Chapter 58: Walking with Pride
The carriage sped along, arriving at the Royal Academy for the first time in a month, a place they had visited during the entrance exams. Rest stepped out first, extending his hand to help Viola and Primula down from the carriage.
Before the academy’s gates, a throng of students in uniforms walked about, while trees resembling cherry blossoms shed their delicate white petals nearby.
“Is that… from the Rosemary Marquis House?”
“Yeah, the rumored beautiful sisters.”
“Who’s that guy with them? An attendant?”
As the Rosemary Sisters disembarked from the carriage, a murmur spread among the students gathered at the gates. They sighed in admiration at Viola and Primula, then cast curious glances at Rest standing beside them.
“Could he be their boyfriend?”
“That’s impossible. He’s probably just a servant or a bodyguard.”
(Ah… I really do feel out of place. Yeah.)
Rest silently agreed with the whispers of the students. He was fully aware that he didn’t match up to the sisters. The air around the noble-born sisters was entirely different from that of Rest, a child of a newly minted noble and a commoner.
“Come on, let’s go.”
“Please escort us.”
“Whoa…”
Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Viola and Primula each took hold of one of Rest’s arms. He found himself walking with the sisters, their arms linked.
“Wha…!”
“N-No way…?”
The murmurs grew louder. This level of intimacy was not something a mere attendant or bodyguard would share; it was a closeness reserved for family or, perhaps, fiancées.
“Walk with your head held high, Rest. You are our fiancé, after all!”
“Please don’t embarrass us, Rest-sama!”
“……!”
Whispered words from the sisters made Rest’s eyes widen in surprise. If he slouched and walked with a defeated posture, he would only bring shame to his fiancées.
(I can’t let this happen… I need to stand tall and not let others mock me…!)
It was unacceptable to let his insecurities hold the sisters back. Taking a deep breath, Rest exhaled slowly, straightening his back with determination. He then walked confidently toward the school building, arms linked with the sisters.
These ladies are mine, so what?
“Ugh…”
As Rest displayed his newfound confidence, the crowd that had previously looked down on him parted to make way. The three of them strode through the path created by the onlookers, heading toward the auditorium where the entrance ceremony would take place.
“That’s the spirit, Rest! Keep it up!”
“You look very cool, Rest-sama.”
The sisters praised him in hushed tones, ensuring no one else could hear.
“Honestly… I feel so out of place, it’s overwhelming…”
“Nobility is just a fashion statement. If you believe you deserve to be seen as important, it will naturally come to you.”
“You are our fiancé, Rest-sama, so you should be even more confident. Let’s walk with pride!”
“……Understood.”
With the sisters at his sides, Rest made his way into the auditorium. Inside, rows of chairs had already been arranged. There didn’t seem to be any specific seating assignments, so the three of them chose seats near the center, close to the entrance.
“So, the entrance ceremony is about to start…”
“Yes, the Headmaster will speak, and then the top candidate among the new students will give a representative greeting.”
“I heard the top candidate from the Magic Department is a daughter of the Crocus Duke House.”
Rest was familiar with the name Crocus Duke House. As part of his education to marry into a marquis family, he had learned about the prominent noble families. The Duke of Crocus was the current Chancellor, a close advisor to the King, and a major noble who stood at the pinnacle of politics. He held a higher status than the Marquis Rosemary, the head court magician, and the Knight Commander, Marquis Cattleya. He was one of the few nobles who could speak on equal terms with the royal family.
Soon, the auditorium filled with students, and the time for the entrance ceremony arrived. A middle-aged man in a suit appeared on the stage at the back of the auditorium, his voice magically amplified.
“Everyone, please be quiet! We will now commence the 65th Entrance Ceremony of the Royal Academy!”
The murmurs that had filled the auditorium faded away at the voice of the instructor. Rest and the sisters, who had been conversing, fell silent and turned their attention to the stage.
“Now, we will hear from the Headmaster. Everyone, please rise!”
All the new students stood up. Prompted by the elderly instructor, the Headmaster, Verloid Harn, appeared on stage with a solemn demeanor.