The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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The next day, just like when Princess Shione secretly practiced archery in the past.

I woke up early and headed to her room.

What on earth was going on?

Shione was already up, waiting for me.

“Good morning, Princess Shione.”

“Yes, did you sleep well?”

“Of course.”

As we exchanged simple morning greetings, I took a moment to examine her appearance.

It was clear she hadn’t changed out of her pajamas for a while, and today, there was no trace of the sleepiness that usually clung to her.

For some reason, she even had a hairpin on.

I couldn’t help but wonder why she decided to wear a hairpin so early in the morning, so I took a closer look.

Sure enough, it was the hairpin I had impulsively given her before.

“I should probably get her something a bit nicer next time, even if she says this one is fine.”

After all, when we go out, it’s with Shione’s money, so I don’t have to worry about the price.

I might have thought she had said it was okay in the past, but my mind was already made up.

Such a flimsy hairpin probably won’t last long.

If I’m going to buy one, I’d rather get something that would last.

“You’ve put in a hairpin, huh?”

“Well… I was tidying up my appearance and saw the hairpin, so I tried it on.”

“It suits you well.”

“Hehe, thank you.”

Seeing her pleased with my compliment brightened the atmosphere.

Without saying much more, Shione and I left the room and headed toward the shooting range.

It felt nostalgic to head to the shooting range with Shione once more.

Unlike her chubby self from back then, Shione had slimmed down and had hit the jackpot with her training as she became much more skilled at archery.

Comparing her past and present self turned out to be quite an amusing pastime.

After walking in silence for a while, she suddenly asked.

“But Ray, what exactly did you want to teach me by coming to the shooting range at this hour?”

“Are you curious?”

“Of course! You didn’t give me any answers even when I asked so many times yesterday, so naturally, I want to know.”

“If you can just wait a little longer, we’re almost there.”

“…If it’s not as magnificent as you’re making it out to be, I’ll be disappointed.”

Shuffling her feet, Shione hurried into the shooting range.

Unlike her, I casually entered, and by the time I did, Shione was already picking out her bow and arrows, waiting for me.

“Hmm, then how about I give it a shot?”

Seeing her stick her chest out in confidence, I felt like if I delayed even a moment longer, she might recklessly aim her bow at me.

So, with a shrug, I picked up an arrow from a pile on one side of the range.

As I focused on the sharp arrowhead, I felt my mood drop into an icy chill.

“Arrows are weak. The sharpness and strength that a small arrowhead can hold are limited. In fact, against monsters with thick, tough hides or hard shells, this tiny arrowhead might not do its job.”

“That sounds like you’re just discussing the limitations of the bow itself.”

“Not at all. Didn’t I tell you, Princess Shione, to never restrict yourself with limits?”

I shrugged again.

“That’s why I called you here, to teach you how to overcome those limitations.”

With a calm demeanor, Shione’s gaze deepened as she began to gauge my intentions.

As I locked eyes with her, it felt like I was sinking into the depths of a clear lake.

“Knights add aura to their swords when facing dull-edged foes, right? What about archers?”

“Add aura to the arrows…?”

“Exactly. Let me show you simply.”

I began to channel my mana.

My mana was infused deeply with the essence of spirits, particularly the wind.

As I gathered mana at the tip of the arrow, a small whirlwind stirred, and a rich green hue enveloped it.

This technique required a significant level of mastery.

After catching Arachne, I had gained a lot more mana, but it still consumed a hefty amount.

I had only been dealing with enemies that I could pierce with an arrowhead without the need for enhancement.

Having not used such techniques since arriving here, I was relieved to see I could still wield them as I intended.

“To break a knight’s sword and pierce through armor, the arrowhead needs to be sharper and stronger than both the knight’s weapon and armor.”

As I shook the arrow, Shione’s gaze followed, and I could see she wasn’t letting her eyes wander at all.

Not wanting to waste away more mana, I decided to reclaim the green energy I’d gathered around the arrowhead.

“Today, I will teach you the technique.”

“Really?”

“If it were a lie, I wouldn’t have brought you here. Take the arrow. I’ll show you the technique.”

At my words, Shione eagerly grabbed her arrow.

I approached her, who was waiting with an excited expression, and placed my hand on her shoulder.

In an instant, her previously animated face turned to one of surprise.

“Pardon me for a moment.”

“W-Why are you suddenly putting your hand on my shoulder…?!”

“I’m just going to show you the technique; please forgive my rudeness. Now, draw the mana into your shoulder and bring it along.”

She squirmed a bit at just my hand resting on her shoulder.

As I waited for her to draw her mana, Shione eventually fell silent and began to follow my instructions.

“Once you’ve gathered mana near your shoulder, let it flow further down—”

My hand slid down her arm.

It came to rest on the back of her hand.

“Release the mana this way.”

I pointed at the tip of the arrow.

“Think of condensing flowing mana onto only the cold tip of the arrowhead.”

Whoosh.

What I shared was possibly a crude explanation, but perhaps because she was somewhat accustomed to mana, Shione was successfully following my words.

“Ah!”

A blue aura began to shimmer around the arrowhead.

Even though it was merely a faint trace of mana, she succeeded in gathering it to that small arrow tip, and the joy was evident as her lips curled into a grin.

At this point, I wondered if her smile might stretch all the way to her ears.

Before long, Shione composed herself and asked.

“…Ray, how come you possess such knowledge of archery and magic? Isn’t it about time you shared that with me?”

“That is…”

I found myself momentarily lost in deep thought.

However, my mind tilted in one direction.

Despite the connection I had with Shione and the secrets I had revealed, tales like this would only sound like the ranting of a madman to the people of this world.

When the time was right, I wanted to assert myself based on my abilities, whenever Shione could take on the burden.

“It will likely be a long story. I promise to tell you when the time is right. Can you wait for me?”

“…Just don’t keep me waiting too long.”

I exchanged quiet glances with her.

Fortunately, Shione seemed to agree with my words.

I handed her what appeared to be the strongest bow in the shooting range.

“Use your mana to draw it back and aim for that scarecrow over there.”

“You want me to control my mana and focus it even when I can barely handle one arrow?”

“It may be tough, but you’ll definitely like the results.”

“Hmm… if you say so, I’ll give it a try.”

Thwack!

The taut bowstring retracted behind her as she pulled it.

With the bow drawn securely, Shione focused intensely on the scarecrow’s torso.

Gwoooosh….

In the moment the mana pooled into the arrowhead, she let go of the string without hesitation.

Whoosh!

Thanks to the strong pull, the arrow was shot at a speed at least double her usual.

Crack!!

It pierced through the thick straw stack that formed the scarecrow’s chest, continuing forward until it embedded itself into the ground.

“Ray, did you see—”

As Shione turned to look back, delighted,

“…!”

Our feet tangled together where I had been standing right behind her, and down we went.

*

The problem was I had forgotten that Ray was watching right behind me when I excitedly turned around.

It felt surreal that I had shot an arrow strong enough to pierce that thick scarecrow, and I just wanted to confirm with him that it was real.

But as luck would have it, we had gotten tangled up much closer than anticipated.

“Oww….”

My knees hurt from hitting the ground.

I worried I might have crushed Ray, and I felt pain in the wrist of the hand I used to brace myself on the earth.

With eyes shut tight in surprise as I fell, it was pitch dark.

Is Ray okay?

Concern for him because of my clumsiness made me hurry and open my eyes.

“Ugh…!”

At that moment, I realized I was hovering over Ray.

With my heart racing, looking down into his face made my heart pound like crazy.

Given our position, anyone would easily mistake it, thinking I was on top of him.

Frozen in shock and embarrassment, I couldn’t muster the courage to move.

Seeing Ray’s wide eyes looking up at me from below added to that strange sensation of being the only two in existence, enveloped in our own world.

His slightly flustered tone reached my ears.

“…Are you perhaps starting to develop feelings for me, Princess Shione?”

That snapped me out of my daze.

When he asked if I liked him, I did like him a lot.

But how could I possibly say that out loud?

Normally, I would have shaken my head in denial, just like that time when he asked about the meaning of the poppy flower.

But now, my sister Siabel’s words echoed in my mind.

– If you continue to show indecision, you might lose him once more—

“…I might just lose him.”

I had no idea why her words sprang to mind now in this predicament.

But her warning flooded me with a torrent of anxiety.

What if I hesitated to express my feelings again, and he got his heart stolen by someone else?

No, that can’t happen.

Just yesterday, he told me how important I was.

Deep down, I believed Ray must have feelings for me too.

But still…

Caught in this whirlwind of doubts, I resolved to clearly state my feelings here and now.

My heart began to race as if it would burst.

After repeatedly parting my lips and sealing them back up again, I finally mustered the will to speak.

“…Every time I think about it, my heart races, and I often find myself distracted by you.”

“And… with this situation making my heart all jumbled up…”

“What do you think this feeling is…?”

He quietly regarded me.

“…Are you just getting swept up in the moment, perhaps?”

Under his gaze, it felt as if my heart was being squeezed tight.

I shook my head at his words.

“…I’m but a mere servant. What reason could you have to feel anything for me?”

“…Didn’t you say before…”

His words caused my thoughts to swirl.

“You called me your knight yesterday.”

“…But even then, I’m just a lowly slave. I cannot accept your deep sentiments, Princess Shione.”

“…If need be, I can tear up that slave document anytime.”

Even saying that felt almost like a crime.

Just a flash of doubt jumped into my mind a thousand times, but somehow, I forced myself to speak.

“If I’m a slave… then I too must follow my master’s wishes, yes?”

To my words, Ray’s composed facade began to crack slightly.

His eyes, shaking softly, revealed a glimpse of my influence over him.

“…According to the document, my master is Ainel Shianella.”

“I mentioned that.”

“That means…?”

“Your slave certificate lies long in my mother’s name.”

“Ah.”

Ray bit his lip.

After a moment of embarrassment passed, he slowly began to speak.

“…Do you truly believe you won’t regret this?”

I nodded silently.

The atmosphere began to heat up.

Perhaps due to the tension, an urge to kiss him crept into my mind.

In that moment, Ray slowly reached out his right hand and brushed it against my cheek.

“If you desire a kiss… I will offer my lips.”

His bold words, uncharacteristically manly, made my face flush.

Receiving such a permission, I leaned in closer, ready to close the distance, but…

“Only… not right now—”

He gently pushed my face away with his right hand.

“When you can gather mana into your arrowhead like a sword expert, that’s when I will personally… present it to you, Princess Shione…”

Thump, thump, thump.

My heart raced violently at his words.

“Perhaps it would be better to just move on for now?”

Unable to refuse his suggestion, I found myself nodding involuntarily.