The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

---

While other nobles were engaged in conversations, Aria Alenarr was merely savoring her wine in solitude. Her presence was hardly noticeable otherwise.

One would think that as a young lady of the Marquis Family, she would at least exchange simple greetings with others, but that thought of mine was misguided.

She rather nonchalantly swept her gaze across the banquet hall.

“Shione?”

Every so often, she would check on Shione’s situation.

It seems she certainly has a connection with Siabel…

Is she perhaps curious about my friend’s younger sister?

However, the frequency with which she checks seems a bit excessive for mere curiosity about a friend’s sibling.

Could it be that she was told to talk to Leona and is instead drawing attention with some strange antics?

I gazed at Shione.

“Hah….”

By now, Shione should have been discussing matters with Leona, yet here she was, sipping wine all alone.

Even while doing so, her gaze remained fixed on Leona, and seeing her sigh with her pupils wavering made me think that she was probably contemplating how to approach and speak to her.

She should just go and introduce herself already. How frustrating.

As I continued to watch Shione, she took another sip of her wine and turned her head toward me.

Upon realizing that I was watching her, Shione’s eyes sparkled like a puppy that had just seen its owner return.

It seemed she was asking for help, but sorry, I still hadn’t spoken a word to Aria either.

I quietly shook my head.

As Shione’s expression darkened, she downed her wine in one go.

After confirming that she was once again gazing at Leona from a distance, I turned my attention away from my exasperated master.

“Well, she’ll manage somehow.”

People tend to become bolder when they’ve had a drink, so she should handle things just fine.

I started thinking about how to convey Siabel’s message to Aria instead.

I cautiously walked over to Aria Alenarr.

Her icy demeanor seemed to carry the chilling atmosphere of the North, and her sharp, refined gaze made it awkward and difficult for those around her to approach.

I masked my nerves and spoke to Aria as casually as I could.

“Are you, Aria Alenarr?”

Her gaze, which had been sweeping over the bustling banquet, snapped to me.

Is she just a naturally quiet person?

Without saying a word, she merely nodded in acknowledgment while assessing my face and attire.

It was only after taking a sip of wine that I finally heard Aria’s voice.

“What is it?”

Her tone was dry, yet there was a distinct charm and charisma to her husky voice.

They say a person’s character is reflected in their voice. I could only wonder how it would go if I conveyed Siabel’s blunt words to a woman as cold as her voice.

I felt an involuntary chill creeping down my neck.

“Siabel Shianella wishes to convey her message to Aria Alenarr, who will participate in Princess Shione’s coming-of-age ceremony—”

“Aria.”

“Y-Yes…?”

“Just call me Aria.”

She abruptly cut off my sentence, asking to be called by her first name without any title. I could hardly gauge her intentions hidden behind that frosty expression, especially as I watched her shrug her ashen hair.

“I don’t like unnecessarily long conversations and you seem to dislike talking as well. So, I’m saying it’s fine to skip the titles.”

Well, if that’s how it is.

I nodded lightly.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Right, lift your head and continue what you were saying. I believe Siabel’s name came up?”

“That is… Siabel Shianella commanded that I convey her words on her behalf to you.”

“Hmmm.”

Aria frowned at the mention of Siabel’s name.

…Siabel had certainly said she was close with Aria. Was that really the case?

The serene expression she had moments ago twisted when Siabel’s name came up.

I decided to tread carefully.

“Do you, by any chance, have a personal relationship with Siabel?”

“Well, considering that we lived in the same dormitory at the Academy, one could say we are somewhat close.”

Even though she was currently on leave, residing in her territory, Siabel had been a student at the Academy before being sold to the Shianella Count’s House.

It seemed they had formed ties during their time together at the Academy.

I let out a sigh of relief inside.

‘They’ve lived together in the same dorm, after all.’

What supposed casual greetings were likely expressions of mockery and teasing from Siabel.

With both attending the same Academy, I could see how they interacted face to face, making it entirely feasible for them to be on friendly terms.

If they were indeed close, Siabel’s playful teasing and banter would probably go over well.

“Right, if you’re conveying a message, it means you won’t just be delivering a letter but speaking directly in her stead, correct?”

“…That is correct.”

“It’s not like that sharp-tongued woman who was overly concerned for her image would send me a letter; she has me relay her message directly instead. Quite the interesting situation. So, how did Siabel phrase it?”

I quickly racked my brain.

After all, relaying Siabel’s exact words didn’t seem like a good idea.

I filtered out all unnecessary elements and conveyed the essence of her message.

“Siabel said that she’s reached a level of proficiency as a Sword Expert and wishes to have a matchup with you again.”

“No, no. That girl wouldn’t say it to me in such a polite manner.”

“That so…?”

“She won’t bring any harm to you. Just relay exactly what Siabel said.”

“Are you sure that’s alright?”

“Of course.”

…Aria wasn’t exactly a typical person either.

Not that she was a pervert, but why would she want to hear insults directed at herself?

Regardless, since she insisted there would be no harm done to me, I pulled from my memory exactly what I had heard.

“…Aria, unlike you, who is always at that level, I’ve now attained the level of Sword Expert.”

Upon hearing my words, Aria Alenarr laughed as if she found it ridiculous.

“Some Northern spear-wielder wasting time beating down the bears that come down to my territory should take that toothpick of yours and come down to the Shianella Count’s House for a match.”

And as I conveyed Siabel’s message, Aria’s expression grew steadily more rigid.

Apparently, Shione was renowned for scolding her servants before I arrived here…

There was indeed a reason for that.

If her older sister spoke so harshly to others, it was no wonder her younger sister shared the same knack for getting under people’s skin.

I recited Siabel’s final message.

“…She said she would take care to ensure that your lightweight toothpick wouldn’t break.”

With that last line, Aria’s expression twisted in dismay.

The emotions reflected on her face were irritation and annoyance.

Aria, nervously brushing away her ashen hair, spoke.

“…That damn girl. Not knowing how ferocious the bears of the North are, and she’s still spouting such nonsense. And what? My spear is a toothpick?”

The initially silent Aria had now slipped into her own little world, mumbling to herself.

It was clear she had taken the bait of Siabel’s provocation.

“Ugh…”

“Uh… are you alright?”

“This isn’t the first time this has happened. I’m fine. No, wait… ah, right…!”

Clenching her jaw, she shot me a grin that seemed mischievous.

“What’s your name?”

“Ray.”

“Right, Ray. Can you also relay my words to Siabel?”

What on earth could Aria possibly want to convey to elicit such a mischievous smile from her?

I wanted to decline, not wanting to get tangled in troublesome matters, but the atmosphere and Aria’s eyes pleading for me to deliver her message left me with no choice but to comply.

“Alright.”

As soon as I agreed, Aria continued as if she were waiting for my response.

“This winter, I’ll drop by to break that pesky knight who always wreaks havoc practically every day down in the North, so just let Siabel know to be ready in her territory, like the bears of the North do.”

“C-could I really convey that to Siabel?”

“What are you worrying about? You already delivered Siabel’s words to me. You and Siabel are connected, so don’t hesitate and just spit it out.”

As Aria finished speaking, the banquet hall door swung open again.

“Entering is Ainel Shianella, head of the Shianella Count’s House and a Sword Master!”

As Ainel entered the banquet hall, Aria took a fleeting glance at him and said,

“Well then, Ray, let’s meet again when the chilling winter of Shianella arrives.”

After saying that, Aria downed the remaining wine in her glass and moved on without a second thought.

I watched her retreating figure for a moment before making my way over to Ainel.

Upon spotting me, Ainel scanned the room and asked.

“Ray, what happened to Shione?”

“If you’re referring to Shione, she is currently speaking with Leona Rephelia…”

By now, Shione should have been in the midst of a conversation with Leona.

I glanced around the area where Leona was.

However…

“Huh?”

Leona was surrounded not by Shione but by other young ladies.

What on earth could have happened? I looked back toward the area where I had last seen Shione.

“Hic!”

There, in a corner of the banquet hall, I could see Shione hiccuping uncontrollably.

It appeared she had indulged in wine, failing to approach Leona for a conversation.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her gaze didn’t seem to focus at all.

Anyone could tell she was drunk.

“Hic… Ugh…”

She continued to struggle with her hiccups, drinking yet another glass of wine.

Despite this, she periodically glanced at Leona with great caution.

What good would it do to try engaging Leona in such a state?

The instant I realized Shione’s predicament, I bowed my head deeply to Ainel.

“I apologize.”

Ainel merely sighed heavily at his daughter.

*

Staying any longer in the banquet hall seemed pointless; real socializing was impossible, and who knew what words would follow in such a drunken state.

Ainel ordered for Shione to be taken back to the dormitory.

To appear drunk at a banquet meant for redeeming her image was quite unfortunate.

At least she had managed to keep things subtle, quietly sipping away in a corner without drawing too much attention.

What should I do about this utterly hopeless master?

The one silver lining was that this banquet was set to continue for several more days, so there were still chances for her to redeem herself.

With various thoughts in mind about her shortcomings, I successfully led Shione back to her dormitory.

“Ugh…”

“Hah…”

It seemed that downing wine without knowing her limits was the cause for Shione’s headache as she winced, scrunching her pretty face.

After all, she would be changing into something more comfortable soon.

With the door left ajar, I stepped inside and seated Shione on the bed.

“Please sit still. You cannot sleep in your dress, so bring out the clothes you intend to change into, Shione.”

“…Thank you.”

I lightly nodded in response to Shione’s words, and as I began to pull out her garments from the wardrobe, suddenly—

Creeeak. Bang.

I heard the sound of a door slamming shut.

Click.

And as if to prevent anyone from entering, I heard the click of the door being locked.

What on earth was happening? I turned around.

“Shione?”

There, seated on the bed, my master, who should have been complaining about her headache, was quietly staring at me from behind the firmly closed door.