The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 71

Chapter 71: An Unfamiliar Elf (3)

"...What?"

Ainel, whose gaze had been softened by sleep, now snapped back to her usual sharp-eyed self at my confession.

The languid air around her vanished, replaced by disbelief and alarm. Her blue eyes, previously clouded with drowsiness, now focused intently on me.

“I must have misheard. Ray, repeat what you just said.”

“…I…I’ve been discovered.”

“Are you serious?”

I could hardly lie so brazenly to a noble, especially the head of House Sianella.

I simply nodded.

“Hah…”

Ainel shook her head, a deep sigh escaping her lips. She seemed utterly perplexed.

It was rather novel to see the usually composed Ainel Sianella so openly display her emotions. Though, admittedly, the novelty was overshadowed by the less-than-positive nature of her reaction.

Setting aside my own amusement,

“Come in. Let’s discuss this inside.”

“Excuse me.”

I wasn’t particularly thrilled about another private audience with Ainel.

These conversations were always suffocating.

After all, Ainel Sianella had once held a sword to my throat, despite the fact that I’d just saved her daughter by killing an arachne.

I rubbed my neck, remembering the incident, and entered her room.

“Sit here.”

I sat in the chair Ainel indicated.

The plush leather was comfortable, but I couldn’t relax.

Ainel sat opposite me, her legs crossed elegantly despite her rumpled nightgown.

She closed her eyes and smoothed her tangled hair, then opened her mouth.

“Given yesterday's events, and the fact that many witnessed your actions at the Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony…they are likely already whispering amongst themselves, suspecting you can wield mana. You have attracted considerable attention.”

“…It couldn’t be helped, given the circumstances.”

“I'm not blaming you. I understand you were only trying to protect Her Highness and Sione.”

Ainel tilted her head, opening her eyes.

Her blue gaze, the color of a wintry northern sea, fixed on me.

“Most of them will only suspect, so you can simply deny it. As for those who have truly discerned your abilities…we can coordinate our stories with the Princess.”

“Coordinate our stories with the Princess?”

“Precisely.”

Ainel crossed her arms, the gesture emphasizing her figure despite the loose nightgown.

“As expected of someone with royal blood. Her Highness has already grasped the extent of your mana and combat abilities. She was impressed by your bravery and has promised to help you avoid any unpleasant inquiries.”

“Ah.”

So that’s why she’d taken such an interest in me. She’d been evaluating my potential all along.

I thought about my interaction with Adelheit. Initially she'd been suspicious, but now she seemed favorably inclined towards me.

As I considered the implications of my newfound connection with Adelheit, Ainel uncrossed her arms and continued.

“However, after this incident dies down, Her Highness wishes to speak with you privately.”

A private audience with the princess—

I could already imagine the endless barrage of questions about my mana, swordsmanship, and…

Whatever other secrets Adelheit suspected I was hiding.

Clap!

Just as my mind began to race, Ainel clapped her hands sharply, bringing me back to the present.

“In any case, we can manage the mana issue.”

Ainel’s gaze sharpened, pinning me in place.

“The real problem is that your spirit magic has been discovered. If rumors spread that you can wield not just ordinary mana, but mana infused with the power of spirits…it will become incredibly troublesome.”

She pushed her hair back impatiently.

“Attendant Ray, what exactly did you do this morning to have your spirit magic discovered, forcing you to come to me like this?”

“That is—”

“Don’t waste time. Speak.”

“…I encountered an elf.”

“An elf.”

At the mention of an elf, instead of demanding further explanation, Ainel simply nodded, as if prompting me to continue.

I paused, gathering my thoughts before explaining the encounter with that insufferable elf.

Let’s see, what was that elf’s name again…?

‘Priel Arielt.’

Yes, Priel. Priel Arielt.

Initially, she’d approached me with a deceptively innocent demeanor.

Then, without warning, she’d asked me to become hers.

I could still see her face, her eyes gleaming with predatory hunger as she’d bombarded me with her self-serving pronouncements.

She was undeniably beautiful, but that was all.

She was still an elf.

I’d rather be entangled with the obese, reclusive Sione from months ago than with a possessive elf.

Even if they offered me a leash and collar made of pure gold, I would refuse. Elves were all the same; they hid a viper within their hearts.

I composed myself and explained what had happened.

“I was on my way to Lady Sione’s quarters when I encountered an elf. I tried to conceal my spirit energy, but she sensed it.”

“She sensed it…Do you know her name?”

“She introduced herself as Priel Arielt.”

“Arielt…Arielt…”

Ainel repeated the elf’s family name several times. Her initially tense expression softened.

Priel meant nothing to her, but the Arielt family clearly held some significance. It seemed they were one of the elven families with whom House Sianella maintained a connection.

“You’re in luck.”

“…In luck?”

“Of all the elven families beneath the High Elves, the Arielt family is renowned for its integrity and honor. They are known as guardians of the forest.”

I barely managed to suppress a laugh.

Though I couldn't entirely hide my displeasure; my expression hardened.

A family renowned for integrity and honor?

Integrity? That elf, Priel, had openly expressed her desire to possess me, a complete stranger, the moment she sensed my spirit energy.

Honor? She’d declared her willingness to steal me away from House Sianella, a family with whom the Arielts supposedly had a longstanding connection.

To think that elf belonged to a family with such a…laudable reputation.

It was astonishing. No, it was utterly absurd.

‘This is ridiculous.’

Elves.

Especially those self-proclaimed guardians of the forest from the Arielt family.

Just how well had they cultivated their image to have earned Ainel’s trust?

It was truly impressive, in a perverse sort of way.

“If it were any other elven family, explaining your spirit magic would be troublesome. But the Arielts? If you ask them to keep your secret, they will.”

“…Yes.”

Yes, they would keep my secret.

But not out of any sense of integrity or honor, as Ainel seemed to believe.

It would be purely out of greed, a desire to keep me, a valuable treasure, for themselves and prevent other elves from claiming me.

The gap between Ainel’s perception of elves and my own was vast.

I wanted to smack some sense into her, but I restrained myself.

“Ray, tell me what you discussed with that elf.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Tell me everything. What happened, what was said. Don't leave anything out.”

Our family head was practically begging me to reveal the true nature of elves.

As a loyal attendant, I had no choice but to comply.

I allowed a sly smile to spread across my lips. Ainel’s attention was entirely focused on me.

“Lady Priel Arielt said this to me…”

I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

I would finally enlighten Ainel about the true nature of elves.

I began reciting Priel’s words, one by one.

“‘How interesting.’”

“…What?”

“‘You. You are interesting.’”

“….”

“‘So, in that sense…won't you become mine?’”

Realizing these were Priel’s exact words, Ainel’s brow furrowed, her attention now fully captivated.

I continued, without hesitation.

“‘You can’t become mine? Are you sure about that?’”

“‘What matters is not your status or position, but your will.’”

“‘If I wish it, I am confident I can take you from House Sianella at any time. After all…they’re just a Count family in a short-lived kingdom, aren't they?’”

Time, and my own distorted memories, might have added a bit of creative embellishment to Priel’s words.

"…And those were her exact words?"

I nodded calmly.

“Of course.”

Close enough. What did it matter if a few details were exaggerated? The meaning was the same.

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