**Chapter 27: Marquis Rosemary’s Resignation**
A few days had passed since Rest arrived at the House of Marquis Rosemary.
His studies for the upcoming exams were progressing smoothly. Although Viola and Primula occasionally tempted him with distractions, Rest managed to shake off their allure with his strong willpower, acquiring the necessary knowledge. Fortunately, he could tackle subjects like mathematics without issue, thanks to the knowledge from his previous life. The more troublesome subjects, such as history, required relentless repetition to engrain the information in his mind. Rest diligently flipped through borrowed reference books during his study sessions with the sisters and in the gaps of his daily life, steadily hammering in the essential knowledge. While it seemed he would face some challenges, having reference materials and knowledgeable companions made this experience far easier than his high school entrance exams in his previous life.
His combat training was also going well. What he initially thought would take time to master—magic—was quickly learned, allowing him more time for mock battles. By sparring with the butler, Diable, Rest steadily gained experience in combat against other people.
So far, there were no issues. At least, none for Rest.
“…My daughters are absent.”
In the dining room of the House of Marquis Rosemary, Albert Rosemary muttered as he sat alone at the large long table. It was dinnertime, and an array of dishes was laid out before him: sautéed lamb, fish meunière, salad, and soup—each a luxurious dish befitting a noble family. However, Albert’s expression was dark, overshadowed by the absence of his daughters, who should have been present.
“The young ladies are dining with Rest,” Diable, the butler, replied.
“Ugh…”
Albert’s face twisted in a grimace at Diable’s words. Recently, his beloved daughters—Viola and Primula—had been glued to Rest’s side, rarely leaving him unless necessary. As a result, Albert found himself dining alone more often. The mere thought of his daughters growing close to another man was painful enough, but being neglected by them in favor of Rest gnawed at his heart.
“…Perhaps we should invite Rest to the dining table? If he were here, the young ladies would surely join us for dinner.”
“N-No… that cannot be done!”
Albert vehemently rejected Diable’s suggestion.
“Regardless of how much they favor him, Rest is merely an apprentice servant! It would set a poor precedent to have him dine with his superiors!”
“That may be true, but… the other servants already recognize that Rest is special,” Diable replied, his expression tinged with mild exasperation.
On the surface, Rest was living in the marquis’s mansion as an apprentice servant. However, no one truly believed he was just a servant. Viola and Primula were overtly attentive to Rest, treating him with a feminine touch. Consequently, many of the maids and butlers working in the marquis’s household recognized Rest as a potential suitor for the sisters. Some servants even went so far as to flatter him with honorifics, hoping to curry favor with a boy who might one day become their master.
“While some of the servants were envious of Rest’s special treatment… they quickly quieted down after witnessing his magic training,” Diable added.
“…Is his combat training progressing well?”
“Exceedingly so.”
Diable nodded in response to his master’s inquiry, then asserted with unusual firmness, “In terms of combat skills and instincts, he is slightly above average, but Rest is undoubtedly a magical genius. By any means necessary—even if it means offering the young ladies to him—we must ensure he becomes a part of the House of Marquis Rosemary!”
“Is he truly that remarkable…?”
“Yes. He possesses an eye for magic that allows him to master spells after just one demonstration, along with an inexhaustible well of magical power. He already possesses abilities close to those of a Court Magician. While I may currently hold the upper hand as a magician, it won’t be long before he surpasses me.”
“…”
Diable was a man who understood his position as a butler. It was rare for him to express his thoughts so strongly. This only underscored how exceptional a talent Rest truly was.
“Previously, I suggested that both of the young ladies be given to Rest. That was out of respect for their opinions, but now my perspective has changed. Marrying the two to Rest and having them bear his children would undoubtedly lead to the prosperity of the House of Marquis Rosemary,” he asserted.
“I see… If you say so, then perhaps my daughters do have good taste in men…”
“It would be wise to arrange their engagement to Rest before they enter the academy. Once he enrolls, his talents will surely become known to many. A competition for his favor may ensue.”
The Royal Academy served as both an educational institution and a talent scouting ground. It was a place where nobles sought to recruit aides and subordinates, as well as where noble ladies searched for potential husbands. The nobility would not overlook a promising candidate like Rest, who was not only kind-hearted but also brimming with talent.
“…Understood. If you feel that strongly, I will consider their engagement.”
Albert resigned himself, his shoulders slumping. The outer defenses had been breached, and now even the inner walls were crumbling. At this point, he could find no reason to refuse.
“However… this is only if he can successfully enroll in the Royal Academy! If he fails the exam, all of this will be for naught!”
“My lord, I believe the chances of that happening are exceedingly low.”
“Moreover… I cannot say whether my wife will approve of Rest. Irish will be returning soon, and I have no idea how she will treat him.”
His wife… the thought of Irish Rosemary clouded Albert’s expression slightly. The mother of the sisters, Irish, possessed a rather unique personality. She would spoil those she favored to no end, while treating those she disliked with utter disdain. Whether Rest could win the hearts of the beautiful sisters ultimately hinged on whether he could earn Irish’s approval.
“On the flip side, if your wife accepts him, then you will have no say in the matter. Such is the plight of a son-in-law who cannot speak firmly to his wife.”
“…”
Albert Rosemary. He, too, was a son-in-law of the House of Marquis Rosemary, and he found himself unable to stand up to his wife.