The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

---

“What did you just say right now?”

Shione’s atmosphere suddenly changed.

Gone was the lively demeanor she had while playing with her little pet, replaced only by a woman embodying the relentless cold of a blizzard in the dead of winter.

“I spoke with Ainel-nim about Spirit Magic after being discovered by the elf.”

“No, not that. What did the elf say to you?”

“Are you talking about how the elf told me to become his?”

“…Yes.”

From her sulky expression full of discomfort to the jealousy directed at a clear rival named Elf.

Shione began to openly express her displeasure.

“I don’t like it when someone touches what’s mine carelessly.”

Like a wild beast trespassed upon, she seemed to feel a lingering animosity toward that elf.

Indeed, the sound of Shione’s voice contained the thickest displeasure I had ever heard from her.

In the past, when she had been a plump pig and couldn’t become a person.

The growling when she met her younger brother, Sion Shianella, while admiring flowers in the garden was nothing compared to this.

“I’m not feeling too good, am I?”

Shione’s words rang out precisely, without ups and downs.

Already possessing my slave certificate and ownership papers, firmly holding me in the role of a personal attendant.

How could I feel this uncomfortable merely from her saying that, as if something had actually been taken from me?

I couldn’t help but chuckle at her unwarranted jealousy.

I couldn’t leave her in that state.

Maybe a bit of sweet talk would do the trick.

I began to gently pat her hair and play with it a little.

“Please cheer up. There’s no way I’d ever become an elf’s property. After all, I’m Shione’s slave, right?”

“But….”

“Besides, the promises I made with Shione-nim are still intact, and given that you have feelings for me… do you really want me to become that elf’s?”

“Oh.”

Shione buried her head.

It seemed those promises were quite embarrassing for her.

Though I couldn’t see her face, her ears flushed bright red, peeking through her snowy hair.

“I’ve already informed the head of the family about what the elf told me, so you needn’t worry about that.”

Nodding.

Instead of words, Shione agreed with my statement through her actions.

In that moment, Shione started to fidget again.

She looked up at me while shyly shifting her gaze back and forth, and before long, she clenched her hands tightly and looked up at me.

“…Ray.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know what your ideal type is?”

“Uh…? My ideal type?”

Why on earth was she asking about my ideal type in this situation?

Looking at her with a puzzled expression, she seemed to be impatiently waiting for me to answer.

“Right, your ideal type. I think I’ve never heard it before. I’d like to hear yours… is that okay?”

Well, if it’s about my ideal type.

I could answer that easily.

I paused my hand that was patting Shione and casually said.

“If I had to say an ideal type… I prefer someone cute and affectionate.”

“Cute and affectionate? Does that mean you like a woman with a masculine personality?”

…That description did feel a bit off-putting.

However, in this world, being masculine is akin to being feminine for me.

“Yes, that could be said.”

Upon agreeing with Shione’s statement, she allowed herself to sink into deep thought.

Soon enough, she carefully asked me.

“By any chance… you don’t like men, do you?”

What on earth was this guy talking about?

I simply couldn’t help but crinkle my brow.

“Are you seriously asking me?!”

“No, you said you liked masculine personalities, so… is it that… same-sex relationships are accepted too?”

“Ah….”

As a staunch heterosexual, this world of reversed gender roles was proving to be much harsher than I anticipated.

The fleeting image of Bronte and his snorts invaded my mind.

Struggling to maintain my decaying expression, I had to persevere.

To ensure Shione didn’t have any ridiculous misunderstandings, I hugged her tightly from behind and said.

“I swear to the gods, I’ve never once thought about homosexual relationships in my life.”

“Really?”

Why was she asking that again?

“Really. Would I lie about it?”

If she weren’t my master, I would have choked her neck by now.

*

The morning swiftly passed, and before I knew it, it was noon.

Currently, I was on my way back to my quarters.

The reason was simple.

Ainel had come to take Shione away.

She mentioned that Shione had some things to discuss regarding yesterday’s commotion and the Cultists.

Afterward, she stated that Ainel would personally handle talks with various noble families in the western kingdom, starting with the Belreia family that Noah was a part of.

So today, instead of me, Ainel herself declared she would take care of her daughter.

Moreover, having received permission to freely rest today, as I wasn’t left alone in a master-less room, I wouldn’t have to wait around.

Maybe that was why.

Thinking that I’d finally get a chance to rest without any interruptions after a long time, my steps felt lighter than ever.

“This is life, and this is happiness.”

I’ve long set aside any concerns about Shione’s struggles today.

In a time when I could play comfortably, I couldn’t waste my thoughts worrying about others.

As I thought about enjoying today with a joyful heart,

“Um… who might you be….”

The ominous voice came from beside me.

My light steps began to feel infinitely heavy with fatigue and annoyance.

I turned my creaky head to verify the source of the voice.

‘That person is─’

With warm brown hair cascading to her shoulders and deep black eyes glinting with a hidden chill, she was a fox-like beauty.

‘Eunice Kalia.’

She was the eldest daughter of the Kalia Marquis family in the eastern kingdom.

“…That knight from yesterday.”

As soon as Eunice recognized my face, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

She took steps toward me as soon as I halted.

Eunice Kalia, who was known for always having a cold, composed demeanor, approached me with a friendly smile.

“Do you remember me?”

Of course, how could I not?

The woman who had whispered to the knight while hiding her face behind her blood-soaked shield and sword.

With such distinctive character traits, honestly, it would be far more difficult to forget her than to remember.

I nodded reluctantly at Eunice’s question.

“…Of course. You’re Eunice Kalia, the eldest daughter of the Kalia Marquis family. I was deeply impressed by your performance yesterday.”

Since I had no room to even observe anyone else amidst the chaos of yesterday, there was no way I had taken note of Eunice’s accomplishments.

However, I certainly saw her sword stained with the thick blood of demon worshippers and the traces of battle on her shield, plus the many cultists she seemed to have taken down.

She must have had significant contributions and achievements, so I fabricated a suitable compliment.

How did Eunice take my flattery?

‘…Why is she acting this way all of a sudden?’

Her demeanor brightened even more, her eyes gleaming.

The overwhelming favor and attention drenched me.

“You know my name and family, huh?”

“Of course. Given the border at Great Forest connecting to the Empire, I couldn’t possibly not know about the illustrious Kalia family that protects it. Besides… even if you haven’t yet succeeded in your role, your family’s influence rivals that of the Duke’s.”

Eunice nodded in satisfaction at my words.

“Right. You seem to know quite a bit about my family. If that’s the case, then it seems you also know a bit about me—”

Eunice’s lips curled upwards.

“Then may I hear your name?”

“I’m Ray.”

“Alright, Ray. Then… can we have a chat just between us from now on?”

“When you say chat, what do you mean…”

Eunice twirled around me, taking me in before clasping her hands behind her back, standing before me with a sweet smile.

“I, Eunice Kalia, wish to discuss yesterday’s events with Ray.”

As she tilted her head ever so slightly to the right, narrowing her eyes, her deep black gaze fixated intensely on my heart, where my mana lay asleep.

When I say ‘heart,’ it was like being gawked at straight through my chest.

Even though I was a man, having such an intense stare was undeniably embarrassing.

I cast her a dubious glance.

“Well, right now in the royal castle, stories about the Sianella knight are trending.”

With a step closer, she stood a foot closer to me.

“And I’ve been wanting to see knights since I was a child, so I can’t afford to miss this opportunity.”

As she spoke, Eunice wore a charming smile.

“Because you, Ray—”

She cupped her hands around her mouth to suppress her voice.

That very moment, she whispered in my ear.

“Are the real deal, unlike all the other fakes.”