The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

---

Ever since the head of the family lost consciousness, the troops of the Baron Family have been keeping their distance from future battle operations, remaining on standby at Arael Fortress as emergency reinforcements for the kingdom.

Their only tasks consisted of maintaining their individual equipment and resting as long as their discipline didn’t waver. Naturally, this led them to spend the remaining time chatting with their fellow survivors.

Among them, the spearmen of the Baron Family and the archers of the Count’s House were engrossed in conversation.

“You’re slumped in the corner again, huh? I just came back from the Count’s side. You didn’t wait here all alone because you had no one to talk to, did you?”

“Of course not. But it’s clear that you’d be more comfortable back at your family’s place. You came to the Baron Family just because you missed me, right?”

“I’m still tied to the Baron Family for my service. What on earth is that crazy woman babbling about? Enough with the nonsense, I have some good news, so listen up.”

At the mention of good news, the soldiers of the Baron Family began to show interest.

“Last time, the royal knights serving Princess Shione claimed victory in the battle by the North Sea. This time, the Alenarr Marquis personally traveled around the northern region beneath the fortress and secured stability.”

“Looks like everything is finally falling into place. I might actually be able to go home now.”

“Was the cold northern wind that hard to adapt to?”

“Of course! I’ve never experienced such a harsh winter in my lifelong existence.”

“Ha ha. For someone like you, I have one more heartwarming piece of news.”

As if urging him to speak quickly, his friend looked on with squinted eyes. The archer responded with a triumphant tone.

“The Baron has come out. Apparently, he’s speaking with our head right now.”

“…Is that true? How is he doing?”

“I figured you’d have heard since the news has spread around here quite a bit. It seems you haven’t, though?”

“Cut the jokes for later, let’s talk about our head first.”

Since being sent to Arael Fortress, the head of the family hadn’t revealed himself before the ordinary soldiers.

No matter how many leaders who met with him claimed he wasn’t in poor condition, those who remembered the head slumping atop Hanelrn’s horse couldn’t bring themselves to believe he was healthy until they saw it with their own eyes.

Having been rescued multiple times since the first battle, she reacted quite sensitively to news about the head.

“It seems he’s grown a bit thin after being asleep for so long, according to those who saw him. However… they said his complexion looked bright, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Haah… I’m finally feeling a bit relieved.”

“By the way, it’s great for you. With the war coming to an end and the Baron waking up, won’t he finally ask you your name like he promised?”

As the archer said this, they began to slowly observe the woman in front of them.

The coward who trembled at the prospect of war. The inexperienced soldier, too busy blindly stabbing at foes while shouting of evils, had vanished. It seemed as if the hefty gain from real combat experience had revealed the cool composure typical of a trained spearmen.

At this point, even the deputy commander of the special mission team would feel delight in her growth.

“Surely, you hadn’t forgotten. There had been so much going on.”

“That’s impossible. The Baron remembers me, so how could he not remember you? But it’s better to wait with hope…”

As their trivial conversation continued, three leaders soon approached them.

Leading the trio was Captain Hanelrn, flanked by Theia, the charge leader, and Dorothy, the magic brigade leader.

As all three leaders focused on the two, the soldiers, in surprise, saluted with voices full of discipline.

Did they make too much noise? The tension of possibly receiving a stern word was creeping up.

Hanelrn took a step aside and addressed the one who seemed to be the soldier the head was looking for.

“It appears this person is the soldier the head was searching for. I, too, remember them as someone who wielded their spear diligently to protect our head.”

At first glance, the man seemed cold and unfeeling. Yet, despite his seemingly indifferent exterior, the head had always shown particular concern for the soldiers.

“Did you think I’d forget?”

“H-Head!”

“While Princess Shione has yet to officially declare victory, it feels like it’s sufficient to hear your name now. Can you tell me your name?”

“What are you waiting for, hurry up and say it.”

“Meltrin…! My name is Meltrin!”

“Meltrin… Meltrin… Ah, and I’d like to adapt your story and share it during the Baron Family’s victory ceremony. Is that alright?”

“It’s an honor…!”

“Good. I remember you. The spearmen who feared war, Meltrin. You’ve truly become a proper soldier and hero.”

“…!”

“I’ll be looking forward to your future achievements as well.”

“I will surely meet your expectations…!”

In the midst of this whirlwind, the head departed with the three leaders, leaving Meltrin dumbfounded as she stared blankly at the spot where he had been.

A hand from the archer rested on her shoulder.

“Looks like you hit the jackpot.”

“…?”

“You received such attention from the head; you’ll only have to walk a smooth road to promotion from now on.”

“Oh.”

“With all that, if your story gets mentioned at the victory ceremony, you might jump straight to being a 30-man captain, don’t you think?”

Overwhelmed with emotion, she could barely shout, waving her arms in joyous delirium while expressing her sheer happiness.

As word of this spread and ignited excitement in the Baron Family’s military camp, the head and the small Cotton Puff also engaged in some trivial chatter after discussing plans for the upcoming events at the Baron Family.

“Meow.”

“Are you being too generous with those gestures, huh?”

“Meow!”

“Of course I have to maintain my image. The more good stories spread around, the more they’ll listen to me in the future.”

“Blah!”

“Don’t be saying such mean things. Plus, the distance from the north to the Baron Family is no small feat.”

Finally, the head’s inner thoughts emerged.

“If I show how much I care for the soldiers, they won’t complain too much while marching, right?”

*

“News has arrived from the Central Fortress!”

“Victory! Princess Adelhaite has officially declared the end of the war and our victory!”

Thanks to the victory news spreading from the Central Fortress, Arael Fortress began to stir with festivities in no time.

The previously tense atmosphere eased, and everyone set aside their worries, reveling in the fact that they had won.

Thus, I, too, decided to leave discussions about troublesome issues aside today and perhaps release some stress by hopping between the Count’s and Baron’s houses—

“Shione, what brings you here?”

“I heard from Mother. She mentioned that you’re planning to return to the Baron’s estate without giving me any hint again?”

“Ah.”

Caught at the door by Shione, who had just pinned me down, I found myself with no further options.

“…There’s a reason for all this.”

“There’s bound to be a reason. Ray is a baron; he has to lead his family. He has obligations to care for those who participated in the war.”

“…….”

“But, isn’t it a bit off that I heard about this from your mother rather than from Ray himself?”

Facing the pressure of Shione’s assertive questioning, I found myself leaning towards giving in rather than finding a way out.

Getting into a fuss would only worsen her mood, so it seemed wise to just take it on the chin.

“…Should I wash away my sins with death?”

“No way. If you die, I’ll die too. Why go that route?”

Her chilling voice struck right at my heart, containing no hint of wavering.

Having gained the upper hand, Shione glimmered her eyes with a playful grin. Slowly, she approached me and said.

“You can pay me back with your body.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Would I say it if I weren’t?”

Shione wrapped her arms tightly around me.

Perhaps she was also enjoying the rare moment of victory without any bordering operations or fights.

The usual cold scent of dusty earth was replaced with the pleasant aroma of perfume that tingled my nostrils.

‘Looks like things are calm at the fortress.’

After all, Shione was one of the most spirited women in this realm.

Given that I ended up spending a considerable amount of time in the comfortably isolated room at Arael Fortress, it seemed I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

“So, how do you like it? Are you satisfied?”

“Just this? It’s not enough.”

She clasped her arms around my body, unwilling to let go, as if trying to stay as close as possible.

Through the closely pressed warmth of her skin, I could almost hear the rapid beating of her heart, creating an illusion that time itself came to a halt.

To the purring Shione, I responded.

“Well, there should be no lack going forward. Can you let me off just this once?”

“…There won’t be any lack in the future… Want to elaborate a bit more?”

“I heard you plan to return to the Baron estate soon, but it seems you haven’t been told about other matters by Ainel.”

With the recent weather often being more cloudy than sunny, her already fair skin had grown even whiter, resembling a fairy combined with her silver hair and wall-eyed gaze.

As she sat nestled against me, casting suspicious glances my way, I hastily answered to prevent being drawn into her playful mischief.

“Ainel has been urging me to decide on whether or not to get engaged to you as soon as possible.”

“…….”

“I plan to officially send a letter to the Count’s House once I return as the head of the family.”

“…No way?”

“You also said you wanted to get engaged after this winter’s war ended, didn’t you? It wouldn’t hurt to have the ceremony and take a rest now.”

Her expression shifted as she briefly opened her mouth, revealing a smile beginning to form at the corners.

“…Really?”

“Do you think I’d joke about such important matters?”

Finally, the topic of engagement with Shione emerged.

She beamed a radiant smile that instantly turned into a blush.

With her head bowed low, she pressed her forehead against my chest.

Tap. Tap.

Hiding her face in disbelief, she let out small laughter reminiscent of a broken robot.

“Haah… No matter how much I think about it, you—”

After exhaling a warm breath, Shione’s expression turned resolute.

“…It seems you really know how to drive a person mad.”

It felt as though the talk about our engagement had awakened something deep within her.