"By the way... I have a bit of a favor to ask. Would that be okay?"
After finishing the tea and Azuki Cookies—and having his fill of Ulula’s fingers—Rest finally broached the main subject.
He wiped his hands and mouth with a handkerchief before continuing in a measured tone.
"The truth is... I came here because I’m looking for a specific kind of monster meat. I’m truly sorry to trouble you, but do you think you could intercede with Lord Margrave Lavender on my behalf?"
"I will."
"Thank you... wait, aren't you going to ask what kind of monster it is first?"
"No need."
Rest was taken aback by how quickly she responded.
"I won’t refuse. Not for you, Rest."
"Does that mean... you're saying you'll never say no to anything I ask?"
"Yes."
Again, her answer was immediate and absolute.
Even if they were close enough to suck on each other’s fingers, he wondered if it was really wise for her to trust him this much.
"It's fine. I will make him agree."
"You'll make the Margrave agree? I heard he was an incredibly stubborn man..."
"......"
Ulula beckoned her butler over and whispered something directly into his ear.
"Is something wrong?"
"Wait."
"Huh?"
She told him to wait just a moment.
As he did as he was told, an elderly man stepped out onto the terrace.
He was a well-dressed gentleman with a remarkably soft and gentle face.
"Ah, Count Clover. I apologize for making you come all this way."
"Huh... could you be...?"
"Ah, I haven't introduced myself yet. Please, forgive my lack of courtesy."
The old man placed a hand over his heart and announced himself.
"I am Loser Lavender VI. My granddaughter is always in your care."
"Please, forgive my rudeness...!"
Rest scrambled out of his chair and bowed deeply.
"I am Rest Clover. Thank you very much for inviting me today!"
"Think nothing of it. I'm the one who sent the invitation so suddenly. I simply had to meet the man who has been so kind to my granddaughter."
"H-huh?"
The Margrave’s expression remained serene throughout.
In fact, his gentle face practically radiated goodwill toward Rest.
(What is with this guy's friendliness? Is he plotting something?)
Rest was utterly bewildered by the Margrave’s warm reception.
When someone was this overtly kind, it almost felt more suspicious.
"I hope you’ll continue to be close with Ulula. Honestly, I wouldn't mind at all if you took her as your wife. Ho-ho-ho!"
"N-now, surely you're joking..."
"Not a joke."
"Ho-ho-ho! It seems Ulula is pleased with the idea as well!"
The Margrave and Ulula shared a laugh—though in Ulula’s case, she simply remained expressionless while a faint blush crept into her cheeks.
"Um... Ulula—I mean, your granddaughter—is your heir, right? I heard the Margrave Lavender House didn't have any other children...?"
"Ah, there’s no problem as long as you give us whatever child she bears to be our adoptee. I plan on remaining the head of this house for another twenty years, so it's a perfectly fine arrangement. Ho-ho-ho!"
"Ha... ahahaha..."
Could he really just laugh this off?
There was an undeniable weight to the atmosphere that suggested this was no mere jest. He felt as though his escape routes were being systematically cut off.
(This is... getting dangerous, isn't it?)
"Ah, well... I'm still just a novice in these matters, so it would be best to discuss such things through my guardian. Yes."
"Hmm... Marquis Rosemary, then. Well, it can't be helped."
The Margrave pondered this for a moment, but Rest had managed to deflect the topic for the time being.
"I suppose I'll do that, then. By the way, I heard you had a favor to ask...?"
"Ah, no... that's quite alright now—"
"I hear you're after the meat of a Diamond Bear from the Forbidden Forest."
"Wait, what? I haven't even mentioned that yet..."
"Yes, yes, I’ll permit it! You have my leave to enter and hunt as you wish!"
Before Rest could sense the danger and decline the offer, the Margrave had already given his enthusiastic approval.
Furthermore, Rest was certain he hadn't even mentioned the name "Diamond Bear" yet. How did he already know?
"A favor, established."
Ulula’s quiet mutter sounded far too ominous.
A chill ran down Rest's spine.
(Forget the outer moats... are they trying to fill in the inner ones too?)
He felt like a fly that had wandered straight into a spider's web.
Terror gripped him as the unexpected developments kept piling up, and a cold sweat broke out across his forehead.