It Doesn’t Matter If You’re Broken - Chapter 5

In fact, there was a handful of lingering feelings that she couldn’t let go of. In the faded past, something like a moment’s affection.

 

However, the reason for that choice was definitely Elise.

 

If it had not been to protect her daughter, at least Marisa wouldn’t have burrowed into the Count’s arms with a fake smile.

 

Gerhard, looking down at Marisa, who had been requesting, turned his head to Elise.

 

“I’ll let this go for today, but I won’t forgive you if you act negligently in the future. Vanessa, take her away.”

 

The moment Gerhard gave the order and turned around, Marisa and Elise’s eyes met.

 

She said with her mouth in silence.

 

“I’m okay. Go ahead.”

 

Marissa smiled wistfully, beckoning her skinny hand to go. She had wet eyes like a cow about to be slaughtered.

 

In a way, it was natural for Elise to hate herself for her mother’s situation.

 

* * *

 

After that day, Elise never saw Marisa again. It was because she had to devote herself to the treatment of her mother’s illness, but in fact, it was just an excuse.

 

She even begged to let her see her mother. She just wanted to see her mother in good health.

 

But what was returned was a terrifying threat.

 

“Is your petty curiosity more important than Marisa’s health?”

 

“Why don’t you still know that you have to be good for Lady Marisa to feel comfortable? You are making the Count angry by unnecessarily offending him.”

 

That was how Elise couldn’t even dream of her own rebellion.

 

Even so, her heart was tender and timid, and as time went by, it only became more intimidated and smaller.

 

So, by the time the seasons had changed four times, there was a very calm and obedient lady left in the Count’s family.

 

Everything was as Gerhard Schuvan had planned.

 

* * *

 

In the war with the Kingdom of Helmut that lasted for nearly a year, the Nordrat Empire finally won.

 

At the news of victory outside the country, Inhel, the island, was excited with a festival-like atmosphere. However, Elise’s suffocating, dense, daily life went back to normal.

 

“Would you like to walk all the way over there?”

 

At Vanessa’s direction, Elise crossed the room. Her gait was as smooth as flowing water and graceful.

 

“This is great.”

 

At Vanessa’s praise, Elise managed to pull the corners of her lips into a smile. Even so, she couldn’t let go of her heart because she didn’t know when Vanessa would suddenly change and scold her.

 

“Come to think of it, I have good news for you, my lady.”

 

“Good news…?”

 

Elise asked, blinking her eyes. Anxious, she unwittingly wriggled her fingertips, and Vanessa slapped the back of her hand with a fan.

 

“How many times have I told you not to do that behaviour because it doesn’t look good?”

 

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

 

“If you continue to show such a pathetic appearance, I will have no choice but to report to the Count.”

 

“No, no! You can’t do that!”

 

Elise urgently grabbed Vanessa’s arm and begged.

 

“I will correct it. I will definitely fix it, so please don’t say anything to the Count. Please.”

 

“You call him that way again.”

 

At Vanessa’s strict point, Elise bowed her head. No matter how much she practiced, it was a title that never stuck in her mouth.

 

“My dear Father… Please don’t tell him.”

 

She corrected herself, barely squeezing out her voice.

 

Vanessa still didn’t like it, but kicked her tongue a few times and answered kindly.

 

“Let’s move on.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Elise patted her chest, visibly relieved.

 

“What is the good news you mentioned?”

 

Then Vanessa gave a meaningful smile.

 

“The date for the lady’s debut date has been set. It’s a victory banquet next month.”

 

Surprised, Elise’s eyes widened. Her embarrassment was reflected on her face.

 

“So soon?”

 

“Not soon. You must have forgotten that you are already twenty years old.”

 

“But… I’m not ready yet.”

 

Then Vanessa laughed in vain and replied.

 

“Whether two or three years have passed, it will be the same for you. It’s better to be a year younger than that.”

 

Elise couldn’t even keep her mouth shut. Because it was all right.

 

She had to try for another year or two to make it like people who have lived as nobles all their lives.

 

It was also because she had recently joined and hadn’t been able to imitate them at all.

 

“Just in time, your dress is ready, so you might want to try it on.”

 

At Vanessa’s signal, the waiting maids rushed in.

 

Elise saw the white dress in their hands. It was a silhouette reminiscent of a wedding dress.

 

The maids moved in perfect order and put the dress on Elise’s body.

 

Elise should have been used to it by now, but she was still stiff while getting attended to by her maids.

 

When the dressing was finished, the maids withdrew.

 

Vanessa looked at Elise slowly and gave a small admiration.

 

“You look good.”

 

Elise didn’t know what she looked like. She just guessed that, judging from Vanessa’s reaction, it must have not been bad.

 

Vanessa said with a satisfied look on her face.

 

“Until your debut, it is going to be hectic. Lastly, there are many things to check, so be sure to follow along. Do you understand?”

 

Elise nodded, and Vanessa began instructing her maids.

 

‘I wonder if I can do well.’

 

Elise struggled to swallow her worries as she surrendered herself to the hands of her maids.

 

* * *

 

On the day of the victory banquet.

 

Vanessa sat on the side of the carriage, and the Count on the other side.

 

Because of that, Elise had no time to be comfortable while she was on her way to the Imperial Palace.

 

“You can do everything else as you’ve learned so far. However, you can’t help but improve your speaking skills. Try to refrain from speaking if possible.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Following Vanessa’s request, Gerhard instructed.

 

“If someone talks to you, give only necessary answers and moderately avoid embarrassing questions. I’ll take care of the rest. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Seeing that Gerhard did not let go of his bitter eyes in spite of his mild reply, Elise reluctantly added a little.

 

“…Father.”

 

Even though he had a disapproving look on his face, he didn’t reprimand. It was never out of generosity. It was because he didn’t have time for that.

 

“Let’s go in.”

 

Standing in front of the banquet hall with the Count, Elise took a deep breath silently.

 

The door opened slowly. At the same time, light poured from the ceiling. Elise blinked her eyes at the light from the chandelier twinkling like stars.

 

The extravagant and luxurious banquet hall was full of nobles dressed to the fullest.

 

Elise, trying not to show her nervousness, slowly stepped her foot into the banquet hall.

 

Here and there she heard gossip, but she pretended nothing was wrong.

 

Among the beasts seeking an opportunity to bite the neck of a weak one, she was just a prey, and that was all Elise could do.

 

“Follow me.”

 

Fortunately, the instinct of the weak moved swiftly. It wasn’t long before she realized her only way to survive in this grim place.

 

Quietly, calmly, unobtrusively.

 

Gerhard gave her very practical advice in terms of semantics.

 

Elise followed the Count with a smile as if drawn, and when Vanessa winked at her, she greeted her with the exact manners she had been taught.

 

Like a doll.

 

The noble ladies praised Elise as a truly virtuous lady, and the young noblemen expressed their liking and interest in her.

 

Among them were men who asked to dance, but each time Vanessa stepped out and gracefully declined.

 

Because their goal was not these unnutritious chickens.

 

Gerhard and Vanessa constantly looked around and persistently checked the banquet hall.

 

The purpose of their attendance at this banquet was to find that one nobleman.

 

* * *

 

Cardale Vassenberg was leaning against the railing of the second-floor balcony. With a face full of boredom.

 

To a man who had been walking through the scene of a brutal slaughter not too long ago, everything here was slow and monotonous.

 

“I don’t know how long I have to watch this house play.”

 

Michael persuaded him with a puzzled expression.

 

“Since this is an event prepared by His Majesty to commemorate His Excellency’s victory, you must show sincerity.”

 

“Yes, I’m wasting my time doing that sincerity.”

 

Cardale was cynical.

 

He was in a very uncomfortable state. According to the original plan, he would have stopped by Dukedom first and returned only after dealing with the backlog.

 

The schedule to do so was completely changed due to the Emperor calling him using the victory banquet as an excuse.

 

The current situation couldn’t be pleasant for a man who hated wasting time.

 

His cold, contemptuous gaze was directed into the hall where the laughter never ceased.

 

“If I could, I would throw them straight into the battlefield.”

 

“You tell scary jokes.”

 

“Well. Does it sound like a joke?”

 

Cardale’s patience reached its limit. It was enough to waste precious time just for the sake of the Emperor’s face.

 

It was when he removed his body from the railing to leave this boring place.

 

A woman appeared in the banquet hall.

 

She immediately caught his attention. Cardale’s eyes narrowed slightly.

***