Despite the many twists and turns, Eilische’s approval had finalized the matter: Rest was officially set to enter the House of Marquis Rosemary through a matrilocal marriage.
Even the head of the family, Albert, had reluctantly conceded to let Rest marry both sisters. Within the walls of the estate, the relationship between the three of them was now a matter of public record.
The only problem was that Rest himself had no idea he was the sisters’ fiancé.
He remained under the impression that he had been welcomed into the mansion as an apprentice servant—a gesture of gratitude for saving the sisters' lives. While he certainly felt a sense of incongruity regarding how aggressively they were closing the distance between them, he never dared to imagine it was out of romantic love.
This wasn't so much a matter of being dense as it was a total lack of experience with being loved.
In his previous life, he had known no parental affection. He had spent his days desperately studying and working part-time jobs just to survive. He’d had friends, but a lover had always been out of reach. His current life was slightly better, but between a few childhood friends and a kind priest, his romantic experience remained at zero. The notion that a complete stranger could offer him unconditional love was entirely foreign to him.
That was precisely why the Rosemary sisters launched their fierce assault. To force Rest to see them as women, they had chosen to go on a relentless offensive.
"……Umm."
"W-What is it, Rest?" Viola asked.
"Is something the matter, Rest-sama?" Primula added.
"This situation… isn't it a bit strange, no matter how you look at it?"
Rest’s face twitched as he took in the impossible circumstances. They were currently in the bathhouse of the Rosemary estate. Rest sat there with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist to preserve his dignity.
While the sisters weren't entirely naked, they were wearing nothing but thin, robe-like bathing garments. The damp fabric clung to their skin, turning translucent and highlighting every curve of their bodies with provocative clarity. These two beauties, in such scandalous attire, were currently busy washing the back of the boy sitting on the bath chair.
This is wrong… This is definitely, definitely wrong! Rest screamed internally.
He knew Viola and Primula were grateful to him for saving them. But even so, this was excessive. It was one thing for them to help him with his studies, but washing his back was a far cry from a simple thank-you.
"How is the pressure?" Primula whispered, leaning in close.
Rest felt a soft warmth press against his back, the weight of it shifting and yielding against his skin.
What?! he thought, his mind racing.
What was that weight? He had felt their softness against him during their study sessions, but the sensation now was entirely different. It was only natural—Rest was bare-skinned, and Primula was wearing a garment thinner than a nightgown. Because the robe was soaked, it was practically the same as direct contact.
Wait… does that mean she isn’t wearing anything underneath?
"I-I’ll wash you too!" Viola chimed in, sounding flustered as she pressed herself against him from the other side.
Her chest was slightly smaller than Primula’s, but it was firm and pressed tightly against him.
They’re both chests, but the sensation is completely different… No, I hate myself for being able to tell!
"B-Both of you… why are you doing this, really?"
"Why, you ask? Do you still not understand?" Viola asked.
"Do you truly not recognize our feelings?" Primula added.
"Eh…?" Rest stammered.
Viola and Primula looked at him with shimmering, expectant eyes.
"I wouldn’t go this far for just a 'hero' who saved my life," Viola said.
"Neither would I. I would never do this for anyone who wasn't special to me," Primula confirmed. "Tell us, Rest. Do you really not understand how we feel?"
Rest went silent. He felt the heat of their bodies through the thin fabric. They were girls his age, and they were being this bold. Was it even possible to remain oblivious?
"No way…"
Finally—at long last—it felt as though a puzzle piece had clicked into place in Rest’s mind.
The two of them… about me? It can’t be.
Even Rest couldn't ignore the truth any longer. Viola and Primula harbored romantic feelings for him.
But why? I don't remember doing anything that would make them love me…
He felt as though he hadn't done anything significant. He had just helped them a little in the forest. To think they could fall in love with him over just that. In his previous life, even his parents hadn't loved him. In this life, he had lost his mother early, only to be tormented by his father, stepmother, and half-brother.
And yet, they fell in love with someone like me?
"Rest?"
"Rest-sama?"
"……Thank you," Rest finally managed to say.
He offered his gratitude for the fact that they could care for someone like him. However, the sisters behind him responded with pouting, dissatisfied voices.
"A 'thank you' isn't quite right, is it?"
"Indeed. Those aren't the words we are looking for."
"Uhh…"
Even the dense Rest understood now. They weren't looking for gratitude; they wanted a response to their affection.
"Uhh… I’m sorry."
"What?!" they both cried out in unison.
"No, wait, that’s not it! I’m not rejecting you!" Rest scrambled to fix his mistake as their expressions crumpled. "I’m happy about your feelings. Really, I’m incredibly happy! But… I don’t know what words I should give you in return."
Until now, he had spent every waking moment desperately trying to change his lot in life. He had fought to get back at his father and stepmother, to humble his brother, and to escape the life where he had been trampled upon. He was in the middle of a frantic struggle for his own future. He simply hadn't possessed the emotional leeway for romance.
"So… could you give me some time? I promise I’ll give you a proper answer when the right time comes. I swear it."
"…Fine. I’ll wait," Viola said. "But only because you’re special!"
"Well, things won't truly move forward until you pass the entrance exam, anyway," Primula noted.
The two of them leaned in against him, accepting his somewhat pathetic plea for more time.
"Thank you…!"
Rest felt a wave of genuine relief. It wasn't that he disliked them—far from it. He simply wanted the confidence to be a man who could actually live up to their feelings.
I’ll get stronger. I’ll grow powerful and climb higher than anyone…! Once I’m certain I can protect them both, that’s when I’ll give them my answer!
As Rest made that silent vow, he spent the rest of the bath trying desperately to figure out how to ignore the intoxicating heat of the two girls pressing against his skin.