Rest was shown to the estate's guest room once their initial conversation concluded. He had been strongly encouraged to stay the night, with his hosts insisting he rest before beginning the Diamond Bear hunt the next day.
As Rest disappeared into the guest room, the remaining figures—Ulula and the man who had played the part of Margrave Lavender—lowered their voices to begin a private conversation.
"Was that to your satisfaction, my Lady?"
"Mm. It was fine."
The Margrave addressed Ulula with deep respect. She nodded back, appearing pleased with the result.
"Good. You did well."
"Your praise is more than I deserve. I am simply glad you are happy."
The man bowed politely to her. Although their dialogue suggested a total reversal of master and servant, this was, in fact, the true nature of their relationship.
"Ah, I suppose I may drop the facade now."
The man passed a hand over his face. In an instant, his appearance shifted. The elderly Margrave vanished, replaced by the man in the butler uniform who had been attending to Rest earlier.
Rest had no way of knowing, but this butler was a high-ranking member of the Margrave’s secret unit. A master of transformation magic, he had been masquerading as Ulula's grandfather.
"This ensures Count Clover is in our debt. It will be much harder for him to refuse a request from you now, my Lady."
"Mm."
"Once we obtain permission from Marquis Rosemary and a final blessing from His Majesty the King, the Count will find it nearly impossible to decline a marriage proposal. Neither of them has a reason to refuse the union. They may find our sudden change of heart suspicious, but they will ultimately accept."
The butler’s assessment was likely accurate. The Margrave Lavender House had long kept its distance from the pro-royal cooperative faction, consistently advocating for war with the Empire. This stance had made the house a persistent thorn in the King's side.
If Ulula were to marry Rest, that political headache would vanish. Rest was under the guardianship of Marquis Rosemary and firmly rooted in the moderate faction. While the crown would be wary of Rest being absorbed into the Lavender family, they would wholeheartedly support Ulula being brought into the Count Clover House. It was practically synonymous with absorbing the entire Lavender territory into the moderate fold.
"The only concern is the concentration of power within the House of Clover. If Rest Clover were ever to turn against the Kingdom of Aiwood, it could mean the end of the nation."
Counting both official and unofficial arrangements, Rest already had a list of fiancées and potential concubines. Viola and Primula of the Rosemary House, Yuri of the Catreia House, and Celestine of the Crocus House. If Ulula were added to that number, Rest would be allied by marriage to over half of the kingdom’s most powerful nobility. Depending on how he played his hand, his influence could easily eclipse that of the Royal Family.
"Should even a seed of malice sprout within his heart, he might become a threat greater than the Geisel Empire itself..."
"It is fine," Ulula replied instantly.
"It is fine. He is good."
"But... at the very least, we should keep him under surveillance..."
"No. I am watching."
Ulula’s eyes shimmered with the colors of a rainbow.
"I am watching him... always. I will never stop. That is why it is safe."
"...As you wish."
The butler conceded. Although he held the highest authority over the servants within the Lavender estate, he was in no position to countermand his master's will. If Ulula insisted it was so, he had no choice but to accept.
"If you are that certain, my Lady, I shall leave the matter to you."
"Mm... Besides, he is what this country needs."
"Needs? Lord Rest?"
"A storm is coming. From the North and the East. The kingdom must unite around Rest to survive. It is vital."
"............"
Ulula possessed the Fairy Eyes, a rare gift that allowed her to see distant events and, occasionally, glimpses of the future. Whatever she saw through those eyes suggested that Rest was destined to be the center of a world-altering storm.
"I understand. On another note... regarding dinner..."
"Eastern ethnic cuisine. Rest wants it."
"Ah, he did seem quite pleased with the azuki sweets earlier. It seems Eastern flavors suit him."
"We will serve ramen. He will be happy."
"The soup pasta dish, then. I will instruct the chef to add it to the menu."
"Thank you."
That evening, the Margrave Lavender House served a feast of ethnic dishes from the East. Whether they had been introduced by another reincarnated person or simply existed in this world's culture, Rest was so moved by the nostalgic flavors of Japan that he was nearly brought to tears.