The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

---

Clatter, clatter.

Gathered around the long table, the members of the Shianella family were having a meal together.

After a considerable year-long absence, I had returned home to share a meal with my family for the first time in ages.

Perhaps in honor of my return, the table was filled with mouth-watering dishes, each more tempting than the last.

The effort of the chefs who prepared such a variety of foods was evident.

I calmly sliced the steak that was set before me and took a bite.

Mmm…

Juices burst forth, rich flavors overwhelming my senses. The aroma of the fire was also undeniable. It was a level of quality not easily found at the Academy, and I wanted nothing more than to savor it slowly…

Unfortunately, my attention was hardly focused solely on the food. There was something even more captivating than this piece of meat.

“Mmm…”

Obligatorily chewing the meat in my mouth, I glanced across the table at my sister.

Unchanged and steady, she was there. But, having not seen my sister in a year, she was unrecognizably different. At this point, it was fair to say she was almost like a completely different person.

Even now.

My sister, Shione Shianella, had once dreaded dinnertime.

Always overshadowed by me, our elder sister, and our mother’s commanding presence,

She used to hastily consume only what was placed before her, desperately wishing to escape this burdensome gathering.

But now, my sister was different.

‘What on earth happened in the span of a year?’

Gone were her dull, lackluster eyes, unfit for a member of Shianella. Instead, her gaze was true, straight, and even faintly glimmered with light.

She showed no signs of being overwhelmed by our family’s presence.

Not only that—

The days of meekly bowing her head and only eating her own food were long gone.

My sister sat upright, effortlessly embodying the proper etiquette and enjoying her meal with elegance.

What was even more surprising was—

“Looks like the chefs put in a lot of effort today, huh?”

Our elder sister, Siabel Shianella, who had always been indifferent, was now playfully teasing our younger sister.

“True. I wish every meal could be like this.”

“I agree!”

I couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired between the two of them during my absence.

Shione adeptly picked up on Siabel’s teasing without losing her composure.

My eyes narrowed involuntarily.

Shione had always felt inferior to Siabel.

So when she first began to falter, Siabel was the first to avoid her.

In turn, Siabel had treated her sister with calculated indifference.

I never thought I’d witness the two of them sharing banter over dinner again…

‘…She has changed.’

Surrounded by a world that embraced Shione, she had transformed.

Even our mother, Ainel Shianella, seemed completely accustomed to this situation now.

She brushed it off with ease, continuing her meal.

The person who now felt most awkward in this setting was not Shione, but I, Sion Shianella.

‘Mmm…’

My thoughts deepened.

I could hardly bring myself to still call her my sister after a year.

And I was left questioning what had made Shione Shianella revert back, at least on the surface, to the sister I had once cherished so dearly.

As I momentarily gazed at my sister, who had changed so much,

She too halted her cutting of steak and exchanged glances with me.

“…”

“…”

It felt numb.

Yet it was chilly, like the biting winter wind beyond the noble castle walls.

In her eyes, there was not a single trace of any lingering feelings toward me, no fragment of the inferiority complex or avoidance that had once seemed so insurmountable.

I was left with no choice but to believe.

It wasn’t just her appearance that had transformed.

Her inner self had also undeniably grown over the past year.

What remained was a thorough distance.

A distance that felt too far away to be called family yet insufficient to be deemed intimacy among acquaintances.

It was only natural, as I knew all too well that my actions toward my sister had been unbecoming.

No matter the reason behind my initial biting words… even after realizing that it was the wrong approach.

I had only continued to berate my sister with sharper, harsher words.

It was only to be expected.

The sister who had gazed at me like a lifeless doll spoke up, her small lips parting.

Her voice was plain yet cold, echoing in my ears.

“Let’s eat. The food will get cold.”

“…Understood.”

Having exchanged those brief words, Shione resumed slicing her steak, placing a piece in her mouth.

I too focused on my meal once more.

Steaming dishes filled with nothing but scrumptious food lay before us.

Yet, lost in deep contemplation, I could only chew on the flavorless agony of my thoughts.

At the quiet table, it was our mother who finally broke the silence.

The topic of discussion was nothing extraordinary.

Just a simple welcome back to the family.

I offered a soft smile in response to my mother’s words and my sisters’ reactions, continuing my meal without much elaboration.

Then, at the moment when the meal was about to conclude, our mother, who had already set down her utensils, casually asked:

“Shione, come to think of it, there’s something I haven’t heard yet.”

“Something you haven’t heard?”

“Right. I was curious to know how well you are using the bow that I gifted you the other day.”

“Oh.”

Our mother had given my sister a bow?

…Wasn’t it rumored that she had protected the princess with a sword?

Could it be that she had started handling the bow?

But bows typically take a long time to master.

For someone like our mother, who valued measurable achievements, it wouldn’t seem likely to grant the gift of a bow to an archer who had only practiced for less than a year, regardless of being her own daughter.

Clatter.

Cautiously placing my utensils down, I finished my meal.

I then focused my ears on their conversation.

The sound of tableware being set down on empty plates briefly made me aware of the gazes directed toward me, but that was of little concern.

“…I’m using it well. The draw weight and the flex of the bow are both excellent. It’s a fine bow.”

The sister who had always stared bleakly at the world and sighed alone,

That sister, who I thought would never smile again, had somehow rekindled emotions.

Shione Shianella smiled. It was a smile I hadn’t seen in years.

…Of all things, I got to see that smile through a discussion about the bow, one I hadn’t anticipated.

Furthermore, Shione’s smile had a certain strength.

It had the power to bring a smile to both Ainel and Siabel as well.

“Well, that’s good. I heard your archery skills were quite remarkable, but I’ve still never seen it.”

“You can expect a good show. I recently pierced through the tough hide of an orc from a long distance. Shione’s arrows are far better than those of the ranger I accompanied just recently.”

“Is that so?”

“W-well, it’s not that impressive.”

“Seeing as you’ve been spending a lot of time at the shooting range lately, I might just have to pay a visit sometime.”

“…Understood.”

Talk of my sister starting on a different path from her past.

Even though it was a story I knew nothing about, I absorbed their words and organized them in my mind.

I sipped from the glass of water beside my empty plate, contemplating that I should see for myself her changed self at the shooting range.

Afterward, Siabel, who had finished her meal, stood up.

“I’ll head in first.”

“If that’s the case, then I will too…”

Once Siabel and Shione left the dining table, only our mother and I remained.

Creak—

As I leaned back in my chair, preparing to finish my meal and follow them,

Our mother, Ainel Shianella, discreetly dismissed the servants who had been waiting on us.

Once confirming they had withdrawn, she fixated her gaze on me and spoke.

“Sion, I’ve heard something.”

“…Heard something?”

“I heard through my secretary that you exhibited inappropriate behavior toward Shione in the hallway while the servants were passing through. It’s fortunate that a discreet maid heard about it. If someone with a big mouth had caught wind of it, it could’ve been quite a troublesome matter.”

“That…”

“I even heard that you mentioned a demon.”

Ainel’s fury surged forth.

Softly, yet with a weight heavier than anything else.

The dignity of a head of the house, as well as that of a formidable knight, pressed down on me.

“Sion.”

“…Yes.”

“I know your relationship with your sister isn’t the best, but even so, to utter the word ‘demon’ in relation to Shianella? Recognize the weight of your name and your words. From now on, I cannot allow you to display such reckless behavior in my presence again.”

“…I will be careful.”

“Good.”

Our mother rose from her seat first.

Tap, tap.

As she passed by me, she abruptly paused.

“…And Sion, one day, you too must—”

Ainel hesitated, faltering for a moment. In the end, she left without saying anything more.

Her fleeting profile I caught in that brief moment,

It appeared that she was a mother burdened by guilt over her past.

*

Ainel entered her office.

She sank into her plush chair, gazing blankly at the ceiling for a moment, then closed her eyes.

A single word lingered in her mind.

With a small sigh, Ainel finally murmured her last thoughts.

“…Atone.”

She was a sinner who had failed in her responsibilities as Shione’s mother.

How could a sinner rebuke Sion for his transgressions? Sion belittled Shione, and Shione fell silent. And I too remained silent, offering no response.

“How regretful…”

I recalled my own faults.

Desperately trying to prove my worthiness to the Count’s family through training in sword and spear, studying magic and various disciplines, Shione had been well-deserving of praise.

My first fault was having remained indifferent without even a simple compliment for her effort.

Then, as my disinterest persisted, Shione fell ill from others’ comparisons and belittlements, turning her back on the world.

My second fault was neglecting to shield her from negative perceptions once I recognized the harm.

And my final sin was—

—Not advice but counsel.

—Do you really think it’s right to trivialize Shianella’s young lady and only converse with a mere servant like me?

—If I may, I dare to ask that you never disregard or ignore Shione.

Having realized my sins, even a servant willing to speak out could deliver counsel by risking her neck.

—At the very least, kin should exchange greetings, should they not?

As her mother, I had treated her abominably.

The memory remains vivid. The first time I had patted her head. The droplets that had gathered in my daughter’s eyes.

It was already far too late. But from now on, I would face her wholeheartedly and gradually atone.

And someday, I shall seek her forgiveness.

I glanced down at my hands.

If possible, after I witness her shooting at the shooting range, I wanted to pat her head one more time with this hand.

*

I stepped into the shooting range to practice archery as usual.

As I nodded toward those who offered simple acknowledgment, I focused on honing my skills.

When my fingers grazed the quiver strapped to my back, I quickly realized that it was already empty.

“Here’s a new quiver.”

Forgetting the pain that throbbed between the joints of my fingers due to my servant’s small kindness,

I turned around with a small smile.

“Oh, thank—”

Though he usually maintained a stoic expression, today, there was a noticeable rigidity in his demeanor.

Curious about the cause, I scanned the surroundings. I wasn’t the only one noticing this reaction; it seemed to extend to everyone else in the shooting range apart from him.

The cause was an unwelcome visitor who had arrived at the shooting range.

“…Sion.”

With his silver-white hair, there stood a man.

Sion Shianella had come to the shooting range to observe me.

He probably wanted to witness my skills firsthand.

After receiving the new quiver from Ray, I concentrated on the target.

‘If you wish.’

I shall show you anything you desire.

I confidently aimed for the center of the target beyond and proclaimed it aloud.

The incompetent version of myself is dead, and I have found my talent.

The gentle breeze that had been blowing came to a halt.

Following Ray’s instructions, I assumed my stance and nocked an arrow.

Drawing the resilient string, I began to channel my mana.

Five seconds passed as I sent mana through my fixed arm toward the arrowhead, gathering energy.

“Whew…”

Once my actions concluded, I took a breath.

The cold air filled my chest.

Now I began to erase everything around me one by one.

What I need to focus on is the point where the arrowhead is aimed and the target I must hit. These two are more than enough.

I pushed away unnecessary thoughts and fell into deep concentration.

It was quiet.

In that moment, as even the breeze brushing against my cheeks halted, I released my fingers holding the bowstring.

Whoosh!

With a Dead Release, the arrow flew through the air.

It was fierce. The sound of it slicing through the air was nothing short of powerful.

Thwack!

The enhanced arrow pierced the target dead-center, driving deep into it.

I lowered my bow.

Letting go of the tension that had flowed through me, I turned to face Sion.

“Sion, you’ve never been much of a duelist nor a marksman, but why have you come here?”

Sion grimaced slightly.

He seemed to struggle to hide it, but the twitching around his eyes betrayed him.

He wasn’t good at masking his emotions after all.

“…Since when have you been handling a bow?”

“Let’s see—”

Sion was suspicious.

Even though he had witnessed it with his own eyes.

It appeared he was confused about whether I was the one who had shot the arrow embedded in the target.

“It started seriously after you went to the Academy.”

“…”

“Unlike the swordsmanship and magic you belittled, archery was different. I practiced daily and steadily improved. Isn’t that surprising?”

Such was a testament to my words.

I could see Sion’s expression darkening deeper due to my claim.

He stood rigid in his spot, left with nothing to do but listen quietly to my words.

“So, were you able to confirm everything you had wished to see? Or perhaps… I could show you my ability to hit the very center of a target once more.”

With a slight smile in response to his crumbling composure, I asked him.

“Will you stay and watch more?”

I am no longer the runaway you think of.

My name, Shione Shianella.

The second daughter of Ainel Shianella, whom I respect more than anyone, and a proud member of the Count’s family.

Successful in winning the loyalty of someone who shines brighter than anything.

I am the first archer born in a family of knights.

If you can’t trust my bow skills…

‘Just like Ray did in the past.’

When he had hurled a dangerous arrow around my head, discussing my lack thereof.

Just like that reckless Ray.

With an intense experience, I shall pierce through the mediocre image you hold of me and carve the piercing strength of my arrows in its place.