The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Time flowed slowly and endlessly.

As the festival day approached, Shione found herself talking quite frequently with others.

Until today, she had also spent some time separately with Ainel and Siabel, and Aria Alenarr even came to personally congratulate her. At first, she was happy about all the attention, smiling brightly. But they say that people are creatures of adaptation. Before long, she had grown accustomed to this attention and now complained that she was tired of receiving such formal congratulations.

Seeing Shione busily moving about, I couldn’t help but wonder if something would happen to me as well. Fortunately, perhaps because Shione had been shining so brightly lately, I remained overshadowed by her glow, and no annoying incidents of someone showing interest in me occurred.

The notable difference from before was that Shione was increasingly coming closer to me, and there was a new quest that appeared for me just before I went to sleep last night. I had accepted the former, so I could let that go. However, the quest I received yesterday required some deep contemplation.

As I thought about this, I looked at the bustling hallway filled with servants moving about more busily than usual.

“Looks busy.”

Today, the day before the festival. Even though it was early in the morning, the significance of the festival being a celebration of the Count’s house’s victory meant that they were planning a grand occasion not just in the city outside but also within the Count’s estate.

The servants were scurrying around to prepare for the festival.

Despite it being a joyful occasion, fatigue was evident on their faces. If I hadn’t been Shione’s cherished personal attendant, but instead a regular servant doing such chores, I would have been caught up in the stress of busy work just like them. My own tasks consisted of casually bringing cookies and tea from the kitchen to chat and play with Shione.

I felt a sense of futility in my life as I got up to grab cookies and tea right away. But seeing them struggle made me realize that my life at the moment was quite pleasant.

As I leisurely strolled down the hallway, enjoying my time unlike the hurried ones, I overheard two servants busily chatting.

“Honestly, it’s shockingly outrageous. That Lady Shione has already broken through the walls.”

“Wasn’t that just a rumor?”

“Jaina told me she saw it near the training grounds. Even the knights had their heads bowed. If it was just a rumor, would proud knights lower their heads to a girl?”

“Hmm…”

Indeed, their conversation was about the tale created by my former master not long ago.

After all, the incompetent and rude noble had been so calm for nearly a year. If news had broken that she suddenly surpassed her limits, it would be a tale more stimulating and entertaining than any.

Not only that but Shione’s achievements within the royal castle regarding this incident were also spreading throughout the Count’s estate. For them, Shione’s story was something that only a protagonist in a novel would experience. It was certainly more enticing and entertaining than anything else.

‘The tale is spreading fast.’

In the Count’s estate, I could experience hearing Shione’s name no matter where I went.

Since there were many coming and going from the inside to the outside, news might be gradually spreading outside as well. No matter how poor a reputation Shione had among the locals, she was still undeniably the daughter of Shianella. It’s only natural that on the joyous festival day, stories to share over drinks would be in demand. The coincidence with the day celebrating the achievements of the Count’s family would only cause those stories to spread even more fervently and swiftly.

And thanks to Shione, I had managed to obtain a quest.

‘Now that I’ve turned that walking bear into a person, she wants me to care about her reputation too.’

That was literally it.

Now that she had grown to stand proudly on her own two feet, I was to carefully restore the reputation she had shattered over the years. With the opportunity presented, I was to make her a more confident noble.

Of course, the reward was to enhance my mana—

‘I have to manage to clear it somehow.’

Opening up the abilities I had been suppressing to a certain level.

And I wasn’t just being let off easy; they mentioned it would be a significant opening.

No matter how difficult and bothersome, this quest was one I had to undertake.

After all, there weren’t any strict time limits.

I just needed to guide her calmly through conversations with Shione.

For now, I decided to focus on today’s tasks and the date with Shione tomorrow.

I entered Shione’s room.

“Excuse me.”

“Ah… Ray, you’re here…”

Shione’s sleepy voice echoed.

Despite her appearance changing drastically after losing weight, she hadn’t lost her habit of winter hibernation from her bear days; unless I personally woke her, she rarely got up on her own. However, for some reason, Shione had already risen before I could shake her awake today.

“Yawn…”

Shione sat up, rubbing her eyes. The sleepiness that permeated her face faded.

Stretch, stretch!

After shaking her head and stretching like a cat, I quickly set up the tea and snacks I had brought.

“You must be thirsty having just woken up. How about coming to have some tea?”

“Um… I think I will…”

Shione moved towards me, slowly. After giving me a gentle hug, she stood on tiptoe to peck me on the lips before sitting down at the table.

As Shione blinked her sleepy eyes to take in her teacup, a look of innocent confusion washed over her face.

“The tea hasn’t been poured yet.”

“…Isn’t that a bit too natural?”

“Ehehe.”

Instead of answering, Shione gave a silly giggle.

I shook my head and filled her empty teacup with fragrant tea.

She once again gulped it down in one go. Unsatisfied with the small amount in that little cup, she thrust it back towards me.

“More.”

“…”

“…Please, more, brother.”

“…Alright, alright.”

After having a few more cups of tea, Shione finally set her teacup down.

Suddenly, with an inexplicable smile on her face, she dashed towards me, sitting on my lap and leaning against me.

…Does she really need to cuddle with me when she has her own spot?

Though she had been increasingly leaning against me over the week, she had never been this bold first thing in the morning.

“Hmm~”

Seeing Shione sitting on my lap and humming a tune, I could tell she was particularly happy today.

No matter what I said, she’d either brush it off with a stupid grin or ignore me entirely. After all, my legs were sturdy enough not to buckle under the weight of just one person.

I gently stroked her hair in response.

“Did you have a good dream?”

“Um, I did have a good dream… But since the festival is tomorrow, I can’t help but be excited since last night.”

“Ah.”

“Aren’t you excited, brother?”

“The festival? Of course, I’m looking forward to it.”

The only festival I had experienced in this world was the aristocratic gathering held in the royal castle. The only other was Adelhaite’s coming-of-age ceremony.

At that ceremony, cultists had barged in and made a mess.

Even at the gathering, I was more focused on my duties than enjoying myself alongside Shione.

This time, I felt that I could actually enjoy the festival, and I was quietly anticipating it.

But for some reason, Shione shook her head as if my answer was wrong.

“No, not the festival.”

Turning her head slightly, Shione looked at me with wide, trembling eyes.

“…I meant the date with Shione.”

In the end, she even referred to herself in the third person.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her behavior and simply hugged her tightly.

Her red ears, peeking through her silvery hair, indicated that Shione had succumbed to embarrassment. Not long after, she escaped from my embrace and hid in her bed.

I just laughed it off, finding amusement in her easily bashful personality while tasting a cookie.

After a while, a knock came at the door.

“Shione, I’d like to talk to you for a moment.”

Siabel had come to see us.

“Sis, what brings you here?”

“Nothing much. I thought it would be nice to make some memories between sisters this time.”

“Memories? Weren’t you supposed to be enjoying the festival with Lady Alenarr?”

“I’m not planning to spend every day with Aria during the festival. If possible, I’d like to take some time just for us to hang out. What do you think?”

Siabel waved at me while Shione was thinking.

As I bowed in response to her gesture, I noticed Siabel’s eyes darting toward my left hand.

Focusing on the ring she had given me, she nodded.

I recalled that I had shifted the ring Shione placed on my ring finger to my middle finger and now had a new ring on my index.

“Oh.”

Soon, she noticed that Shione also wore the same ring on her right hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

For a moment, she bit her lip and gazed intensely at the ring on Shione’s hand.

Eventually, it was Shione who broke the silence.

“Then let’s do it. When would be a good day?”

At Shione’s words, Siabel skillfully tamed her curiosity and put on the sweet smile of a caring sister.

“The festival lasts a total of five days. I think the third or fourth day would be suitable. Does that work for you?”

“Um… I think doing it as you suggested is best.”

“Alright then, I’ll set those two days aside in my schedule. I know quite nice restaurants and streets, so you can look forward to it.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

Having said that, Siabel playfully ruffled Shione’s hair.

Shione simply closed her eyes and accepted her sister’s playful affection.

“Then I’ll come looking for you later.”

After saying this, Siabel took a step back while looking directly at me.

“I’ll see you later, my friend. Oh, I’ll be heading straight into training after the festival, so keep that in mind.”

“…Understood.”

With that, Siabel finished her words and elegantly exited the room.

Once again, a silence fell over the room.

I resumed enjoying my tea and asked,

“Does Shione know of any nice restaurants like Siabel?”

Shake, shake.

“…Or streets?”

Shake, shake.

“Then any nice places we should visit…?”

“I’ve been cooped up in my room for years, how am I supposed to know….”

“Ah.”

The last time she saw the territory was long before she had locked herself away in her room.

At this point, I had no choice but to take her out to explore on foot.

I should probably time it right and remind her to prepare plenty of money.