The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 75

Chapter 75: A Private Audience (1)

After my encounter with Eunice Callia,

I was thankfully able to spend the following days in peace.

Sione, who’d previously been obsessed with finding excuses to touch me, now shyly requested head pats. I even managed to have a few brief conversations with Ainel.

I hadn’t seen that insufferable elf, Priel Arielt, since that day in the gardens.

I’d only run into Aria Alenar and that obsessive male knight enthusiast, Eunice Callia, a few times while accompanying Sione around the palace, but thankfully, our interactions had been brief and uneventful.

With many nobles starting to return to their territories…

‘…Please, let things stay this way.’

If things continued like this, I could finally say goodbye to the stress of dealing with these troublesome nobles.

I sat in a plush leather chair, watching Sione roll around on her bed, lost in thought.

‘The only thing left—’

Sione, under Ainel's guidance, had met with various nobles from different families.

Unbelievably…

That clumsy master of mine had actually managed to make a decent impression, thanks to her proximity to the princess during the incident at the coming-of-age ceremony.

Her reputation seemed to be improving.

I’d already delivered Siabel’s message to Aria.

And though the nickname “Sianella’s Male Knight” had stuck, the rumors about my mana abilities were starting to die down.

‘…is Adelheit.’

The only thing left to worry about was my upcoming private audience with Princess Adelheit Aisilia.

‘Judging by the atmosphere, it will be soon.’

The tension in the palace, which had been heightened after the incident, was starting to ease.

It seemed likely Adelheit would summon me any day now.

Ainel had apparently discussed my swordsmanship, mana abilities, and even my archery skills with Adelheit, so I could expect a barrage of questions. I needed to prepare some plausible excuses.

“Whew…”

From Aria, that insufferable elf, and Eunice, the male knight enthusiast, to the First Princess of the kingdom…

Why did a mere male slave, serving a rather clueless master, have to deal with so many troublesome nobles?

I sighed, trying to calm my rising frustration.

Just then,

‘…What is she doing now?’

Sione, who’d been rolling around on her bed, wasting time, suddenly started glancing at me nervously.

She’d peek at me, then quickly avert her gaze when I looked back.

If she had something to say, she should just say it. Why was she acting so shy?

“Is there something you wish to discuss, Lady Sione?”

As if waiting for those words, Sione’s eyes lit up, but she still tried to feign nonchalance as she nodded.

“It’s…about that bet we made…Do you remember?”

“A bet…?”

“The bet we made before entering the banquet hall, the day before the coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Ah.”

She was referring to the bet I’d proposed to coax her into attending the banquet, when she’d been making a fuss about not wanting to go.

“You said that if I managed to have decent conversations with young nobles from other houses, you would grant me one request…”

“…I did.”

“Though things didn't go as planned at the banquet…I did manage to have conversations with some nobles afterwards.”

She’d been accompanying Ainel to various meetings with other noble families.

To think Sione was capable of making such a claim…

“So…may I collect my reward…?”

I shook my head immediately.

She was trying to take advantage of the situation.

“Didn't we agree that the bet was only valid until Lady Ainel arrived at the banquet hall?”

“But…I still want to be rewarded for my efforts…”

Why did she expect a reward from me? I would gladly run a few errands for her, for old times' sake, but…

Lately, Sione hadn’t been content with head pats. She’d started requesting hugs, and even occasionally demanded I speak informally to her.

Though I’d managed to deflect her increasingly bold requests, her growing possessiveness was becoming a problem.

I had no idea what kind of outrageous request she would make this time, so I refused immediately.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“Really…?”

“Of course. It wasn’t part of our agreement.”

“Ugh…You need to be more flexible. You’re too rigid.”

At my firm refusal, Sione started to whine. Why was a grown woman acting like a spoiled child?

Unable to bear her incessant complaining any longer, I asked what she wanted.

“…What is it you desire?”

At my question, Sione’s eyes began to shine.

“Well…”

She fidgeted with her fingers, her cheeks flushing crimson. She pushed the blankets aside and was about to speak when—

“While hugging tightly…!”

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

The room fell silent. Sione opened her mouth to finish her sentence, but—

Knock knock knock.

With no response from inside the room, the knocking continued. Sione closed her mouth, her words left unsaid.

The warm atmosphere between us cooled.

Sione puffed out her cheeks, her expression sulky. She glared at the door, clearly displeased by the interruption.

I stood and headed towards the door, leaving Sione to her silent tantrum. Whoever was on the other side was clearly waiting for a response.

Creak.

I carefully opened the door. A maid, with a rather stern expression, bowed her head.

“Are you Master Ray?”

“Yes, I am Ray…May I ask what brings you here?”

The maid straightened, her sharp gaze fixing on me.

After a brief moment of eye contact, she spoke, her voice crisp and efficient.

“Her Highness, the First Princess, requests your presence.”

I nodded slowly.

It seemed my private audience with Adelheit would be today.

***

Though Sione puffed out her cheeks and sulked, making it clear she was upset…

I couldn’t exactly refuse a summons from the princess.

I briefly placated Sione, then followed the maid.

She led me to a room in the First Princess’s wing of the palace.

“Please enter.”

I nodded silently, and the maid withdrew.

I took a deep breath and entered the room.

“…Excuse me.”

I saw a woman inside.

Unlike her appearance at the banquet hall and the coming-of-age ceremony, where she’d worn an elaborate dress, Adelheit was now clad in a simple but elegant uniform. Her violet hair, which had reached her chest, was now neatly tied back in a ponytail.

She sat on a sofa, her legs crossed, gracefully sipping tea. She took a moment to savor the aroma before placing the cup back on its saucer and looking at me.

Adelheit, who’d previously worn a world-weary expression like a sage, now allowed a small smile to play on her lips as she surveyed my appearance.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“…You’re finally here.”

Her greeting was brief and to the point, but there was no hint of displeasure in her tone.

“Sit.”

I sat on the sofa opposite Adelheit.

Refreshments and tea had been prepared, not just for her, but for me as well.

The sweet aroma of pastries and the fragrant scent of tea tickled my nose. I wanted to take a sip and sample the treats, but…

The princess was watching me intently. I couldn’t just start eating in front of her while we were supposed to be having a conversation. I wouldn't be able to taste anything with her staring at me like that.

I contented myself with inhaling the aroma and focused on Adelheit.

“Hmm—”

She hummed thoughtfully, and her pupils shifted.

A now-familiar sight.

She was using her dragon eyes, trying to see through me.

“Even now, I see nothing.”

As expected, Adelheit couldn’t discern anything about me.

“Well, no matter.”

Despite the fact that her dragon eyes were ineffective against me, Adelheit’s smile only deepened.

“I’ve seen your mana and swordsmanship firsthand, with my own eyes. And I’ve heard from the head of Sianella about your archery skills.”

She picked up a cookie and brought it to her delicate pink lips.

Crunch.

She took a small bite, then continued,

“Since you are so adept at concealing yourself from my gaze, I imagine you have quite a few other hidden talents. I’m curious to see what else you’re hiding.”

She finished the cookie and dabbed her lips with a handkerchief, her dragon eyes, gleaming with blue mana, still fixed on me.

“Have some tea.”

She slid the teacup closer to me.

“This conversation might take a while. It would be best to keep your throat moist.”

I lifted the cup and took a sip. A sweet initial taste, followed by a lingering bitterness.

I placed the cup back on its saucer, and Adelheit brushed her hair aside.

“Now, that you’ve had some refreshment—”

[Quest has been formed.]

「A Private Audience with the Princess」

‘The First Princess of the kingdom, Adelheit Aisilia, is deeply intrigued by your hidden abilities and true identity. Beyond your mana, swordsmanship, and archery…she suspects you possess even greater power, which she has yet to discern. Use every means at your disposal to increase your value and earn her favor.’

「Reward/Failure: Depends on Adelheit's satisfaction」

“—let’s begin.”

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