The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Two days later, I heard that we would be returning to the House of Shianella.

As the sun set and the full moon rose to illuminate the world beautifully, I sat in the chair of my lodgings.

With my chin resting on my hand and my posture crooked, I stared out the window at the round moon and mumbled.

“Sion Shianella…”

Sion Shianella.

He was the younger brother of my master. In a family where even the men are born with some talent in swordsmanship—a family renowned for its martial capabilities—he is distinguished not just by his sword skills but by his remarkable aptitude for divine power.

I recalled his relationship with my master, Shione.

“I’m sure Shione and Sion…”

My memory took me back. It hadn’t been long since I joined the Count’s family, and Sion had gone to the academy back then.

Not only did I hardly remember him, but we had never even seen each other’s faces, so I had to dig quite deep into my recollections.

When I finally conjured up a solid image of Sion in my mind…

“Hmph…”

I remembered a pig that had holed up in his room back then.

I recalled Sion’s appearance when Shione went to admire the flowers in the garden.

“I’m certain it was the worst.”

I remembered how terrible Shione and Sion’s relationship was back then—truly the worst.

It was as if they were enemies rather than siblings. Starting with Shione growling at her own younger brother…

Even if sibling quarrels are rare, that was pushing it.

He would put Shione down while raising his own status, looking down upon her with a mocking grin that I still vividly remember.

That annoying face of his, the one resembling a parasitic brother-in-law, had that proud smirk plastered on it.

Even though I merely stole glances from behind, that irritating face was not something easily forgotten.

As expected, I can clearly recall the expression Sion wore back then.

“Haa…”

Thinking about Sion’s relationship with Shione, a sigh escaped me.

“…Since he said he’s returning to the Count’s family…”

I had heard that he would be coming back during the winter vacation at the academy. Whether it’s good or bad, Shione and Sion would be bound to meet again.

Unlike before, Shione has changed a lot.

That robust figure which once seemed so formidable had now slimmed down, appearing somewhat delicate.

And as for Shione’s face, which once looked like an un-scratched lottery ticket, she now displayed an extraordinary beauty, unlike before…

However, even if she has reverted her body, the estranged relationship with her brother remains unhealed.

When they meet again, I’m sure they will bicker as usual, showing off their superb sibling rapport.

“This is going to be annoying.”

Just witnessing their discussions quietly in the garden had been suffocating, and now I wonder what kind of situations will unfold in the future.

Frowning, I turned my gaze to the blades of grass swaying gently in the cool breeze, then glanced towards the weapons we had recently acquired, placed beside the window.

“Let’s check them out.”

After hastily confirming them, I’d rather spend my time inspecting these weapons than suffering from the stress brought on by Sion and Shione’s thoughts.

Screech.

I pushed my chair back and stood up, heading towards the window.

“First of all… let’s start with this.”

My hand reached for the sword, not the elven bow gifted by Adelhaite.

The type that always saves the best for last.

I picked up the sword that Eunice Kalia had given me after dragging me to her room for a dance with blades.

Just looking at it, I could tell it was top-quality.

From the intricate engravings on the hilt and pommel, the price was evident.

Its length matched that of the sword I usually wielded, and the weight felt quite familiar.

Swish.

Indeed, the sharp blade was so finely honed it could slice through anything.

“I’ll use this well.”

I couldn’t help but feel pleased to trade in the sword I’d been using that hardly resembled a sword for this fine-quality weapon.

As I smiled while looking at my newly acquired sword, a thought crossed my mind.

“Now that I think about it…”

Recently, I’ve been more of a sword user than an archer, haven’t I?

If I recall correctly, during the battle against Arachne long before this incident, the weapon that led to my final victory was a sword, not a bow.

In fact, the weapon I had used to protect Shione when attacked by those cultists was also a sword.

To think I’d end up using this sidearm so much…

Suppressing the uneasy feeling of being disqualified as an archer, I sheathed the sword and placed it back against the wall before shifting my gaze to the bow.

“Well… now that I finally have a decent bow…”

I should be able to shine as an archer from now on.

I gazed quietly at the bow.

The elven bow was crafted from gigantic branches of the World Tree.

This bow, too, was made from trees that thrived on mana, deeply rooted in the continent.

The processed wood that formed the bow exuded an air of elegance and quality.

However, since it lacked any ornate patterns or embellishments, it wouldn’t catch the eye unless you were a knowledgeable bowman.

For a servant like me, carrying a glimmering bow wouldn’t do me any good; I was thoroughly satisfied with this design.

Next, I checked the shape of the bow.

It was indeed the same as the one I used before.

“A recurve bow…”

The prominent curves highlighted the beauty of the recurve bow.

After a brief examination of the bow’s shape, I quietly readied myself to pull back the string.

My body positioned diagonally. Feet planted in an “X” shape.

With a simple square stance, I intended to draw the string, but—

“Ugh…”

Due to the unexpectedly strong tension, the string wouldn’t easily budge.

It seemed my pathetic body couldn’t easily handle this level of tension.

Sure, using mana would make it a piece of cake to pull, but…

Having the thought of trying other stances while pulling the bowstring after such a long time, I moved my body.

“Well, how about…”

“If I shift to closed stance?”

With my left hand gripping the bow, I turned my left foot toward the bowstring and stepped forward a pace. Then bent my left knee.

Leaning slightly forward, I pulled the string with even more strength.

Thanks to the stance fortified to shoot the tension-heavy war bow—

Whhhsh…!

Drained with more powerful energy, I pulled the bowstring taut.

The more I pulled, the more I felt my fingers stinging, and when I released the string—

Thwang!

Thanks to the strong elasticity of the bent bow, the string snapped back fiercely to its place.

“…Feels good.”

It felt great to handle a bow with such strong tension for the first time in a while.

An involuntary murmur escaped my lips as a smile spread across my face.

This elven bow would truly showcase its worth when I begin to practice Spirit Magic alongside it.

In the future, when I wield this bow along with Spirit Magic, it will undoubtedly shine even brighter.

*

Time flew by in a flash.

After breakfast tomorrow morning, I planned to board the carriage back to the Count’s estate, so I spent my time organizing my luggage and Shione’s belongings while entertaining my master.

Amid our usual life, a guest visited as the sun set, painting the sky with a beautiful sunset.

With a soft smile, Shione was gently chatting with me when she tilted her head in curiosity about Ainel, who had come to her room.

“Mom, what brings you here?”

Ainel responded to Shione’s question without a word, slowly carrying a large case into her room.

Shione stood up and faced her mother, and only then did Ainel slowly open her mouth.

“I’ve come to bring you a gift.”

“A gift… You say?”

“Yes.”

Ainel nodded and handed the case she had been holding to Shione.

Shione carefully received the case with both hands.

Her eyes, filled with curiosity and excitement, darted between the case and Ainel.

“What is this case…?”

“Open it.”

“…Understood.”

Gulp.

The sudden visit with a large case claiming it was a gift seemed to have made Shione nervous, as everyone could see her swallow hard.

What kind of gift could this be for Ainel to come rushing over?

Intrigued, I quietly observed from behind Shione, and Ainel gestured for me to come closer, indicating I could see.

So, I stood beside Shione, a little behind her, to watch.

“Ah…!”

The tightly shut case finally opened, and Shione let out a small gasp.

Inside the case lay…

“Mom, this is—”

None other than a bow.

“It’s yours.”

“…”

Unable to form words in response to her mother, Shione’s lips curved upward, subtly but undeniably.

“Shione, didn’t you rise up again through this bow rather than a sword?”

Shione and Ainel’s gazes crossed.

In the stillness of this quiet atmosphere, the two stood in silence, and instead of warm conversation, only solemn silence lingered, but that alone was enough.

In this continued silence, the first to react was Shione.

Astonished, she stood facing Ainel, and seeing this, Ainel…

Began to display the gentle expression that she had once held a year ago during Shione’s birthday, different from her previously cold demeanor, tracing a small smile on her lips as she gently patted Shione’s head with rough hands.

“…I watched you closely during the recent events.”

“…”

“From now on, strive relentlessly alongside this bow so you can become a knight worthy of the Count’s family…”

Shione hung her head, her small hand balling into a fist.

“Thank you… so much…”

Shione’s trembling voice came out as if squeezed through a tight space.

After giving her head a long, silent pat, Ainel finally left Shione’s room.

Tap… Tap…

My master, who had recently become very emotional, left small droplets on the floor.

As the Young Lady of the Shianella family, her bloodline didn’t grant her any talent for swords, spears, or magic—nor any knack for divine power.

Though she had strived to be recognized by her family, none truly acknowledged her feelings.

In the end, she was a girl who escaped to her room, exhausted from the comparisons and belittlements.

At last, Shione was showing a joyful expression, celebrating being recognized by her mother, her happiness radiating more than ever.

With a soft thud, Shione curled into my embrace and cried silently for a while.

Eventually, pulling back from my embrace, she looked up at me.

“Ah…”

…If you’re going to cry, just let the tears flow freely.

Shione, rubbing her face against me and letting snot drip down, made me chuckle playfully.

“Maybe you should wipe your nose first; it might end up in your mouth.”

*

“A letter has arrived.”

“A letter?”

“Yes. Here you go—”

A small envelope was placed on the desk.

Shione opened the letter and slowly read out loud its neatly written contents.

Each line, each word, as she pondered it, a bright smile spread across her previously blank expression.

Finally, after reading it all, she whispered.

“Finally…”

She placed the letter she had held onto the desk and, wearing a satisfied expression, began to play with her lips.

“It says Mom and my sister, Shione, are coming back to the Count’s estate.”

The sharp brilliance in Siabel Shianella’s eyes shone with vibrant emotions.

“I can’t wait.”

Amidst numerous feelings, the most radiant one unmistakably was—

“I hope I conveyed my words to Aria well.”

That was none other than pure excitement and fun.