Chapter 218: The Servants Are Smirking
Upon arriving in the Royal Capital, the three of them made their way directly to the townhouse of the Rosemary Marquis House. Although it hadn’t been an excessively long time since they last visited, it felt like ages since they returned to this place.
“Ah… there’s a comforting feeling, as if I’ve come back home,” Viola sighed.
“Indeed, it feels just like home. It’s quite reassuring,” Primula added, exhaling a breath of relief.
Both Viola and Primula shared a sense of relief. While this was merely a townhouse, their true hometown was technically the Rosemary Marquisate. However, since their growth, they had spent more time in this mansion, making it a second home for them.
(That sentiment resonates with me as well…)
Rest silently agreed. For him, home was the lower district of the Royal Capital, where he had spent time with his mother. Afterward, he had been taken in by the Evern Honorary Viscount House, but he never truly considered that mansion his home. This house was where his life had changed—a second home indeed.
“Welcome back! Lady Viola, Lady Primula, Lord Rest,” the servants of the Marquis House greeted them at the entrance.
“Welcome back, young ladies and young master,” another servant chimed in.
Once a butler apprentice himself, Rest noticed that since he had been ennobled, the servants treated him with even greater respect. They now addressed him with honorifics, referring to him as “young master.”
“You must be tired from your long journey. We have prepared meals and a bath for you. What would you like to do?” one of the maids inquired.
“I’d prefer to take a bath first,” Viola replied.
“Yes, me too,” Primula added.
The maid nodded in understanding, and the two young ladies expressed their desire for a bath. Although it wasn’t an excessively long journey, it had taken several hours from the Development Village in the Subnock Plain to the Royal Capital. The ride in the carriage had left them quite fatigued.
“I’ll go later, so Rest, you go ahead,” Viola instructed.
“Please wait for me, Lord Rest,” Primula added.
“……Ah,” Rest responded, feeling a bit awkward. It was only natural that he would be joining them for the bath. As Viola and Primula disappeared down the hallway, the remaining servants cast him warm, knowing glances.
“Well then, I’ll see you later…” Rest said, feeling a bit flustered as he hurriedly distanced himself from the entrance.
“Oh my, oh my… Lord Rest, you’ve returned,” a voice called out.
“Professor Dible,” Rest recognized the speaker.
On his way to the bath, he encountered the butler with a distinguished gray beard, who was a close aide to Albert, the head of the Marquis House. Dible was a former court magician and Rest’s mentor in magic.
“I’ve heard the rumors. It seems you’ve been quite active in the Development Village,” Dible remarked.
“It’s all thanks to you, Professor. If I hadn’t studied under you, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” Rest replied sincerely.
Those words came from the heart. Rest possessed infinite magical power and exceptional magical sense. However, without the guidance of a practical magician like Dible, his talents might have gone to waste. He had faced defeats against Subnock and Rodel, and he might not have even been able to enroll in the academy.
“If you’re willing, how about another mock battle?” Dible suggested with a chuckle.
“Haha… you jest. I could never hope to match you now, Lord Rest,” Dible said, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender with a wry smile.
“There’s no magic I can use that you cannot. Your skills and interpersonal combat abilities have surpassed mine, and it’s unlikely I’ll ever win against you again,” he continued.
“I don’t think that’s true…” Rest replied, realizing that he had surpassed Dible without even noticing. It was a mix of joy and melancholy.
“I would be delighted to hear more about your experiences in the Development Village at your leisure. Now, the young ladies will be here shortly, so please, do head to the bath,” Dible urged.
“Um…” Rest hesitated.
“I won’t intrude, so please take your time,” Dible assured him.
“…………”
With a somewhat amused expression on his face, Dible left Rest feeling increasingly awkward as he made his way to the bath.