Chapter 2: Sione Sianella (2)

In an instant, a quiet and dark atmosphere formed among the three men.

It was only natural.

After all, it’s not exactly acceptable to criticize a noble so openly.

No matter how much I’ve been through, I could sympathize to some extent, but I had no intention of joining in on

their gossip.

The pity they felt for me, having drawn a hopeless master, and the sense of superiority they felt from comparing

themselves to me were understandable. While the pity didn’t bother me much—since even I sometimes pitied myself

—the deeply ingrained sense of superiority was nothing short of uncomfortable.

Sensing the shift in mood, Siabel’s personal servant chimed in.

“I used to serve Lady Sione as well… I still remember how difficult it was.”

He even brought up his own experience, setting the stage for more criticism.

No matter how bad things might be, it was surprising to see these servants so eager to badmouth a noble. What on

earth had Sione done to make them so eager to share their stories?

Though it seemed like they were trying to involve me, as I stood silently by.

[Quest has been formed.]

“Proof of Loyalty”

“Your one and only master is on the verge of being insulted by other servants. They want you to join them in

disgracing your master, but such actions go against the virtue of loyalty expected from a personal servant. As a true

servant, escape their clutches.”

“Reward: Increased favor from Sione Sianella”

“Failure: Decreased favor from Sione Sianella”

I had no intention of joining in on their conversation.

The sudden notification about increasing Sione’s favor?

Sure, earning more favor with Sione might mean I’d get a cookie now and then.

That wouldn’t be bad at all.

But a mere cookie’s worth of favor wasn’t enough to sway my decision.

The reason lay within the dining room, where the Sianella family was gathered.

People who possess mana have physical abilities beyond imagination.

Their senses become sharper, and their capacity is far greater than those without it.

This applies to their hearing as well.

Criticizing a noble at this distance is practically the same as insulting them to their face.

The head of the family, on the verge of becoming a Sword Master, and the firstborn, Siabel, who is nearly as

formidable, could easily hear the insignificant chatter of servants if they wished to.

Speaking ill of any member of the Sianella family, even Sione, is akin to signing your own death warrant.

Of course, judging by the fact that they’ve been doing this and are still alive, it seems they’ve been tacitly allowed to

get away with it. But it’s always best not to create trouble from the start.

“So, how about it? Even if today is your first day serving her, Lady Sione must have given you a hard time, right?”

At his words, I flashed a smile.

Seeing my grin, he seemed to think I was about to agree, his cautious demeanor fading as his expression turned expectant.

Siabel’s servant was no different, his face showing the same anticipation.

But unfortunately for them, my response was far from what they expected.

“Haha, what kind of joke is that? Surely there was nothing of the sort.”

“I knew it, but—what? Wait, what?”

“What kind of impure intentions do you have in saying such things to me? Were you perhaps trying to sow discord

between Lady Sione and me?”

“N-no, discord? What are you talking about—”

“Unless that was your intent, how could you even think of insulting a noble in front of their servant?”

I gave them both a disapproving look, scanning them from head to toe.

As I locked eyes with Siabel’s servant, I couldn’t help but make a remark.

“Isn’t that right?”

“Haha… yes, of course. It seems our judgment slipped for a moment, and we made an unfortunate mistake. Could

you perhaps forget this ever happened?”

I added with a sly smile, “Just be careful from now on. You never know who might be listening to such… private

conversations.”

“…Of course,” he muttered.

Though his lips smiled, the servant under Sion couldn’t hide the displeasure in his eyes. It was clear that he felt I had

crossed a line. Just like with Sione, it seemed I had earned their disdain, but they couldn’t openly express it. It hurt

to be treated on the same level as Sione, but the way they looked at me was no different from how I looked at her.

It stung a little, to be honest.

Still, I responded to their disdainful gaze with a smug smile, a small form of payback. Even if I was just a servant, I

was Sione Sianella’s personal attendant. They couldn’t do much beyond dislike me; I wasn’t in any immediate danger.

“At least, from what I’ve seen of Lady Sione, she’s not the kind of noble you’ve been complaining about.”

What were they going to do with that glare? If they were so upset, they could challenge me or go tattling to their

masters. But after what they almost did—trying to insult a member of the Sianella family—they wouldn’t dare.

It felt oddly satisfying, like I was releasing some built-up frustration.

As I stood there waiting for the quest to complete, with their burning stares on me, the very subject of their gossip—

my master, Sione—walked slowly out of the dining hall.

In front of those watching me closely, I made a point of bowing deeply to Sione.

“Shall we return to your room?”

There was a brief pause between us as Sione’s eyes met mine.

Earlier, when I reminded her it was time for dinner, she had glared at me with irritation. But now, for the first time,

her gaze was calm, her face much softer than usual. I wondered if she had overheard what I had said just moments ago.

“…Yes, let’s go back,” she replied curtly and walked past me.

This time, her words lacked their usual disdain. Even Sione, as indifferent as she could be, wasn’t so heartless as to

scorn someone who had just stood up for her.

It seemed there was a bit of conscience left in her after all.

Naturally, I followed behind her. As I did, the quest notification finally appeared.

[Quest completed.]

[Sione Sianella’s favor with you has increased.]

A smile tugged at my lips. Perfect timing.