The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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“Ray, there’s a place we need to go together.”

“If it’s a place, do you mean the shooting range?”

“No, today I plan to visit Sister Siabel who is ill.”

“Has Siabel awakened then?”

Shione nodded.

She had suffered serious injuries during the cultist elimination operation and had been unconscious since her return. It seemed she had finally woken up after two days.

But…

When did Shione hear the news about her sister waking up, when we used to go everywhere together?

“How do you know that Siabel has awakened?”

“I heard from Mother that she spoke with my sister at dinner last night.”

“Oh.”

“I thought it might be rude to visit my ill sister so late, so I planned to go around noon today.”

“I see.”

Yesterday, Siabel didn’t show up at dinner, and I assumed she was still asleep in bed. Apparently, she had already woken up, talked with Ainel, and had dinner in another room.

As I nodded gently, Shione chuckled and took my hand, leading me along.

“Alright, let’s hurry.”

“I will follow.”

I was being pulled helplessly by Shione’s hand toward Siabel’s room. With our hands clasped like this, it must have looked to the other servants like I was a servant in trouble, so I timed it just right to let go of Shione’s hand and leisurely followed her from behind.

Though she looked a bit disappointed when I released her hand, she didn’t insist on holding it any longer.

Eventually, we arrived in front of Siabel’s door, and Shione called out to her sister.

“Sister, are you in there?”

“…Shione?”

“I came to visit since I wanted to talk with you.”

“Come in.”

Once given permission, Shione gently opened the door.

It seemed we would have to wait here after all as we were speaking.

“Then I shall wait here—”

“And Ray, you should come in too.”

Siabel’s voice called out from inside.

With Siabel saying that, Shione’s mouth curled into a small smile.

“Since Sister Siabel said so, let’s go in together.”

“Understood.”

As I stepped inside, I saw Siabel propped up on her bed, looking at us.

“Have you been well?”

Siabel’s condition appeared far from good as she inquired about our wellbeing.

Her long hair was disheveled, her always meticulous attire was completely untidy, and it was clear from her expression that she was exhausted.

It was hard to say she looked good, even as an empty compliment.

Seeing Siabel like that, Shione’s face fell with concern.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t welcome you properly after you came all this way.”

“…It’s alright. Aren’t you unwell yourself?”

Shione’s stiff tone of voice revealed her worry, and Siabel shrugged.

“Why the serious tone? Just speak comfortably, Shione.”

“Is that really okay…?”

“What could be wrong? If you talk comfortably, I can relax and talk comfortably as well, you know?”

Shione slowly nodded her head.

Speaking to her sister in a friendly tone instead of her usual stiff manner seemed awkward for her, as she repeatedly opened and closed her mouth before finally managing to speak.

“Sister, how are you feeling…?”

Siabel smirked at Shione’s awkward phrasing.

“Thanks to the High Priest’s constant care, I’ve improved a little. However, the demon’s magic seems to have seeped into my wounds, which makes healing a bit cumbersome.”

“The magic has seeped in…”

“The special energy in my blood has been washed away with divine power, so there’s no need for too much worry. Just avoid any intense movements for a while, I was told.”

After that, Shione and Siabel naturally engaged in conversation. Although Shione switched back to her formal speech partway through, the atmosphere had relaxed significantly compared to before, so Siabel didn’t comment on it.

As I stood awkwardly, listening to their chat—

Knock, knock.

Someone was knocking at the door.

“I’ll check.”

Since I had been standing quietly without joining their conversation, I swiftly opened the door to see who was knocking.

When I opened it, a man dressed as a servant stood outside.

“May I ask what brings you here?”

“The Head of the Family wishes to see Lady Shione, but she isn’t in the dining room or training area, so I came here to find out if she is here.”

Upon seeing Shione behind me, the servant sighed in relief.

As Shione approached, the servant explained the situation, and upon learning that Ainel had called for her, Shione relayed messages to Siabel and me.

She instructed Siabel to rest well, and to me, she advised to chat with Siabel for a bit before returning to my room.

Both Siabel and I agreed to Shione’s words, and Shione left to meet with Ainel.

With just Siabel and me remaining in her room, silence and awkwardness filled the space between us.

In that quiet, Siabel was the first to speak, a playful smile emerging on her lips.

“After returning from the Beltlin Mountains, I told you to focus on healing your arm so we could exchange swords as soon as possible.”

“…You did say that.”

“I’m sorry about that. I said that but—”

Siabel began to unfasten her clothing.

No way, has she completely lost it after being unconscious for a few days?

Her sudden action of loosening her clothes in front of me was incomprehensible.

As I watched with a stiff expression, Siabel revealed her right arm from underneath her garment.

“Oh.”

Her right arm was thickly wrapped in bandages. Now that I think about it, even when she returned to the territory, her right arm was hanging limply before her.

“With my right arm in this condition, it seems it will be a while before I can exchange swords.”

“…Is your arm alright?”

Siabel shrugged her shoulders.

“To some extent. But it seems the magic has deeply embedded itself, making healing slower, so I was advised to avoid any intense activities as it could reopen the wound.”

“Then let’s postpone the sword exchange until your arm is fully healed. I will wait.”

At those words, Siabel made a playful expression.

“Waiting? You don’t have time to wait.”

“…Pardon?”

Siabel continued, as if it were nothing.

“I heard from mother that you and Shione will go to the capital for the First Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony soon.”

“Is that so…?”

“In that context, I have a favor to ask of you; will you hear me out?”

“…If it’s within my capability.”

“Great, come over here for a second.”

Stepping closer to Siabel, she grabbed my clothes.

Bringing her lips close to my ear, she whispered her request.

I couldn’t help but scrunch my face upon hearing Siabel’s whisper.

“…If I relay what Lady Siabel requested, my head might roll, and I don’t even know if I can speak with her.”

“No.”

Siabel shook her head firmly.

“You will definitely find a chance to talk. We have an overflowing friendship, so just relaying my words won’t put your neck in any danger.”

From behind her disheveled hair, I saw Siabel’s beaming smile emerge.

“She is someone quite similar to me, you see.”

*

While trying to process Siabel’s unexpected bombshell words, I waited in Shione’s room for her return.

The door opened, and Shione walked in, looking drained, before collapsing onto her bed.

With an expression like her soul had left her body, Shione stared blankly at the ceiling as she spoke.

“Ray, what should I do about this situation?”

“If it’s a troubling situation… is it regarding the First Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony in the capital?”

“Yes, the princess… huh?”

Shione turned her head abruptly to look at me.

“How did you know that? I haven’t even told you yet.”

“I heard it from the Head of the Family beforehand.”

“…You heard something so important and didn’t tell me?”

“The Head of the Family instructed me not to inform you until they could tell you themselves.”

As Ainel’s name slipped from my lips, Shione promptly fell silent.

Then she began to release a long, drawn-out sigh, worried about the upcoming travels to the capital.

With all that discontent bubbling forth so soon, I started to worry about what kind of trouble she would stir up in the capital.

It wasn’t just once or twice that she reacted this way, but her failure to accept reality after quite some time was exhausting. I walked over to her side.

Her gaze, which had been listless, returned to me.

I shouldn’t do anything strange like last time after the engagement issue, so I thought it best to clarify things now.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll take care of any annoying matters.”

So don’t just sigh and drain the energy from anyone watching.

“You just need to stay by my side.”

Don’t even think about pulling any stunts in the capital; just stick with me.

“…Very well.”

It seemed that my promise to handle all the troublesome issues lifted the heavy mood hanging in the air.

“Hehe.”

Finally, Shione started to smile happily.