**Chapter 46: Let’s Become a Family**
The results of the entrance exams were announced two weeks later. Although the exams for nobles and commoners were conducted separately, the results were delivered on the same day.
“I did it! I passed!”
Viola exclaimed joyfully as she opened the letter delivered from the academy, her eyes sparkling at the sight of the bold word “Passed” written in the language of this world.
“I’m so glad… I passed too,”
Primula said, placing a hand over her heart as she let out a sigh of relief after reading her own letter. Although she had expressed confidence after taking the exam, it seemed she had her doubts after all. The Rosemary Sisters celebrated their acceptance, but then their attention turned to the third person in the room, who had fallen silent.
“Um… Rest?”
“Lord Rest?”
“…………”
Rest remained quiet under their gazes, his expression tense. A flicker of anxiety crossed the sisters’ faces.
“Oh, sorry, sorry! I passed too. Really!”
Noticing the sisters’ worried looks, Rest hurriedly reassured them. The letter he showed them also bore the word “Passed” prominently.
“Geez! Don’t scare us like that!”
“Lord Rest… You gave us quite a shock!”
“Sorry, sorry. I was just lost in thought for a moment. Anyway, it looks like all three of us passed!”
““Yay!””
The sisters clasped hands and raised them in triumph. With their similar features, they bounced up and down in perfect symmetry, like reflections in a mirror.
“We’ll be able to attend the academy together starting next year!”
“Going to the academy with Lord Rest… It feels like a dream!”
“I’m happy too… Oh, I’m really happy.”
Rest felt as if his life was about to change dramatically. Gaining admission to the academy meant that, barring any major setbacks, a bright future awaited them. The path to serving in the royal palace would open up, and even if that didn’t happen, they would likely be well-treated by local nobility.
(And… for me, this is where it truly begins.)
For Rest, passing the exam was expected. He had felt confident about it during the test. What mattered now was what came next.
“Su, ha… Su, ha…”
“Rest?”
“Lord Rest?”
Seeing Rest take deep breaths with a nervous expression, the sisters tilted their heads in confusion. Rest knelt before them and pulled out “that” from his pocket.
“Viola, Primula… will you marry me?”
““…………!””
The sisters’ eyes widened in unison. Rest presented them with matching rings, one adorned with a red ruby for Viola and the other with a blue sapphire for Primula. Both rings had been purchased from a jewelry store in the royal capital, funded entirely by the earnings he had made from hunting monsters since before coming to the House of Marquis Rosemary.
“This ring…”
“It’s beautiful…”
“I wanted to buy something with my own money, so it’s not the most extravagant, but… I chose it with both of you in mind. What do you think?”
Rest explained, sweat trickling down his back from the tension. In this world, the concept of an engagement ring did not exist. While it was common to gift accessories to wives or lovers, there was no culture of presenting a ring during a proposal.
(Still… I wanted to express my gratitude and feelings for both of you in a tangible way…)
Over the past year, Rest had spent time with Viola and Primula, and during those days, he had come to love them both.
(Loving two girls at the same time might be seen as unfaithful… but I can’t choose one over the other now.)
If they would accept him, he desperately wished for them to take the rings. As he looked up at them while still kneeling, Viola and Primula’s faces blossomed into radiant smiles, like flowers in full bloom.
“I’m so happy… Thank you, Rest!”
“I’m overjoyed… I won’t let you go, Lord Rest!”
The two accepted the rings, and Viola placed hers on her finger.
“Which finger should I wear it on?”
“Um… It should fit on the ring finger of my left hand…”
“The left hand’s ring finger? Does that have a special meaning?”
Primula tilted her head, curious.
“…I read somewhere that it symbolizes love in some country.”
Rest took the ring and slipped it onto Primula’s left ring finger. Having measured her size in advance, it fit perfectly.
“Rest! Me too, me too!”
“Alright, alright. Here you go.”
“Thank you! I love you!”
As Rest placed the ring on Viola’s finger, she hugged him tightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
“Ah, that’s not fair! Sister!”
Competing with her sister, Primula quickly followed suit. The three of them snuggled closely together, exchanging warmth in a heartfelt embrace.
(I’m so happy… I’ll make sure both of them are happy…!)
With a firm vow in his heart, Rest felt tears welling in his eyes.
“…………Muu.”
“You’re so young…”
Meanwhile, in a corner of the room, the Rosemary couple watched with warm expressions. They were seated in the living room of the marquis’s residence, accompanied by the butler and maids, who wore awkward expressions. It would be a little while longer before Rest and the sisters realized they were in a world of their own, blushing at the attention they had drawn.