The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Noah Beleia (4)

Yesterday was incredibly annoying, getting caught in reverse by Sione after my own scheme.

What jealousy was she even talking about?

Perhaps because of that ridiculous misunderstanding, Sione's nervous behavior around Noah had vanished.

She smiled brightly all day and refused to leave my side.

With so many people in the royal palace.

And since many of the palace attendants were of noble birth.

It was quite a burden having to endure their suspicious gazes while escorting Sione around.

'Having just servants around would be better.'

The palace was currently packed with other nobles for tomorrow's princess's coming of age ceremony and evening banquet.

What good could come from a grown Count's daughter being so close to an attendant like me?

'Just what wind is blowing to make her act like this?'

Sione's increasingly bold clinging lately was quite burdensome.

Look, even now.

Sparkle sparkle.

Sione was peeking her head out from her rolled-up blanket, sprawled on the bed, staring at me again.

Just what could be new about a face she saw every day? Wasn't she tired of it? I wished she'd stop staring like she'd wear my face out.

"Hehe."

This kid didn't understand my feelings at all, just grinning happily when our eyes met.

Since it was obvious I'd be trapped in this endless cycle until the evening banquet if we stayed cooped up in the room.

I called Sione's name.

"Lady Sione."

Tilt?

Instead of answering, Sione just tilted her head.

Though she could have just said "what is it?" She just tilted her head as if even speaking was bothersome, which felt a bit irritating.

Suppressing my urge to give her a light knock on the head, I continued:

"Do you remember what we discussed yesterday?"

"What we discussed yesterday? If you mean yesterday's discussion... about fixing things with Noah?"

"I mean what we discussed after that."

"After talking about Noah."

Sione let out a deflating laugh as if looking at something trivial and cute.

"You mean about how you were jealous?"

...What should I do with this kid?

Though I stayed quiet since I knew it was just a misunderstanding that led to her delusion.

I hadn't expected to see this kind of reaction. It was unfair, so unfair.

I let out a small sigh and shook my head.

"I mean about looking around the palace gardens."

"Ah, the gardens."

From her reaction, she'd completely forgotten and only remembered about the gardens after hearing my words.

"Since we're entering autumn weather now, you'll be able to see different flowers from summer. Rather than just staying in the room, how about looking at some flowers?"

"Good idea. I should get ready to go out."

"An excellent choice."

Sione got up from her bed and stretched.

As she raised both arms to the sky to loosen her stiff body, her top rode up showing her cute belly button.

When I first saw her, she had been so fat she could have died of diabetes any moment. Who would have thought she'd become this slender and enviable?

As I was feeling proud about saving a life.

Perhaps because I was staring too obviously, Sione quickly pulled down her top with her hands. As expected, her cheeks were flushed red.

"W-what are you staring at...!"

"It couldn't be helped. You suddenly stretched in front of me, Lady Sione."

"...You were staring too intently for that."

Just what was she thinking now? This time Sione started giving me subtle looks.

"Could you be interested in my body-"

What nonsense was she spouting now?

I immediately cut off Sione's words.

"I have absolutely no interest in others' bodies or stomachs, so don't worry."

At my unwavering declaration, Sione's cheeks started turning explosively red.

She seemed to realize what ridiculous thing she had been about to say.

I spoke briefly to Sione who started twisting her body like she wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

"Change your clothes and tidy yourself up. I'll wait outside."

Nod nod.

Leaving Sione with her head bowed low, I left her room.

I leaned against the wall beside the door and let out an exhausted sigh.

"Hah..."

Why was I already this tired when I hadn't done anything? I worried about how much harder tonight's banquet would be.

***

As if announcing summer's departure and autumn's arrival, a cool breeze brushed my nose bridge bringing an autumn fragrance.

Though the sunlight had been harsh and painful in the Beltrin Mountains, today's sunlight was cozy rather than harsh, warm rather than painful.

"The weather has improved a lot. Perfect weather for flower viewing."

"I agree. I'm glad the hot days are over."

"Since you're knowledgeable about flowers, Lady Sione... could you tell me about autumn flowers?"

"Why ask when we can just see them?"

"Isn't there a big difference between looking with knowledge versus without? I just want to hear from you first so I can look more carefully."

"If that's what you want..."

We headed to the garden while listening to Sione's explanations.

Just as Sione had specifically pointed out.

The garden was beautifully blooming with cosmos and chrysanthemums.

Moreover, occasional clusters of bellflowers mixed in added a delicate charm.

As expected of a garden next to the royal palace.

Not only were the flowers well-tended, but the sculptures placed here and there were also extraordinary.

As we were looking around the garden like this.

"Sione...!"

Like yesterday at the clothing shop.

Someone called Sione's name from a distance.

Glossy black hair, quite short for a man. Moreover, that exceedingly gentle-looking handsome face.

It was Noah Beleia whom we'd seen yesterday.

"Why is Noah here..."

"Didn't you say yesterday that Lord Noah likes flowers too, Lady Sione? It seems he came to look at the garden like us."

"Ugh..."

"This is a chance - how about looking around the garden with Lord Noah?"

"...Right now I want to walk the garden with you, Ray."

"Are you going to miss this good opportunity then?"

Nothing is better for reestablishing or developing relationships between people than conversation.

This was none other than a garden. Not only did Sione and Noah share an interest in flowers, but Noah was showing such a delighted expression.

We couldn't miss such a good opportunity.

Though Sione didn't like it, she seemed to think the same as me since she couldn't outright refuse.

"I'll watch from behind, so please talk comfortably."

"Can I do well?"

"If it's none other than you, Lady Sione, I believe you can do it well."

"...Quite a heavy belief."

I moved behind Sione.

Then Noah approached Sione with quick steps and greeted her while waving.

"Hello, Sione...?"

"...Yes. Hello, Noah."

Though the awkward atmosphere was unavoidable.

"I thought I'd only see you at tonight's banquet... I didn't expect to meet you here."

"...I didn't expect to meet in the garden either. Did you get back alright yesterday...?"

Noah showed a warm smile and nodded at Sione's question.

Looking at Sione and the garden around her, Noah asked:

"By the way, a garden... don't you dislike places like this, Sione?"

Sione shook her head at Noah's words.

Noah's pupils followed her swaying hair.

"...Not at all. I quite like flowers and gardens."

Surprise and joy spread across Noah's face at Sione's words.

For a moment Noah took in Sione's appearance with round eyes, then smiled even more gently than before.

"No way. You used to hate flowers, saying they weren't womanly. You always ran away when I asked to look at flowers together."

Come to think of it, hadn't Sione mentioned yesterday? That she hadn't particularly liked flowers when she was close with Noah.

I recalled the reason Sione had told me she liked flowers.

-Because flowers bloom. Breaking out of their tight, dark seeds to put down roots, sprouting new shoots and constantly striving until they finally bloom. Isn't that quite admirable?

Most likely Sione's reason for liking flowers was her admiration for how, unlike herself, they ultimately produced beautiful and brilliant results.

From Sione's stories, it seemed she had known Noah even when she was training in spear and magic without any talent.

Yet seeing how Noah didn't know my master now liked flowers, Sione must have started liking them after she began retreating to her room.

So Sione seemed about to speak up to tell him about her changed appreciation for flowers.

"Actually-"

"Could it be... because of me?"

Suddenly Noah started saying something incomprehensible.

Just how did he come to that conclusion about why Sione came to the garden?

Both me and Sione.

We stared at Noah with bewildered feelings.

"I thought Sione had forgotten everything about me... but you still remembered that I like flowers."

"Eh...?"

"Did you come all the way to the garden thinking I'd be here?"

The already tangled thoughts between them became even more entangled.

"Thank you, Sione."

And the more tangled things became, the more brightly and energetically Noah treated Sione.

Though I wasn't quite sure of the details, it seemed some enormous misunderstanding was forming in Noah's mind, and Sione was helplessly getting swept along at Noah's pace.

I began watching their interaction with great interest.

Meanwhile, as if unable to handle Noah's words anymore.

Wearing the expression of a child facing an incredibly difficult problem, Sione glanced back at me.

I nodded while sending her a look meant to fully convey my thoughts.

-The atmosphere isn't bad, so let's keep going with this.

-Really?

-Would I lie?

Even if it came from Noah's misunderstanding, we couldn't just kick away this good atmosphere.

Sione let out a small breath and returned to conversing with Noah.

"By the way, how have you been lately, Sione...?"

"Lately... nothing much different except starting archery practice."

"Archery?"

Noah expressed doubt at Sione's mention of archery.

It was a natural reaction.

He must have thought that if a Sianella daughter had no talent for sword and spear, she would at least practice similar weapons.

For archery, such an unfamiliar weapon, to suddenly come up.

"Didn't you want to become a knight, Sione? But archery..."

Sione's eyes deepened at Noah's question.

"...My thoughts about what makes a knight have changed a lot. At first I thought knights were swordsmen who handle Aura Blade like our house's ancestors."

Sione turned her head slightly to meet my eyes.

"Now I think a knight is someone who has the power to save and protect others, regardless of weapon type."

Sione smiled slightly and met Noah's eyes again.

"...How about it? Archery's not bad when you think of it that way, right?"

At Sione's words, Noah's shoulders shook.

"Sione..."

Just how had he misunderstood Sione's words this time?

Tears started welling up in Noah's eyes.

Even if men in this world were sensitive.

Just why was Noah getting so emotional over words like these...

Was it because he was our Sione's childhood friend?

At least to my eyes, this Noah Beleia fellow wasn't normal either.

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