who shook her head and denied it, replied in a trembling voice.

 

“…Then I would ask for the honour of being your escort.”

 

Raymond’s face, anxiously awaiting Elise’s response, lit up suddenly.

 

“Yes, my lady!”

 

He smiled happily.

 

“I will contact Count Schuvan’s residence soon. Please look forward to it.”

 

“Thank you. Please send my regards to the Marchioness as well.”

 

Elise politely bowed her head and then got into the carriage. She could feel Raymond’s gaze looking for her through the window, where the curtains were slightly open, but she pretended not to notice and lowered her head.

 

She was just uncomfortable with everything.

 

* * *

 

“It’s a message from the Duke’s castle that Madame is about to come to the mansion.”

 

Cardale narrowed his eyes at Michael’s report.

 

“It seems she desires to attend the spring ball.”

 

“Tell me it’s impossible.”

 

At the brief command, Michael hesitated for a moment before adding.

 

“Blocking her attendance at the victory celebration and now the spring ball will provoke significant resistance from the Madame.”

 

“So?”

 

But Cardale didn’t bat an eye.

 

“Isn’t this somewhat expected? Prevent it.”

 

“Your Highness, if Madame persists and insists, it will even be difficult for the Duke to stop her.”

 

“If she stubbornly insists on coming here, is there no way to deter her?”

 

Cardale twisted his lips coldly.

 

“This place is too humble to house my mother, so make sure to find a place for her to stay in advance.”

 

This time, too, the front door of the Duke’s mansion was made sure that it would not be opened to her.

 

‘Annoying.’

 

He thought… The things that were gradually gnawing at his nerves.

 

The aftermath of war, the greed of the Imperial Family, the blood ties, and…

 

Cadeil’s gaze suddenly shifted to a vacant space along the wall. It was where a once proud stag with magnificent antlers had been mounted.

 

The balance of the placed decorations disappeared, so the appearance was not very good. It would be better to fill it with new beasts.

 

But the man didn’t like it. Even the beast with robust and deep-coloured fur wasn’t quite to his liking.

 

Something similar, but a bit smaller and gentler, with lighter and smoother fur, would be preferable.

 

Thinking that he would soon have to go hunting for a creature to hang there, Cadeil shifted his gaze from the wall. As he turned his head, there stood Michael, still in his stoic posture, waiting for his instructions.

 

Truly, his subordinate was always steadfast.

 

“My mother remains consistent, now as ever.”

 

“…”

 

“She should simply enjoy her later years at a resort. Why does she engage in such unreasonable obstinacy?”

 

If that was the case, there was a need to firmly establish barriers so that unwanted individuals wouldn’t encroach upon his territory.

 

Cardale ordered Michael.

 

“Reinforce the mansion’s security.”

 

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

 

The social season was about to begin.

 

* * *

 

The maid measuring Elise’s waistline conveyed the measurements to Vanessa. Vanessa nodded and asked another maid,

 

“What did the young lady have today?”

 

“She had herring salad, a baked potato, and a piece of wheat bread with cheese.”

 

A slight crease formed above Vanessa’s eyebrow. She turned to Elise and remarked,

 

“You ate a little too much today.”

 

Although Elise had simply eaten what was given to her, she couldn’t argue. If Vanessa said it was a lot, then it was indeed a lot.

 

“Fortunately, if the measurements are accurate now, the dress shouldn’t be too tight. However, be careful not to eat more than you have today.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Vanessa walked around Elise, observing her from all angles, before standing in front of her.

 

“The three-day spring ball is the most important event in the year’s social calendar.”

 

Elise nodded. It was a story she had already heard from Vanessa several times.

 

“Young ladies at marriageable age have been preparing thoroughly for this ball. Over the years, they’ve honed their manners, charm as noblewomen, and physical presence. They must have learned how to behave.”

 

Compared to them, Elise still had a long way to go.

 

“Do you think you can surpass those young ladies, Miss?”

 

At Vanessa’s question, Elise looked down and twisted her lower lip, nodding slightly.

 

“There is only one weapon the young lady has to surpass other ladies.”

 

Vanessa slowly scanned Elise from head to toe.

 

“For noblewomen, beauty is also a great virtue. Like fair and delicate skin, beautiful hair, and a feminine body.”

 

She took hold of Elise’s shoulders. With a gentle but firm grip that conveyed strength, Elise looked up in surprise.

 

“Don’t forget.”

 

Vanessa met her gaze and emphasized once more,

 

“You must become the most beautiful woman on that day.”

 

* * *

 

“The Little Marquis of Hartmann expressed his desire to gift you a dress for this spring ball.”

 

Elise had no right to refuse. She wrote the acceptance letter as Vanessa had informed her and sent it off.

 

A few days later, boutique staff sent by Raymond arrived.

 

They laid out several sample dresses and dozens of fabrics, laces, and materials in a specially prepared room.

 

“Since the preparations are complete, please proceed.”

 

Upon Vanessa’s words, Elise rose from her seat. But suddenly, her head began to spin.

 

“Ah…!”

 

Thankfully, she didn’t fall, thanks to the chair’s armrest. The arm that barely supported her body trembled weakly.

 

‘Again…’

 

Due to the extremely limited food and tight training schedule that made it difficult to sleep properly, Elise had been feeling dizzy from time to time recently.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

Vanessa furrowed her brow and asked. Sensing a faint trace of annoyance in her expression, Elise quickly responded.

 

“Yes. I’m just a bit tired.”

 

“That’s fortunate. Since time is pressing to decide on various matters, please hurry.”

 

Elise kept dragging her tired body and followed behind Vanessa.

 

Entering the prepared room, the boutique staff immediately clung to her and took her measurements.

 

“I’ve never seen someone with such a slender waist.”

 

Amidst the admiration and compliments, Elise had to exert herself to endure the painful strain on her body. Following their lead, her movements felt as if her body wasn’t her own.

 

After taking measurements, the next step was to choose a dress.

 

“An overly plain design won’t do. However, something too tight or cumbersome would also be inconvenient. It should be elegant, dignified, and capable of stimulating the attention.”

 

Several dress designs were presented according to Vanessa’s order. She carefully selected a few, choosing fabrics, laces, and decorations.

 

“In my eyes, this one seems to suit you the best. What do you think, Miss?”

 

“…I like it too.”

 

Aside from measuring, Elise was practically unnecessary in this process. Yet Vanessa had her sit beside her and included her in every step.

 

As the sun went down and the people in the boutique left, Elise’s schedule was not over yet.

 

“You should write a thank-you letter to Little Marquis Hartmann and go to sleep.”

 

It felt like she was gasping for air. It was so exhausting. Elise clenched her lips tightly.

 

“You have to finish what you must do today to handle tomorrow’s schedule.”

 

Vanessa recited what Elise had to do in a firm tone.

 

“You’ve been practising many times, so it should be fine. From now on, lady, please write the letter yourself.”

 

“Yes? B-but I’m not yet…”

 

“Are you planning to keep relying on me to write for you forever? Isn’t it time to stop relying on me?”

 

Elise chewed on the inside of her lips.

 

She could write a letter, but that wasn’t the issue. The problem was writing a letter that Vanessa and the Count would want.

 

Until now, Elise in the letters to Raymond had been a perfect noble lady, an impeccable representation of a refined woman.

 

She had wrapped false content in a perfect package and sent it out.

 

But Elise didn’t have the confidence to write such convincing lies.

 

“I will check the content tomorrow morning.”

 

With that announcement, Vanessa finished speaking and left the room.

 

Elise, who had no choice, led her tired body and sat at her desk.

 

[Dear Little Marquis Hartmann,]

 

However, she barely managed to write the greeting before her hand came to a halt. She had no idea how to continue.

 

Elise stared at the paper for a long time.

 

It was when a droplet of ink pooled at the tip of her quill and couldn’t bear its weight, falling.

 

Swiftly, someone snatched the letter Elise had been writing.

***