The Male Slave of House Sianella - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: The Hard Road (2)

"You had a fiancé?"

"Well, it's purely political, but yes. They say the third young master of House Feiosha is my fiancé."

What sin could this third young master of House Feiosha have committed to end up engaged to Sione?

True, thanks to my care she's become human now, but until recently...

Sione was like a bear, hibernating year-round buried in her cave.

"Judging by your expression, you find it hard to believe I have a fiancé too."

"Ah... I'll fix my expression."

"No, it's fine. I can hardly believe it myself, so why would you be any different?"

"...Then what will you do at House Feiosha?"

"Hah..."

Sione wrinkled her expression as if she had a splitting headache.

She ruffled her hair as she sat up.

Then stared straight at me with her now-disheveled hair.

"I've never met or spoken with him even once. Moreover, I don't even properly know this young master's name, but isn't it obvious what I need to do?"

"A date. Don't worry. Even if he's a young master of a marquis house, he's still a man—I'll teach you how to make men's hearts melt."

"...Haha, you're quite something."

Clap clap clap.

Sione clapped with a dumbfounded expression.

Then she snorted and quickly continued:

"Marriage to someone who's lived as a pure man until now? I don't know about other nobles, but I have zero interest in this kind of political marriage."

"...Surely you're not thinking of going to the Feiosha Marquisate just to arrange for the engagement to be broken off?"

"If possible. I'd like to lead things toward breaking it off somehow."

"This is an engagement with a young master of a marquis house, not just another count's son."

"..."

Sione hesitated for a moment.

Then she looked at me with sparkling eyes, as if she'd made up her mind.

Looking at her like that, she reminded me of a puppy staring at its trusted master.

"...You said you'd teach me how men like to be treated?"

"Yes. Being a man myself, I should at least be able to tell you things that would appeal to typical men."

Though the gender-reversed aspect is a bit tricky...

Well, thinking that people's thoughts are basically similar everywhere.

I should be able to help sufficiently.

"Then... can you also teach me behaviors that would make him dislike me?"

"...Pardon?"

Has she finally lost her mind?

Asking me to teach her behaviors that would make a marquis's son—and her fiancé at that—dislike her?

Even if he's the third son, he's still a proper son of House Feiosha.

Looking at this brat, it seems only her exterior became human while her inside is still not quite there.

"Really, really not possible...?"

"Seeing you speak such nonsense so unlike yourself, you must be under too much stress. Please wait a moment."

"Where are you suddenly going?"

"I'll bring some refreshments. It would be better to think things through slowly while having some snacks."

"...Alright, fine."

***

I returned to Sione's room with a plate full of various snacks.

Recently she'd been just munching on apples instead of such sweets, so she must have been excited for the treats.

As soon as I entered, she got up from the bed and pattered over to me.

After picking up one snack from the plate and eating it, her expression melted into one of pure contentment.

"Since it's been so long, this is just too good."

"Instead of standing here like this, why don't you eat at the table?"

"Yes, yes, alright."

The moment I set the plate on the table, Sione sat down and began inhaling the snacks.

Munch munch munch.

Could cookies really be that good?

It was quite something to see her stuffing her cheeks like a squirrel, as if afraid someone might steal them.

She'll obviously choke eating like that.

"I'll bring some tea."

Nod nod.

I poured the tea I'd brought with the snacks into her teacup on the table.

Sione snatched up the cup the moment I finished pouring and gulped it down.

"Whew. Thought I was going to die choking."

"...Please eat more slowly."

"I'll try."

Anyone watching would think she was possessed.

If other nobles saw this, I'd have nothing to say if they scolded her to maintain some dignity.

"Would it be alright if I sit across from you?"

"Of course."

Before sitting opposite her, I prepared a cup of tea for myself.

Then, sitting across from Sione, I calmly watched her.

As I continued watching, even she, who had been mindlessly devouring snacks, began to notice my gaze.

"No doubt you and the young master of House Feiosha will spend time sharing refreshments and conversation like this."

"...I suppose so."

"Then let me teach you things that men would like in this situation."

"I'll listen for now."

Sione propped her chin on her hand with a sulky expression, as if displeased.

Even if she wanted to break off the engagement, given that the other party was a marquis house...

There was nothing to lose by making a good impression.

It's troublesome that she's being like this from the start.

What if she ends up falling for this fiancé at first sight?

Regardless of her attitude, I began my instruction:

"Maintain a slight smile while sharing refreshments. Also, unlike now, you should only take one snack during pauses in conversation."

I showed a slight smile.

Being naturally disinclined to smile, Sione's gaze wouldn't leave my lips, as she'd rarely seen me smile before.

She's probably thinking something like 'I didn't know he could make an expression like that.'

Calmly accepting her gaze, I carefully picked up a cookie and put it in my mouth during this pause in conversation.

Perhaps because it was nobles' snacks, it was indeed sweet and delicious.

After quietly finishing the cookie, I asked with a smile:

"How about it? Simple, right?"

"...Huh? Oh, yes, simple."

"Ah, please wait a moment."

Ignoring Sione who was staring at me blankly.

I took out a handkerchief from my servant uniform pocket.

I raised my hips from the chair and leaned forward toward Sione.

She froze as my face drew closer.

Unlike her rigid body, her pupils shook wildly as if in an earthquake, unable to meet my gaze properly.

"Excuse me... there are crumbs on your mouth."

I wiped her mouth with the handkerchief.

Her face turned bright red in response.

She must have found this series of actions embarrassing.

Regardless.

I just showed a bigger smile and spoke naturally:

"All clean, my lady."

I gradually moved away from Sione and returned to my seat.

Then I lifted my teacup, enjoyed the aroma, and quietly savored the tea.

It was a tea that made you want to keep drinking, with an initial sweetness and bitter finish.

Clink.

Gently setting down the teacup, I asked:

"Surely you can manage this much?"

"Th-th-there's no way I could!"

"Hmm... then how about practicing with me until you get used to it? We still have plenty of snacks and tea, so we can practice several times."

After looking up at me several times with a red face, Sione spoke in a voice so small I could barely hear it:

"...Could your distant ancestor perhaps have been an incubus?"

"Pardon?"

"N-no. It's nothing, don't mind it."

Ahem ahem.

Sione awkwardly cleared her throat for a moment.

Only after taking a turn to compose herself did she speak with her cleared throat:

"Right, you're saying to smile appropriately and act with sensibility?"

"That's right."

"That much... I think I can manage somehow."

"Are you sure you don't want to practice?"

"O-of course!"

"Hmm... alright then."

Sione finally sighed as if she'd survived something.

Meanwhile, I, unable to forget the surprisingly addictive tea taste, poured and drank another cup.

Initially sweet then ending with a bitter taste that balanced the sweetness...

The bitter finish created a subtle charm that let you drink multiple cups without getting tired of the sweetness.

I quite like this tea.

I'll have to secretly drink some when Sione isn't looking from now on.

"Thinking about my fiancé has made me tired. I'm going to sleep in bed for a while, so you should take a rest too."

"Understood."

Sione stood up first.

A lowborn servant can't keep sitting when their master has stood up.

I also stood to follow her, when—

"Ah...!"

Out of nowhere, Sione tripped over her own feet and began falling toward me.

What kind of slapstick comedy is this, tripping over your own feet while walking fine?

I caught her from behind with a small smile.

"Are you alright?"

I asked while checking her condition, but...

Her face definitely didn't look alright.

Wildly trembling gaze.

And ears turned red with embarrassment.

Could she be dizzy from stress about her fiancé and falling from a fever?

I placed my hand on her forehead.

"Lady Sione, you seem to have a slight fever... are you alright?"

At my question, Sione hung her head low.

"...Get out of the room."

"Pardon?"

"G-get... out of the room."

She quickly broke free from my arms and ran to the bed.

Though she rarely did this lately.

Sione hid under the blankets just like when I first met her.

As I quietly watched her reaction.

Peek.

She even poked out just her head the same way.

With a bright red face, she shouted:

"...Get out!!”

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