The negotiations between the Marquis Rosemary House and the Honorary Viscount Ebern House concluded with the official decision that Rest would be transferred into the Marquis’s care.
On the return journey, Albert Rosemary let out a heavy, weary sigh from the depths of his carriage seat.
"I don't even know what to say... That man is truly a piece of work."
"Indeed. It was a most unsightly display," the butler seated opposite him replied.
The pathetic spectacle Lucas Ebern had made of himself during the meeting had been more than enough to leave both men thoroughly exasperated.
"I was aware that he was obsessed with his status and looked down on commoners. I also knew his fixation on magical talent bordered on the fanatical. But... I never imagined he would treat his own biological son with such cruelty."
Throughout the discussion, Lucas had referred to Rest—his own flesh and blood—as "that thing," "a failure," and even "trash."
To Albert, a man famously devoted to his family and known for being soft on his kin, Lucas’s tone was enough to make him scowl in disgust.
"And yet, he dotes on that arrogant son of his simply because the boy has talent. It's appalling. Honestly, I’m half-tempted to strip him of his post as a Court Mage this instant."
"Why not do exactly that? You certainly have the pretext, do you not?"
The eldest son had led the Marquis’s daughters into a dangerous situation. No one would lift a finger to defend Lucas if he were held responsible for his son's actions.
"No... let’s hold off on that for the time being. If that man loses his title, it will become far more difficult to arrange Rest’s engagement to my daughters."
Albert didn't care a whit for the fate of the Honorary Viscount Ebern House, but his daughters had taken a profound liking to Rest. To facilitate an engagement with either of them, Rest required the status of a nobleman.
"It wouldn't be an issue once Rest graduates from the Academy and secures a position as a Court Mage or some other official role. Until then, it is simply more convenient for him to remain a noble. While adoption into another house is an option, we wouldn't be able to finalize the paperwork before next year's enrollment."
Next year, Viola and Primula would be entering the Royal Academy. Albert was determined to have Rest's engagement settled before then.
Once they entered the Academy, men would undoubtedly flock to the sisters. Even setting aside a father's natural bias, the two were exceptionally beautiful, possessed fine figures, and their lineage was beyond reproach.
"...Besides, that idiot prince will also be enrolling next year. Having Rest as a fiancé will be the best way to protect them."
The "idiot prince" was Rodel Aiwood, the Third Prince of the Royal Family. He was tyrannical, arrogant, and a notorious womanizer. To make matters worse, he wasn't entirely incompetent; he possessed a genuine talent for magic that made him a particularly troublesome individual.
The man was a scoundrel—essentially a more dangerous, high-tier version of Cedric—and he would be in the same grade as the Rosemary sisters.
"I’d feel much better if he managed to fail the entrance exam... but life is rarely that kind. He’s actually quite capable when it comes to magic. He’ll likely pass."
If Rodel entered as their classmate, he would undoubtedly try to sink his claws into Viola and Primula. The prince’s track record was already stained with scandals.
He had harassed a noblewoman he met at a ball, leading to a violent altercation with her fiancé. He had committed an assault against a young maid at the Royal Castle, attempting to take her by force. He had even tried to court a foreign princess visiting on a diplomatic mission, only to fly into a screaming rage when she rejected him.
Every incident had been hushed up just before it could escalate into a national crisis, but everyone in the upper circles knew that Rodel was an unprecedentedly worthless prince.
"...The Daughter of Duke Crocus, his fiancée, is also set to enroll in the same year. And the Second Prince is two years ahead of him, so perhaps he won't cause any major incidents, but still."
"Indeed. For the sake of the young ladies' safety, it is best they have a fiancé to act as a shield."
With a formal fiancé, even a prince could not easily force his advances. And if the girls were forced to defend themselves against him, the blame would fall squarely on the one who ignored the social contract of engagement.
"Once Rest passes the exam, I’ll begin the engagement procedures immediately. I cannot bear the thought of my daughters falling prey to that idiot prince."
"Which is why the Ebern family must remain nobles for now. I understand," the butler said, nodding deeply.
However, he quickly followed up with a pointed question. "But, Master..."
"Between Lady Viola and Lady Primula... which one do you intend to engage to Master Rest? Regardless of which sister you choose, I suspect the other will not take the news well."
"Urgh..."
Struck where it hurt, Albert’s face twisted into a grimace. To protect his daughters from the prince, a fiancé was necessary, even if only for appearance's sake.
But there was only one Rest. And there were two daughters.
Whether he chose Viola or Primula, it was guaranteed to cause a massive rift.
"Since bigamy is legally permitted for the nobility, perhaps you could simply give him both..."
"No! Absolutely not! No, no, no!"
Albert shook his head so violently it was a wonder his neck didn't snap.
"I am well aware that Rest is a fine young man with incredible potential! But... giving him both of my daughters is going way too far! I won't hear of it!"
"And yet, if you choose only one, the other lady will surely hate you for it. Can you truly endure that, Master?"
"Gwah..."
Albert clutched his chest as he imagined the scene: his precious daughter looking at him with cold eyes and saying, "I hate you, Father!"
He couldn't endure it. His heart would literally burst.
"Think of it this way... if you marry them both to Master Rest, you could keep them both here in this estate forever without ever having to see them leave the family."
"That... well, that might be true... but still..."
As the carriage rattled along, Albert buried his face in his hands and slumped forward. For the remainder of the journey back to the Rosemary estate, he did nothing but let out a continuous stream of tormented groans.