**Chapter 12: Primula Rosemary’s Longing**
“Rest-sama… I wonder what he is doing right now?”
In a room of the House of Marquis Rosemary, the second daughter, Primula Rosemary, sighed as she sat before a mirror.
Before her on the vanity lay an array of cosmetics, and on the bed, several dresses were neatly arranged.
(I’ve never worn makeup before, but… I must adorn myself, even just a little, for Rest-sama…)
Primula was one half of a pair of twin sisters born into the noble family. She was timid and often hid in the shadow of her elder sister, but that night was a rare occasion where she practiced her makeup. The purpose was to entertain the boy they had invited to their estate—Rest.
Since she was old enough to understand, Primula had always harbored a complex about her sister, Viola. Viola was a striking beauty with flowing golden hair, strong-willed, and exceptionally talented in magic. To Primula, her twin sister was both an object of admiration and an insurmountable wall.
As long as her sister was around, she could never be number one. She would always remain in second place. There was no way she could surpass her sister.
That awareness constantly lingered in her mind.
In reality, she probably didn’t need to belittle herself to such an extent. No one had the right to decide whether roses or lilies were more beautiful. While Primula lacked the vibrant, powerful beauty that radiated from Viola, she possessed a delicate and graceful charm of her own. Their parents had never made a clear distinction between the two sisters. The complex that Primula felt was merely a burden she had imposed upon herself.
Despite her worries, Primula was invited to the Viscount Ebern House alongside her sister. However, the boy she met there—Cedric Ebern—only filled her with discomfort.
(He keeps staring at my sister and me… How vulgar.)
Viola, the elder twin, had developed well beyond her years, but in truth, Primula was the one with the larger bust. Being leered at in such an unrefined manner made Primula feel an aversion towards Cedric. As they ventured deeper into the forest, her feelings of disgust only grew stronger. Cedric, who seemed to take pride in his strength, mercilessly slaughtered monsters, stepping over their corpses with a laugh, and he was simply terrifying.
(I can never come to like this person… I don’t want to be around him.)
If her sister hadn’t been there, she would have fled at the first opportunity.
(If I were to marry, I want someone kind. I don’t need a rich man, nor do I need someone handsome. I want a compassionate person who respects my feelings…)
Such thoughts often occupied Primula’s mind, but finding a boy of her generation who fit that description was no easy task. Most of the young men who appeared before her were the sons of nobility. Children born into the upper class often had strong personalities and high pride. While not all were like that, the fact that Primula was a marquis’s daughter attracted those drawn to power. Even those who weren’t interested in power would often feel intimidated by her status, making it difficult for them to interact with her naturally.
“I’m sorry about Cedric’s behavior. You don’t need to worry anymore; everything is fine.”
However, that boy suddenly appeared before Primula. He was the one who had rescued her from an attack by a White Fenrir, possessing gentle and soothing eyes. He introduced himself as Rest, Cedric’s younger brother. Although he seemed apologetic for the trouble his brother had caused, he interacted with Primula and her sister in a completely natural manner.
Moreover, he had used healing magic on the injured White Fenrir and its cub, allowing them to escape without taking their lives.
Primula, being the daughter of a Court Magician, understood well how dangerous monsters could be and that they needed to be hunted for the sake of people’s livelihoods. Yet, she found herself irresistibly drawn to the boy who had saved them with kindness and spared the White Fenrir with compassion.
(A kind person… Such a very, very kind person. If someone like him were to stay by my side in the future, how peacefully I could live…)
Despite being of the same age, it felt as though she was interacting with someone much more mature. He was gentle, calm, composed, and reliable. Rest was the ideal man in Primula’s eyes.
(My sister seems to be interested in Rest-sama as well, but… I cannot lose this time.)
She had lived in the shadow of her strong sister for so long. If she were to back down again, she felt she would spend her life in a place devoid of sunlight.
(No matter how much I love my sister, I cannot give up Rest-sama. Absolutely not…!)
If it were impossible to win his heart, then perhaps… As unsettling thoughts began to creep into her mind, Primula shook her head vigorously.
“What kind of dress does Rest-sama like…?”
Having finished her makeup practice, Primula spent the late hours of the night choosing a dress to show the man she had come to cherish for the first time.