The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Yesterday, being outsmarted by Shione was quite a nuisance.

Jealousy? What jealousy?

Maybe she got all flustered from some misunderstanding, as she wasn’t the same girl meeting Noah and stumbling over her words.

Instead, she spent the entire day smiling brightly, trying to stay close to me.

Given how many people are in the royal castle, it was a challenge managing Shione amidst the noble servants, many of whom come from aristocratic backgrounds.

Enduring their suspicious glances while accompanying Shione around is truly no small task.

“Thank goodness there are at least some servants present.”

With the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony and the banquet tonight, the royal castle was bustling with more nobles than usual.

What benefit could come from the Count’s grown daughter being so close to a servant like me?

“What on earth has brought this about?”

Lately, Shione’s increasingly bold approaches have felt rather burdensome.

Just look; it’s the same right now.

Bright-eyed.

Wrapped up in her blanket, sprawled out on the bed, Shione peeks her head out and looks at me again.

What’s so new about a face I see every day? Doesn’t she get tired of it? I just wish she’d stop staring at me like that.

“Hehe.”

This little brat doesn’t even grasp my feelings and just grins as our eyes meet.

Staying cooped up in this room meant I’d inevitably fall into this endless cycle before heading to tonight’s banquet.

So, I called Shione’s name.

“Princess Shione.”

Tilts head?

Instead of responding, Shione tilted her head with a questioning look.

She could’ve just told me why she was acting like that; it was a tad annoying to see her simply nod as if talking would be too bothersome.

I managed to hold back giving her a playful whack on the head and continued.

“Do you remember what we discussed yesterday?”

“What we talked about yesterday? Was it about fixing things with Noah again?”

“That’s after. I meant the conversation we had following that.”

“If it’s about Noah….”

Shione let out a small laugh as if to view me as cute and silly.

“Are you referring to what you were jealous about?”

…What should I do with this brat?

Knowing it stemmed from a mere misunderstanding, I stayed silent.

But I never expected this reaction. How unfair, how distressing.

I sighed lightly and shook my head.

“I mean how we talked about exploring the garden within the castle.”

“Oh, the garden.”

It seemed she had completely forgotten about it until she heard my words.

“Since autumn has arrived, you’ll get to see flowers different from the summer ones. Instead of staying cooped up in here, wouldn’t it be nice to go see some flowers?”

“That sounds like a great idea! Let’s get ready to go!”

“That’s an excellent choice!”

Shione got up from her bed and stretched her arms towards the ceiling.

As she raised her arms, her top lifted up, revealing her adorable belly button.

She used to be so plump I wouldn’t have blinked at the thought of her developing diabetes. Who would’ve thought she’d slim down so much?

Feeling proud that I helped save a life, it seemed I was staring too much, as Shione suddenly pulled down her top, her cheeks flushed red.

“Wha-what are you staring at…?!”

“It’s unavoidable. After all, you suddenly stretched right in front of me, Princess Shione!”

“…You seem to be staring a bit too much for it to be just that.”

What on earth is she thinking now? Shione began to look at me with subtle glances.

“Are you perhaps interested in my body—”

This girl is saying something again.

I quickly interrupted Shione.

“I have no interest in anyone’s body or belly, so worry not.”

With my unwavering declaration, Shione’s cheeks began to redden even more.

It seemed she realized the ridiculousness of her words.

Feeling like she wanted to hide in a mouse hole, Shione started fidgeting, and I spoke briefly.

“Go change your clothes and tidy yourself up. I’ll wait outside.”

Nodding.

With her gaze downcast, I left her room.

Leaning against the wall next to the door, I let out a tired sigh.

“Haah…”

What on earth have I done to be this worn out already? I’m worried about just how tiring the banquet tonight will be.

*

As if announcing the arrival of autumn, a cool breeze brushed against my nose, carrying the sweet scent of fall.

When I was in the Beltlin Mountains, the sunlight was painful and scorching. Yet today, it felt cozy, almost warm rather than painful.

“The weather has become much milder. It seems like perfect weather to view flowers.”

“Agreed! Thank goodness the hot days are over.”

“Princess Shione, you’re knowledgeable about flowers… could you tell me about the flowers that bloom in autumn?”

“Why ask when you could just go see them?”

“Isn’t there a big difference between knowing beforehand and seeing without any knowledge? I merely wanted to hear what you have to say before taking a closer look.”

“If that’s what you want…”

We headed for the garden while listening to Shione’s stories.

Just as she pointed out, the garden was beautifully adorned with cosmos and chrysanthemums.

Moreover, clumps of bellflowers added a charming atmosphere.

Just as I expected from the garden next to the royal palace.

Not only the well-tended flowers, but the sculptures placed around were truly impressive.

As I was enjoying the garden, someone called out Shione’s name from a distance, just like yesterday at the clothing store.

With glossy black hair and a rather short stature for a man, stood a gentle-looking handsome guy—Noah Bellelia.

“Why is Noah here…?”

“Didn’t Princess Shione say yesterday that Noah liked flowers too? It seems he’s here to see the garden, just like us.”

“Hmm…”

“This could be a good opportunity; how about touring the garden with Noah?”

“…Right now, I want to stroll through the garden with you, Ray.”

“Are you willing to let this great opportunity slip by?”

Nothing beats chatting when it comes to re-establishing or developing relationships.

Where we are right now is none other than the garden. Both Shione and Noah share an interest in flowers, and Noah looks quite eager.

I can’t let this great opportunity pass us by.

Though Shione might not enjoy it, it seemed she couldn’t outright refuse my suggestion.

“I’ll be watching from the back, so please feel free to chat.”

“Do you think I can manage?”

“I believe that as long as it’s Princess Shione, you’ll do wonderfully.”

“…That’s quite heavy praise.”

I moved behind Shione.

Noah, who quickly approached Shione, waved his hand and greeted her.

“Hello, Shione…?”

“…Yes. Hello, Noah.”

Yet, an awkward atmosphere lingered.

“I thought I’d only see you at the banquet tonight… but I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

“…I didn’t know I’d meet you in the garden either. Did you get home safely yesterday?”

As Shione asked, Noah smiled warmly and nodded.

Noah looked over the garden and then asked Shione.

“By the way, Shione… you don’t really like gardens, do you?”

Shione shook her head at Noah’s remark.

Her gently swaying hair captured Noah’s attention.

“Not at all. I quite like flowers and gardens.”

At Shione’s words, Noah’s face showed surprise and joy.

In that moment, Noah’s eyes widened round as he took in Shione’s figure and smiled even softer than before.

“That’s a lie. You’ve always claimed you hated flowers, saying they weren’t feminine. You always ran away when I suggested we go see some flowers.”

Now that I think about it, Shione did mention yesterday that she didn’t care much for flowers when she was closer to Noah.

I recalled what Shione once told me about why she liked flowers.

– Flowers bloom. They break free from the dark, constricted seed, put down roots, sprout new leaves, and tirelessly strive until they finally bloom. Isn’t that quite admirable?

Perhaps Shione’s affection for flowers stemmed from her yearning for the beautiful and radiant outcomes that flowers achieve, unlike herself.

It seems that during the time she practiced magic and spear skills, she shared these sentiments with Noah.

Yet, seeing that Noah was unaware that my master began to like flowers after she started retreating to her room, it seemed that her appreciation for flowers developed only after that point.

Shione was signaling she wanted to share her newfound feelings toward flowers, but—

“Actually—”

“Is it because of me…?”

Before we realized it, Noah began to say something completely unexpected.

What on earth did he think for him to associate Shione’s presence in the garden with himself?

Both Shione and I glanced at Noah with incredulity.

“I thought Shione had forgotten all about me… but she still remembers that I like flowers.”

“Uh…?”

“You came to the garden because you thought I would be here, didn’t you?”

The tangled web of thoughts between us seemed to get even messier.

“Thank you, Shione.”

The more tangled things became, the brighter and more lively Noah became with his attitude towards Shione.

I couldn’t be sure, but it seemed something extraordinary was occurring in Noah’s mind and that Shione was unceremoniously swept along in his flow.

So, I began to enjoy their interaction with interest.

In the midst of it all, it seemed that Shione was struggling to accept Noah’s words.

With the expression of a child faced with a perplexing problem, she discreetly glanced back at me.

I nodded, offering her a look that encouraged her to grasp my intentions.

– The atmosphere isn’t bad; let’s continue as is.

– Really?

– Would that be a lie?

No matter how much this good mood stemmed from Noah’s misunderstanding, I couldn’t just trample all over it.

Shione sighed softly and returned to her conversation with Noah.

“By the way, how have you been lately…?”

“Lately? Not much has changed besides that I’ve started practicing archery.”

“Archery?”

Noah expressed his puzzlement at Shione’s mention of archery.

A reasonable reaction.

It was expected that the daughter of Shianella, who had no talent for swords or spears, would practice some weapon close to those.

But out of the blue, archery—a strangely unfamiliar weapon—came to light.

“Didn’t you want to be a knight? But now you’re saying you’re practicing archery…?”

As Noah asked, Shione’s gaze became profound.

“…My thoughts about what it means to be a knight have changed a lot. Initially, I thought knights were merely swordsmen wielding sword auras, just like our clan’s ancestors.”

Shione subtly turned her head to meet my eyes.

“Now, I believe that a knight is someone who has the power to save and protect others, regardless of the type of weapon.”

Shione laughed softly and met Noah’s gaze again.

“…What do you think? If I think so, then archery isn’t such a bad idea, right?”

In response to Shione’s words, Noah seemed to twitch his shoulders.

“Shione…”

What on earth did he misinterpret this time?

Noah’s eyes started to glisten with unshed tears.

No matter how sensitive a man in this world may be, just how on earth does Noah find himself so moved by such a simple statement…?

I suppose it has to do with being Shione’s childhood friend.

At least to me, Noah Bellelia seems far from ordinary.