The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Shione hesitated for a long time at my question.

She quietly made a hum of discomfort with crossed arms. Then suddenly, her expression crinkled and smoothed out again.

Watching her quietly flaunt all sorts of manners in her own way while sitting in her place was quite a sight.

Soon, Shione, breaking free from her solitary thoughts, looked up at me with eyes full of hesitation.

Pause—

It’s not like I’ve mastered telepathy.

If you’re just going to stare at my face like that, say something, will ya?

At twenty years old, seeing her still act like a child made me almost sigh.

Well, if that’s Shione’s charm, I guess it is.

Giving in to her persistent gaze, I decided to speak first.

“Have you decided whether to correct it or cut it off?”

Shione nodded eagerly, as if she had been waiting for just that line.

“What do you want to do?”

“I…”

She trailed off, unable to express everything she felt in one go.

A wave of frustration washed over me seeing her anxious look, but fortunately, Shione soon donned a look of determination.

“I don’t wish to cut off my relationship with Noah. Rather… it might just be my selfish desire, but I want to untangle the messy relationship I have with him.”

Thank goodness Shione wanted to face the mess she caused head-on instead of dodging or ignoring it.

If that’s Shione’s choice, then so be it.

Although it’s bound to get annoying, I couldn’t help but feel proud and a bit fulfilled.

With a light smile, I began.

“Do you know why Ainel brought you, not Siabel, the next head of the Shianella family, to the royal castle’s coming-of-age ceremony for princesses, where all the nobles of the kingdom will gather and discuss politics?”

“That is…”

“Shione, you have surely changed over the past six months. You are more beautiful on the outside and stronger on the inside.”

This upcoming first princess’s coming-of-age ceremony isn’t just a party to bless her.

It’s an opportunity to catch the eye of the current kingdom’s heir, which she holds rightful claims to.

As it gathers the top nobles within the kingdom, if Siabel, identified as Ainel’s successor from the Shianella family, had come instead of Shione, apart from solidifying her own position as a knight renowned at such a young age, she could also secure allies or, depending on fate, capture the princess’s attention.

But if Ainel brought Shione, not Siabel, to such an important event, then…

“Ainel wants to show Shione to the nobles. As the head of the family said—”

As I started to recall what Ainel had once told me, Shione began to focus intently.

“Shione hasn’t shown her face in the Cult for years, and only rumors about her remain, becoming the subject of gossip. Ainel said she wished for you to clear away those rumors and to show your new self at this opportunity.”

Essentially, it’s about giving Shione a chance.

Although the Shianella family is not a duke or marquis but rather a count status, they remain the frontline fortress defending the kingdom against the demonic realm beyond the Beltlin Mountains.

With a long tradition and consistently producing wonderful talents each generation, news regarding members of the Shianella family spread widely in noble society.

Consequently, Shione’s past misdeeds and her retreat to her room would likely have seeped deep into noble society.

Ainel, through this, probably wishes to quell the bad reputation spreading among them.

Shione seemed to grasp Ainel’s intentions, and like the Milky Way rising on a summer night, her eyes began to shine gently.

That calm and shimmering appearance struck me as beautiful.

“Did mother really say that?”

“How could I lie about my lord’s words to you?”

“Yes, is that so…”

As Shione started to repeat Ainel’s words, I began to express my thoughts.

“Are you sure of your determination?”

“By determination, you mean…?”

“Before numerous nobles, it’s about unveiling the changed Shione as per Ainel’s wishes to turn their thoughts around.”

The warm night reflected in Shione’s eyes began to fade. The Milky Ways disappeared, and her eyes were no longer shimmering like her silvery hair.

But that wasn’t really a big deal.

In Shione’s eyes, night gave way to the light of dawn coming up gently, illuminating the dimness.

“…I will. When I cut my hair, I promised myself I would change, and even back then, I resolved to do so firmly.”

As a result, Shione began to shine brightly as a true countess.

That timid demeanor that was a bit hard to look at has finally become bearable.

I smiled at the brightened Shione once again.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you have made that resolution, you should be able to resolve your relationship with Prince Noah too.”

“Ah.”

“Please, with that mindset in your heart, if you tackle the remnants of your past one by one, Shione, you will shine brighter than ever.”

Shione looked at me as if she realized something, her mouth slightly opened as she gazed.

I shrugged my shoulders and wore a playful smile.

“Until then, I’ll always be by your side to help you.”

“…Gasp!”

As soon as I finished my sentence, Shione inhaled sharply and bowed her head as if pressing it to the ground.

Well… I suppose I made it a bit too cringe this time.

It seems Shione felt a bit embarrassed by my cheesy words.

For a while, she covered her face with her hands, avoiding my gaze, before peeking through her fingers to look at me.

“…Thank you.”

Shione spoke in a voice that barely made a sound.

Thanks to that, I almost missed her words, but fortunately, I was able to catch it and nodded in acknowledgment.

“It’s nothing.”

With my response, a long silence followed.

Since I had spent a long time looking at her, I usually would easily accept this silence and look at the scenery outside.

But today, something vague and delicate hung between us inside the carriage, making it hard to focus on the outside view.

At this rate, I felt like I would stay in this atmosphere until the carriage stops… or even after, so I decided to break the mood by speaking.

“Shione.”

“Uh, yes? What is it?”

At my question, Shione jumped in surprise and looked at me with wide eyes.

“How about taking a walk in the gardens at the royal castle today or tomorrow? The count’s garden is superb, but the castle’s garden is equally wonderful… I’m sure you will enjoy it.”

“Hmm, certainly… but today it’s getting a bit late, so let’s go tomorrow during the day.”

“A good choice.”

Having spent some time discussing the gardens and flowers loosened the atmosphere a bit.

Then, I suddenly decided to ask something.

“Shione, can you tell me what kind of person Prince Noah is?”

“Noah? Well, Noah… where should I start?”

Shione took a moment to dig up her memories of Noah.

“I don’t know how he is now, but Noah admired knights, liked flowers, and was a boy who could empathize well with others.”

“Admiring knights and liking flowers? So he has a lot in common with you, Shione.”

“Perhaps. But back then, I didn’t care much for flowers. We talked a lot about knights, after all.”

In that moment, seizing the chance while Shione sank into her memories, I quickly turned my thoughts around.

I may not know the past, but present-day Shione loves flowers too, meaning she and Noah share overlapping interests.

Noah is not only handsome but also shows kindness to Shione, despite her having scolded and turned him away before.

Moreover, Shione seems to desire to return to a good relationship with Noah.

‘Could this be an opportunity?’

If things went well, could I spark a connection between Shione and Noah?

Shione had stated she could not marry without affection and had even confessed to Evan about breaking off their engagement.

If feelings still linger on both sides, it appears to be a reasonable possibility.

If they end up together, it’ll keep my lips sealed about it, and the rumor of me charming Shione would disappear, right?

Caught in a sudden spiral of thoughts, I blurted out my musings without verifying if they even held logic or feasibility.

“The more I think about it, the more I believe Noah and Shione would go well together.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“They share similar interests, and their qualities are admirable, plus Noah is quite handsome, don’t you think?”

Shione pursed her lips tightly.

With her looking at me as if to tell me to say more, I continued my words without hesitation.

“What do you think about Noah?”

“…Are you asking me how I view Noah in a romantic light?”

“Given Noah Belrea’s status and his exemplary character, considering him wouldn’t be a bad idea for you, Shione—”

“No.”

While I rambled out my thoughts, I suddenly heard a cold voice I’d never encountered from Shione.

I shut my mouth at the unusual tone and observed the situation closely.

Shione was staring at me deadpan, her eyes cold and lifeless.

…Why is she making such a serious face?

This isn’t good.

The current change in Shione was so different from the Shione I knew that I began to doubt if the one before me was really her.

Swallowing hard, the awareness of something unsettling stirred as the tension in the air grew around Shione.

“There’s no value in considering it; never speak of it again.”

Shione slowly rose from her seat.

She looked down at me quietly before bending down, bringing her face close.

Swish. Swish.

The tension in the air became palpable as I could hear the sound of her breathing.

“After all… don’t you already have me?”

In a daze from Shione’s sudden and unexpected action, she grabbed my chin and lifted my head.

The adorable Shione who used to smile brightly seemed to vanish.

Her gaze was still icy, but the corner of her mouth crept up ever so slightly as she looked down at me as if ready to devour me.

“…Shione?”

Even with my question, there was no answer.

Peck.

She randomly placed her lips on my forehead before sitting back down in her spot.

“This time, I’ll let it slide—”

What on earth? I stroked my forehead still warm from her touch, gazing at Shione with a bewildered expression.

Seeing me like that, Shione finally relaxed her expression, murmuring softly.

“I understand men can be plagued by jealousy… but from now on, don’t test me with jealousy to provoke a reaction. Do you understand?”

“…Yes, I’ll be careful.”

In the blink of an eye, I transformed into the shameless attendant who tried to incite jealousy in Shione with Prince Noah.