Cinderella Did Not Leave Her Shoe...

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In the middle of a grand ball, my fiancé cancelled the engagement. The reason was…

I tried to avoid the cancellation of the engagement, but it wasn’t meant to be.

An unfortunate pitiful lady and a stubborn general.

New one. I couldn't let March pass with no updates!

Not as smutty as 'Serious Thing' though, but I found it amusing nonetheless, hope you do too!

Details will be in the index.

Fair warning (Especially to new readers coming from the mangadex): I make running commentary - A LOT. If this bothers you, like takes you out of the story and is annoying, fills you with the rage of a thousand suns and other such BS; return back to Novel Updates and go read something else that I didn't edit or wait for the manga to be completed. 

 

Peace.

1 An Abandoned Woman

𝒯here was a pop in my ears.

It wasn’t very loud, but I could hear it clearly over the din of the ball.

Was it the sound of stubbornness?
The sound of blood vessels bursting in anger?

No, it was not.

It was…

‘Very well, I agree to cancel the engagement.’ I said as regally as I could muster in these circumstances.

(Zuben: Why doesn’t anyone in these engagement cancel novels show others some courtesy and break up in private?!)

I made a graceful curtsy to my former fiancé, Eugene, and his new belle whose modest chest was plastered to his arm and turned my back on them. Lifting the hem of my gown modestly, I walk away gaining speed.

‘Isn’t that…?!’

Who said that stupidly?

No. No. It isn’t relevant to me. I must hurry.

Goodness, it was hard to run.

I grit my teeth at the unfamiliar feeling of draft up my skirts and began to run once I was out of the ballroom.

I did not look at the other attendees, who were watching my escape with morbid curiosity. I wanted to reach my temporary room as soon as possible.

Oh no! It is useless. I will not make it!

Why? Why did I choose to wear tie-side briefs? Why? (Zuben: Cos they are cute…and I feel you)

I had known about Eugene’s change of heart. There had been rumours amongst Society, and there had been many kind acquaintances who had told me of his cheating without me asking. (Zuben: Were they really kind?)

My engagement to Eugene had been amusing, but I hadn’t been really interested. (Zuben: Ah Eugene, you appear again as a bad guy)

Although he had been holding my hand, the scarlet woman made her move. Stealing someone else’s man, she wasn’t ashamed about telling others of her achievement.

To be perfectly honest, I hadn’t liked being engaged. I felt that Eugene and I were not suited. Though, his new love seemed to be a commoner but she seemed to have the ability to judge her surroundings.

But that was not important right now, the tie side panties I am wearing are…!

Why had I been so enthusiastic this morning?

“I will go, I can still go.” I had declared without much thought.

Marie, my maid, had goaded me on, “Yes, you can!”

No, you should have stopped me, Marie!

In my family house, frugality was our motto, but I still had a wealthy stock of undies! Why did we choose this one? It was my favourite pair. I called it up in my imagination and said inwardly, “Thank you for protecting my crotch till now!” It was better to let it go, I decided.  (Zuben: hahahaha, let it go)

I wasn’t looking where I was going as I raced ahead, I didn’t want to be told I was being mannerless, especially since the knickers were now at my knees.

But I bumped into something hard,

‘Oh my goodness!’ I exclaimed.

I guess I ran into a person. A person with such a firm body I rebounded.

‘Please pardon me, are you alright, my Lady?’ a very masculine voice asked from above my head

I rubbed my achy nose, and looked up with teary eyes to see, I had run into Gen...General Brennan!

Since the founding of the country, the strongest warrior to be born here was General Volker Brennan. He leaned down to look at me, his hand on one knee. This dignified general; his dark brown hair had been slicked back with pomade and he was well dressed for the ball. But what I found surprising was he had gentle hazel eyes.

‘My Lady?’

I did not reply for a bit, the general moved closer to me,

‘Oh I am alright, thank you.’ I finally said.

General Brennan sighed in relief and straightened his large frame, for some reason his gaze was drawn away from me.

On no!

My panties had made the final journey downward. I could feel the delicate mass hanging off my ankle. It seemed that it was exhausted now. (Zuben: Send a prayer for the lost soul)

I wondered if I should blush. Or throw everything and faint. It is what the fellow maidens of Society would do, it was usually quite amusing.

I’m leaving it to you, General!

I wish our first meeting isn’t as bad as I believe.

2 Volker: Patience

𝓣he lady moved and I noticed there was a scrap of cloth where she had stood, it looked like a handkerchief. The corridor was dimly lit, but I hadn’t seen the handkerchief in her hand when she bumped into me. (zuben: tis not)

‘My Lady?’ I called.

The young lady turned back to me and gasped as though surprised by something, then promptly fainted. I quickly caught her falling body. She was so light, and she looked like a fairy. Her hair was down. It was like liquid sunlight, it fell in loose waves. Her skin was looked soft and white. Although they were now closed, I had noticed long golden lashes over bright eyes that were the green of a forest in summer.  (Zuben: Faint option selected)

Her face was cute. Her lips were plump and lightly pink and slightly parted. Her neck was slender and delicate. My throat was suddenly dry and I swallowed. Beyond that delicate neck, were her collarbones where a delicate necklace adorned. (Zuben: What is with Asians all over and collarbones? Must they be prominent, just visible or hidden?)

She induced such a need within me I was stunned. Why was I feeling this way to such a young girl?

Tonight’s ball was a marriage celebration; the age of most of the attendees would be about 16 to 17 year olds.

If so, then I, who was going to be 35 soon, was lusting after a girl who could be my daughter.

‘…’

There was a dull ache throbbing in my chest, and I groaned.

What was this?

I lifted her and took a deep breath to shake off the strange thoughts that came over me. I did not forget to pick the handkerchief up, and went in search of the butler to help me find the young Miss’ servant and rooms.

 ♢

‘Oh no, my Lady!’

The lady’s maid was found before long. She had been running around with teary eyes. When she saw me with the lady, she ran up to me.

‘Oh how unfortunate.’ She said as she took the hand of the girl in my arms and collapsed.

‘Does she have a guest room here?’

If she was a noble daughter, she would have a guest room. Otherwise, it would be best to lay her on a couch for a little while. She was so slender.

‘Oh pardon me, my lord, I will bring you to her room immediately.’ She said as she quickly wiped her tears.

(Zuben: Young lady, no one stays in a faint that long. Have you fallen asleep?)

The behaviour looked extreme and overwrought, I raised a brow.

‘Although, it seems dire now, she should be fine with some rest.’ I said trying to calm the maid.

If she needed medical attention, that could be arranged. But he thought, it would be better for the lady to rest till she woke up.

‘My lady has no chronic illness. But Milady’s engagement…she would not want to stay near someone has treated her badly.’

It seemed there were complicated circumstances, but the maid did not want to divulge all the information, so she carefully chose her words.

‘Very well, let’s take her to her carriage and send her home.’ I said to her maid and we started walking.

If I thought deeply, I realised that I would only be holding this softness for a short time more.

3 Although it is bad, it is far worse if one doesn’t have nerves of steel.

ℐ awoke in my own bedroom.

The familiar light chiffon canopy was blurry. I could not tell what time it was, but it looked like I woke up at my usual time. I slept well and I feel refreshed.

‘Marie, are you there?’ I called out as I rose out of bed.  I got a quick response,

‘Milady…’ Marie appeared, pulling back the canopy. She looked gloomy, her voice was sad. This was very out of character. She looked like someone had died.

‘What happened? Did something happen?’ I asked.

‘….Are you alright?’ she asked holding my hands she fell to her knees before the bed. Her hands were cold and trembling.

I took a deep breath and asked her what was wrong. Marie’s lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears.

On no! Something terrible must have happened. Had father…had father died?!

How come? Before I left for the ball, he had had been full of energy. The end of all existence was darkness. Well, there would be a plethora of things to do; it was a good thing that the engagement was now broken.

‘For such a terrible thing to happen to young Miss. Being made a spectacle of: Your engagement being broken in front of so many people, so callously. And then after...such a thing you…you were attacked.’

I guess I was really pitiful for large tears fell from Marie’s eyes, dropping with a pitter-patter on the sheets. She looked rather adorable.

Then I remembered something. Panic set in.

But I was able to overcome it and I restarted slowly.

‘Why do you think so, Marie?’ I asked her slowly so she would calm down. But I already know the answer.

‘Because…because, my lady, your knickers were not there!’

Well, yeah.

I ran into General Brennan and pretended to faint when my knickers were seen on the floor. But now I was in my nightdress, so Marie must have changed my clothes.

…I wonder though. I suppose it was an assumption to make, even if one was a familiar husband, to see that under my skirts I had no knickers on. Well, it could not be helped. It did tear.

‘Um, did you tell anyone?’

‘To the Master and the Mistress, and Mr Oliver,’ Mr Oliver was our butler.

This is why one shouldn’t show weakness at home.

A frown marred my brow as I went deep in thought. I murmured to myself as I sank back into bed. Ah, it was too troublesome; I should just stay in bed for now.

My principle was to do today what can be done today, but this was also a huge conundrum. What to do? What to do?

I pulled the covers over my head.

‘Milady! Are you alright?’ Marie cried.

It was unusual for Marie to be this distressed. (Zuben: Something like that has never happened before)

Well, I suppose I should at least explain to Marie what happened. Her distress was all a misunderstanding. I pushed my bedcovers away to find my parents and Oliver standing over me.

‘Oh dear…’

 ♢

‘...and that is what happened.’

I concluded the recount of the evening. I was now washed and dressed in my day dress and brand new knickers, of course. This one seems very durable. (Zuben: Were you wearing your favourite one all day erv’yday?)

‘Well, after this I hope you will be discouraged from wearing your underwear till it is in tatters.’ My mother said. (Zuben: Indeed. But then I am rather like Young Lady, when they are a bit tattered is when they are the most comfortable)

My father gave a small smile.

‘Are you sure you’re not disappointed you didn’t get to dance at the ball?’

Oh what is this? I felt a bit lighter and was laughing easily, but was this subtle lightness because I was no longer tied to that fellow? And because I didn’t have to dance? Eugene ended it before the dancing began.

Marie cried a lot, so much she had to regain her lost moisture so she went with Oliver to prepare tea.

‘We were so distracted by the missing underwear- what will we do about the broken engagement?’

It had been an arranged marriage, the break up had wiped out an opportunity to join our family with a Duke, I could not help but feel responsible and bemoan my charm as a woman. (Zuben: When one door is locked to you, a window might be open elsewhere)

If one listened to all that Society said, they would hear that our family bought our title with money.

In truth, my great-grandfather was a wealthy merchant, during a long war with one of our neighbouring countries; the country fell into financial ruin so my grandfather surrendered his wealth to help finance the army. Grandfather had been very rich, so the money had just been accumulating, he was able to help save the national budget, yo~

With his negotiating skills, he was able to assist in bringing about a cease fire with conditions favourable to the country and eventually, the war ended.

The King was deeply moved by my great-grandpa, so he awarded him the title of Viscount. This was met with repulsion from the aristocracy, and with that we come to the present day.

My family was full of people who were talented in business and good at making money. We are so rich, the gold pretty much rots away for we are a family that like living simply and frugally (Zuben: Misers, you mean) However, this means the money keeps accumulating.

It was undignified in High Society for a titled family to work for their money. Yet, excess was the very essence of nobility.

And as the bride of a duke’s heir, I was only picked because I came with a hefty dowry, and they would be connected to a financial power. I had been made painfully aware of that during the bride selection tea party by the other bride candidates, ever-so politely of course. Yet, while there may have been gentlemen I admired, there hadn’t been anyone that I had particularly favoured, so I wasn't opposed the engagement. Yet for it to be broken now left me with a complex feeling.

‘For me to be engaged to a duke’s son and get discarded so publicly, I most certainly will not sell.’

At a ball, full of High Society, my engagement dissolved so flashily; my only recourse was to become a nun or be the second wife of a lecherous old man. I would have really liked to be married at least once and become erotic newlyweds with my husband. Oh no! Was that too obvious?

‘Even so, we won’t marry you off by force; you can work like a horse for the family for the rest of your life. It would be more fun than walking behind some pompous Duke?’ (Zuben: She would have been a duchess, though)

Father…

‘Oh well, we have Ernest as an heir, so do not worry about it. If need be, we can just get you a stud and get you pregnant.’

Mother…

Both of them treat me like a prized mare.

Ernest was my first cousin, a year older than me.

‘My lady!’ Marie rushed in and gave a shriek.

‘What’s happened?’

‘Ge-General Brennan wants to call upon you!’

What is this?!

How do you like it?

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