The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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I read the quest, but rather than jumping right in, I decided to take a moment to gather my thoughts.

Shione seemed to know that her question was about a sensitive topic, calmly waiting for my response.

I willingly accepted my master’s consideration and took another look at the quest rewards.

Following Siabel, I noticed Shione’s awakening power. Then there were rewards related to Sion, but frankly, I didn’t think much of Sion either, so I skipped over that…

The final reward presented to me caught my attention, completely distracting me.

‘A seed of power.’

A seed of power. Not just any strange power, but the power of extermination.

I’ve never handled a power worthy of being called that, so I didn’t know it deeply. But the concept of a seed was something I had faintly heard from someone else back on Earth.

Naturally born with power are exempt, but those who gain power later will bear seeds like this.

Whether or not one can awaken the seed depends entirely on the individual’s capability—

‘If I can awaken it…’

The sprouting seed could grow and yield beautiful results.

This was a completely different powerful reward than gradually unlocking my original powers. Naturally, it was hard not to be tempted, and insatiable greed began to bubble up.

However, sadly, this quest wasn’t going to be easy.

‘Improve the relationship between Shione and Sion.’

This was different in level from the previous quest regarding developing a relationship with Siabel.

If Siabel had been indifferent towards Shione, Sion seemed to constantly pick fights with her at every opportunity. Considering how much Sion must have provoked Shione, there’s a lot that has built up on her side too.

Moreover, just a moment ago, they had yet another terrible reunion.

So, although Shione might wish for the closeness of their past sibling bond, was it really right to blow the winds of reconciliation into the space between them?

With the greed for the quest rewards stirring inside me, if I were to force Shione into a reconciliation with Sion, she might endlessly fall into the abyss of deep emotional wounds.

—Siabel is fine, but… I really don’t know how to deal with Sion.

My head throbbed.

I was a hunter who caught monsters, and for now, I was nothing more than her slave and attendant. I wasn’t someone who could present her with satisfactory advice.

Even so, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut forever.

In the end, I solidified my thoughts and spoke up.

“Is it okay if I say my honest opinion?”

“Yeah. You’re not someone who will spout nonsense.”

“Then, could you swear that there’ll be no disadvantage to what I’m about to say?”

“…Swear?”

“Let’s start by marking a fingerprint here.”

“Fingerprint?”

“Just lend me your hand for a sec.”

I took her hand, hooked our pinkies as if locking a promise, and stamped my thumb on it.

“Since we’ve hooked our pinkies and made the mark, it’s a promise now.”

“Ugh, okay.”

Taken by surprise by my sudden action, Shione meekly agreed.

Having got her permission, all that was left was to spill my thoughts.

Without hesitation, I continued.

“I believe family should have affection for one another and be able to converse harmoniously.”

“…….”

“Previously, you once told me that no one followed Shione like Sion did back in the day. So if possible, I hope you two can become close again like before.”

A dark shadow fell over Shione’s face.

Taking in the melancholic expression of hers, I spoke with unwavering voice.

“However, that doesn’t mean you need to strive to become friends right now, nor do you need to forgive or submit. You’re the one who has been verbalized, not the other way around. To be honest, I’m not a fan of Sion.”

“Wha…?”

“I mean it. I’m not really fond of Sion. Just the other day, he insulted you in the open garden, and today, he acted like a demon in front of many servants in the corridor.”

“…….”

“Do you think it makes you feel good when I’m getting slandered?”

Seeing me come on strong, Shione shook her head, caught up in my momentum.

I sat down on the chair across from her and gazed at her.

“Come here, Shione.”

“…What?”

“Quickly.”

“Y-you want me to sit on your lap…?”

“Come on, we’ve already hugged and kissed each other on the cheek, so what’s with the fuss?”

“…….”

“Quickly.”

“Um… okay.”

Shione sat demurely on my lap.

Just a moment ago, she was using me as a stress-reliever.

Was there really a reason to feel this embarrassed over just a back hug?

I wrapped my arms around her from behind and said.

“Becoming close like before can happen after clearing out all accumulated grudges.”

After all, thankfully, there’s no time limit on this quest.

If there are still lingering negative feelings towards each other, then reconciliation and forgiveness, none of that can be properly achieved.

It happened back in elementary school. My younger sister, who used to sneak attack my snacks. One time, when we were trying to settle our opinions through a fistfight, we ended up forced into a reconciliation hug, and that remains one of my worst experiences to this day.

For Shione, with years of accumulated negative emotions that haven’t been resolved, I had no intention of throwing out demands for them to grow close impulsively.

“If you’re teased for lacking talent, then proudly display the bow Ainel gave you. If you’re mocked for being incapable, then show the sword granted by the royal family and laugh back.”

“…….”

“From now on, don’t just sit quietly like a fool… sometimes it’s good to get angry too.”

Shione is no longer a talentless individual.

I, of all people, awakened and nurtured her latent abilities, and she has rapidly grown in just a year under my guidance.

Such rapid growth wouldn’t be possible without talent.

She wasn’t just randomly claiming to be a royal archer or sharpshooter.

With a considerable distance from her past ineptitude and shameless mouth, she’s moved on.

Sion’s conventional way of belittling her as an elder sister won’t have the same impact on Shione anymore.

With her shedding self-deprecation unlike before, Sion’s belittling words would only be seen as something to overcome, rather than useless taunting.

“So whether it’s a year from now, or three years later, after clearing all grievances, only then should you deal with Sion as a proud and upright elder sister who has nothing to bow down to. Well, if you do that—”

While gently stroking Shione’s hair, who had been silently resting on me, I spoke.

“Up until the world ends… there should be an appropriately decent relationship, right?”

If I were unable to complete the quest by then…

By that time, Siabel, who had awakened her powers, and Ainel, who would likely become a sword master, would protect her somehow.

After wrapping up the conversation suitably, I took a breath.

What on earth had I just said?

Words flowed out of me like a stream of consciousness. Afterwards, as the thirst came upon me, I kept my mouth shut, embracing Shione like a big teddy bear.

“Really…”

Shione’s small mumble sound rippled through.

A sound devoid of power yet still refreshing reached my ears.

“If Sion had heard that, he wouldn’t have kept quiet.”

“What about what I said? Do you plan on telling Sion?”

“No, not at all.”

“Then that’s good.”

This level of conversation between us is acceptable. Besides, she herself said she wouldn’t be mentioning any of it.

As I silently observed Shione’s reaction, it seemed my words weren’t as bad as I thought.

She was showing a slightly brighter expression than before.

“I feel like I’ve sorted my thoughts a bit.”

“If you don’t feel the need to become close again like before, you might as well filter what I say.”

“…Yeah, I know. I’m glad you’re here.”

The heavy air that had filled the room found its way back to tranquility, returning to calmness with her at its center.

At times like this, it seemed good to freshen up the room with some cool air, so I gently pushed Shione’s back and said.

“Now, how about we get a move on?”

“Can I just stay here a bit longer?”

“My legs are starting to lose feeling, and I planned to clean the room a bit.”

“Hm… then…”

Shione squirmed around on my lap.

Then she turned her body slightly, looking at me askance.

After hesitating while glancing at me, in an instant, she made her move.

The girl who had hugged my neck pressed her lips against mine—

Bang!

…We bumped heads.

“Ow…!”

That hurt like crazy.

She hit hard enough for my head to tingle.

After colliding, Shione shed a tear and then quickly pecked my lips.

Then she freed herself from me and stood up.

Rubbing the still painful spot on my forehead, I looked up at her.

“Ha…”

Shione too must have felt the impact, as her forehead was turning bright red.

Not to mention, her cheeks and ears were just as flushed as her banging forehead.

I glanced at her fluttering eyes and asked.

“If you act this recklessly, doesn’t it go against our agreement—”

“The, tongue! I didn’t insert my tongue, so it was just a peck…!”

“No, I was just talking about the kiss in general—”

“Anyway, I didn’t break the promise…!”

Shione swiftly covered my mouth with her hands.

“…I think I’ll take a nap to sort out my thoughts, so call me when you finish cleaning.”

As Shione withdrew her hand to bite me, I muttered in line with her timing.

“Do you usually sort out thoughts while sleeping?”

“Ugh…!”

Whap.

Shione smacked my back and fled into my bed.

“Sigh…”

…From now on, I should be cautious with my pranks.

Shione, those hands of yours are unexpectedly strong.