The results of the entrance exam arrived two weeks later.
While the exams for the Noble and Commoner Categories had been held separately, the results were delivered on the same day.
"I did it! I passed!"
Viola let out a cry of joy as she tore open the envelope from the Academy and scanned the letter inside. In the language of this world, the word "Pass" was written in bold, prominent script.
"Thank goodness... I passed as well."
Primula followed suit, clutching her own letter to her chest with a sigh of relief. Though she had expressed confidence after the exam, she had clearly still been anxious.
For a moment, the Rosemary sisters rejoiced in their success. Then, their attention turned toward the silent third person in the room.
"Um... what about you, Rest?"
"Rest?"
"............"
Rest remained silent under their scrutiny, his expression stiff. A flicker of unease crossed the sisters' faces. Surely he didn't...
"Ah, sorry. I passed. I really did."
Noticing their stares, Rest spoke up in a flustered hurry. He showed them his letter, which was clearly adorned with the word "Pass."
"Honestly! Don't scare us like that!"
"Rest, you gave me quite a fright."
"Sorry, sorry. I was just lost in thought. Regardless, all three of us passed."
"Hooray!" the sisters cheered in unison.
Taking each other's hands, they jumped for joy. The two girls, with their nearly identical features, looked like mirror images as they hopped in perfect symmetry.
"We can go to the Academy together starting next year!"
"To attend the Academy with you... it’s like a dream come true!"
"I'm happy too. Truly."
Rest felt as though his life had just taken a massive leap forward. Admission to the Academy guaranteed one's future, provided they weren't an exceptionally poor student. A career at the Royal Palace would be within reach, and even failing that, one could expect to be hired by local nobles with excellent benefits.
And for me, this is where the real work begins.
For Rest, passing was expected; he had felt confident during the testing. The truly important part was what came next.
"Inhale... exhale... Inhale... exhale..."
"Rest?"
"Is something wrong?"
The sisters tilted their heads as they watched him take deep, deliberate breaths. Rest dropped to one knee before them and pulled a small object from his pocket.
"Viola, Primula... please marry me."
"............!"
The sisters' eyes went wide in unison.
Rest held out two rings of different colors. Viola's was set with a red ruby, while Primula's held a blue sapphire. He had purchased them at a jewelry store in the Royal Capital, spending every copper he had earned from monster hunting—savings that dated back to even before he had arrived at the Rosemary estate.
"These rings..."
"They're beautiful..."
"I wanted to buy them with my own money, so they aren't the most expensive items... but I chose them with the two of you in mind. What do you think?"
Rest explained, his back damp with sweat from the tension. They aren’t grand treasures, but I wanted to give them something real to show my gratitude... and my love.
He had spent the past year living with Viola and Primula, and over time, his affection for them had blossomed. Falling for two girls at once might be considered unfaithful, but at this point, he couldn't possibly choose between them.
If they would accept him, he wanted them to have these rings. With that prayer in his heart, he looked up from his kneeling position. Viola and Primula broke into brilliant smiles, their faces glowing like flowers in full bloom.
"I'm so happy! Thank you, Rest!"
"With pleasure... I won't let you escape now, Rest!"
The sisters took the rings. Viola held hers up to her hand, looking thoughtful.
"I wonder which finger it should go on?"
"Um... it’s supposed to fit the ring finger of the left hand."
"The left ring finger? Is there a reason for that?" Primula asked, tilting her head.
"I read it in a book once. Apparently, in another country, it’s the finger that signifies love."
Rest took Primula's hand and slid the ring onto her finger. Since he had surreptitiously measured their sizes beforehand, it was a perfect fit.
"Rest! Me too, me too!"
"Yes, of course. Here you go."
"Thank you! I love you!"
When he placed the ring on Viola's finger, she threw her arms around him, overcome with emotion.
"Ah, no fair, Sister!"
Not wanting to be left out, Primula joined the embrace. The three of them huddled close, sharing their warmth and the joy of the moment.
I'm so happy... I swear, I will make them both happy.
With that firm vow in his heart, Rest felt tears welling in his eyes.
"............Hmph."
"Oh, to be young..."
Meanwhile, in a corner of the room, the Rosemary spouses watched with lukewarm gazes. They were in the Marquis’s living room, after all, and the butler and maids were standing by with awkward, embarrassed expressions.
It would be just a little while longer before Rest and the sisters, lost in their own world of three, noticed the stares of everyone else and turned beet red.