A few days had passed since my encounter with the Rosemary sisters.
One afternoon, I was unexpectedly summoned to my father’s study.
"Hey... explain yourself, you worthless failure."
Those were the first words out of his mouth. I was met with a sudden barrage of verbal abuse.
"To what are you referring?" I asked.
"An invitation has arrived from the Marquis Rosemary House. It isn't addressed to me or Cedric—it’s for you."
My father, Lucas Ebern, spoke with his irritation laid bare. He arched his brows, glaring at me as if trying to run me through with his gaze.
"Where did you meet those sisters? Surely you didn't reveal your true identity to them, did you?"
"...I only spoke with them in the garden when they visited the estate. We didn't discuss anything of consequence."
"............"
Lucas shot me a suspicious look, but I truly had nothing more to say.
The other day, when the sisters had come to socialize, Cedric had led them into the forest. As a result, they were attacked by a powerful monster called a White Fenrir, nearly becoming its dinner in the process.
They were eventually rescued once they reached the edge of the woods, but a conflict had naturally broken out with the Marquis House. They were understandably furious that he had led their daughters into such a dangerous place. Even my father, who usually doted on his heir, was incensed by the blunder. Cedric’s house arrest had yet to be lifted.
"...Under normal circumstances, it would be unthinkable for a low-born creature like you to receive an invitation from a Marquis. However, we cannot refuse them. Even if that 'accident' hadn't occurred, a summons from their house is absolute."
"Is that so?"
"Honestly, why would a 'magicless' brat with commoner’s blood in his veins like you..."
Lucas continued to grumble complaints under his breath, eventually letting out a heavy, weary sigh.
"...Ensure that you do not act rudely toward Marquis Rosemary. Fawn over them if you must—lick their boots if that's what it takes—and apologize for Cedric's incompetence."
Following my father's orders, I was told to take a bath.
It was my first time bathing properly since arriving at this mansion. I had snuck out to wash in the forest springs before, but it had been a long time since I’d had a real soak. On top of that, once I finished, I was dressed in high-quality clothes, the likes of which I hadn't touched since being reincarnated.
It was strange treatment for a boy living in a stable. I wondered if my father felt that indebted to the Marquis, or if he simply wanted to hide the fact that he was mistreating me.
"Looking at myself like this, I’m not half bad. I actually look like a noble."
Seeing my reflection in the mirror, I gave a wry smile. I wasn’t just playing the part; I actually was a noble. I’d simply spent so much time surrounded by the stench of horse manure that I’d forgotten.
Once the preparations were complete, I was ushered into the carriage of the Honorary Viscount Ebern House and taken to the Marquis Rosemary mansion. Neither my father nor my brother accompanied me. Perhaps the invitation had explicitly told them to stay away.
(I’d asked the sisters not to mention my involvement to my father or brother, so perhaps they were being considerate?)
The other day, I had parted ways with the sisters at the forest's edge. Since Cedric and his two friends had been unconscious the entire time, they likely didn't even realize it was me who had saved them.
The carriage rattled along for a while before finally pulling up to the Marquis Rosemary mansion.
"We’re here. Watch your step, lad," the coachman said.
"Yes, thank you very much."
I thanked the familiar driver and stepped down. Before me stood a truly massive estate. It was incomparable to the Ebern household—the stark difference between a mere Honorary Viscount and a Marquis who was a landed high noble.
"Welcome, Rest-kun!"
"Welcome, Rest-sama!"
"Whoa!"
As soon as I stepped off the carriage, two girls came running out from the mansion. One was Viola, with her golden hair tied in a ponytail. The other was Primula, her silver hair flowing down to her waist. They were the sisters I had rescued in the woods.
"We’ve been waiting! Thank you for coming all this way today!"
"We apologize that we couldn't visit you personally to express our gratitude. We shall have tea ready for you immediately!"
"E-Eh!? W-Wait a second...!"
Viola and Primula each grabbed one of my arms and began dragging me toward the mansion. When I hurriedly looked back, the Ebern family coachman had a look of sheer shock on his face. However, he immediately averted his gaze, looking off toward the horizon and pretending to whistle. It seemed he had decided he hadn't seen a thing.
(I can't blame him. There’s no way he could report this back to my father.)
"Well then, let’s go!"
Swept up by their energy, I was marched steadily forward. While being held by two beautiful girls was certainly an experience, my mind was mostly filled with confusion.
(This is strange... did I really do something to make them like me this much?)
Sure, I’d saved their lives. But the original mess had been caused by my half-brother. Even if I’d cleaned up a relative’s mistake, the level of warmth they were showing felt disproportionate.
"We’ve prepared tea in the garden. Please, come this way."
"We have delicious sweets as well. Now, don't be shy."
Ignoring my internal bewilderment, they pulled me into the garden. It was a sprawling, magnificent space filled with seasonal blooms. The Ebern household had flowerbeds too, but they were planted with nothing but expensive roses to a spiteful degree. That felt like the house of a social climber—vulgar and overbearing. This, however, was tasteful.
"Please, take a seat here."
Urged by Primula, I was seated at a round table in the center of the garden. The sisters sat on either side of me while a waiting maid quickly prepared tea and cake.
"Our maid is exceptionally skilled at brewing tea. And this cake was specially made by our chef," Viola said.
"It’s a favorite of mine and my sister's. I truly hope it suits your palate..." Primula added.
"I-I'll help myself, then..."
They were sitting awfully close. Feeling flustered, I picked up the teacup. A rich, mellow aroma wafted up. Even a novice could tell this was a premium blend. Between this life and my last, I wasn't sure I’d ever smelled tea this fragrant.
"............"
I took a sip, savoring the flavor as it washed over my tongue. To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure how to judge it. My palate was a bit unrefined—likely because I wasn't used to such luxury.
"How is it?" Primula asked anxiously. Viola was also staring intently at me, waiting for a reaction.
I wasn't sure what the "correct" response was, so I decided to be honest.
"I haven't had much tea in my life, so I'm not much of a judge... but I certainly don't dislike it."
"Is that so? I'm so glad..."
"Try the cake, too. It's absolutely delicious."
Now the cake was being pushed on me. To my utter shock, Viola sliced off a bite-sized piece with her fork and held it up to my lips.
"Say 'ahh'!"
"I-I can eat it myself...!"
"Just do it! Come on, say 'ahh'!"
"A-Ahh..."
I hesitantly opened my mouth, and the cake was thrust inside. I wanted to protest that I couldn't properly taste anything under such pressure, but the strawberry cake, piled high with fresh cream, was genuinely incredible. This was likely the first time since my reincarnation that I had tasted something so sweet.
"It’s delicious..."
"Ah! Sister, that's not fair!"
Now it was Primula’s turn. She sliced a piece of her own cake and held it out to me.
"Please, eat mine as well... Say 'ahh'."
"...Ahh."
I couldn't bring myself to reject the earnest look in Primula’s eyes, so I complied. It was sweet. And undeniably tasty.
"Now it's my turn again."
"Then it's my turn after that."
The sisters took turns feeding me. Though I was completely disoriented, I couldn't find a way to refuse, so I simply kept eating every bite they offered. By the time the cakes were gone, I had a mild case of heartburn and felt exactly like a hatchling being tended to by its parents.