The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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After finishing her conversation with Ainel, Shione returned to her room and promptly threw herself onto the bed.

With her face buried in the pillow, she sighed and tossed about in search of the optimal position.

Normally, I would have chuckled at her fidgeting, but…

“…I’m exhausted. I’m not doing anything today.”

“Well, we did talk about quite a lot more than I expected. I’m feeling drained as well.”

In that moment, I couldn’t help but wish to sprawl across the bed like Shione.

‘It was fine until the talk about the head of the family and guides, but…’

Isn’t it true that the purpose of the Special Mission Team was clearly redefined through this conversation?

On the surface, it was about exploring ancient civilizations. In reality, it’s more about wandering through ruins, focusing on the contents of the ancient texts we find.

The issue is that the more ruins we explore, the higher the understanding of those ruins among our team’s priests will become. Plus, the church, which directly sends battle priests to our special mission team, will grow increasingly interested in the deciphered texts.

‘If the contents of the ancient texts are proven true…’

How should we deal with the opportunistic angels and the shady church? Discussions about how to release information regarding the texts and the fallen city are also necessary.

The repercussions and changes in relationships stemming from this matter… Well, it seems to me that this is something sharp-minded scholars and politicians should puzzle over, not archers like Shione and me.

Although the materials brought by the Special Mission Team are somewhat lacking for a solid cross-verification. So currently, Ainel doesn’t seem inclined to share the contents of the deciphered texts with anyone else.

‘It’s been tough for Shione and me because of that.’

However, perhaps because of the blasting curiosity, once Ainel started talking about the ancient texts, she was like an 8-ton truck with no brakes.

“…I’m out of energy. Ray, just stuff a cookie in my mouth… quickly…!”

As a result, our Shione wasn’t far off from that wailing sound.

While we were momentarily away, thanks to Aheira, who not only cleaned Shione’s room but also stocked snacks, I could easily pop one of the carefully prepared cookies on the table into Shione’s mouth.

Munch munch.

As soon as the cookie hit her mouth, Shione stopped her wailing and smiled at the sweet taste jolting her senses awake.

There may have been some cookie crumbs spilled on the bed, but now the cleaning of Shione’s room is not my responsibility, so I don’t need to worry about that.

“Just leave everything to Aheira today and get some good rest.”

“Sorry, but that won’t do. Today, it’s not Aheira, it’s you, Ray.”

“…Huh?”

“Aheira’s been scheduled for re-education during the afternoon. She should be hard at work right now.”

Shione, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, sat up while hugging her pillow.

Turning her slightly hunched posture, she peered at me from under her pillow.

“Anyway, I wanted to stick with you all day today. My mother brought up the marriage talk, so… think of it as practice for a couple.”

“Couple practice, huh? But didn’t you just stay quiet in front of Ainel earlier?”

“Cough cough, that was out of embarrassment. I’ve never said I didn’t want to! So today, you need to take care of me like a wife.”

She seemed to have a plan for what she wanted me to do, her eyes sparkling with eager anticipation.

“Well, that’s not an issue, but… the day isn’t looking great. I have an appointment later, just like Aheira.”

Sorry, but I have a commitment today, so I can’t cater to Shione’s whims.

“You have an appointment? I can’t believe you’d schedule something with anyone besides me…?”

“…What’s so shocking about that? I’ve gotten pretty close to Ainel and Bronte by now.”

So, I smoothly passed over Shione’s reaction, as if her world was crashing down, and continued.

“Today, Herrel mentioned she had something she wanted to say to me. It might be better to talk now before it gets too late.”

“Your nurse called for you. Hmmm, well, she did seem to have something to say to you.”

“In that case, I’ll be on my way.”

The conversation with Ainel had dragged on, so I felt it was getting late.

Shione had been successfully persuaded, and just as I turned to leave her room, Shione rushed over from the bed.

“Wait…!”

When I turned at her call, a soft kiss landed on my lips before it slipped away.

The sudden dash of her brief kiss left a tingling feeling on my lips.

Meanwhile, Shione wrapped herself in her blanket, peeking out with a smile.

“Make sure you come back quicker than Aheira. Don’t you dare be late, or there will be consequences.”

“…”

“You’d better come back as soon as you can. If you’re curious, just try being late—”

“I’ll come back late.”

“Wha…? Wait! What did you just say…?!”

Shione looked as if she was about to burst, her expression was priceless.

In the end, I was the winner.

*

My meeting with Herrel took place in the Count’s House garden.

Having accompanied Shione to the garden several times, I could at least distinguish where certain flowers were planted.

People only see as much as they know, I mused on our flower language villain’s quote as I scanned the surroundings until Herrel arrived.

“Thank you for making time for me. The reason I called the Baron today is… I have something to give him.”

“Something to give me?”

“Yes, it’s something I’ve treasured for a long time, but I feel it would suit the Baron better than me now.”

At her words, my gaze shifted to Herrel’s clasped hands.

She looked like she was holding something, which I assumed was the item she meant to give me.

“I heard from Princess Shione about you. Even from the few pieces of solid information I gathered, I could tell from Shione’s reaction how much she trusts you based on the time you’ve both spent together.”

“Too kind of you. The great Herrel here is also a precious family member to Shione, isn’t she?”

“Even so, I think the Baron, who has brought back the bright Shione I can see now, is a much more significant existence.”

With those words, Herrel finally revealed the item she had been tightly holding in her hands.

What she treasured was a small brooch.

A brooch bearing the Count’s House emblem, and at its center was a beautiful gemstone, blue like Shione’s eyes.

“This is the treasure Shione gave me when she was little. It was said to be a token of friendship given to the most trusted person.”

“……”

“I hope you would accept this brooch from me.”

“…Am I really allowed to accept this?”

“I believe that no one else deserves to own this but you, who rescued Princess Shione… as long as you promise to cherish it.”

Slowly, I accepted the brooch from Herrel.

It was so well-kept that it was hard to find a single scratch on it, still shining brightly.

Shione’s treasure from her childhood sparkled beautifully, holding the memories of both her and Herrel.

“Thank you. I promise to cherish it.”

“It seems you like the gift. I’m sure showing it to Shione will surprise her.”

“I’m looking forward to that. I’ll make sure to tell you about her reaction.”

“I’ll be waiting! Oh, and if time allows, I’d like to tell you some stories from Princess Shione’s childhood… if that’s alright?”

“From her childhood?”

Now I was genuinely curious.

I had hardly heard anything from her innocent days before the incidents. It seemed quite intriguing.

“Then… maybe it’s best to start with the story of how she fought with a butterfly.”

The old story of how a butterfly unexpectedly flew onto Shione’s nose.

Thus began the little battle between Shione and the butterfly, which ended with her falling on her backside, ultimately declaring Shione the loser.

From there, tales of Shione’s first encounter with a cockroach to her despair followed.

‘Seems like Shione’s antics have been on the rise lately.’

I should make the most of the juicy details I gathered.

It was indeed quite profitable.

*

Returning to Shione’s room, I found her quietly reading a book.

“You came back before Aheira? I was waiting for you!”

“I should have come a little later. Should I head out again?”

“…Shut up. Just come here.”

What’s making her so cheerful that she’s humming while tidying up her books?

As she placed the last book into the shelf, she asked.

“By the way, did you have a good chat with Herrel?”

“Yes, she mentioned she had a gift for me, so I accepted it… Want to see?”

“Herrel gave you a gift?”

I showed Shione the gift I received from Herrel.

She tilted her head slightly at the small brooch but soon seemed to recall what it was.

Her eyes widened in astonishment.

“T-This is…!”

“I was told it’s your treasure from childhood. Given how well it was maintained, it seems it has been deeply cherished until now.”

At the mention of her treasure, Shione’s eyes began to tremble.

Without hesitation, she snatched the brooch from my hand, displaying a very restless reaction.

“T-This was supposed to be given to me when I found a decent guy…! Why on earth have you kept this all this time…!”

“Oh. So now we have a trio pushing for it: Siabel, Ainel, and Herrel.”

With this many behind it, I could probably demand Shione be handed over without worry.

At least we had it comfortably.

“W-Wait, then you must have heard about the past…? Surely you heard something else, too?”

“I only heard about how she fought with the butterfly and lost. She fell and cried all day because of the butterfly—”

“Augh…!!”

Predictably, Shione’s reaction was spectacular.