章 21: New Arrangement
Rest accepted Marquis Rosemary's proposal and faced off against the butler in a mock battle.
Though he was defeated in the end... he earned a letter of recommendation from the marquis, and it was decided that he would stay at the Rosemary household for the night.
The next day, as he considered it might be time to leave the guest room, Rest was summoned to the marquis's office.
". . .So, for these reasons, the House of Marquis Rosemary will take you in," the marquis declared.
"Wait, what do you mean, 'for these reasons'?!" Rest's voice involuntarily rose in surprise at Marquis Rosemary's somewhat grim-faced announcement.
"Yay!"
Viola and Primula, who were standing beside Rest, clasped their hands together and jumped up with joy. The twin sisters, different in hair color and personality, bounced in perfect sync, expressing their delight.
"This means we get to live with you from now on, Rest!"
"Rest, would you like to play chess with me? Or perhaps cards?"
"Hey, Primula! Rest isn't here to play games! He's staying here to study!"
"Of course, I understand that. But surely, we can have some fun on his first day here. Especially since he got injured during the mock battle yesterday."
"Hmm... That's true. In that case, why don't we have a chat in my room? There's so much I want to ask you, Rest!"
"Ahem!"
Marquis Rosemary cleared his throat loudly, interrupting his excited daughters.
". . .Rest is here purely as a servant apprentice. Anything beyond that will depend on whether he gets accepted into the Royal Academy. I expect you both to remember that."
"Yes, Father."
"Understood."
"Now then... Rest,"
Marquis Rosemary gave Rest a stern look.
"As a servant of our house, you'll be staying in one of the rooms in our mansion, studying under the guise of vocational training. We can't offer you a salary, but... in exchange, we'll take care of your room and board."
"Of course, that's more than acceptable... But, are you sure? It feels like I'm the one getting all the benefits here..."
"You're the savior of my daughters. Allow us to do at least this much. Besides... since you'll be applying with our house's recommendation, it wouldn't do for you to fail the entrance exam."
"That's right, Rest! Don't hesitate!"
"We truly are grateful to you, Rest. This isn't nearly enough to repay you."
Viola and Primula chimed in supportively.
Their family was one of the most prestigious in the kingdom. Allowing one more servant to stay in the mansion was hardly an inconvenience for them.
"If there are any other requests you have, we'll do our best to accommodate them. However... I won't entertain any requests like 'I want to share a room with your daughters'!"
"I-I would never ask for that!"
Rest hurriedly waved his hands in denial.
Being taken in by a noble family after living in a stable, with support for the entrance exam, he couldn't imagine making any further requests...
"Ah..."
One request did come to mind. Marquis Rosemary noticed the look on Rest's face and adjusted his monocle with interest.
"Seems you have something on your mind. Speak up."
"Well, it's more of a suggestion than a request, but... if possible, I'd like to learn how to fight from your butler."
"Oh? You want to learn how to fight?"
"Yes, during the mock battle the other day, I realized I lack experience in fighting people. I'd like the butler to teach me in that regard..."
"Hmm..."
Marquis Rosemary glanced toward the room's entrance. The butler standing beside the door nodded deeply.
"I also believe Rest has great potential. I would be delighted to train him, if that's what he wishes."
"Since Deeble has agreed, I don't see why not, as long as it's between study sessions. The entrance exam does include a practical component, after all."
"Thank you very much."
Rest bowed his head gratefully to both the marquis and the butler.
"Well then, the discussion is settled! We need to prepare a room for Rest!"
"Next to mine would be perfect, right? It would make it easier for me to help him with his studies."
"No, Primula! Rest should stay in the room next to mine!"
"Sister, that doesn't make any sense. I'm better at studying, so he should be closer to me!"
"Ah!"
Viola and Primula each grabbed one of Rest's arms, bickering over who would have him closer. Rest, caught between the sisters, looked back and forth in confusion.
"Rest... just so you know, if you lay a hand on either of my daughters, I won't forgive you...!"
"Yikes!"
To top it off, the marquis grabbed Rest's shoulder, warning him with a strangely intense smile.
(What... what should I do...?)
With the sisters showing him nothing but affection and the marquis glaring at him with jealousy, Rest was completely bewildered, his eyes spinning in confusion.
Although he had been neglected and treated coldly by the Honorary Viscount House of Evern, it seemed that being treated too well could also be a form of suffering.
After a long discussion, it was ultimately decided that Rest would stay in a room on the same floor as the sisters, but somewhat further away.
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