While other nobles were conversing with each other, Aria Allenar was simply savoring the taste of her wine alone. She showed no interest in anything else.

    I had assumed that as a daughter of a marquis, she would at least exchange brief greetings with others, but my assumption was wrong.

    She merely scanned the banquet hall indifferently.

    “Sione?”

    She was only occasionally checking on Sione.

    She definitely seemed to be acquainted with Siabel…

    Perhaps she was curious about her friend’s younger sister?

    Yet her frequent glances seemed too persistent to be mere curiosity about a friend’s sibling.

    I hope Sione isn’t drawing attention with strange behavior when I told her to just talk with Leona.

    I looked toward Sione.

    “Sigh…”

    Sione, who should have been talking with Leona by now, was inexplicably sipping wine alone.

    Even while doing so, her gaze remained fixed on Leona, and seeing her wavering pupils and sighs, it seemed she was struggling with how to approach and speak to her.

    She should just go over and introduce herself. How frustrating, truly frustrating.

    As I watched Sione, she took another sip of wine and turned her head in my direction.

    When she realized I was watching her, her eyes lit up like a puppy seeing its master return.

    She seemed to be asking for help, but unfortunately, I haven’t even spoken with Aria yet myself.

    I quietly shook my head.

    As Sione’s expression darkened, she downed her wine in one go.

    After confirming that she had resumed watching Leona from afar, I shifted my attention away from my frustrating master.

    ‘Well, she’ll manage somehow.’

    People typically become bolder when alcohol enters their system, so she’ll likely handle it well enough.

    I focused on figuring out how to deliver Siabel’s message to Aria.

    I carefully approached Aria Allenar.

    That chilly atmosphere, as if carrying the biting cold of the north, and those sharply honed eyes—elements that made everyone feel awkward and difficult to approach.

    I feigned composure as best I could and addressed her.

    “Are you Lady Aria Allenar?”

    Her gaze, which had been casually scanning the busy banquet hall, turned to me.

    Perhaps she was of a taciturn nature?

    She acknowledged my greeting merely with a nod, examining my face and attire without uttering a word.

    I was able to hear Aria’s voice only after she cleared her throat with a sip of wine.

    “What is it?”

    A dry, monotone voice. Yet that husky voice possessed definite charm and charisma.

    They say a person’s character is reflected in their voice.

    I already felt my neck tensing at the thought of delivering Siabel’s aggressive message to this cold woman.

    “Lady Siabel Sianella asked me to convey a message to Lady Aria Allenar, who will be attending the princess’s coming-of-age ceremony—”

    “Aria.”

    “Pardon…?”

    “Call me Aria.”

    It was surprising that she interrupted me to request I address her without her family name.

    Looking at Aria’s cold expression, I couldn’t fathom what she was thinking. She shrugged slightly, her ash-gray hair swaying.

    “I dislike unnecessarily lengthy speech, and it would be troublesome for you as well. You may omit my family name.”

    Well, if that’s the case.

    I gave a slight bow.

    “Thank you for your consideration.”

    “Yes, raise your head and continue what you were saying. I believe I heard Siabel’s name.”

    “Well… Lady Siabel Sianella commanded me to deliver a message to you on her behalf.”

    “Hmm.”

    Aria frowned at the mention of Siabel’s name.

    …Siabel had clearly stated they were friends, but I wondered if that was truly the case.

    I hadn’t expected her expression, which had seemed perpetually calm, to distort at the mere mention of Siabel’s name.

    I asked as cautiously as possible.

    “…Do you perhaps have a personal acquaintance with Lady Siabel?”

    “As for acquaintance, we stayed in the same dormitory at the academy, so I suppose we’re somewhat close.”

    Though currently on leave and staying at her estate, Siabel had been a student at the academy before I was sold to the County of Sianella.

    It seems she and Aria formed a connection at the academy.

    I inwardly sighed with relief at her response.

    ‘They even shared a dormitory.’

    Siabel’s message was less a friendly greeting and more akin to mockery and teasing.

    Since they not only attended the academy together but also saw each other’s faces before bed, they must be quite close.

    If they’re sufficiently familiar, Siabel’s taunting, playful words might be well-received.

    “So, when you say you’re delivering a message… you mean you’ll verbally convey her words directly, rather than through a letter.”

    “…That’s correct.”

    “That sharp-tongued woman who’s always so concerned about her image didn’t even send a letter, but entrusted a verbal message instead. How unusual. So, what did Siabel say?”

    I quickly thought it through.

    Since delivering Siabel’s message verbatim didn’t seem like a good choice, I decided to convey the meaning after removing all unnecessary elements.

    “Lady Siabel mentioned that she has reached the level of Sword Expert and would like to cross swords with you again.”

    “No, that’s not it. That woman wouldn’t have sent such a polite message to me.”

    “What do you mean…?”

    “You won’t suffer any disadvantages, so please relay exactly what Siabel said.”

    “Would that be alright?”

    “Of course.”

    …Aria isn’t a normal person either.

    Even if she’s not a pervert, it’s strange to want to hear insults directed at oneself.

    Since she assured me there would be no disadvantages for me, I recalled Siabel’s words without missing a single detail.

    “…Aria, unlike you who remains at the same level, I have reached the realm of Sword Expert.”

    Hearing my words, Aria Allenar laughed derisively.

    “The northern spear-wielder who wastes her time beating up bears that come down to her estate… should bring her toothpick and come down to the County of Sianella to cross weapons with me.”

    As I continued with Siabel’s message, Aria’s expression grew increasingly rigid.

    I had heard that Sione was notorious for berating her servants before I arrived…

    Now I understood why.

    With her sister making such nerve-grating remarks, like sister, like brother indeed.

    I recited Siabel’s final message.

    “…I will personally ensure that your flimsy toothpick doesn’t break, she said.”

    At these final words, Aria’s expression completely crumpled.

    Her face reflected displeasure and irritation.

    Nervously brushing back her ash-gray hair, Aria spoke.

    “…That rotten woman. She doesn’t even know how ferocious northern bears are, yet she spouts such nonsense. And what? My spear is a toothpick?”

    Aria, who had initially seemed so reticent, now began muttering to herself, lost in her own world.

    The subject, predictably, was cursing Siabel.

    She had fallen right into Siabel’s provocation.

    “Urgh…”

    “…Are you alright?”

    “This isn’t the first time… I’m fine, more than fine… Ah, yes…!”

    She clenched her molars and raised the corners of her mouth.

    “Your name?”

    “It’s Ray.”

    “Right, Ray. Could you also deliver my message to Siabel?”

    I wondered what message Aria wanted to convey with such a mischievous smile.

    Though I wanted to refuse and avoid getting involved in troublesome matters, the atmosphere and Aria’s insistent gaze made it impossible to decline.

    So I eventually agreed.

    Aria continued as if she had been waiting for just that response.

    “This winter, the northern spear-wielder will come to utterly destroy that sword-swinging knight. Tell her to prepare to be crushed by my hands like one of those northern bears she mentioned.”

    “I… I’m not sure if I should dare relay such words to Lady Siabel.”

    “What are you worried about? You’ve already conveyed Siabel’s words to me. Given the relationship between Siabel and me, don’t worry and deliver the message clearly.”

    Just as Aria finished speaking, the doors to the banquet hall opened again.

    “Entering is Ainel Sianella, head of the County of Sianella and one who has stepped into the realm of Sword Master!”

    As the late-arriving Ainel entered the banquet hall, Aria glanced at him once and said:

    “Well then, Ray, I’ll see you again when the cold winter visits the Sianella estate.”

    With those words, Aria finished the remaining wine in her glass and moved away without hesitation.

    I watched her retreating figure for a moment before approaching Ainel.

    Seeing me, Ainel immediately looked around and asked:

    “Ray, what happened to Sione?”

    “If you’re asking about Lady Sione, she should be conversing with Lady Leona Lephelia by now…”

    Even Sione should have approached Leona and engaged in conversation by now.

    I looked around the area where Leona had been.

    But.

    “Huh?”

    Leona was surrounded by other young ladies, not Sione.

    Wondering what had happened, I looked back to where I had last seen Sione.

    “Hiccup!”

    I could see Sione hiccupping in a corner of the banquet hall.

    It seemed she had been continuously drinking wine without managing to speak to Leona.

    Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her focus occasionally wavered.

    Clearly intoxicated, she was:

    “Hiccup… ugh…”

    Complaining about her persistent hiccups while downing yet another glass of wine.

    Even so, she kept glancing at Leona while checking her surroundings.

    What good would come from talking to Leona in such a state?

    Upon confirming Sione’s condition, I immediately bowed deeply to Ainel.

    “I apologize.”

    Ainel merely sighed deeply at the sight of his daughter.

    * * *

    It seemed impossible to engage in proper social activities if we remained at the banquet any longer.

    And even if she tried to converse, it was unpredictable what she might say in her intoxicated state.

    Ainel ordered me to take Sione back to her lodgings.

    To think she would appear drunk at a banquet she attended to improve her reputation.

    Fortunately, she had been quietly drinking alone in a corner, so it wasn’t too noticeable.

    What should I do with this hopeless master?

    The fortunate aspect was that the banquet would continue for several more days, so there were still opportunities for redemption.

    With thoughts of my many-flawed master, I successfully guided Sione back to her lodgings.

    “Ugh…”

    “Sigh…”

    Having consumed wine without knowing her own tolerance, Sione was grimacing from a headache.

    Since I was just going to take out her change of clothes and leave soon, I entered the room with the door open and seated Sione on the bed.

    “Please sit. You can’t sleep in your dress, so I’ll get you a change of clothes.”

    “…Thank you.”

    After nodding slightly in response to Sione’s words, I was in the midst of retrieving her clothes from the pre-filled wardrobe when—

    Creak. Bang.

    I heard the sound of the door closing.

    Click.

    And then the sound of the door being locked from the inside.

    Wondering what was happening, I turned around.

    “Lady Sione?”

    My master, who should have been sitting on the bed complaining of a headache, was quietly watching me from in front of the firmly closed door.


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