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The retainers of the Count’s House generally hold substantial prestige. They primarily handle the practical matters within the Count’s domain and drive the future development of the family through the dispersal of various opinions.

Most of them move like the hands of Ainel, the head of the family, but a few struggle to assert their will by attaching themselves to Siabel and Sion. The retainer before us is also someone who tends to exhibit a bit of an attitude within Sion’s faction.

Yet, despite their high status, retainers are still retainers. Even though they are associated with the Count’s House, they must be cautious in their words and actions before Shione, who carries the blood of that house—especially in a place where many eyes are watching.

“Surely the name is—”

“The bustling affairs must be accepted willingly for the revival of the Count’s House, I am Piana Trilla,” she interjected.

Upon hearing her name, Shione seemed to recall something.

She began to gaze at Piana with a hollow look that transcended mere coldness.

“…So you are Lady Piana Trilla. I’ve heard you are a noble who provides strong support to Sion.”

Piana subtly extended her hand to request a handshake. Shione, after a moment’s hesitance, took her hand calmly. However, her displeasure was evident in that handshake.

‘…I don’t know about Sion, but this person is quite the different story.’

Piana was one of those who, in the past, sowed discord between Sion and herself, further burying her into the ground. Though she may have elevated Sion’s standing through this, she must not reveal herself before Shione.

Shione concealed her annoyance with a chilly expression, subtly expressing her twisted mood.

The calloused hands of a warrior cannot be the same as the delicate hands of a scholar wielding a pen. Alongside Shione’s indifferent reaction, the imposing presence felt during their handshake compelled Piana to erase any semblance of comfort from her face.

Then her eyes darted around, scanning her surroundings.

‘Looks like she’s finally noticed the reactions around her.’

The elite knights of the Count’s House follow the head of the family. If the elite knights work in tandem with Siabel, then the troops in the training ground and shooting range have strong affinities toward Shione, who has proven success through her efforts.

That Piana supports Sion is well-known. They were aware of the vicious relationship before the reconciliation between Shione and Sion and couldn’t be oblivious to Shione’s unusual expression, so it felt like each was on guard against the lone retainer.

“What brings you here today, Lady? I can’t imagine it’s to practice archery.”

“Many eyes are upon us, making it difficult to discuss here… However, I wished to talk briefly about how I might be a strength to Princess Shione moving forward. Would it be alright to change the venue for our conversation?”

“To be a strength for me—”

Piana inadvertently confessed her mistake with that remark.

To suggest that a scholar participating in the discussion of the region’s policy could be of assistance indicates an intention to form a supporting faction or a mutually cooperative relationship. And citing that there are many eyes watching, she implied that a deeper conversation might unfold than expected.

This could easily be interpreted by the listener as her making a declaration of turning away from Sion’s faction. It was improper to bring up such an important matter so suddenly. At least it wasn’t right to twist words in a shooting range filled with the smell of sweat during the daytime, especially proposing it to Shione.

Shione shot me a piercing look, evidently irritated by the audacity of Piana, who had disrupted the shooting range since her arrival.

“If it were such an important matter, you should have given me a heads-up. Unfortunately, I have received neither a schedule from my servant nor any urgent tasks,” she stated.

That kid is irritating and annoying. Who shows up unannounced when it’s not an urgent matter, looking like everything is just important to them?

I responded to Shione’s words without much thought.

“There hasn’t been a single letter or request addressed to Lady Piana Trilla until this morning. Would you like to take some time now to converse, or shall we arrange a separate schedule?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to carve out time now… Is there something urgent?”

Just who told her to show up without any notice and interrupt the shooting practice? It seems like she’s trying to ride on Shione’s coattails without any decorum.

With that vague expression from both our sentences, she let out a hollow laugh. As the surrounding attention intensified, she seemed to try somehow to manage her expressions. It was clear she realized how shameless she was being, and we enjoyed seeing her fluster.

Just as Piana was fumbling and about to speak again—

“Well, it’s lovely to see Lady Piana Trilla here,” Diolia appeared.

Piana had no choice but to close her mouth again.

Her eyes darted past Diolia to the old man beside her, clearly harboring feelings of panic.

‘Diolia is used to living in the training ground of the Count’s House, so that’s expected… but who is that old man beside her?’

The gentleman who entered alongside Diolia casually surveyed the crowd. As soon as his gaze met Piana’s, an icy pressure emanated from him.

His luscious hair displayed a flash of gray, and he casually swept it back, showcasing distinguished features while leaning on a cane—truly the embodiment of a distinguished elder.

“Your voice was loud enough to be heard outside the shooting range. Lady Piana, it seems you’ve sought a casual chat with a war hero… without any prior notice. Not to mention, the soldiers are struggling to concentrate on training because of you.”

Diolia cut in sharply.

The bold knight who had secretly laughed while stroking the Cotton Puff was nowhere to be found. The cold-hearted knight, who seized the opportunity to join the Royal Knights Order, was the one chastising Piana for her rudeness.

“Mind your manners, Lady Piana.”

While she often carries out duties alongside Siabel, she is a knight not belonging to Siabel’s faction. Rather, she is the leader of her own elite group within the Count’s House, having prioritised entering the Royal Knights Order.

“There are many knights like myself standing behind Princess Shione.”

Whether it was comradeship or a declaration of support for Shione remained ambiguous, but that vague expression was enough to unsettle Piana.

The ignorant retainer. It’s quite well-known, so why is it that she’s making things so difficult for herself without properly scheduling such a simple appointment? If you’re lacking in wits, your body will inevitably suffer.

The baton of chastising Piana was then handed to the elderly gentleman.

“Lady Piana, what were you doing here when you still have tasks entrusted to you by Sion?”

“…Lord Robert? What brings you here?”

The elder’s name was Robert. I’ve heard of him. Among those supporting Sion, he is a person skilled in Divine Power and possesses the greatest abilities.

“I came to discuss something with Lady Diolia and ended up in this situation. Lady, you should return and finish your work. I never imagined you’d be here without any prior word.”

“The work I was handling is—”

“So… it would be best for you to discuss it privately with me once you’re finished. Do let go of any dissatisfaction; it’s all for the good of the Count’s House.”

“…Very well.”

It seems this sudden action from Piana was solely her own scheme.

It appears that within the Count’s House, Robert’s influence is quite strong, for Piana had nothing else to say and bowed her head to both me and Shione before swiftly disappearing.

Afterward, as Diolia promptly restored order to the chaotic training ground, the retainer known as Robert nodded slightly toward Shione and me.

“I apologize on behalf of Lady Piana for her rudeness, Princess Shione. I will ensure that she has a chance to formally apologize.”

“It’s alright, Lord Robert. How is Sion doing?”

“Of course. I heard that Sion attained excellent results this semester. He should return to the Count’s House in about a month.”

With a neat apology followed by a light conversation, information regarding Sion, who has gained Divine Power as well, flowed easily.

After the atmosphere softened through casual exchange, Robert stated with a distinguished bearing as he leaned on his cane.

“I will notify you separately later, and we should have a conversation regarding the intentions of Sion and Princess Shione.”

Alignment of Sion and Shione’s intentions.

It was clear that his purpose differed from that of Piana. Robert seemed to have told none from his faction that he intended to meet with Shione. I suspect he is seeking some underhanded agenda to tilt the faction balance from Sion’s side to Shione’s.

It seems that Robert is also still inclined to align the intentions of Sion with Shione. Perhaps discussing territory might be on the agenda. Apart from territory and Divine Power, Sion does not seem to have made any significant moves so far.

Now that Ainel likely has a chance to bestow a territory upon Shione, I’m unsure whether Shione wishes to gain independence from the Count’s House regarding this matter, but if that’s the case…

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to decide in advance which territory she is targeting. There’s no need to sweat over neighboring domains without ever having exchanged a word.

“You are always welcome. I will await your word.”

“Well then, I shall return to my duties with this in mind.”

After our conversation, Robert left first.

What remained were the soldiers returning to training and Shione and me, exhaling a sigh due to the commotion caused by Piana.

As if waiting for our conversation to conclude, Diolia approached us.

“Don’t take Lady Piana’s behavior too seriously. In terms of social standing or politics… she has been accepted as a retainer due to her accumulated wealth, and understanding this will make it much easier for you to deal with her next time.”

Diolia, who had come with a bright smile, suddenly turned to me with a puzzled expression.

“By the way, Ray… I heard your status has risen. It seems people won’t let you go due to that?”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You look a bit haggard, and I was worried. Princess Shione will take good care of you, but it’s also important to get enough rest whenever you can.”

“Oh.”

…It’s not the surroundings; it’s that Shione who’s the problem.

At those words from Diolia, Shione, perhaps feeling embarrassed, started slyly tucking back her bangs while trying to cover her face.

“On the other hand, Princess Shione seems to have a wonderful glow to her skin. Truly, there’s no better place for rest than the mansion of the Count’s House.”

“Hmm, it seems my long rest is reflecting on my face. You seem to be moving much more lively than before.”

She even attempted to cover her reddening ears with her hair.

As Diolia continued to smile without any suspicion, Shione ultimately returned to a more relaxed expression.

From then on, it was a formal conversation. We talked about what we did during the break, recalling experiences from the last Marquis family visit. Diolia and I had a good rapport since we shared the journey from the Great Forest.

Thanks to that, after a while, Shione honed in on her earlier statement made at the shooting range.

“Lady Diolia, regarding what you just mentioned… that there are many knights like you standing behind me. Could you elaborate a bit more on that?”

Diolia seemed to have anticipated that question.

“If Princess Shione is asking, I shall readily make time for you.”

With the slyest smile of the day, she proposed.

“Shall we change locations?”

 

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