Give Me Back My Glass Shoe - Chapter 23

Hello everyone! there are changes in the chapter numbering, I had edited it to the correct arrangement as there was confusion in the chapter count. Apologies and enjoy the translation!

First, as a normal reaction for someone suddenly kidnapped and imprisoned, she tried to escape. She waited for Paiki to leave, then tried opening all the numerous doors on the wall to get outside. The result was the same as on the first day. The moment she stepped into the hallway, she would find herself back in front of the bedroom door.

If the doors didn’t work, what about that large window letting in sunlight?

If I’m unlucky, I might break a leg. Steeling herself, she braided the curtains into a rope to climb down. But again, the result was the same. The moment her feet touched the ground, she wasn’t outside but standing on the bed.

After that, she tried taking down the paintings on the wall and even digging at the wall with a spoon. It was a method that might take years, so she soon gave up.

‘Help me! There’s a person trapped here!’

No matter how much she shouted out of frustration, not only was there no answer, but she didn’t see a single human or animal shadow. All she could see were densely packed trees. She couldn’t even begin to guess how deep in the forest this place was.

After several attempts and failures, Aniella reached a conclusion. Escaping from this place without Paiki’s knowledge was impossible. He had to be the one to decide to let her go.

“So, I’ve become corrupted as much as you desired, Your Grace, so I thought perhaps you could let me go now.”
“You’ve become corrupted as much as I desired?”
Aniella nodded, smiling her most innocent smile.
“To say that… you seem quite busy every day.”
“No, besides sleeping all the time, I…”

“Hanging from the curtains was impressive. I thought you had the courage of a pea, but you’re quite brave when I can’t see you, aren’t you?”

Paiki smiled brightly at her and put a piece of the tender chicken into his mouth. Aniella’s knife, which had been pointlessly mutilating the chicken, stopped short.
“Huh, how did you…!”
“I told you, I made this place. I also know you frantically pretend to be asleep whenever I open that door and come in.”

The knife slipped from Aniella’s hand and clattered onto the plate. Startled, she tried to grab the knife but ended up dropping her fork under the table instead.

Unlike the flustered and disoriented Aniella, Paiki enjoyed his meal with great serenity.
“Why are you so eager to go home?”
Stunned by the obviousness of the question, Aniella stared blankly at his face. He looked genuinely curious.
“Because my family must be looking for me, since I’ve disappeared.”
“I told Viscount Mullier that I have you.”
“You spoke to my father?”
Aniella was shocked that he had brazenly informed her family of the kidnapping. Paiki nodded as if it were no big deal.
“Yes. I very honestly explained that you were injured falling down the stairs and that I am protecting and treating you.”

Honestly?

Aniella was appalled. It was true that she had injured her leg and that he had taken her in and was treating her. So it wasn’t a lie, but it was a statement sorely lacking in explaining the whole situation.
“If you have any messages for your family, I can relay them. I can do that much for you.”
“Even though I want to go home…?”
“I can’t relay that. If I did, he’d demand his daughter back immediately!”
Paiki laughed loudly, as if he’d heard a hilarious joke.
“There’s no way my father just accepted hearing that I’m here. He’s so strict he even sets a curfew for me.”

Aniella was convinced Paiki was lying to her. Paiki nodded slightly, as if agreeing with her.
“Viscount Mullier was indeed puzzled about why I have you. But I told him you’re immobile due to your injury, and since I bear some responsibility for how you got hurt, I asked him to let me take responsibility. He acquiesced without any argument, saying to take good care of his daughter.”