Ch.4848. Teachings and Promises (3)

Due to Sione’s excitement, she suddenly turned around and rushed at me, causing me to trip and fall.

Thud!

“Ugh…”

Oh, damn.

I barely managed to hold back the curse that almost escaped as my back absorbed the full impact.

No matter how close I’ve become with Sione, my status is still that of a slave from the gutters, not even belonging to the same noble class.

I can’t possibly use crude language in front of someone who’s a young lady of a Count’s family.

I slowly opened my eyes that I had squeezed shut from the momentary breathtaking pain.

Looking ahead in the gradually rising sunlight…

‘What kind of situation is this right now?’

What in the world is going on?

Sione was looking down at me in a pouncing position.

It seems she took this posture to prevent falling completely on top of me.

Since staying in this embarrassing position wouldn’t do any good, I spoke to Sione who was just staring silently at my face.

“…Lady Sione, would you mind getting off me?”

But as if she couldn’t hear my words.

My master simply continued to look down at me quietly without making any attempt to move.

And I sensed something unusual in her gaze.

…Wait, why is this kid suddenly acting like this?

Her calm, settled eyes were fixed only on my face.

And she was staring so intently that it made me feel embarrassed.

What on earth is this all about?

It’s disconcerting.

The normal Sione would have blushed and jumped off with a fuss by now.

Today’s Sione was definitely different from her usual self.

Her face was reddening, but it didn’t seem to be from embarrassment.

Far from making a fuss, she was more still and cautious than I’d ever seen her, which made me start to worry about her condition.

‘Is she momentarily out of her mind from shock?’

Even so, I couldn’t just wait endlessly in this position for Sione to come back to her senses.

I wriggled my body to express my desire to escape from this posture.

But the response I got…

Instead of Sione moving away, the ominous feeling only grew deeper and deeper.

Curious about why she was suddenly acting this way, I stopped struggling and turned my head to look at her face.

I saw a completely unexpected version of Sione.

“…Lady Sione?”

Like a girl who had fallen in love, with a blush on her cheeks.

Those infinitely blue eyes, filled with deep emotion, were enveloping me.

At that moment, I recalled what she had said to me back at the Marquisate of Feiosha.

“…P-perhaps one p-poppy might be a-alright…”

Poppy.

According to the dictionary Sione lent me, its flower language meant “weak love” and “fleeting love.”

When she was asked to tell me which flower suited me, I wondered why she chose one with such an unsuitable meaning.

Looking at that passionate gaze directed at me, I think I finally understand why.

‘I really feel like I’m losing my mind.’

Even back then, I had some suspicions and asked if she liked me.

But she vehemently denied it with indignation, shrieking that she disliked me.

Why is she acting like this now?

Thinking about that time, it’s possible she’s just caught up in the moment rather than actually liking me.

I asked to get confirmation.

“…Could it be that you like me, Lady Sione?”

At my question, Sione’s body gave a small but definite shudder.

After a moment of silence, she finally began to speak.

“…My heart pounds whenever I think about you, and my eyes are often drawn to you.”

“And right now, this situation is making my heart so confused.”

“What do you think this feeling is?”

I detected the emotion in Sione’s words.

At the same time, my mind began racing.

This is troublesome.

Honestly, without exaggeration, it feels like I’ll die from the pressure.

Reasons why Sione would fall for me?

Honestly, even thinking about it now, I believe there are plenty of reasons why she might fall for me.

I helped her transform from a despised wreck into a presentable person since my days as a useless addict.

I’ve even rescued her gallantly from various crises.

If a cool older sister had done the same for me, I would have fallen for her immediately.

Why would Sione be any different?

But the important point is…

‘This is getting complicated.’

I’ve never had romantic feelings for Sione until now.

All the times I’ve helped or protected her were actions prompted by quests.

And the consideration I showed when there were no quests was all due to the natural affection that develops between humans who’ve shared both good and bad times.

I’ve never acted with the intention of gaining her romantic interest.

It’s problematic that I don’t like her romantically.

‘And that’s not the only issue…’

What if I were to accept her confession?

Whenever that day might come, rumors would inevitably spread throughout the domain about the unusual relationship between Sione and me.

Furthermore, although the probability is extremely low, I don’t have the confidence to handle it if scandalous rumors arise about a slave properly seducing their master.

Moreover, Ainel, who assigned me to Sione to work as a servant…

I can’t even imagine how she would react if she heard that I was neglecting my duties and instead engaging in a romance with Sione.

Although it’s unlikely…

In the worst-case scenario.

If false rumors spread that Sione’s broken engagement with Lord Evan was because I seduced her…

‘I’d be dead for real.’

A chill runs down my spine.

I wonder if I’d be branded as a notorious scoundrel who tried to seduce and exploit a noble, and have my head cut off.

My expression stiffened involuntarily.

While I certainly appreciate Sione’s affection, it’s not something I can easily accept.

“…Perhaps you’re just thinking this way because of the atmosphere.”

Therefore, this incident needed to be just a result of the atmosphere, not Sione’s deep feelings.

“…I’m just a servant. What reason could you have to like me?”

“…Didn’t you say it yourself yesterday, here? That you’re my knight.”

Oh, damn it.

Why did I run my mouth yesterday thinking it would be fun?

Is this karma?

At this rate, I felt anxious that I would be inescapably bound to Sione.

“…No matter what, I’m just a lowly slave. It’s difficult for me to accept Lady Sione’s deep feelings.”

Yes, no matter how you look at it.

It doesn’t make sense for a young lady of a Count’s family to like a worthless slave.

That’s what I clearly thought, but…

“…If necessary, I can tear up your slave documents anytime.”

This kid came at me with more sincerity and persistence than I had anticipated.

And then, as the final blow…

“Moreover—”

“As a slave… shouldn’t you follow your master’s will?”

She even used her position to pressure me.

Where did the shy, prim Sione go?

Seeing her act so boldly, proving she’s indeed a woman, is driving me crazy.

And on top of that, the intense gaze pouring down on my face without pause…

Despite trying to maintain eye contact with her during our conversation,

I was intimidated by the deep possessiveness in her eyes and subtly averted my gaze.

I squeezed out an excuse somehow.

“…My official master is Lady Ainel Sianella.”

“Didn’t I tell you?”

This was ominous.

Sione’s faintly upturned lips.

“Tell me what—”

“I received your slave certificate from mother under my name long ago.”

“Ah.”

I could no longer see any escape route.

“…Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

Sione nodded.

Then she began to exhale sweet breaths.

This crazy woman, where did she…

As soon as I spoke with a somewhat positive nuance,

Sione immediately brought her face closer, aiming for my lips.

At this rate, I really felt like I would be captured by Sione with no way out.

I hurriedly raised my right hand and placed it on Sione’s cheek to prevent her from getting any closer.

“If you want a kiss… I’ll give you my lips.”

At my words, Sione’s pupils began to tremble greatly.

If I play this right…?

“But not now—”

I saw a momentary question appear and disappear in Sione’s expression at my words.

I didn’t miss that opening and gently pushed her face away.

The thought crossed my mind that if I couldn’t avoid it, I should at least create a postponement.

I quickly spoke in a plausible manner.

“When I can infuse mana into arrowheads like a Sword Expert knight. Then I will… personally offer it to you, Lady Sione.”

It’s working.

Seeing how Sione’s pupils began to tremble wildly at my promise to personally offer my lips,

I began to see hope that I could somehow escape from this situation, today, right now.

Since handling mana like a Sword Expert is no easy feat,

This condition should buy me plenty of time.

“…Wouldn’t it be better to let it go for now?”

Sione finally nodded at my subtle suggestion.

“Then… would you please get off me now?”

“…I shall.”

At last, Sione stood up, dusting off her knees,

And I was able to get up as well.

As the brief but intense situation ended, awkwardness began to fill the air between Sione and me.

It seems she felt embarrassed thinking about her bold confession again.

After shooting a few more arrows half-heartedly, we packed up the bows and arrows.

Sione quickly organized her bow and rushed out of the shooting range as if escaping.

I also finished tidying up at a moderate pace.

As I was about to exit through the door of the shooting range,

I was looking around to see where Sione might be waiting for me.

“Wait, Ray.”

I heard Sione’s voice from my right.

She had been hiding by pressing herself against the outer wall just to the right of the door, and she quickly grabbed my clothes.

“…!”

Whoosh!

In an instant, Sione pulled me into her arms.

Smooch.

She kissed my right cheek.

“Huh?”

A dumbfounded sound escaped my lips.

I couldn’t easily comprehend what was happening.

As I touched my right cheek while looking at Sione,

She showed a relaxed yet mischievous smile.

Sione used the brilliant light of the rising sun as her halo and smiled broadly.

“Hehe, why are you making such a blank expression?”

She showed a relaxed yet mischievous smile.

“What I postponed was a kiss on the lips. Not on the cheek, right?”