After accepting Marquis Rosemary’s proposal, Rest had faced the family’s butler in a mock battle.
Though the match had ended in his defeat, the Marquis had agreed to provide him with a letter of recommendation. Rest spent the remainder of the day as a guest at the estate.
The following morning, just as he was wondering if it was time to take his leave, he was summoned to the Marquis’s office.
"And that is why," the Marquis declared, his expression somewhat bitter, "the House of Rosemary shall be taking you in."
"Wait, what do you mean 'and that is why'!?"
Rest’s voice cracked in surprise at the sudden announcement.
"Hooray!" the twins cheered in unison.
Beside the stunned boy, Viola and Primula clasped their hands and began to hop with joy. Despite their different hair colors and personalities, the sisters bounced in perfect synchronization, their voices bright with delight.
"This means we get to live with Rest-kun from now on!"
"Rest-sama, would you care for a game of chess? Or perhaps cards?"
"Now wait a moment, Primula. Rest-kun didn't come here to play. He’s moving in so he can focus on his studies!"
"I am well aware of that, Sister. However... surely we can relax on his first day? He was injured in yesterday's mock battle, after all."
"Hmm... I suppose you're right! In that case, why don't we go talk in my room? I have so many things I want to ask him!"
"Ahem!"
The Marquis gave a loud, pointed cough to interrupt his boisterous daughters.
"Rest-kun is being brought on strictly as an apprentice servant. Any discussions regarding the future will have to wait until his admission to the Royal Academy is finalized. I expect both of you to keep that in mind."
"Oka—y!"
"Understood, Father."
"Now then... Rest-kun."
The Marquis fixed Rest with a piercing glare.
"You will reside here as a servant of this house, using the time to study for your exams under the guise of vocational training. I cannot offer you a salary, but in exchange, we will provide for your room and board."
"I certainly don't mind, but... are you sure? This arrangement seems entirely in my favor."
"You saved my daughters' lives. I wish to do at least this much. Furthermore, since you are applying with a recommendation from my house, it would be a personal embarrassment if you were to fail."
"He's right, Rest-kun! Don't be modest!"
"We truly are in your debt, Rest-sama. This hardly qualifies as repayment."
Viola and Primula chimed in, reinforcing their father's points.
Their host was one of the most powerful high nobles in the kingdom. Providing housing for a single servant was a trivial matter for a man of his standing.
"If you have any other requests, I will grant them if they are within reason," the Marquis added. "However... I will entertain no requests to share a room with my daughters!"
"I-I would never ask for that!"
Rest waved his hands frantically. They were taking him in from the stables and supporting his education; he couldn't possibly ask for anything more.
Wait.
One thing did come to mind.
The Marquis’s monocle caught the light as he narrowed his eyes. "You have a thought? Speak up."
"Um... if it’s not too much trouble, I would like to ask the butler to teach me how to fight."
"Ho? Combat training?"
"Yes. During our mock battle, I realized how little experience I have fighting other people. I was hoping he might be willing to instruct me."
"Hmm..."
The Marquis glanced toward the door, where the butler stood perfectly still. The older man gave a deep, respectful nod.
"I, too, felt that Rest-dono showed great promise. If he desires it, I would be honored to train him."
"Since Dieble is willing, I have no objections, provided it doesn't interfere with your studies. The entrance exam does include a practical portion, after all."
"Thank you very much!"
Rest bowed first to the Marquis and then to the butler.
"Right, now that the business is settled! We need to get Rest-kun’s room ready!"
"The room right next to mine would be best, wouldn't it? It would be so convenient for our study sessions."
"Absolutely not, Primula! Rest-kun is staying in the room next to mine!"
"Sister, that’s nonsense. My grades are better than yours, so my room is clearly the more logical choice!"
"Whoa!"
The Rosemary sisters each grabbed one of Rest’s arms and began their tug-of-war. Caught in the middle, Rest’s head spun as he looked back and forth between them.
"Rest-kun... I trust you understand that if you lay a finger on my daughters, there will be dire consequences...!"
"Eek!"
To make matters worse, the Marquis clamped a hand onto Rest’s shoulder, delivering the warning with a terrifyingly intense smile.
(W-What am I supposed to do here...?)
On one side, the sisters were bombarding him with unbridled affection. On the other, the Marquis watched him with eyes bloodshot from protective jealousy. Rest’s eyes rolled as he succumbed to the overwhelming pressure.
He had spent years being mistreated by the Honorary Viscount Ebern House, but he was quickly learning that even the finest hospitality could become its own brand of torment when taken to extremes.
Eventually, after much heated debate, it was decided that Rest would stay in a room on the same floor as the sisters, but at a safely respectful distance.