The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Thud, thud.

The one who appeared leisurely was a woman always ready to spring into action.

She simply wore a sword at her waist, unaccompanied by any other weapons.

Surely, my arrow aimed at her wouldn’t fail to pierce skin, if she wasn’t made of stone.

Yet, she exuded an aura of nonchalance, as if inviting me to stick an arrow into her vulnerable spots.

With such calmness, I couldn’t help but wonder what she was hiding.

“Step back.”

“…Pardon?”

“In situations like this, isn’t it typically the woman who protects the man?”

Shione stepped forward, almost as if by her own will.

“Besides, that one is loyal to Shianella, so you needn’t worry. She is not the villain you might think.”

“Is that so?”

“Have you not heard of Lady Diolia from the Shianella family?”

“I’ve heard the name, but since I’ve been with Princess Shione daily, I’ve never seen her face.”

Diolia? If it’s Diolia…

A knight who has reached sword expert levels in the Shianella family.

She could have become part of the Royal Guards, but instead serves the Shianella family, cherished by the head of the family, Ainel Shianella.

Moreover, her exemplary behavior frequently drew compliments.

“Take a good look and memorize her face. Now, put down your bow.”

“…Understood.”

I lowered the bow I had aimed at her.

Releasing the tension from my drawn string, I retrieved the arrow.

As a knight bound to Shianella, I wouldn’t dare strike the head of Shione’s lineage in that scene.

Of course, I was a bit scared aiming at a sword expert; my heart was racing…

Fortunately, she didn’t seem inclined to hold that against me.

In fact, she appeared surprised to see Princess Shione Shianella at the shooting range.

“…Lady Diolia, what brings you to the shooting range at such an early hour?”

The expert knight inclined her head gracefully to Shione before speaking.

“There have been strange rumors circulating among the trainees here recently, so I came to investigate.”

“Rumors?”

“They say the target positions change daily, arrows go missing, or a few arrows are found on the ground, and they are whispering that it must be a ghost appearing at night.”

“Well… I thought I had tidied up properly. But I shouldn’t underestimate the keen eyes of those who come every day.”

“They are like hawks, waiting for distant enemies.”

Despite my daily diligence in maintaining order, it seemed someone had noticed the signs after a month of it occurring.

I hadn’t expected it to spread into ghost rumors.

“Do I look like a ghost?”

Diolia shook her head.

“How could the esteemed Princess Shione Shianella appear as a ghost?”

“I’ve been holed up in my room like a haunting spirit.”

“Haha…”

Diolia offered an awkward chuckle.

Perhaps finding Diolia’s reaction amusing, Shione’s expression softened.

“Lady Diolia has seen the truth today, so I hope you’ll tell them properly so that no more rumors are distorted.”

“It’s been a while since the rumors started, so wouldn’t it be better for Princess Shione herself to clarify that she has been training every morning?”

Shione’s head swayed slightly.

From her awkward little smile, a hint of self-deprecation peeked through.

“If I were to mention it myself, would they truly believe it? It’s obvious they’d trust you to deliver my credibility much more.”

“That’s…”

Diolia found herself at a loss for words in response.

It seemed clear to her that Shione was fully aware of how she was perceived.

Although my master had indeed lived like a ghost before, one couldn’t simply ignore the opinions of others about herself.

With her ears intact, it would be odd to claim she hadn’t heard gossip about herself or her reputation.

Seeing Diolia floundering for an answer, I decided to jump in.

“Then we just need to make them able to believe Princess Shione’s words, right?”

The gazes of Shione and Diolia turned entirely towards me.

Shione began to concentrate on my words with familiarity.

Diolia, who had been quietly observing, suddenly seemed interested in the conversation.

“All we need to inform them is simply that Princess Shione has been practicing archery for a little over a month. So, if you approach them first and show them what you’ve been practicing, they won’t be able to refuse believing it, right?”

“Are you suggesting I reveal what I’ve practiced?”

“The difference between hearing it through rumors and seeing it with their own eyes is monumental. Which do you think would satisfy Princess Shione more? Besides…”

An effigy with arrows piercing it all over like a hedgehog.

It was plain to see that those arrows embedded in critical spots were not something one could achieve in just a day or two of practice.

“By now, with the time of morning running short, it would be difficult to argue otherwise. Particularly with that level of skill, they have no choice but to acknowledge that what Princess Shione says is true.”

“But…”

“You don’t have to reveal it right away. Just don’t hesitate to show yourself when you feel the time is right.”

“…Understood.”

To be honest, the reason I pushed this conversation was partly to defend Shione, but also due to my selfish desires.

Damn… How long will I have to keep getting up at the crack of dawn to come to the shooting range…?

If I could come during the day, I could shoot arrows in normal hours instead of this ridiculous early morning routine.

I just want to wake up after the sun rises.

Fortunately, it seemed Shione was taking my words to heart.

Meanwhile, Diolia, tinkering with the grip of her sword with her index finger, seemed intrigued by our conversation.

Our eyes met.

Diolia was striking with her black hair and intense gaze, reminiscent of a clear night sky.

She smirked slightly before asking.

“I heard the head of the family has given Princess Shione a new personal servant… is that you? So, how long has it been since Princess Shione began practicing here?”

“About a month.”

“Every day?”

“Thanks to Princess Shione taking an interest, we’ve been practicing together at this hour every day.”

“Given that she hardly interacts with anyone else besides her servants… it could only be you who teaches her archery. Surprisingly enough, I believe that to be true.”

Diolia glanced at one of the effigies.

The one I had aimed at first today. The arrows lodged precisely where they would deliver critical hits showcased my archery skills.

“Princess Shione must have started picking up the bow not long after you arrived, right?”

I nodded quietly in agreement.

Then, an unexpected voice broke in.

“Thank you.”

“…What?”

“The spark of vitality has started to return to Princess Shione’s eyes, which were fading. It seems like she has returned to her original self. All of this is thanks to you, isn’t it?”

“That’s—”

As I grew flustered, she continued with a smooth flow.

“I couldn’t stop Princess Shione from abandoning the sword, which I had taught her. I hope you can guide her well, even if she reaches a standstill.”

Diolia bowed her head to me.

I quickly waved my hands.

“…Please lift your head. I can’t handle this.”

I truly felt my insides twist and turn.

A sword expert, nonetheless, a knight—such a figure could only be of noble status, yet she bowed to someone as lowly as me—it made no sense.

Anyone might think I was being dragged off and would die the next day in some unknown place.

Damn… Who knew I’d become so sensitive over someone bowing their head? Understanding my standing too well can be a problem. This certainly makes it feel exhausting just to be alive.

“Haha, what are you so scared of? I won’t eat you, so don’t worry.”

Diolia placed a hand on my shoulder.

She gave me a light pat, a gesture of comfort before whispering.

“Of course, the head of the family must have considered your archery skills sufficient to appoint you as Princess Shione’s servant. But if it comes to the Shianellas… they won’t hesitate to take your head, so be careful.”

“…Understood.”

So this is what the pressure from a superior feels like.

I hadn’t even intended to think of that in the first place.

The pressure suddenly pouring in my direction made my heart race.

As I faltered, Diolia finally smiled, as if relieved.

It took quite a while for my heart’s pounding to settle.

*

The sun was high in the sky.

After finishing the morning training as usual, Shione was taking a brief rest.

Normally, at this time, she’d be complaining about wanting to die and start burying herself in bed.

But this time, she hesitated for a moment, then sat up and stared at me intently.

She was looking at me with such piercing intensity that it felt like she could bore a hole right through me.

Though I was her personal servant, I was aware of my status as a slave.

What could I do with only my body on the line if she really bored a hole?

I reluctantly returned her gaze.

“Is there something you’d like to say?”

With that question, it seemed she finally decided to find her footing and pulled herself together.

“I think I should go outside.”

“You mean, you wish to go out without resting?”

“Yes, being cooped up in here is getting dull.”

“Really?”

“Would I lie to you?”

What’s this? She’s actually suggesting going out in broad daylight?

Except for the time we went out to see flowers in the garden, I had never seen her willingly head out at this hour.

Could it be that her words from this morning had an effect?

Following Shione as she quickly left the room seemed like she was determined to do it before she changed her mind.

“Do you intend to go to the garden?”

Shione shook her head.

“With the reduced time for archery from this morning’s workout…”

“Are you saying…?”

“I plan to head to the shooting range.”

“…Princess Shione.”

She halted her steps and faced me.

“You don’t have to push yourself too hard.”

She flinched slightly at my words before her lips curled into a soft smile.

The sunlight shimmering off her silver hair complemented the beauty of the most stunning smile I had seen from her yet.

“Didn’t you say that I shouldn’t hesitate to reveal myself when the time comes? So, after some thought, a realization crossed my mind.”

“You mean the time doesn’t come when my skills and appearance are enough to mock? But rather when I declare I will do so?”

“Upon thinking it over—”

“I believe today is the day they will start seeing me for who I really am. What do you think?”

Gone was the chubby little girl who once couldn’t speak coherently, replaced by the confident young lady standing before me.

It’s like the timid Shione I once knew was gone, and now I could finally see a proper semblance of intelligence replace her.

“That sounds good. I believe the timing is quite right.”

Her transformation had begun to show, and soon enough, I could flaunt her as proof of my achievements.

Oh, how hard she worked to reach this point, and now she was ready to shine.

We exchanged smiles.

Now only Shione and the archers, who would soon observe, stood between her and her glory.