Ch.5858. Noah Velleia (4)

Yesterday was truly bothersome, having been outmaneuvered by Sione at my own game.

What jealousy is she talking about?

With such a ridiculous misunderstanding, where did that nervous Sione who was flustered meeting Noah go?

She spent the entire day smiling brightly and refusing to leave my side.

How many people are there in the royal palace?

And among the servants employed in a nation’s royal palace, many are of noble birth.

It’s quite a burden to escort Sione around while enduring their suspicious glances.

‘It would be fortunate if it were just the servants.’

The royal palace is currently packed with other nobles due to the Princess’s coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow and the evening banquet.

What good does it do for a grown daughter of a Count to be so close to a servant like me?

‘What wind is blowing to make her act like this?’

Sione’s increasingly bold clinginess lately is quite burdensome.

Look, it’s happening again right now.

Twinkle, twinkle.

Sione, wrapped in blankets and sprawled across the bed, peeks her head out and stares at me again.

What could possibly be new about a face she sees every day? Doesn’t she ever get tired of it? I wish she’d stop staring—her face might wear out.

“Hehe.”

This kid doesn’t understand my feelings and just smiles happily when our eyes meet.

If we stayed cooped up in this room, we’d clearly be trapped in this endless cycle until the evening banquet.

So I called Sione’s name.

“Lady Sione.”

Hmm?

Instead of answering, Sione tilted her head questioningly.

She could have just asked what I wanted. Her merely nodding her head as if speaking was too bothersome felt a bit vexing.

Resisting the urge to give her a well-deserved flick on the forehead, I continued.

“Do you remember what we discussed yesterday?”

“What we discussed yesterday? If it’s what we discussed yesterday… fixing the relationship with Noah?”

“I mean what we discussed after that.”

“After the conversation about Noah.”

Sione let out a deflating chuckle, looking at me as if I were something trivial yet cute.

“You mean when you were jealous.”

…What should I do with this kid?

I kept quiet because I knew it was just a misunderstanding stemming from a simple misconception.

But to see such a reaction. It’s unfair, so unfair.

I let out a small sigh and shook my head.

“I meant our discussion about visiting the garden within the palace.”

“Ah, the garden.”

Judging by her reaction, she had completely forgotten and only recalled the garden after hearing my words.

“As we’ve entered autumn weather, you’ll be able to see different flowers than those of summer. Instead of staying in this room, how about viewing some flowers?”

“That’s a good idea. I should get ready to go out.”

“An excellent choice.”

Sione got up from her bed and stretched.

As she raised both arms skyward to loosen her stiff body, her top rode up, revealing her cute navel.

When I first saw her, she was so overweight that it wouldn’t have been strange if she died from diabetes. I never expected her to become this slender and attractive.

While I was feeling proud about having saved someone’s life…

Perhaps I was staring too obviously, because Sione quickly pulled down her top with her hand. Sure enough, her cheeks were flushed red.

“W-what are you staring at…!”

“It’s beyond my control. After all, Lady Sione, you suddenly stretched right in front of me.”

“…For that reason, you seem to be staring too intently.”

I wonder what she’s thinking now. This time, Sione starts looking at me with a subtle gaze.

“Perhaps you’re interested in my body—”

What nonsense is this kid talking about now?

I immediately cut off Sione’s words.

“I have absolutely no interest in other people’s bodies or stomachs, so don’t worry.”

At my unwavering declaration, Sione’s cheeks turned crimson.

It seems she’s aware of the absurd thing she was about to say.

As she began twisting her body as if wanting to hide in a mouse hole, I briefly addressed her.

“Please change your clothes and make yourself presentable. I’ll wait outside.”

Nod, nod.

Leaving Sione with her head bowed, I exited her room.

Leaning against the wall next to the door, I let out a tired sigh.

“Haah……”

What have I even done to feel this exhausted already? I’m worried about how much more difficult the evening banquet will be.

* * *

As if announcing that summer had passed and autumn had arrived, a cool breeze brushed against the bridge of my nose, subtly conveying the scent of autumn.

While in the Beltrin Mountains, the sunlight was so harsh and painful. Today’s sunlight was cozy rather than harsh, warm rather than painful.

“The weather has improved a lot. It seems perfect for flower viewing.”

“I agree. I’m glad the hot days are over.”

“Since Lady Sione is knowledgeable about flowers… could you tell me about the flowers that bloom in autumn?”

“Why ask when you can just see for yourself when we get there?”

“There’s a big difference between seeing something with knowledge and seeing it without. I just want to hear from you first so I can appreciate them in more detail.”

“If that’s what you want…”

I headed to the garden while listening to Sione’s explanation.

Just as Sione had specifically pointed out.

The garden was beautifully adorned with cosmos and chrysanthemums.

Moreover, clusters of bellflowers were interspersed among them, adding a delicate charm.

As expected of a garden next to the royal palace.

Not only were the flowers well-tended, but the sculptures placed throughout were also incredibly impressive.

As we were touring the garden.

“Sione…!”

Just like yesterday at the clothing store.

Someone called Sione’s name from a distance.

With glossy jet-black hair, quite short for a man, and that exceptionally gentle handsome face.

It was Noah Velleia, whom we saw yesterday.

“Why is Noah here…”

“Didn’t you mention yesterday that Noah also likes flowers, Lady Sione? It seems he came to view the garden just like us.”

“Nng…”

“This is an opportunity. How about touring the garden with Noah?”

“…But I want to walk through the garden with you, Ray.”

“Are you going to miss such a good opportunity?”

There’s nothing better than mutual conversation for reestablishing or developing relationships between people.

We’re currently in a garden. Not only do Sione and Noah share an interest in flowers, but Noah is also showing such a welcoming demeanor.

We can’t miss such a good opportunity, can we?

Though Sione doesn’t seem pleased, she must be thinking along the same lines as me, as she couldn’t outright refuse.

“I’ll be watching from behind, so please speak comfortably.”

“Will I be able to do well?”

“If it’s you, Lady Sione, I believe you can do it well.”

“…That’s quite a heavy belief.”

I moved to position myself behind Sione.

Then Noah, approaching Sione with quick steps, waved his hand and greeted her.

“Hello, Sione…?”

“…Yes. Hello, Noah.”

However, the awkward atmosphere was unavoidable.

“I thought I’d only see you at the banquet today… I didn’t expect to meet Sione here.”

“…I could say the same about meeting in the garden. Did you get home safely yesterday…?”

Noah responded to Sione’s question with a warm smile and nodded affirmatively.

Noah observed Sione and the garden around her as he asked.

“By the way, the garden… Don’t you usually dislike places like this?”

Sione shook her head at Noah’s words.

Noah’s pupils followed the movement of her swaying hair.

“…Not at all. I actually quite like flowers and gardens.”

Surprise and joy spread across Noah’s face at Sione’s words.

For a moment, Noah took in Sione’s appearance with round eyes, then smiled even more gently than before.

“That’s a lie. Sione, you always said flowers were unladylike and hated them. You always ran away when I suggested going flower viewing together.”

Come to think of it, didn’t Sione mention yesterday? That she didn’t particularly like flowers when she was close with Noah.

I recalled the reason Sione had told me she likes flowers.

-Flowers bloom. Breaking free from the stuffy, dark seed, taking root, sprouting new shoots, and constantly striving until finally blooming. Isn’t that quite admirable?

Presumably, Sione’s reason for liking flowers is her admiration for flowers that, unlike herself, ultimately produce beautiful and brilliant results.

From Sione’s stories, it seems she knew Noah even when she was training in spear and magic without any talent.

Yet, seeing that Noah doesn’t know my master likes flowers, it seems Sione started liking flowers after she began retreating to her room.

Therefore, Sione was about to tell him about her changed appreciation for flowers.

“Actually—”

“Is it… because of me?”

Suddenly, Noah started saying something incomprehensible.

How on earth did he come to think that Sione’s reason for coming to the garden was that?

Both Sione and I looked at Noah with bewilderment.

“I thought Sione had forgotten everything about me… but you still remember. That I like flowers.”

“Huh…?”

“Did you come all the way to the garden thinking I’d be here?”

The already tangled thoughts between them became even more entangled.

“Thank you, Sione.”

And as the relationship becomes more tangled, Noah begins to treat Sione more brightly and energetically.

I’m not entirely sure, but it seems some tremendous misunderstanding is occurring in Noah’s mind. And Sione is helplessly being swept along by Noah’s pace.

I began to watch their interaction with great interest.

Meanwhile, Sione, seemingly unable to accept Noah’s words, gave me a quick glance with the expression of a child facing an extremely perplexing problem.

I nodded, sending her a look that she could fully understand my intentions.

-The atmosphere isn’t bad, so let’s continue like this.

-Really?

-Would I lie?

No matter how much it stemmed from Noah’s misunderstanding, we couldn’t just kick away this good atmosphere.

Sione let out a small breath and returned to her conversation with Noah.

“By the way, how have you been lately, Sione…?”

“Lately… nothing much has changed except that I started practicing archery.”

“Archery?”

Noah expressed confusion at Sione’s mention of archery.

It’s a natural reaction.

If the daughter of the Sianella family had no talent for swords and spears, one would expect her to be learning similar weapons.

So the sudden mention of the unfamiliar weapon, archery, was surprising.

“Didn’t you want to become a knight, Sione? But archery…”

Sione’s eyes deepened at Noah’s question.

“…My thoughts on what a knight is have changed a lot. At first, I thought knights were swordsmen who wielded Sword Aura like our family’s ancestors.”

Sione slightly turned her head and met my eyes.

“But now I think a knight is someone who has the strength to save and protect others, regardless of the type of weapon.”

Sione smiled slightly and met Noah’s eyes again.

“…What do you think? With that perspective, isn’t archery not so bad?”

At Sione’s words, Noah’s shoulders trembled.

“Sione…”

I wonder how he misunderstood Sione’s words this time.

Tears began to well up in Noah’s eyes.

No matter how sensitive men in this world might be.

Why is Noah getting so emotional over such minor words…

As expected of our Sione’s childhood friend.

At least in my eyes, this Noah Velleia character isn’t normal either.