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“My possession. He is solely my slave.”

The time and mental connection we’ve built have long surpassed the typical master-slave relationship.

The situation was quite peculiar, to say the least. From the very first moment we met, he has worked as my only servant.

Unlike the others who fled from my harsh words, he remained by my side.

He was the only one who stood by me.

But that wasn’t all.

Since he forced me to get up and hold my bow, I have never thought of him as just a lowly slave.

His character and temperament couldn’t be those of a slave who had spent his lifetime gazing through bars and listening to stories.

But right now, I unhesitatingly declared Ray as my… no, as my complete possession.

“Desiring what belongs to others isn’t a good look.”

I had no choice.

“Hmm—”

Just a moment ago, I instinctively sensed that the elf, who was somewhat mysterious in various ways, still hadn’t forgotten her greed for Ray.

And realizing that her interest and attention posed a greater potential threat than benefit for both Ray and me.

Friel began to stroke her lips while observing me.

The slender fingers brushing around her mouth caused Friel Arielte’s smile to subtly rise.

“…….”

Friel didn’t utter a word.

Her actions were merely displaying a pretty smile beyond that of a servant. Her glorious blonde hair swayed gently in the light breeze.

On a cloudless, sunny day, sunlight shone upon her face, enveloping it in a warm hue.

But perhaps due to the sunlight, her teal-colored pupils held a mixture of interest and an unsettling coolness.

Her smile could not simply be evaluated as beautiful.

“I’ve heard the Young Lady’s story. I have no desire to become estranged from you.”

Yet, contrary to her cold gaze,

Friel Arielte tightly closed her eyes and lowered her head first.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologize. Young Lady, would you accept my apology?”

Moreover, it felt as though she would continue bowing her head until I accepted.

“Please lift your head.”

“What that means—”

“I’ll accept it.”

“Thank you, Young Lady.”

I had accepted Friel’s apology.

However, I didn’t erase the lingering doubts I held toward her.

From her apology, I felt no weight. Truly, her voice and the bowed head were merely gestures for show.

A hollow apology could not turn around my already negative impression of her.

“Then, Young Lady—”

She finally lifted her head and naturally extended her right hand toward me.

In a gesture for a handshake, I slowly took her hand.

“I’ll see you soon at the Count’s House.”

The gentle hand of the smiling elf was truly cold.

In response to her words, I borrowed my sister’s words to reply.

“The Count’s House will welcome the Arielte family.”

Of course, at least this personal Shione would not welcome her.

*

My conversation with Sion at the church didn’t take long.

Given that Sion had been mostly living at the church for a while now rather than at the Count’s House, our exchange was brief and only simple greetings.

His arms and legs were all intact, and he seemed to be eating well. There was really nothing to worry about. I merely asked what he had been up to lately.

Since Shione had gone out under the pretense of welcoming Friel, the chat turned into Siaabel and Sion talking, while I quietly listened from behind.

“What happened to Shione?”

Like me, Shione didn’t seem particularly fond of Friel Arielte.

She was fully aware that Friel had tried to coerce me under her control.

Moreover, thanks to Friel’s antics, Shione had even pleaded with me, “Only look at me.”

I couldn’t help but worry a little since she didn’t seem to be able to find the right timing to come out and join us.

The subtle relationship between the two. I was just using the excuse of wanting to see off Friel when, in reality, I only hoped that Shione had decided to spend some time outside to avoid a rather awkward meeting with Sion.

Remaining still, as I listened to Sion and Siaabel’s exchange, I absorbed various bits of information.

“Friel spoke with the Paladins and the High Priests of the church.”

This piqued my interest.

The elves, who believed in the World Tree at the Great Forest as a deity and faith, wouldn’t just randomly engage with someone of such high rank in the Church.

There surely had to be a substantial reason behind it.

While I couldn’t easily guess the content of their discussions, it did stir my imagination.

What followed were several bits of miscellaneous information.

There were rumors that Sion would soon return to the Academy and that he had developed quite a friendly relationship with Shione’s former fiancé, Evan Feiosha.

And, if possible, he wanted to further his training as a Battle Priest.

“Why would you want to be a Battle Priest of all things?”

Running into a dangerous battlefield while wielding a mace to heal allies surely required more than just the general training of a priest.

They had to navigate bloody and screaming grounds, requiring some proficiency in martial skills and weapons, so a certain innate talent was necessary as well.

Still, given that Sion was well-known in the realm as an exceptional warrior, he would probably manage it without too much trouble.

“Sion, why do you suddenly want to be a Battle Priest?”

“I’ll tell you next time.”

Sion was cagey about revealing the precise reasons behind his decision to endure such hardship.

As I grew curious about it while wanting to hear more, I clicked my tongue at the frustrating end to our conversation.

Finally, Shione Shianella returned to the church.

I quietly slipped towards the entrance of the church to greet Shione.

“You’re here.”

While I greeted her, I noticed the strangely twisted corners of Shione’s mouth and her crinkled eyes.

Whatever had happened outside, she was making noticeably displeased faces whenever she glanced at Friel Arielte inside the church.

“…Yeah.”

And she tried to hide it, but her irritated tone shined through rather clearly.

It seemed she had indeed spoken with Friel outside.

*

After a full day out, we returned to the Count’s House.

Siaabel followed me to Shione’s room. We exchanged simple farewells.

Siaabel naturally stroked Shione’s hair as she spoke.

“I’ll tell Mother that the Arielte family visited from the Great Forest. You should rest well, Shione.”

“I will.”

“By the way, how was your day? Was it fun?”

Shione smiled softly at that question.

“The dining hall was nice… and the plum blossoms were incredibly beautiful.”

“That’s good to hear. Should we go see the plum blossoms together again next year?”

“Really?”

“Of course. Let’s slyly mention it to Mother next year. Let’s take a day off and have some fun together.”

“Even so, won’t it be a bit hard on Mother…?”

“Well, what’s the big deal? If taking a day off causes problems, it’s not—”

With a sweep of her elbow in the air instead of her busy right arm that was still stroking Shione’s hair.

“A sandcastle that collapses with just a tap on the beach.”

“Pfft.”

Despite my attempt to hide my feelings, Shione couldn’t manage to conceal her pouty expression due to Siaabel’s comical demeanor.

Finally, a bright laugh escaped Shione’s lips.

With a cute smile, Shione looked up at Siaabel with joy.

“So, Sister.”

“Yes?”

“Uh… how long do you plan to keep petting my hair?”

“Continuously? Your hair is so soft, I can’t help but keep going. Want to stroke my hair a bit too, Shione?”

After pondering for a moment, Shione briefly nodded her head.

Siaabel suddenly gathered her hair like a brush and began rubbing Shione’s face with it. With several silly antics, Shione’s gloom lifted entirely.

Siaabel confirmed that her sister’s mood had brightened, and nodded with satisfaction.

“Well, I’ll be off now, Shione.”

At Siaabel’s words, the two exchanged farewells, and Shione entered her room first.

Following her, I nodded to Siaabel and was about to enter my room when—

Thump.

“Ray.”

Suddenly, Siaabel, her expression a cold mask, grabbed my wrist.

“Can you tell me about Shione and that elf next time?”

It seemed Siaabel hadn’t missed noticing Shione’s wary expression toward Friel, like a sensitive cat.

“The elf… You mean Friel Arielte, right?”

“Yes. Ever since we met that elf, Shione’s expression has been hardening. I feel like there’s something going on. I plan to discuss it with Mother… but I think you might know something.”

An opportunity to enlighten a member of Shianella about the true nature of the elf? It would be strange to pass that up.

I quickly nodded.

“Of course, I will let you know.”

“Come to the private training grounds a bit earlier than usual tomorrow. I think we need to have a talk.”

If it’s about the philosophy and behavioral psychology of elves, I pride myself on being the continent’s foremost expert.

*

As the sun began to set, enveloping the world in beautiful crimson hues,

I sat quietly, relaxing my tired legs while enjoying tea.

While I was lazily spending my time, I felt a familiar gaze.

It must be Shione looking at me again. Wondering what she wanted now, I glanced at her.

Flinch.

“……?”

As soon as she locked eyes with me, she trembled for a moment. However, instead of avoiding my gaze, she held on, exchanging glances with determination.

Thus began the peculiar stares she kept giving me today, lost in her thoughts repeatedly.

…Of course, she had done this somewhat before, but today felt particularly intense.

Then, with determination in her eyes, Shione suddenly rose from her seat.

‘What’s happening?’

What decision she had made, she walked over dramatically and sat down across from me.

With a gentle swish,

She began to unbutton the top two buttons of her comfortable indoor outfit with stiff movements.

Between the parted fabric, her pale skin briefly showed.

“Hmmm….”

What on earth did Shione want to do?

Picking up the cookie she brought but unable to eat it, I watched as she reached out her hand.

She tightly grabbed my right hand that was holding the cookie, stealing it away from me.

She casually placed the cookie in her mouth.

‘……?’

Wait, did she go through all this trouble just to swipe a single cookie?

As I blankly stared at her, she took my right hand with both of hers and brought it to her cheek.

…I could feel the cookie she had stored in her cheek, but I tried to ignore it.

“Fuuum….”

Shione seemed to enjoy the warmth of my hand.

Lick.

Oh my gosh, how serious was she about that cookie?

As if one cookie wasn’t enough, she even started licking the crumbs off my index finger and thumb.

“What are you doing…?”

“That elf doesn’t even register in my eyes….”

Shione glanced at me sideways.

“…Seduction.”

Oh my gosh.

 

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