The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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I was strolling through the garden when I spotted her.

My only childhood friend, whom I hadn’t seen for years—not even once—and hadn’t exchanged a single word with.

During the hardest times for Shione, even though I knew the reasons for her pain, my clumsy attempts at comfort had left our relationship twisted, lingering in my heart as a great regret.

Because of that, I wanted to correct my past lack of consideration and make amends. I mustered my courage and called out to her.

“Shione…!”

Upon hearing my call, Shione turned to look at me.

I hurried over to her.

“…Hi, Shione?”

“…Yeah. Hi, Noah.”

It was awkward; I couldn’t help it.

After all, Shione was an injured child because of me. It was only natural for her to harbor resentment.

So there we were, stuck in this awkward conversation.

Thinking back, Shione disliked flowers… So why was she out in the garden looking at them?

“By the way, Shione, you don’t usually like places like this, do you?”

“…Not at all. I actually like flowers and gardens.”

As she said that, Shione looked a bit shy, as if she were conscious of someone.

That reaction reminded me of the Shione who used to be very reserved, and I was smiling while talking.

But then it hit me; Shione didn’t really like flowers…

“Liar. You hated flowers, saying they were too feminine. You always ran away when I asked you to go see them.”

Why did she tell such an obvious lie?

Thinking about it, it was strange that Shione, who usually preferred to relax rather than hassle about outside, was keen on exploring the garden…

Especially given the bad rumors I heard about her.

Shione had often said she didn’t even like leaving her room…

Surely, there had to be a reason.

So what was that reason…?

Then, one thought flashed across my mind.

Could it be… she wanted to see me?

I knew I was overthinking it. But beyond that, it was true that there’d been no reason for Shione to visit the garden otherwise.

Moreover, I knew Shione was unique enough that she sometimes acted on things based on what others only thought.

If it was true, and she was waiting here just in case I might come to the garden…

I could feel hope blooming, and my heart began to race with ever-increasing anticipation.

I decided to ask Shione if I was right in my thinking.

“Um… is it because of me?”

It was a random shot, nothing more.

At my question, Shione’s expression turned into one of surprise, just like when I had previously uncovered one of her secrets.

…Indeed, Shione hadn’t forgotten. She remembered that I liked flowers and thought I might come to the garden.

“I thought you’d completely forgotten about me… but you still remembered I liked flowers.”

“Uh…?”

“Since you thought I might be here, you intentionally came to the garden, didn’t you?”

Shione chose silence instead of replying.

It seemed her shyness was still intact.

Rather than answer me, she turned her head to hide her embarrassment.

I couldn’t help but smile at that sight.

“Thank you, Shione.”

The atmosphere was nice.

It felt distinctly different from yesterday—almost to the point where I wondered if it was permissible to feel this good.

I wished this tingling moment could last a bit longer.

Even though I’d heard several bad rumors that said Shione was fat and had a bad personality, the Shione before me now was neither fat nor unfriendly.

I began to think that the Shione I had heard of through rumors must be very different from the real her, and I wanted to hear her story firsthand, free of those petty rumors.

“So, Shione, how have you been lately…?”

“Lately, well… other than starting to practice archery, not much has changed.”

“Archery?”

Shione practicing archery? That was unexpected…

The people of Shianella were supposed to wield swords, or if not that, they were to hold spears and become proper knights.

“Didn’t you want to become a knight? And now you’re practicing archery?”

At the unexpected distance from her dream knight image, I casually ventured to ask.

Shione looked at me with a very serious expression.

I found myself captivated by her demeanor.

“…My thoughts about what it means to be a knight have changed a lot. At first, I thought knights were people who wielded sword energy like our ancestors,” she began.

Shione revealed that her values had shifted.

“Now, I believe that a knight is someone with the strength to save and protect others, regardless of the weapon.”

She spoke about her newfound perspective.

At that moment, the long-buried memories resurfaced.

—I will become a magnificent knight to protect Noah.

Words that Shione used to say to me when she was still uncertain and inexperienced.

Hearing her say something like that now, at this moment…

Seeing her smile at me like that, I knew…

Shione hadn’t forgotten any of the memories we built together.

“See? If you think like that, archery isn’t so bad.”

*

After what could be considered a small uproar wrapped up, the sun began to set.

As the bright blue sky transitioned into a red evening glow, the nobles were busy preparing for the night’s banquet in their own ways.

As the first stars began to twinkle in the sky, I found myself urging Shione to get ready.

“Princess Shione, please hurry and change into the dress you bought yesterday. You’ll need makeup for the banquet, and there’s still a lot to do, so we don’t have much time.”

“Getting ready for the banquet is a hassle enough without makeup… Do I really have to?”

“Of course. Even if you hate it, since all the nobles in the kingdom will be there, it’s best to enhance your appearance as much as possible.”

“But makeup is… isn’t that something only men do? Applying powder and color to my face? If I’m trying so hard to be beautiful, what if I end up with a skin disease?”

…What kind of woman talks so much?

In this world, women were usually quiet and rational.

Honestly, I didn’t understand why I had to serve such a bothersome noble.

“…These days, women do simple basic makeup too, you know.”

“Tch, the world is going downhill. Women these days are really…”

There she goes, grumbling nonsense again.

I didn’t have the patience to hear her incoherent complaints any longer, so I quickly decided to cast a spell that might shut her up.

“Besides… I would like to see a more beautiful Shione after the makeup. Your usual self is fine, but a little makeup could enhance your charm even more.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, you’ll certainly be much prettier than now.”

“That means I’m pretty even now, right?”

…She has an incredible knack for picking up on everything.

It felt like I was dealing with an annoying junior or sister.

I secretly wanted to give her a little smack to cut the teasing, but with my status binding me, I could only think about it while restraining myself.

I scratched my temple, trying to suppress my headache.

“You’re beautiful.”

That was an objective assessment.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Of course, it wasn’t just my subjective opinion.

“Hm, if you say that much… fine. I suppose I’ll accept the makeup.”

“Excellent choice.”

And in the end, I managed to get her promise to let me do her makeup, diminishing my mental fortitude in the process.

After that, preparations went smoothly.

Shione changed into the black dress she bought yesterday, while I quickly picked a suit.

We called a servant to help with the makeup, and despite my doubts about why a man should have any on, well, this was a world where gender roles were reversed.

Seeing noblemen flaunting heavy makeup, I realized that, around here, men wearing makeup wasn’t strange at all.

Not wanting to end up like that, I only asked for a simple, basic makeup style and a hairstyle, and thankfully, it turned out decent without being overdone.

Once we finished our outfits and makeup, when I reunited with Shione, she was utterly transfixed by my face.

“Is there something wrong with my face?”

“Uh, um? What’s wrong with it?”

“My face. You’re staring at it too intensely…”

“Oh…”

Shione quickly turned her head away, averting her gaze.

“…No. It suits you.”

I complimented her as she returned the reply with a slightly coy demeanor.

Now that Shione was all dolled up, she was far more beautiful than before.

After exchanging a few casual words, we quietly walked toward the banquet hall.

As we approached the hall, I could see Shione’s expression tightening.

“Haah…”

Now she’s even sighing.

She seemed to be growing increasingly annoyed at the thought of actually entering the banquet hall.

“Do you really not want to go to the banquet?”

“I’m quite tired. Just for today, I’d prefer not to show my face.”

It appeared Shione was already overwhelmed at the thought of engaging in conversations and social interactions with other nobles, expending her mental energy for the performance.

Her expression was increasingly sour, and I worried that she might drop her act in the middle of the banquet.

Even though it would be fine for my noble to look tired in such a public setting, I worried about how Ainel would view the situation if Shione failed to maintain a good appearance.

I offered a challenge to keep Shione motivated.

“If the banquet bothers you that much… how about a wager with me?”

“A wager?”

“Yes. The condition will be that until Lady Ainel Shianella finishes her business and arrives at the banquet, you have to engage in pleasant conversations with the other young nobles. As for the reward… I’ll agree to something simple that I can manage.”

At the mention of a reward, Shione’s eyes sparkled.

She looked like she was about to explode with excitement.

I felt a little choked up seeing the suddenly enlivened Shione.

Right now, she likely had thoughts of kissing me on the lips dancing through her head.

But a kiss? Not a chance.

The reward I’d agree to would only be within the bounds that I deemed acceptable.

If she dared to ask for something so outrageous, I could refuse.

“Is that really true?”

Unaware of my hidden intentions, Shione took the bait.

I smiled as I replied.

“Would a man say something he doesn’t mean?”

“They say a man’s heart is like a reed…”

“I’m not just any man.”

I’m someone who stands by my words firmly.

There was no way I’d break my promise, and it seemed Shione understood, acknowledging my resolve.

Thanks to that, I was able to coax Shione into the banquet hall alongside a rather cheerful atmosphere.

“Excuse me for a moment. May I know your family and name?”

As we approached the entrance of the banquet hall, a man guarding the entrance asked for our identification.

After a quick verification, he opened the door and announced loudly.

“The esteemed Lady Shione Shianella of the Shianella Count’s House is entering!”

Since coming to this world, every man I had encountered spoke in a meek tone; hearing such a booming voice was refreshing.

As Shione and I stepped into the banquet hall at his announcement…

“…This is too much pressure.”

“Please try to keep your composure and collect yourself.”

All eyes in the room were on us.

Gone was Shione, the first daughter; the rumored second daughter, Shione, had entered the hall.

While others chatted over wine and snacks, it was clear they would begin gossiping about Shianella.

I recalled Ainel’s advice that Shione needed to be engaging in conversation to help those nearby recall who they are.

As I searched the room, Noah approached Shione.

“Shione!”

As Shione and Noah exchanged a simple greeting, I positioned myself directly behind Shione, reading the crowd to take note of each noble’s face.

An inexplicable intensity accompanied the gazes I felt on us; turning towards it, I finally located one of the nobles Ainel had mentioned.

Black hair that seemed to hold an abyss reached down to her waist, usually presenting a refined image, which could transform hues vibrantly based on her expression.

That was Peira Feiosha, the eldest daughter of the Feiosha Marquis family.

However, Peira Feiosha…

“…What’s with that look?”

What had we done to deserve that?

Standing beside Yulia Feiosha, the eldest daughter, she glared at Shione, me, and even Noah.

At that moment, sensing something not quite right…

The entrance of the banquet hall swung open.

“The First Princess of Aisiliah Kingdom, Lady Adelhaite Aisiliah, is entering!”

Peira’s intense glare shifted toward the entrance.

Shione and I turned our heads to look.

If the princess of a nation was arriving, we should at least get a glimpse of her.

“Adelhaite Aisiliah…”

I muttered the princess’s name softly, scrutinizing her appearance.

Adelhaite’s hair wasn’t a vibrant purple but bore a lighter shade.

With her delicate, chest-length hair cascading down in a light violet hue, she embodied both mystery and nobility.

The princess was beautiful, her features formed as if by divine design, surveying the banquet hall with an expression of utter indifference.

Even though her movements were slow, they radiated an undeniable dignified aura.

Her eyes shimmered as they captured each guest’s profile.

As Adelhaite’s enchanting gaze moved past Noah and landed on Shione, I felt a subtle change in her uninterested expression, replaced with a hint of intrigue.

When her gaze finally settled on me, Adelhaite frowned slightly, fixing her eyes upon me.

“What… me?”

She stared intensely at me, her lovely brow furrowed.

Was my face that of a criminal?

Why was everyone looking at me like that?

Something felt fundamentally wrong here.