The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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The disheveled hallway was quickly tidied up, and I, along with the ladies from Count Shianella’s household, climbed aboard the Marquis’s carriage.

While Shione and Siabel were probably alright, I had expected to ride with the other soldiers in a different carriage.

Aria Alenarr granted me permission to board her carriage without hesitation. Thanks to that, I became the only commoner among the nobles filling the carriage.

‘Well, this is no longer exciting.’

With characters like the princess, the Earl, and Eunice Kalia from the Marquis’s household, I had already had more encounters than a commoner should. Now, I didn’t feel as intimidated by the noble status as I did when I first arrived here.

I simply kept my mouth shut, quietly lowering my presence to avoid disturbing the mood.

I held my breath while listening to Aria and Siabel’s conversation.

“Hmm. They said they were exterminating the orcs that descended on the territory. Strange, isn’t it? Where did such a large number of orcs come from to sweep through the land at once?”

“That’s the mystery. Orcs aren’t bears from your territory, you know. We’ve sent a scouting party to the western mountain range, but there’s still no news.”

“Those darn bears are being beaten to death.”

The conversation flowed smoothly between Aria and Siabel, occasionally sparking some playful banter with slight chuckles here and there.

They discussed the current situation concerning Count Shianella.

In the midst of their lengthy conversation, I checked my quest. The task was to protect Shione from the orcs that broke through the blizzard. As the results met the conditions beside me, the quest was cleared and delivered the promised reward to me.

‘Shione’s growth acceleration. Just what I needed, great!’

Recently, Shione had successfully learned how to infuse her arrows with aura. If her growth accelerated, she would achieve her potential even more quickly.

As she would need to aim her arrows not just at orcs but also at demons, her swift development was essential.

‘What I’m worried about is the promise I made to Shione.’

I turned to look at Shione.

As I turned, Shione, who had also lowered her presence like me, was blankly listening to Aria and Siabel’s conversation. Her half-dazed eyes began to sparkle as she cocked her head to the side, which I found quite adorable.

Well, if she were that brat from a year ago, I would have avoided her like the plague. But now, after cutting her extremely frizzy hair, she had somewhat rehabilitated herself.

Just a promised kiss would be fine if I brushed my teeth properly before that.

Poke.

I discreetly poked her hand, then returned my gaze forward.

Another noble entered my line of sight within the carriage.

A woman with impressive dark red hair.

“Hello. I am Ravi Crunel, a wizard from the Alenarr Marquis family.”

The wizard, holding a status just below a viscount, was gazing at Shione and me.

“Hmm….”

Ravi Crunel softly muttered something while retrieving an item from her pocket.

‘A notebook… and a pen?’

It seemed she intended to jot down notes about the current discussion between Siabel and Aria.

Ravi Crunel began to write on the blank page with her pen tip, as expected of a wizard fascinated by knowledge and miracles. She seemed to enjoy recording and organizing things as well.

Poke. Poke. Poke.

‘…….’

It appeared Shione wanted to get revenge for earlier. Pretending not to notice, she continuously poked my hand with her finger, and in response to the irritating sensation, I placed my hand on hers to press it down.

Finally, it became somewhat quiet.

After suppressing Shione’s mischievous antics, I checked on the remaining quest’s reward.

I closed my eyes for a moment, reflecting upon my state. I was confirming the vessel containing mana, my heart.

‘At this level—’

Such growth was enormous.

The absolute amount of mana had significantly increased. Until now, it had only risen slightly, but this time I could feel a satisfactory weight of mana conglomerating in my heart.

The mana surged and vibrated strongly with my heartbeat. Even firing multiple whirlwinds that shred my enemies wouldn’t be a problem.

Then, it happened.

‘Wait, a wizard?’

As my thoughts drifted from magic to wizardry, I was caught by the sight of Ravi right before me.

Could she have possibly seen me using magic? There must have been signs of magic left on the orc corpses…

Not anticipating a wizard’s sudden intervention, perhaps it’s best to prepare a suitable excuse just in case Ravi senses something amiss.

While I pondered, Siabel’s voice reached my ears.

“It would be better for Shione and Rey to return to the stronghold.”

“To the stronghold, you say?”

“Yes. With so many orcs out there, I cannot leave my younger sister in this dangerous place.”

“So, what will you do, sister?”

“I plan to return to the stronghold as well. After I report the situation, I will either lead more troops west or clear the north again.”

Having said that, Siabel shifted her gaze from Shione to me.

“And—”

As our eyes met, Siabel slightly raised the corner of her mouth. The mischievousness visible in her smile directed at Aria was nowhere to be found. The smile that gently appeared on her face unexpectedly radiated warmth and softness instead of mischief.

“I should also grant the reward I promised Rey.”

At Siabel’s words, all the nobles in the carriage turned their gazes toward me.

Scritch scritch.

In this quiet atmosphere, only the sound of Ravi’s writing filled the air.

Meanwhile, Siabel, once again showing a playful expression, spoke to her close friend.

“And for the duel, let’s wait until you recover from your fatigue. You haven’t lost your skills, have you?”

Aria looked down upon Siabel with amusement at those words.

“Not only have I not dulled, but I’ve sharpened, so look forward to it.”

*

Thud thud!

Perhaps it was because I had removed the heavy armor weighing down on me. Shione shot forward as nimbly as a small animal.

Whoa!

Shione soared.

“Wow.”

An exclamation slipped out as Shione effortlessly jumped inside the carriage. Unfortunately, lacking wings, she began to descend swiftly.

Thud!

Throwing herself onto the soft bed, Shione lit up with the expression of having the whole world.

“I feel alive now.”

Shione habitually rolled up the blanket, curling up her body. Then, peeking her head out, she buried her face in the pillow.

Suddenly, she sat up like a spring and looked at me.

“Um….”

“Did you have something to say?”

Nodding eagerly.

“Brother, I want to eat some snacks….”

Shione waved the blanket up, hiding everything but her eyes.

“Can you bring some?”

“…I’ll get them.”

I returned with some cookies and tea for her room.

As if waiting for me, Shione sprang out of bed and sat at the table.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her eager expression that resembled a dog waiting for its master.

Nom. Munch munch.

While I leisurely sipped my tea, watching Shione devour the cookies, she gulped her tea and smiled with satisfaction before speaking up.

“Um, brother…?”

When we were alone, she would call me brother. Shione seemed awkward with the term, hesitating as she spoke.

“There’s going to be a festival soon at the territory. Did you know?”

“The festival, you say?”

Did we have a festival around this time? I hadn’t seen a single one last year.

‘Was it something that happened before I was pulled from the bars?’

Seeing my puzzled expression, Shione quickly explained.

“Yeah, soon it’s the day of victory at the Beltline Mountains for the invited lord. The territory holds a festival around this time to commemorate the deeds of our ancestors.”

“However… with the current chaos in the territory, I’m not sure if the festival can be held properly.”

“It’s held inside the castle walls anyway, and it won’t last long. It should be fine. So….”

Shione briefly hesitated.

Her feelings were written clearly on her face, with her cheeks flushed red, indicating she was about to bring up something embarrassing.

“…I want to enjoy the festival together on that day. What do you think?”

“A date invitation, perhaps?”

My highness slowly nodded.

From her nearly bursting red face to the awkward movements, I couldn’t help but chuckle as I replied.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

At my words, Shione’s expression brightened significantly.

As we sat back down to enjoy our tea, someone knocked on the door.

“I’ll check who it is.”

I stood up to identify the unexpected visitor and saw a familiar face.

Man, it’s been a while.

With a splendid mustache and a ruggedly handsome presence—

“…Lady Siabel is calling for you.”

It was Bronte, my friend, who managed to rid me of that infuriating nasal tone.

Looks like it’s time to get what Siabel promised me without any further delay.

*

I followed Bronte to Siabel’s room.

Her personal attendant, Bronte, waited outside, allowing me to enter her room alone.

Siabel was sitting on the bed, dressed in her neat formal attire, with her legs crossed.

Once she noticed I had entered, Siabel gracefully rose from her seat.

“Handing over what I owe you without sharing a moment wouldn’t feel quite right—”

Clack. Clack.

Two leather chairs facing each other stood in front of a table.

Siabel sat on one of them, crossing her legs seductively as she spoke.

“Please, have a seat across from me.”

“……”

“Make yourself comfortable.”

I could see it.

A small smile beginning to spread on Siabel’s face.