Chapter 17: The Marquis’s Jealousy
“Ugh…”
With the butler’s attack, Rest stumbled forward and fell. The strike was delivered with a speed that was almost blinding, as if it were a teleportation. It was the butler Dibble’s trump card spell—High Accelerator—executed with remarkable precision.
“Rest!”
“Rest-san!”
Seeing Rest on the ground, the Rosemary Sisters cried out in anguish. They rushed to his side, checking his body. There were a few bruises, but thankfully, no serious injuries appeared to be present.
“Dibble! That was excessive, don’t you think?!”
“Exactly! There was no need to go that far!”
The sisters glared at the butler in unison. Faced with their fierce anger, Dibble bowed deeply, not offering any excuses.
“…I apologize, my ladies.”
“Calm down, my daughters. What just happened was part of a mock battle. Do not blame Dibble.”
“Father!”
“More importantly… tend to his wounds.”
“Y-Yes!”
The sisters hurriedly began to administer healing magic to Rest. Dibble raised his head and offered a respectful nod to his master, Albert, who had come to Rest’s defense.
“It’s fine. More importantly… how did he perform in your eyes?”
“…I believe I share the same opinion as you, my lord.”
Dibble answered Albert’s inquiry with utmost respect.
“That boy… Rest possesses the ability worthy of support from the Rosemary Marquis House, I assure you.”
“Is that so? Indeed…”
Albert had been thinking the same. Rest, as a magician, displayed exceptional skill that belied his age. While he might still lack experience and knowledge in some areas, it was clear he would one day surpass even the court magician himself.
“That boy will surely become a great magician whose name will be remembered in history… It would be worth considering him as a partner for one of my daughters, to bring him into our family.”
“…………”
Dibble whispered this softly so that the sisters wouldn’t hear. It was also something Albert had contemplated. The Rosemary Marquis House had two daughters but no sons. Eventually, one of the sisters would take a husband and inherit the family.
As a father who deeply loved his daughters, Albert wished for them to choose their partners freely, regardless of status. Ideally, he hoped they would choose someone with exceptional talent as a magician, which is why he had arranged opportunities for them to interact with Cedric and other boys their age.
(This boy… Rest-kun would be perfect. However…)
Rest was strong. Though still rough around the edges, with time and experience, he would undoubtedly flourish as a magician. Albert could confidently assert that he was someone worth bringing into the marquis family. Yet, despite these thoughts, there was a part of him that found it hard to accept.
“Don’t worry, Rest. I’ll cast healing magic on you right away!”
“We’re here for you. You’ll be okay, Rest-san…!”
Viola and Primula. Albert’s beloved daughters were closely tending to the fallen Rest, providing devoted care. It was clear that both of them harbored feelings for him.
(Allowing my daughters to marry him… well, that might be acceptable. But what if they both end up choosing him…?)
Viola and Primula were close sisters, yet their personalities were complete opposites. However, at their core, they resembled Albert’s wife—Marquise Rosemary. This meant they shared a stubbornness that would not yield on what mattered most. No matter if it was their sister or not, they would never relinquish a man they had set their sights on.
(Rest-kun, I acknowledge your talent. I am grateful for your help with my daughters, and I will write you a recommendation letter for the academy entrance exam. But…!)
“…I’m not saying I’ll give you both my daughters!”
Witnessing his daughters care for Rest as if they were comforting a beloved, Marquis Rosemary cried out in anguish, tears of blood streaming down his face.