The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Shione shook off her travel fatigue and addressed those who approached her before the social event. I wasn’t doing anything particularly special at the moment, merely putting time into last-minute preparations for my debut into noble society.

I had come along with Shione, and given my status, I could consider myself quite the notable figure. I thought someone might approach me first for introductions, so whenever I was out, I paid attention to my demeanor. However, nobody came to speak to me first.

If I had known it would be like this, maybe I should have dressed more comfortably.

‘Still, thanks to this, I had more time to plan in detail. It’s not such a bad thing.’

During the remaining time, I could finalize the guest list I had obtained and work out my ideas more concretely.

Even if it was just me, at least the important connections for Shione had been successfully established. We’d manage to handle this social event with some skill.

Finally, the day of the gathering arrived, and it filled me with a sense of fulfillment.

“I was a bit nervous and tossed and turned last night… how’s your condition, Ray?”

Despite her words, Shione’s physical state was far from ordinary. She had the sharpness in her eyes and a well-composed complexion that indicated she didn’t need to worry about fatigue.

However, as Princess Rephelia had mentioned, it was obvious from the moment we entered the venue that we’d be the focus of light chatter to ease the atmosphere. That notion was starting to weigh on me.

As for me,

“Not much different from usual. I suppose I just like my bed, so as soon as I lay down, I fell right asleep.”

Unlike Shione, I had a good night’s sleep and felt in top shape.

“Are you not at all nervous, Ray? After all, this is like your first social event since becoming a noble.”

“You’d think I’d be nervous for a social event, but I’ve been through too much to stress over it. I’ve had one-on-one conversations with Your Highness and chatted with the Grand Elder of the Great Forest.”

“That’s true…”

“In that sense, Shione doesn’t really have a reason to be nervous either. If it gets too tough, just remember the events at the Kalia Marquis Family’s gathering.”

“Just like how I interacted with Lady Eunice and Young Master Abel? I was a bit stiff then, given the circumstances. Wouldn’t it come off badly in a social event?”

I was good at commanding knights and soldiers on the battlefield, and I could hold my own in strategy meetings with nobles, but I was always curious about why I felt so uneasy at these sorts of gatherings. And now I understood the reason behind it.

In a peaceful setting, unlike the rigid battlefield, I had the urge to exhibit my eloquence through bright smiles and flowery compliments.

“Not at all. It’s actually you who’s much better at these things.”

“Then… I’ll give that a shot this time…!”

At Shione’s positive response, I nodded in agreement.

At this point, Shione didn’t really need to conform to others’ expectations. With someone like her, it was more about others adjusting to her.

Perhaps my lightened mood was effective, as Shione clearly seemed less tense now.

Just like when she practiced archery, the subtle inner calm that arose from the appropriate level of tension made her appear even more stable.

Then Shione smiled slightly and asked:

“Still, Ray, you should be a bit more nervous.”

“Me?”

“Don’t you remember that numerous young nobles are dreaming of being in your presence?”

I had completely forgotten about that.

“Certainly, many young nobles will likely flock just to have a conversation with you. Knowing how you are, that’s bound to be tough.”

“Ah.”

It turned out Sion was rather easy-going, so I could connect with him without issue. Plus, the now-grown me didn’t particularly have anyone from my past trying to get one up on me.

What would happen if those young nobles surrounded me and began talking?

As despair started to rise in real-time, Shione gently tugged at me.

“Still, I’m sure you’ll handle it well.”

Eventually, I was pulled along into the venue.

*

Stepping out of our lodgings, we arrived at the beautifully decorated hall.

As I announced my name and status to the servants waiting by the grand entrance, they skillfully opened the doors for us.

With the creaking of wooden hinges, the scene inside the renowned venue of Duke Rephelia began to unfold.

‘Wow, it’s already packed!’

I thought we arrived perfectly on time, but countless nobles were already mingling and chatting amongst themselves.

This truly was a gateway for opportunities to connect with high-ranking nobles; the gathered crowd clearly reflected the fame of the social event. Everyone seemed determined to enjoy the moment to the fullest.

“Stand by my side. Let’s head in.”

Following Shione’s lead, I confidently entered the hall next to her.

“The esteemed Shione Shianella and Baron Ray Karpel are entering!”

The resounding voice filled the hall, drawing the attention of everyone who had been chatting.

Those who turned to gaze at us either looked on with a sense of superiority, as if to say they were more noble and distinguished, or perhaps they feigned indifference, casting sidelong glances our way.

One thing was certain: it was not a particularly pleasant experience to have the entire hall focused on us.

‘It feels like being a zoo mascot.’

Though, perhaps being a zoo mascot wouldn’t be so bad.

The appearance of a famous animal elicits smiles and cheers from all, yet those nobles seemed to scrutinize us while calculating their observations.

‘Well, as long as we move as planned, we’ll be fine.’

So I stood next to Shione, directly receiving their gazes while surveying our surroundings myself.

‘Definitely three people to secure connections with.’

One was a figure from the northern region, and the other two were central nobles.

I already had an established rapport with the Alenarr Marquis family and the Count’s House, which was good, but the northern noble was reputed for being good at gathering intelligence and tracking trends, so it wouldn’t hurt to forge personal friendships with him.

‘Especially having solid friendships with those two from the central nobility would be wise.’

One was from the royal intelligence department, and the other from the royal extermination squad.

Today’s goal was to connect with Adelhaite, who hadn’t yet solidified her grip on the royal family. Establishing our own network there would be beneficial for us.

As I contemplated this and made my way to the center of the hall, the doors closed again, and the once-quiet venue began to buzz with chatter.

“It’d be good to greet Princess Rephelia first.”

“Good idea. She’s over there. I’ll take the lead.”

Shione had practiced her etiquette in preparation for meeting the princess.

As she took careful steps, her grace as a knight intertwined perfectly with her noble elegance, and I followed suit to match her pace.

The voices of numerous nobles gossiping about us filled my ears. Thankfully, it seemed they had no immediate intention of engaging us in conversation.

‘But these people are still nobles.’

If I were to just roll in like a mercenary, taking swipes with a sword and shooting arrows, they might have approached me with boisterous laughter and conversation.

But these distinguished gentlemen and ladies considered themselves above that — refined intellectuals of a civilized kingdom, after all.

They’d probably think we were uncouth for addressing the princess before formally greeting her, especially since that would tarnish the decorum they prided themselves on.

Thanks to this, it was relatively easy navigating now—

‘But just thinking about what comes next makes me dizzy.’

As Shione mentioned earlier, many young nobles painted with heavy makeup, and perhaps vying to present their modesty, were covering their mouths with their hands while giggling as they whispered.

These young nobles were noticeably casting more than a passing glance in my direction, which meant once I finished greeting Princess Rephelia, I would soon be surrounded by them without Shione’s help.

Anyway, as we continued nicely along, Shione suddenly slowed her pace, causing me to walk a step in front of her, prompting my inquiry.

“What’s wrong?”

“Just… sensed something unusual.”

“Could it be… a related intuition?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant.”

…You sensed magic?

In the very heart of the Duke Rephelia’s social hall, no less, the bastion of wizards?

“I don’t think there’s a need for concern. It doesn’t feel active at all. Just… it seems to leave a faint, ghostly residue.”

As she said this, Shione’s gaze was fixed on a single person.

Near Princess Rephelia.

There was a woman engaged in an animated discussion with another group.

“…That’s her.”

Coincidentally, that person was one of the nobles from the royal extermination squad.