The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Winter Is Coming

“The scent…it’s even stronger than before.”

Priel’s gaze was just as predatory as it had been during our last encounter.

No, perhaps even more so.

I greeted her briefly, then asked,

“Stronger…what do you mean?”

“The scent of spirits emanating from you. It’s stronger.”

“Ah.”

…Damn it.

There was a reason Priel was staring at me so intently.

I’d tried my best to conceal my spirit energy during our previous encounter, but now…I wasn't even bothering to hide it.

Her sensitive nose was undoubtedly picking up on the much stronger scent.

“Even for an elf, such a potent scent couldn't have developed in just a few days—”

Priel stared at me, her expression rapturous.

Like a bee drawn to the scent of a flower, she took a step closer, as if wanting to inhale my scent more deeply.

“You…you were hiding your spirit energy from me that day, weren’t you?”

She was now standing right before me.

As if oblivious to the stares of those around us, this insufferable elf was not only standing far too close…

But she was now practically sniffing me, her ears twitching.

“Hah…for a human to possess such a potent scent…”

I took a step back, trying to distance myself from her rather disturbing behavior, and she quickly grabbed my sleeve.

Her turquoise eyes gleamed with a possessive hunger as she smiled brightly and whispered into my ear,

“So, Ray. Have you made up your mind?”

“…Made up my mind about what…?”

“Didn’t I tell you to decide by the time we met again?”

Yes, she had asked me to become hers.

I had no intention of becoming an elf’s plaything.

“I—”

I was about to tell Priel, once again, to leave me alone, when…

I saw someone stop in their tracks as they emerged from the building.

A beautiful face, more reminiscent of a cute puppy than the haughty cats that were my own family members.

Silvery-white hair that had grown long enough to reach past her shoulders in the past six months.

And clear, bright blue eyes.

“Ray…?”

The woman looked unmistakably like my master.

Sione, her expression blank, called out my name.

Why was she staring at me with such a heartbroken expression?

Then I realized,

“Hmm, what perfect timing…Lady Sianella has arrived.”

Sione had seen me standing so close to Priel.

Though it had been Priel, not me, who’d closed the distance between us…

From Sione's perspective, we must have looked like lovers on the verge of embracing.

She was probably looking at me with the same heartbroken expression as someone whose lover had been stolen away by another.

Sione would likely drag me back to her room and demand an explanation, tears streaming down her face…

‘…How am I supposed to explain this?’

My stomach churned uncomfortably.

I turned to Priel. I needed to create some distance between us, and quickly.

“Lady Priel, would you mind stepping away?”

The damned elf, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the air, simply smiled.

“Liel. Call me Liel, and I’ll step away.”

“…Lady Liel, would you mind stepping away?”

Priel finally released my sleeve and stepped back.

Sione immediately moved to stand between us, as if preventing any further close contact. She glared at Priel.

Her gaze swept over Priel's beautiful features and pointed ears, and she finally spoke, her voice cold,

“…What business do you have with my attendant?”

But Sione's frosty demeanor was no match for Priel's playful smile. Priel looked past Sione, her gaze meeting mine.

“I haven’t received an answer yet.”

Her words were clearly directed at me.

Both Sione and Priel were now focused entirely on me, their attention suffocating.

I forced myself to speak, answering Priel's unspoken question.

“I apologize, but…I have no intention of becoming yours, Lady Priel.”

Two very different smiles crossed the women’s faces at my reply.

Priel’s smile was tinged with possessiveness, while…

Sione’s held a clear sense of relief.

I watched their contrasting reactions, silently praying for this awkward situation to end quickly.

***

After concluding my conversation with Priel Arielt, I was dragged back to Sione’s room.

I say “dragged,” but it was more like Sione had grabbed my hand and refused to let go.

Having witnessed her heartbroken expression moments before, I decided to indulge her.

–Creak…

Sione slowly closed the door.

–Click.

And locked it.

“…You’re mine.”

She pulled me into a tight embrace, as if determined never to let go.

After burying her face against my chest and muttering something incomprehensible, she looked up at me.

“Ray…I think I need an explanation.”

“…I’ll explain everything. But first, would you mind releasing me?”

Sione held me for a moment longer, then finally loosened her grip.

We sat facing each other across a table, and in a rather tense atmosphere, I explained my encounter with that insufferable elf. Thankfully, Sione listened attentively, and I was able to placate her without much difficulty.

Just as I thought the situation had been resolved,

Sione suddenly spoke.

“…I was surprised.”

“Surprised…?”

“I never expected to see you standing so close to another woman.”

“…It couldn’t be helped.”

“Perhaps. But it still bothers me. What am I supposed to do?”

Tears began to well up in Sione’s eyes.

She was clearly overwhelmed by her emotions.

“You said…your ideal type was someone cute and affectionate.”

“…I did.”

“Then, I will become…”

Sione stood up and walked towards me.

“…the Sione you desire.”

She hugged me tightly.

“Please…only look at me…”

This was going to be more difficult than I thought.

***

Time passed quickly.

Eunice Callia had sent me a new sword as a gift, and Adelheit had rewarded me with an elven bow.

The bow Adelheit had given me was exquisite, and the sword from Eunice was a single-edged blade, remarkably similar to the one I’d used during the attack. Thanks to their generosity, I’d managed to replace both my primary and secondary weapons with superior versions.

The news of Sione taking up archery hadn’t spread beyond the Sianella County. And since she’d only used a short blade during the attack…

The royal family, wanting to bestow a fitting gift upon the daughter of a knightly house, had presented her with a magnificent sword.

Sione had complained incessantly about receiving a sword instead of a bow.

She was still complaining, even now.

“Ugh…”

She glared at the sword standing in a corner of her room, her expression sulky.

I smiled faintly and said,

“Please…look at Ray, instead of that sword…”

I mimicked Sione’s heartbroken expression and tone from a few days ago, exaggerating my misery for comedic effect.

Sione’s cheeks immediately flushed crimson.

“Eek…! I told you to stop teasing me…!”

“What’s the harm? Come here. I’ll give you a head pat.”

“…Do you think I’ll forgive you so easily?!”

“Do you not want a head pat?”

“O-of course not!”

I nodded slowly.

“Then there’s nothing I can do.”

Sione puffed out her cheeks, but her eyes betrayed her longing for a head pat.

If she wanted one, she should have just said so. Why make it so complicated?

I chuckled and ruffled her hair.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“…Shut up.”

I stopped petting her, and she glared at me.

“…”

“…”

“…Well? Aren’t you going to continue?”

I chuckled at her impatient words, and…

My master, displeased by my amusement, started to yell.

As I spent time with Sione, teasing and comforting her…

Ainel arrived.

Instead of her usual sky-blue nightgown, she was dressed in her formal attire.

She spoke in a serious tone.

“We will be returning to the territory in two days.”

Sione looked up at her mother.

“In two days?”

“Yes. Siabel is waiting for us.”

Ainel glanced out the window.

“Winter is coming, and soon your younger brother—”

A faint crease appeared on Ainel’s forehead as she mentioned Sione’s younger brother.

Sion Sianella.

The youngest of the Sianella siblings, who'd inherited a talent for holy power, not swordsmanship.

As far as I knew, Sione’s relationship with Sion was…strained, to say the least.

It wasn't surprising that Sione’s expression hardened at the mention of him.

Ignoring Sione’s reaction, Ainel continued,

“—Sion will be returning from the academy.”

She crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.

“Let’s return to the territory and welcome him home before the cold winds arrive.”

With the harsh winds of winter,

Sion Sianella would return to House Sianella.

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