"So, did you recover the golem then? I wonder if the Royal Palace will claim ownership of it."
"It is not yet decided. There is a possibility that the rights will eventually fall to Lord Rest."
A gentle splashing sound filled the room.
Within the bathroom of the Marquis Rosemary townhouse, a garden of radiant flowers seemed to bloom.
Relaxing in the water without a stitch of clothing were four young women: Viola Rosemary, Primula Rosemary, Yuri Catreia, and Celestine Crocus.
Several hours ago, Celestine had arrived at the townhouse with Rest after their outing. She had come to speak with the head of the house, Albert Rosemary, but by the time their discussion concluded, night had fallen. It was decided that she would stay the night.
After sharing a pleasant dinner and conversation, the four of them had naturally migrated to the bathroom together.
The sight of these distinct beauties gathered in their natural state was a true feast for the eyes—a miraculous scene akin to goddesses performing their ablutions.
"Come to think of it... this is the first time I've ever bathed with Celestine," Yuri said, her voice bright and bouncy as she stretched her limbs in the large tub. "I’m so happy. It finally feels like we’ve become true friends."
"I am happy as well," Celestine replied with a soft, slightly wry smile. "Though at this point, I feel we are more like 'sisters' than friends."
"I suppose so," Viola added with a small shrug. "This group will practically be sisters soon enough."
"Everyone here is already slated to marry Lord Rest, after all," Primula agreed, nodding with a slightly troubled look.
Marriage to Lord Rest Clover was a near-certainty for all four girls.
Viola and Primula were his official fiancées, set to marry him immediately upon graduation. While Rest was expected to eventually lead the Marquis Rosemary House, Albert was still in the prime of his life; there was even talk that inheritance might skip Rest and pass directly to the children he had with the twins.
"Oh, that's right! Celestine is marrying Rest too! That means we'll all be together forever, even after we graduate!"
Yuri, meanwhile, was technically still a runaway. She hadn't received formal permission to marry from her father, Marquis Catreia, but she had effectively won it by pummeling him in a one-on-one duel.
"The four of us will support Lord Rest together. I think that is a wonderful thing," Celestine said, her smile widening as her ample breasts drifted atop the water.
Though all four possessed bodies of breathtaking beauty, Celestine reigned supreme in terms of bust size. Her firm, well-tended physique was enough to make even those of her own gender sigh in admiration.
"Thinking on it... the daughter of the Margrave Lavender also seems to harbor feelings for Lord Rest," Primula noted, her brow furrowing as she considered the matter.
She had only met Ulula Lavender a few times, but she had sensed a clear affection for Rest in every facet of the girl's behavior.
"The young lady Lavender... I don't believe they have met very many times. I wonder when she could have fallen for him?" Viola mused.
"It's unlikely she's after his power or wealth," Primula added. "Their territories are far apart, and the House of Lavender is among the most prestigious of the elite families."
Celestine and Primula exchanged a glance, both tilting their heads in confusion. For the four girls, who were oblivious to the nature of his Spirit Eyes, the catalyst for Ulula’s affection remained an inexplicable puzzle.
"Lady Ulula is the only child of the Margrave Lavender... Surely she won't end up marrying into the family as well?"
"..."
Viola and Celestine met Primula’s question with silence. Ordinarily, such a thing would be unthinkable, yet they couldn't help but feel that where Rest was concerned, anything was possible.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Viola finally said. "As long as she is a lady from a house that can be useful to Rest."
Being forced to accept a woman without political value or personal competence would be a burden, but a woman of high utility was another matter entirely. Accepting such unions was simply part of being a noble.
"Mother is bound to try and foist mistresses on him anyway," Viola continued. "There's no point in clinging to possessiveness at this stage."
"Let us at least do our best to ensure the number of actual wives stops at five," Primula suggested.
"I agree," Celestine replied.
There, amidst the steam and water, Viola, Primula, and Celestine secretly forged their Ladies' Agreement.
"Hehe, this is so much fun! If only Rest were here to join us!"
Only Yuri remained blissfully carefree, splashing the water playfully with her feet.