Cinderella Did Not Leave Her Shoe Chapter 22-24
22
Night of the Moonlight Gra.s.s
The General
carried me into our box and shut the door firmly behind us. He sat me on the
couch. The box seats in the theatre were close to the stage. There were three
single seats right before the balcony and the settee behind them.
General
Brennan kneeled before me and took my hand, and looked up at me with his
beautiful hazel eyes.
‘I surprised
you, I apologise.’
‘No. Thank you
for helping me tonight. I caused you further trouble embroiling you in my
troubles, and did not thank you properly. I…even let you say something like
that.’
I’m so sorry.
But an apology won’t rectify the situation. General Brennan had a “girl-hobby”
[1] is what people will be saying. I would be beyond help if such a thing
happened. But was the general someone
like that? I couldn’t tell. (Zuben: He’s not an ero-oyaji. Well he is but not
that kind…?)
But wasn’t
that such a big bomb he dropped? (Zuben: It certainly was) It was amazing.
Everyone was taken aback, and were shocked still! What was he doing with me?
This kind of great man?
‘I was going
to flirt, woo you or beg for your love; that sort of thing…?’
I don’t want
you to say it out loud! It makes me feel like I’m walking on air. Is he
possibly interested in me? I can’t even dream of the possibility. But the hazel
eyes before me are unwavering. He didn’t look like he was ashamed to say it. He
looked at me seriously with sincerity. No…it couldn’t possibly! I’m just being
overly self conscious. That right, isn’t it?
Yet, General
Brennan has not let go of my hand. I’m afraid my palms would get sweaty soon. I
could feel my body heating up. Was it because of the alcohol? Or was it because
the General’s large hand was over mine and he was stroking me?
This is
counterproductive! I wanted to shout.
I feel strange
when he strokes me. I wanted to withdraw my hand but Brennan wouldn’t let me.
‘Do you not like
me?’ he asked looking sadly at me.
‘No, that’s
not it.’ I protest in rush. Why was he asking whether I disliked him? Was it
because of the flirt remark or was it because I was trying to pull my hand away
from his. It’s because my body is being 『zowa
zowa』 (Zuben: Hmm,
zowa zowa huh?)
General
Brennan’s eyes widened and he smiled at my answer.
‘If that is
the case…if you do not dislike me, may I be presumptuous?’
I don’t
dislike, rather, I like you! If the General truly wanted a “girl hobby”, I would
like to raise my hand for candidacy. But I could not tell him such a shameless
thing, could I? I’m sorry but it is useless isn’t it?
He looked so elegant
and strong…
‘I dislike
such things, but…’
He was the
heirloom sword of the country; I wanted to say “We need to come up with a
strategy to deal with this development!”
General
Brennan would surely be convinced to come up with a good reason.
However…
‘If you do not
dislike me, if you have even a little like for me…Fredericka, if you are
agreeable, I would like to ask you so marry me as soon as possible.’ (Zuben:
General Brennan uses 『Bulldozer』)
I adore you,
so please don’t say such self depreciating things General Brennan.
But did he
just say what I think he said? (Zuben: General Brennan causes 『stun』again)
My reason was
stunned.
I would never
have imagined that in a million years.
His wife! Not
his mistress?!
Oh my
goodness…my face burned and turned red. Oh my goodness, I couldn’t think I
couldn’t think of the two of us together…because the thought would cause a
nosebleed!
[1] Author’s
note: Thank you for reading.
A “girl hobby”
is a made up phrase to represent a girl as a mistress rather than using the
word mistress. I couldn’t think of any other word for it.
Zuben: Volker
had made his move! Kyaa!
23
What you think is shameful depends on you
‘Wwife,
but…’
General
Brennan kissed my hand and held mine in his big hands and looked at me. Under
his handsome eyebrows, his hazel eyes glittered.
Aeeeeee!
I’m filled
with emotions that I cannot understand,
Was this
perhaps, because, he had heard the rumours and wanted to irritate the bad
people?
I was so
embarra.s.sed and I wanted to make sure I did not have a nose bleed. But when I
wanted to take my hands away, he still would not let me go. (Zuben: You’ve been
caught, kitty) I wouldn’t be able to ascertain the state of my face without
force.
General
Brennan gave me an indulgent smile. Ah, I am in trouble, I thought, as I
reluctantly looked away.
‘I’m sorry, my
mind had run away,’ I said with a trembling embarra.s.sed laugh.’
‘May I sit
next to you?’ he asked.
‘Oh yes
please,’ I nodded. General Brennan’s expression gained its usual calmness. I
moved my body to give him s.p.a.ce but he sat as close to me as possible on the
settee. He hadn’t let my hand go yet.
‘I feel like I
would boil in anger when I think of you talking and getting along with men
other than me. I’m being a jealous man, aren’t I?’ (Zuben: Yes, but we love you
anyway, General!)
‘I know there
are men that would suit you better – younger men, but I don’t want their
disgusting persons near you.’
I watched him
in surprise and embarra.s.sment, while watching out for nosebleeds. Wow, wow,
General. Please stop. Don’t say thoughtless things like with such a troublesome
face. I don’t think my nasal mucosa will be able to take it. (Zuben:
hahahahaha!)
I did not want
to doubt him, but did he really feel this way about me? Can I answer
truthfully? Am I allowed?
I?!
‘My Lady,
please tell me if you don’t like me, and do not care for this, and I will
stop.’ He said but his expression was sad as he gently held my hand.
I was hoping
he would let me go, I want to separate just a little bit so I could think
clearly. His big, warm hands around mine was all I could think about. I quickly
pulled my hand away and it escaped with a pop. Finally free of the General’s
hands, I feel into a spiral of thought.
For example:
what are his intentions holding my hands? (Zuben: overwhelm you with body
warmth) Was he telling the truth? Can I reply honestly? Was someone like me okay?
Oh, what to do?
‘Lady
Fredericka,’ the General looked at me with sad eyes, and I got a tight feeling
in my chest.
I like him.
At that
moment, my mother’s voice echoed in my head, “Try to tempt him. Speak honestly.
If he likes you, he will want to date you if you want to date him.”
I guess even
if I thought the General was being ashamed of not being truthful, I will be
able to laugh about my disgraceful incident. I’m sure there are people who
would laugh at me! (Zuben: Poor Fredericka)
Even if I am
mortified, I should not let the General feel mortified. Do not let your
favourite person feel embarra.s.sed. That is the motto of the Castley family!
A woman’s
courage, come to me!
I took a deep
breath said, ‘I do like you. I do love you. If General Brennan does not mind, I
know I am not a reputable person, please give me everything.’ (Zuben:
Everything? What everything?)
At the moment
I touched his hand, he pulled me into a fierce hug.
Ugfu!
I made a
strange sound as he hugged me with too much strength, but bore with guts!
(Zuben: Go girl) General Brennan; the strongest soldier since the founding of
the country till now. Well, I didn’t learn how to give out cute voices in times
of peril from my mother!
‘Lady
Fredericka…Fredericka!’
Hi ~i~iiiiya~a!
My name! He called my name with such a sweet voice, right in my ear. It is
induces such a strong sensation 『fuo~o~o~o~a 』 (Zuben: hmmhm.)
I didn’t see
the play after all. Well not much of it. Because I was on the General’s lap
again, and he was giving me little kisses everywhere.
When the play
ended, like a gale; the General carried me to the carriage. On the ride home, I
was on his lap again. He would not let me get away. He whispered how he didn’t
want to let me go home and other sweet things and kissing me. (Zuben:*swoon*
I’m dead)
My nasal
mucosa held firm; it is strong! Thank you mother, for giving birth to a child
with strong nasal mucosa.
Somehow, I’m
in love! I was immersed in various thoughts that I should be ashamed of as a
girl. (Zuben: What kind of thoughts Fredericka?) I should have more lovely
thoughts. (Zuben: Boring) I’m sorry but I don’t feel like that.
When the
General dropped me off at him, he said, ‘I will come and give my greetings
formally,’ I did not understand.
I was in daze,
walking on air, I went to take a bath and went to bed without properly telling
my parents the big news.
The next day,
it became a serious thing. (Zuben: Hey! Is this the right book?!)
24 Jealousy Jealousy
‘What? What
did you say about Brennan?’
I could not believe
my ears.
Brennan was
with a young girl on a date at the theatre?! And the girl is that…Lady Castley!
‘It can’t be
true, is it?’ I asked cross examining the Chamberlain.
‘Summon that
Castley girl that used her charms on Brennan right now!’
The chamberlain’s
face went blue and he ran to do as I bid.
♢
I overslept
the morning after I went to the theatre to see a play I did not watch. So I had
a late breakfast with Mother.
Father had
left early for Parliament meetings.
After I eat
some of my breakfast, I gave mother a full report of last night’s happenings.
‘General
Brennan proposed to you!’
‘I suppose it
was a proposal, he told me he wanted me to be his wife.’ I told Mother, shyly
covering my face with my hands.
His wife!
That was
indeed a proposal.
Oliver smiled
and placed a fruit tart before me.
‘It looks that
way, I guess…’
‘Congratulations,
our Lady,’ Oliver said with a smile. I felt warmth in my chest as the servants
echoed his sentiment.
Everyone is so
kind, I thought, as tears threatened to fall.
It had only
been a short time since Eugene broke off the engagement with me and the Terror
of the Falling Underwear and now I am engaged to General Brennan. I feel really
lucky, but I am also scared that with this good luck windfall, something bad
will happen but there didn’t seem to be anything. (Zuben: yet)
While deep in
thought, I sipped my tea. Just then, I could hear running from down the
corridor.
‘Mistress!
Miss! OH!’
I find this
desperate face familiar. It was the same as the time General Brennan said he
was coming to visit.
‘What’s wrong,
Marie?’
It would be
fine if the general wanted to visit, everything was prepared. He can come at
anytime!
‘Oh, my
goodness…a letter! A letter came from the Palace! You’ve been summoned by the
Crown Prince!’ She said between puffs of breath
She held out a
crumpled letter in her trembling hands.
Oliver quickly
took it from her and turned a shocked gaze to Mother and I,
‘It is
definitely a summons to the Palace by Prince Stefan.’
Eh? Why?
*
Mother and I
quickly changed into suitable Palace visiting attire. With Oliver, Marie and
two foot men we rushed to the Palace. As soon as we alighted from the carriage,
everyone was so impolite. We aren’t courtesans!
‘Come now.’
‘Hurry along.’
They urged us.
We were rushed
into a private visitor drawing room,
‘Wait here.’
They said rudely and left hastily.
‘Is the Palace
also lacking talented people?’ Marie and I asked each other.
Unlike Marie
and I who were taken aback, Mother was calm. She merely raised an eyebrow and
took herself to very elegantly sit on a settee. Oliver began to pour her tea
from the tea things that had been left. It looked quite luxurious, there was a
wonderfully mellow aroma from the tea, but I could not enjoy it.
What did the
Prince want with me?
Was about
General Brennan…or was it about Eugene? The engagement cancellation has been
approved. Or perhaps I had been unknowingly rude to him? I was thinking of how
I would sincerely apologise when Father entered. I went to him
‘Good day,
Father.’
It was already
early afternoon, but he returned the greeting. Oliver left.
Father had a
frown on his face as he held his hand on his forehead. Did he have a headache?
‘Fredericka,
tell me important things early.’
‘Yes. Is
greeting more important than anything?’
Father tilted
his head back and sighed. He and Mother share a look.
Haha, you two
are funny.
‘Not so,
foolish girl. I mean about yesterday!’
Oh, about
General Brennan.
‘It was late
and I was tired.’ And embarra.s.sed above all, so it was hard to say.
But, was that
the cause of this summons; yesterday’s incident?
‘I’m sorry.’ I
apologised to father.
He took
something from his pocket and forcibly drank it, looking disgusted. (Zuben:
Despite everything, Daddy hoped the General won’t realise his feelings so
quickly)
‘She can’t be
at home forever,’ Mother said with a strange laugh behind me.
♢