The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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We entered the accessory shop.

The interior, filled with gothic-style furniture, was quite lavishly decorated. The displayed ornaments were equally impressive, each beautifully crafted with distinct designs.

‘Ordinary commoners wouldn’t even set foot in here.’

For mercenaries who barely scrape by taking simple commissions from farmers, even stepping into this shop would require a considerable amount of contemplation.

Thanks to that, unlike the bustling crowds outside, the inside of the shop was relatively quiet.

“Welcome!”

Receiving a cheerful greeting from a male clerk, we began exploring the various items on display.

Amidst our browsing, Shione, who was timidly trailing after me like a chick following its mother, cautiously spoke up.

“If it’s just hairpins… I already have enough. The prices are surprisingly high.”

“Didn’t you say you brought a hefty sum of money? With all that gold, it shouldn’t be too much of a burden.”

“Still… wouldn’t it be better to spend that money on food and eat until I’m full?”

“Ah…”

Honestly, she really loves her food.

Even if she buys an expensive hairpin here, we could feast on street food outside without a care. It’s not like we didn’t bring enough money to munch our fill!

Shione saying such silly things made me pause and look for something that would suit her. It seemed she wasn’t quite used to this kind of place and was hesitating.

“As the young lady of the Count’s House, I think it wouldn’t be bad to get a pretty hairpin that matches you. Come on, let’s go for it.”

I held out a hairpin that caught my eye.

Its sky-blue color resembled her pure, clear eyes. The hairpin, capturing the serene blue of the autumn sky, seemed quite fitting with her softly shimmering hair that captured the moonlight.

“Why don’t you try this one first?”

“Um… I see.”

Shione hesitantly removed her hood and ultimately wore the hairpin as I suggested.

As expected, such a splendid silver hair radiated an aura only the Count’s House princess could possess. The moment her hair was exposed, all eyes in the shop were drawn to her.

“What do you think? Does it suit you?”

“Yes, it looks good on you. Would you like to try a few more?”

“Hmm… I’m not usually one for this kind of place, and it feels a bit uneasy for me to linger too long. I’d prefer it if you could choose something quickly.”

Shione glanced around, seemingly uncomfortable with the gazes gradually converging on us.

After all, it’s primarily the men who are keen on such adornments, just as Shione said. Most of the customers in this shop were indeed men.

I didn’t want to linger much longer seeing those guys fawning over necklaces and rings, chatting away, so I quickly picked a hairpin and handed it to Shione.

“Which one do you like the most?”

“I… No, Ray, which one do you think looks best?”

“Me?”

“Yes. Since you’ll be seeing me wearing it more than I will. Wouldn’t it be better if you choose something that pleases your eyes?”

“Hmm…”

I pondered for a moment with the three hairpins in hand and finally chose the very first one.

The main character, indeed. It suited Shione well, and being the most expensive, it had some small gems and intricate craftsmanship. The hairpin I gifted her six months ago was still in use, so if it’s going to last this long, I’d prefer to buy the best one.

“I think this one would be nice. What do you think, Princess Shione?”

“If you think so, then I like it too.”

“Then I’ll head to the counter to pay.”

With the hairpin decided, I approached the clerk to settle the payment.

Fortunately, the clerk recognized that Shione was the daughter of the Count and offered a discount on the hairpin. Apparently, it was a thank you for the effort over the centuries or something.

After making a simple purchase, I returned to Shione.

“Just a moment.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ll pin it for you.”

I neatly pinned the hairpin into Shione’s hair as she stared at me blankly.

No matter how small the accessory, it indeed holds its value; the more I looked, the more I felt that it suited Shione perfectly.

“Hmm…”

Shione quietly let out a sigh.

It might have been embarrassing to have a male servant pin it for her while others were watching. Once her hair was arranged, she quickly murmured gratitude and dashed outside at a quick pace.

“Seriously…”

She still hadn’t put her hood up. If she goes out like that, she’ll attract even more attention.

With a slight smirk, I followed her outside.

Only after stepping out did she seem to realize she hadn’t put on her hood. I caught a glimpse of her hurriedly adjusting the hat, which made me stifle a chuckle.

The rest was simple.

Shione and I wandered through the festivity without worry. If a jester was performing in a small show, we’d hold hands and get closer to appreciate it. When hunger struck again, we would try out different street foods, enjoying small yet certain happiness.

While having fun as Shione’s partner, I couldn’t ignore my duty to keep a lookout, which is how I spotted a familiar face.

‘That person…’

It was Ravi Crunel, a wizard from the Alenarr Marquis family.

It seemed she was enjoying the festival along with her companions nearby.

Normally, I might have just thought, “Oh, there they are having fun,” and moved on, but…

Ravi didn’t seem to be in good shape.

‘…What happened to her?’

When I last saw her, she was full of life, exuding the vigor of a wizard.

Now, however, she looked as haggard as an accountant from a territory, with dark circles under her eyes, moving limply and chewing on a skewer with a defeated expression.

…It reminded me of the slaves I saw back when I was trapped in that slave market.

What on earth happened to her in just a few days to have her in such a state?

While I was momentarily distracted by Ravi’s pitiful appearance, Shione poked me in the side to regain my attention.

“Ray, what are you staring at?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just saw a familiar face.”

“Hmm—”

Shione stared at me with her arms crossed.

Then, she suddenly extended her hand.

“Hand.”

“Here it is.”

I quickly took her hand before she could complain.

As we looked around, we found ourselves in an area well away from the city center, where vibrant desires manifested in the form of streets filled with red lanterns—an alley leading to the slums and downtown.

Seeing the red-light district appear, I instinctively halted my steps and pulled Shione in the opposite direction.

“…Let’s head back.”

The red-light district is a place I absolutely do not wish to visit in this world.

I know what transpires in the red-light district of this realm.

The lower you go in society, the more evident the trend of gender reversal becomes, especially in places like the red-light district where this tendency is extremely pronounced.

It means a stark difference from the world I lived in, where I was a servant among nobles every day.

Men shamelessly wander around half-naked, trying to lure others, while the twisted voices of men linger in the background.

That place is truly a hell manifest on earth.

I overcame being trapped among thousands of undead, tormented by curses. I got through when I lost a beloved companion while conquering a hellish dungeon. Therefore, I consider my mental strength to be pretty resilient.

But that place? I have no confidence I can endure it.

The moment I step foot there, my vision will darken, and I’ll be scorched by the deafening noise.

Before sleep, those moments would linger in my mind, swiftly eroding my sanity.

For my sake.

And to ensure that Shione isn’t dirtied by those worthless folk.

I must avoid that place at all costs.

“Ah, the red-light district. I see, just ahead leads to the slums as well.”

“You’d do well to avoid such a place. It’s better to head back to where the festival is lively.”

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of stepping into such a place. Even if I might be a bit lazy, I’m far from debauchery.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“…Especially since you’re with me. No one else could catch my eye…”

Just as I said that while turning to leave the red-light district, Shione’s movement suddenly froze.

Ironically, she, who just said no one else could catch her eye besides me, now fixed her gaze coldly toward the red-light district.

“Princess Shione…?”

Why did the mood shift so suddenly?

As time went on, my mild suspicion transformed into a sharper certainty as I followed her increasingly intense gaze.

She was staring at a blonde woman, seemingly waiting for someone near the entrance of the red-light district, curiously glancing around.

“What’s going on?”

“…She should not be here.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I faintly sense magic from that woman. With a presence like that, she must be involved in some sinister dealings with demons.”

Her hand instinctively moved to the hilt of her sword.

“Doesn’t she fear the knights of the Count’s House or the paladins of the Church? I can’t understand why someone associated with demons is so brazenly breathing in our territory.”

“…Remove your hand from the hilt. It’s dangerous.”

“Let’s follow her.”

What…?

You want to willingly jump into danger?

“We came here to enjoy the festival, not to wage war against cultists, right? Why don’t we return to the Count’s House, inform the head, and gather forces to root them out?”

“Those who believe in demons are cunning and quick to escape… They have effortlessly evaded the eyes of the Count’s House and the Church until now. If we let her go now, who knows when we’ll have another chance to trace them. I’m not saying we go to blows; I just want to keep track of their movements.”

“But we’re not armed with bows or arrows. What are you planning to do if a fight breaks out? We should leave quickly and call the troops around the Church to track them down.”

“…This is Shianella. It’s my duty to thwart the demons’ schemes. If I don’t do it now, I might miss my chance—”

Seriously… I’m so incredibly frustrated.

Why does she become utterly clueless when it comes to matters related to demons?

Of course, Ainel is following me, and it’s okay to use spirit magic without hesitation when needed. I’m sure I could escape in any situation.

But there are better options available. We don’t have to directly entangle ourselves with them, risking our safety.

What worries me more is Shione’s fundamental attitude about this.

Shione is trapped by her name. This foolish girl believes that reproducing the deeds of her ancestors is an absolute value of Shione Shianella, worth sacrificing her life for. The risk to herself in this pursuit is entirely out of her consideration.

So foolish. To me, it seems more like a rigid belief than a strong sense of justice.

And it happens that such an imbecile is both my superior and my lover.

Swallowing the urge to sigh, I forcibly pulled the hand she was holding.

“Shione is more important than Shianella.”

Why does she always leap into danger whenever demons are involved, ready to fight blindly?

“For now, let’s enter the nearest Church and seek assistance.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t sound bad.”

At that moment, Shione gently caressed my cheek and smiled.

Wait, is she actually smiling in this situation?

“Then as long as my safety is guaranteed, is it alright for me to chase after them?”

“Uh…?”

“Ah, it seems there are some wizards from the Alenarr Marquis family over there. They, too, will not forget the maliciousness of demons, just like our Count’s House. I’ll go directly ask for their help.”

Shione’s gaze shifted from me to others.

Her attention landed on Ravi Crunel, who had somehow made her way to this spot, her once lively eyes now hollow and dull in the company of her colleagues.

Instead of swiftly moving as she normally does, Shione approached the wizards with an unexpectedly grand demeanor.

In doing so, she even lifted her hood to reveal her face.

Seeing her act like that made me shake my head.

“Seriously…”

Shione, you throw tantrums and do whatever you want. I can never talk you out of it.

If you pull something like that again, I might just forget about kisses and erase everything.