章 12: A Heart's Awakening
"What is Rest-sama doing right now, I wonder?"
In one of the rooms of the Rosemary Marquisate, Primula Rosemary, the second daughter, sighed as she looked into a mirror.
Several cosmetic products were lined up on the vanity in front of her, and numerous dresses were spread out on the bed.
(I've never done makeup before, but... I need to at least make myself presentable for Rest-sama...)
Primula was the younger of the twin sisters born into the Marquisate of Rosemary. Normally timid and often hiding in her sister's shadow, this night was different as she practiced putting on makeup. Her goal was to host a young boy, Rest, who had been invited to their mansion.
Since she was a child, Primula had always felt a sense of inferiority toward her sister Viola. Viola, with her golden hair and stunning beauty, was strong-willed and had a natural talent for magic. To Primula, her twin sister was both a figure of admiration and a wall she could never surpass.
As long as her sister was there, Primula felt she could never be number one. She would always remain second. She believed she would never be able to surpass her sister.
These thoughts constantly weighed on her.
In reality, she didn't need to belittle herself so much. After all, who has the right to say whether a rose or a lily is more beautiful? While Primula lacked the vibrant, energetic beauty that Viola possessed, she had a delicate and graceful allure. Even their parents never made a distinction between the two sisters. Primula's inferiority complex was something she had imposed on herself.
While struggling with these thoughts, Primula was invited, along with her sister, to visit the Ebern Viscountcy. There, they were introduced to a boy named Cedric Ebern, who left Primula feeling nothing but discomfort.
(He keeps staring at my sister's and my chest... How disgusting.)
Viola, her twin sister, was well-developed for her age, but Primula actually had a bigger chest. Feeling Cedric's crude gaze on her well-endowed chest only deepened her aversion to him. Her feelings of disgust grew stronger as they ventured deeper into the forest. Although Cedric likely intended to show off his strength, his merciless slaughter of monsters, stomping on their corpses while laughing, filled Primula with fear.
(I could never like this person... I don't want to be around him.)
If her sister hadn't been there, she would have run away at once.
(If I'm to marry, I'd prefer someone kind. He doesn't have to be rich or handsome; I just want someone who respects my feelings and is considerate...)
Despite always hoping for such a person, no boy of her age met these criteria. Most of the young men Primula met were the sons of nobility. Being born into privilege, many were naturally proud and strong-willed. Not all were like this, of course, but because Primula was a marquis's daughter, those who approached her were often drawn to her power. And for those uninterested in power, the fact that she was a marquis's daughter intimidated them, preventing them from interacting with her naturally.
"I'm sorry Cedric caused so much trouble. You don't need to worry anymore; everything's fine now."
However... one day, a certain boy suddenly appeared before Primula. The boy who saved her when she was attacked by a White Fenrir had gentle, calming eyes. Introducing himself as Cedric's brother, Rest, he seemed genuinely sorry for the danger his brother had put her in, but he interacted with Primula and the others in a relaxed, natural manner.
Moreover, he healed the injured White Fenrir and its cubs with healing magic, allowing them to escape without taking their lives.
Primula, as the daughter of a court magician, understood well how dangerous monsters could be and how necessary it was to hunt them for the safety of people. Yet, she found herself deeply drawn to the boy who saved her and her sister with kindness and spared the White Fenrir with mercy.
(Such a kind person... such an incredibly kind person. If someone like him were to stay by my side forever, how peaceful my life would be...)
Despite being her age, being with him felt like being with someone far more mature. He was kind, calm, composed, and dependable. To Primula, the boy named Rest was her ideal man.
(It seemed like even my sister was interested in Rest-sama... but I can't lose this time.)
She had always lived in the shadow of her stronger sister. If she backed down again now, she felt like she would spend her life in a place where the sun would never shine.
(Even if I love my sister dearly, I can't give up Rest-sama. I just can't...!)
And if it turns out that she cannot have him, then maybe... No, she must not think such dark thoughts, she shook her head vigorously.
"What kind of dress does Rest-sama like...?"
After finishing her makeup practice, Primula stayed up late into the night, choosing a dress to wear for the first man she had ever felt affectionate toward.
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