The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

---

“Did you have a fiancé?”

“Well, it’s a political engagement, but I do. The third prince of the Feiosha Marquis Family is my fiancé.”

What kind of sin has that third prince of the Feiosha Marquis Family committed to end up engaged to Shione?

Right now, thanks to my support in both material and moral matters, I could even be regarded as a person now.

Just a while ago, Shione was like a bear who hibernated in a cave, sleeping all year round.

“By your expression, it seems you don’t believe I have a fiancé, huh?”

“Ah… I will correct that.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m just as bewildered, so why wouldn’t you be?”

“…So, what should I do about going to the Feiosha Marquis Family?”

Ha…

Shione’s expression twisted as if she had a headache.

She ruffled her hair and rose from her seat.

Then, with her disheveled hair, she looked at me straight in the eye.

“I’ve never met that prince or even talked to him. Of course, I don’t know his name, so how am I supposed to know what to do?”

“It’s a date, of course. Don’t worry. Even if he’s a prince from the Marquis Family, he’s still just a man. I can teach you how to melt the hearts of men with your words and actions.”

“…Haha, you’re quite something.”

Clap, clap, clap.

Shione clapped in a dazed expression.

After snickering, she quickly continued speaking.

“Marrying someone who’s lived a life of a perfectly innocent man… No matter what other nobles think, I absolutely do not have any desire for this political marriage.”

“Are you really thinking of going to the Feiosha Marquis Family and promising to break off the engagement right away?”

“If possible, I definitely want to lead this to a breakup.”

“He’s not just some earl’s son; he’s a prince from a marquis family.”

“……”

Shione hesitated for a moment.

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

Watching her made me feel like I was looking at a puppy staring at its trusting owner.

“…You said you’d tell me the words and actions that a man would like?”

“That’s right. I’m also a man, so I can at least tell you the general ideas that might resonate with their hearts.”

There’s definitely something off about this gender reversal thing…

Well, I think people generally think the same way.

I should be able to help her a lot.

“Then… can you also tell me the words and actions that he would dislike?”

“…Huh?”

Is this child finally losing it?

To ask for actions that a fiancé, especially one from the Marquis Family, might dislike?

No matter how you look at it, even though he’s the third son, he is still a legitimate heir of the Feiosha Marquis Family.

It seems this kid has become a person in appearance only; the insides are still a bit immature.

“Is it really, really impossible…?”

“Seeing you say such nonsense that doesn’t sound like you, it seems like you’re under too much stress. Just wait a moment.”

“Where are you going suddenly?”

“I’m going to fetch some snacks. I think it’s better for you to relax while nibbling on some treats.”

“…Alright, I understand.”

*

I returned to Shione’s room with a plate full of various snacks.

Recently, since she had only been munching on apples, it seemed like she was looking forward to the sweets.

As soon as I entered, she shot up from the bed and rushed towards me.

She picked a treat off the plate and looked as if she owned the world.

“It’s so good since I haven’t had it in a while.”

“Please don’t stand there; eat at the table.”

“Alright, alright, I get it.”

As soon as I placed the plate on the table, Shione sat down and began inhaling the snacks.

Om nom nom.

Is she that obsessed with cookies?

She’s stuffing her cheeks like a squirrel to avoid having them snatched away.

At this rate, she’s bound to choke.

“I’ll bring some tea.”

Nod, nod.

As I fetched the refreshments, I poured the tea into her cup that was already on the table.

The moment I filled her cup, Shione grabbed it and gulped it down.

“Phew. I thought I was going to choke.”

“…Could you please take it slow?”

“I’ll try my best.”

Anyone would think she was possessed by a glutton.

If other nobles saw her like this, they wouldn’t have anything to say if they scolded her for losing face.

“Is it alright if I sit across from you?”

“Of course.”

Before sitting down, I prepared a cup of tea for myself too.

Then, sitting across from her, I calmly observed her.

As I looked at her, she started to pay attention to my gaze as she munched away at the treats.

“I suppose the prince from the Feiosha Family will also spend time sharing treats and talking with you, Shione.”

“…That’s probably true.”

“Then, in this situation, let me tell you the things men typically like.”

“…I’ll listen.”

Shione propped her chin like a sulky child.

No matter how much she wanted to break off the engagement, the other party was still from the Marquis Family.

There’s no harm in presenting herself positively.

Starting off like this is quite troublesome.

What if she ends up falling head over heels for that fiancé on the first sight?

I began speaking, ignoring Shione’s worries.

“When sharing snacks, keep a gentle smile. Also, only eat a tidbit when there’s a lull in the conversation, not like you’re devouring it now.”

I smiled lightly.

Since my nature isn’t particularly to smile often, Shione’s gaze hardly left the corner of my mouth, surprised.

She must be thinking something along the lines of “I didn’t think he’d be able to make such a face.”

I calmly received her gaze, and given the lull in conversation, I carefully picked up a cookie and popped it into my mouth.

As expected of a treat enjoyed by nobles, it was sweet and delicious.

Having savored the cookie quietly, I asked with a smile.

“How’s that? Simple, isn’t it?”

“…Uh? Right, it is simple.”

“Ah, just a moment please.”

As Shione stared at me blankly for a moment, I took a handkerchief from my servant’s attire.

I stood up from my chair, bent down, and approached Shione.

As I came closer, Shione froze.

Despite her still, her pupils were darting around as if there was an earthquake, unable to properly meet my eyes.

“Excuse me for a moment… You have crumbs on your mouth.”

I wiped the crumbs from her lips with the handkerchief.

Naturally, her face turned bright red.

I suppose she found this series of actions to be quite embarrassing.

Regardless of that, I merely smiled broader and calmly spoke.

“All clean now, Princess.”

I slowly stepped back from her and returned to my seat.

Then, I lifted my cup and enjoyed the fragrance of the tea while quietly sipping it.

The tea had a sweet initial taste and a bitter aftertaste, making it quite addictive.

Clink.

Setting the teacup down softly, I asked.

“With this much, Shione should be able to handle it easily, right?”

“I-It’s impossible!”

“Hmm… Then how about practicing with me until you get used to it? We still have plenty of snacks and tea left, so we could practice as many times as needed.”

Shione blushed while stealing glances at me several times.

In such a tiny voice that I could barely hear, she muttered.

“…Are you sure you are not a distant ancestor of an incubus or something?”

“Huh?”

“N-No, it’s nothing. Don’t mind me.”

Clears throat.

Shione awkwardly cleared her throat before finally saying something after a brief pause.

“So, you mean to say I should smile moderately and behave sensibly?”

“That’s right.”

“If it’s just that… I feel like I might be able to manage it somehow.”

“Do you not want to practice?”

“Of course!”

“Hm… Alright.”

Shione finally exhaled as if she had been brought back to life.

As for me, I couldn’t get enough of the surprisingly addicting tea and poured myself another cup.

A sweet beginning accompanied by a bitter finish…

Thanks to the aftertaste, I could indulge repeatedly without getting tired of the sweetness.

I really liked this tea.

I’ll have to sip it gradually whenever Shione is not around.

“I got tired thinking about my fiancé, so I’m going to take a nap in bed. You should find some time to rest too.”

“Understood.”

Shione stood up first.

Since her superior was getting up, it wouldn’t be appropriate for a servant like me to remain seated.

I also stood up to follow her.

“Ah…!”

Suddenly, Shione tripped over her own feet and began to fall toward me.

What is she, some kind of clumsy comedy character? How do you trip while just walking?

I chuckled and caught her from behind.

“Are you alright?”

I asked while checking her expression.

But without a doubt, her face looked anything but fine.

Her gaze was trembling uncontrollably.

And her cheeks were red from embarrassment.

Could it be that she’s under so much stress about her fiancé that she felt dizzy and fell over?

I placed my hand on her forehead.

“Shione, it seems you’re a bit hot… Are you okay?”

At my question, Shione lowered her head.

“…Get out of the room.”

“Huh?”

“I said… get out of the room.”

She quickly freed herself from my grip and dashed toward the bed.

She’s barely done that in a while.

Shione was now hiding under the covers as if it were the first day I had met her.

As I quietly observed her reaction, I noticed…

Peek.

Her head was poking out just like before.

With her reddened face, she shouted.

“…Leave!!”