The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Shione didn’t go out to the shooting range today. Instead, she was hiding her whole body under the blanket, and perhaps feeling stuffy, she ended up peeking out just her face, quietly watching me clean her room.

However, she wasn’t just mindlessly staring at me. Though her gaze was directed towards me, her focus seemed to be on something far more distant. As expected, she mentioned needing to think things over, so she probably needed to sort out her thoughts about Sion as well.

“It’s clean.”

It felt rewarding to have cleaned up a bit after a long time. The room was spotless, likely due to someone else’s efforts.

Maybe it’s some sense of professionalism? After all this time taken to clean and assist, a sense of duty seems to be finally creeping in.

With the cleaning done and enough fresh air circulating in the room…

Creeeak. Bang.

I closed the window that had been letting in chilly drafts at all hours.

“Ahem…”

Then, Shione, who had been hiding under the thick blanket, began to stir and slowly get up. Perhaps it was from rolling around under the covers; her outfit was a bit disheveled, and her messy hair was a testament to how cozy she had been while I worked hard to clean.

She subtly checked to see if there were any cookies or tea on the table, the same one I usually prepare. Unfortunately, not a single crumb of snacks remained in the room, leaving Shione to sulk with disappointment.

Deciding against returning to her bed, she plopped down at the table, resting her chin on her hands with a pout.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her clear expression of dissatisfaction.

Grrrrr─

It turned out to be a louder sound than expected, pleading for food.

Swish!

She quickly turned her head to gauge my reaction, and I gave her an innocent smile without any pretense.

“Ugh…”

In the end, Shione lowered her head, trying to avoid my gaze out of embarrassment.

It seems the lady is hungry.

I casually remarked.

“I’ll whip up some sandwiches or something. Just hang on a bit.”

“…No need. You must be tired from cleaning. You can just rest.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really─”

Grrrrr.

“Words…”

That timing was just impeccable.

A heavy silence fell at the sound that echoed from her stomach.

I ended up bursting into laughter, while Shione desperately tried to conceal her embarrassment, pretending to be nonchalant.

I thought it might be quite amusing to break that clumsy act, so I said in a playful tone.

“It seems my lips weren’t enough.”

As expected, my words sent her eyes shaking like a massive earthquake, her pale skin turning red as she started mumbling.

“What, wha, what did you say…?”

Her fist clenched and then opened. Seeing her toes wriggle filled me with satisfaction, and without answering her, I slowly walked towards the door.

Covering her face with both hands, she peeked through her fingers as her curious blue eyes followed my movements.

I casually shrugged at her.

“I’ll make those sandwiches, so just wait a little, Shione.”

She was openly hungry, after all.

Besides, I might as well stuff in some ham and bacon to make something for myself as well.

*

Munch. Munch.

As Shione took a bite of the sandwich, she looked like she had the entire world in her grasp.

I polished off my share and we exchanged light conversation after filling our stomachs.

How much time passed, I wondered.

In a moment where I had the silly thought that humans are indeed creatures of adaptation, Shione started calling me “Onii-chan” with such ease.

Knock knock.

Someone came to visit Shione’s room.

“I’ll check on this.”

Creeeak.

As I opened the door to confirm the visitor’s identity, I saw a familiar face.

It was none other than Siabel, Shione’s older sister.

“It’s been a day. Have you and Shione been getting along?”

Siabel said cheerfully, naturally ruffling my hair while glancing around the room.

Sudden sounds of something being pushed aside reached my ears, coming from the back.

“…Siabel, what brings you here?”

I saw Shione slowly approaching in Siabel’s azure gaze.

Siabel withdrew her hand that had been ruffling my hair and crossed her arms, redirecting her focus from her sister to me with a relaxed smile.

“You’ve mentioned wanting to be my swordsmanship instructor before. I wanted to take some time with Shione regarding that.”

…It had been quiet for a while, so I thought she was just casually throwing it out there, but it seems Siabel genuinely intends to teach me swordsmanship.

Sneakily…

From behind, someone tugged at my clothes; Shione had immediately come to hide behind me upon spotting Siabel’s arrival.

Siabel took in both of us in her line of sight and said,

“The young lady from the Count’s House has requested to speak with you. A servant will guide you over there. It would be good to meet her now.”

Having said that, Siabel uncrossed her arms and swept her bangs back, which covered her eyes.

As Siabel’s gaze pierced through me and onto Shione behind me, I quietly stepped aside, ensuring they could converse without having their heads turned awkwardly.

Shione’s grip on my clothing loosened, and finally, the two’s gaze met directly.

Siabel smiled brightly at her younger sister as if seeing her face up close for the first time.

“It won’t take long. Just a moment, okay, Shione?”

“Yes, if it’s just a moment… that’s fine.”

After Shione gave her consent, I bowed my head lightly and headed out to meet Aria. As the door closed behind me, I faintly heard the sisters’ conversation.

“By the way, Shione, your forehead seems a bit swollen… Did you bump into something?”

“Eh, what? My forehead…? Nothing happened─”

“Oho. That reaction seems a bit suspicious.”

With Shione’s awkward response in mind, I headed towards my meeting with Aria Alenarr.

*

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Well then, I’ll be on my way…”

Following the servant’s lead, I arrived at the door where Aria was waiting comfortably.

The maid seemed curious about why I had been summoned by the young lady of the Marquis Family, but thankfully, she didn’t press me for an explanation.

I quickly adjusted my clothing and opened the door to step inside.

It was clear at a glance that a large expensive long sofa faced a sizable table in the center.

The sofa nearest to the entrance was empty, possibly meant for me, opposite which awaited Aria along with—

“Ravi Crunel…?”

With crimson hair and what seemed to be a small notebook and pen in hand, Ravi Crunel, the wizard of the Alenarr Marquis family, sat beside Aria, looking up at me.

“Why is this person here as well?”

It seemed that only Aria wanted to converse with me, so having another unknown party here was perplexing.

But I couldn’t just stare quizzically either.
I greeted them with a brief nod.

“Thanks for taking the time. I called because I wanted to ask you a couple of things… Why don’t you take a seat on the opposite side?”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

I took a seat on the sofa across from Aria at her suggestion.

“Um… if it’s not too much trouble, may I ask you something?”

Aria gently stroked her chin and nodded.

“Could I know why Ms. Ravi Crunel is here with you?”

At my inquiry, Ravi began flipping through her notebook, eventually settling on a page. She lifted her pen and started observing me quietly.

…This isn’t like one of those street artists who paint portraits. Staring at me like this makes even me a little uncomfortable.

I didn’t particularly like the unexplained attention from Ravi.

“Because she’s a mage.”

Mages can be persistent. Once they get curious about something, they’ll dig deep until they uncover the truth.

I might be able to manage using spirit magic. But if it were to be discovered that I could wield magic, it would certainly become troublesome.

The impact of my abilities, transcending gender boundaries, is not insignificant. People say there aren’t any men capable of wielding magic at all within the kingdom or even the vast empire, barring divine powers.

With such a prime specimen right before me, it wouldn’t take much for even a fine individual to have their eyes wander if they were a mage.

“Even beyond that…”

It’s best to keep the fact that I can wield magic hidden.

With my ambiguous status, being nothing more than a commoner serving as a personal attendant to a count. The moment it’s known that I possess powers exceeding my station, I could find myself entangled in all sorts of troublesome situations.

Until I solidify my strength, I intend to keep magic as my last resort.

“Seems like Ravi has some questions for you. So, if it’s alright, after I finish asking mine, could you answer hers, even if briefly?”

“…If it’s something I can answer, I’d be happy to.”

“Good to hear. Ravi finds it hard to sleep if she’s curious about something.”

At Aria’s remark, I glanced at Ravi to gauge her expression…

Unlike the first time I’d seen her, she appeared slightly more fatigued. It seems she truly wants to ask me something.

After a moment of observation, Aria finally began addressing the matter at hand.

“I want to ask about something. When you wielded your sword while guarding Princess Adelhaite and Young Lady Shianella, I couldn’t help but notice that you seemed to be using mana. Can you confirm that?”

Those at a certain level, like Adelhaite and Eunice Kalia, had likely picked up on my use of mana when they saw me there.

Aria’s expression bore certainty, as if seeking only to reaffirm what she already believed. I nodded in acknowledgment.

“Fortunately, I awakened my mana, allowing me to perform miracles that invigorate my body a little.”

“To have rejuvenated yourself to the point of beheading two demons… Quite remarkable. Regardless, it’s certain that you awakened and wield mana. So, could you tell me how you learned swordsmanship as a man?”

I nodded in a way that would suffice to respond to her question.

Aria’s curiosity seemed particularly focused on my combat abilities—how I harnessed mana, where I learned swordsmanship, whether I could shoot a bow like I did previously, and where I had learned that as well.

It seemed that her interest stemmed solely from my martial prowess, with no deeper thoughts beyond that.

After answering her inquiries,

“Huff…”

Taking a quiet breath as I collected my thoughts, Ravi suddenly lit up, as if it was finally her turn.

“When you hunted the orcs, I found traces.”

She said, placing the blunt end of her pen on her lips, squinting her eyes slightly.

“Traces of wind magic that our Marquis Family wizards have never used. It looks like it was magic sent through arrows, reminiscent of the elves found at the Great Forest along the kingdom’s eastern border.”

With her eyes fixed on me, Ravi elegantly scribbled on her notebook.

“Ray, do you know anything about this?”

With that, Ravi glanced momentarily at her notebook.

「 ★ Shione Shianella / Second Daughter of the Shianella Count Family
1. Looks like she can use magic on arrows, possibly possessing skills in archery and magic like the elves…
└…No magical talent has been found in the young lady.
└Then how?
└Is she hiding her talent? Or…

「 ★ Ray / Personal Attendant of Shianella
1. Beheaded two demons.
2. Demonstrates a high level of swordsmanship.
3. According to Aria, seems capable of wielding mana in a manner uncharacteristic of a man.
└ It’s true that he can handle it.
4. Hiding something.
5. Even at a glance, quite handsome.

A special young man, Ray.
…As crazy as it sounds… he might indeed be able to wield magic.