"............"
"For the record, I have already discussed this matter with Albert."
Count Walnut continued to speak to Rest, who remained speechless after being hit with such a staggering revelation.
"I realize it is poor form to bring a marriage proposal to a son-in-law who has yet to even hold his wedding ceremony, but... this is a rare opportunity to bring the Margrave Lavender House under control without bloodshed. We cannot afford to let it slip away."
"I... see..."
Hearing Count Walnut's words, Rest shifted his gaze toward Marquis Rosemary.
The father of Viola and Primula—the man who would soon be Rest's father-in-law—wore a somber expression. He slowly shook his head.
'Just accept it.' Even without a word, the sentiment was clear.
(Third Prince Cedric and his backer, Marquis Eiger, only just launched their rebellion. If Margrave Lavender were to follow suit and raise the banner of revolt now, the very foundations of the kingdom would crumble. Of course they can't pass up an opportunity to pacify him...)
If civil wars continued to break out in succession, the public would be consumed by anxiety. Furthermore, the kingdom’s relationship with the Geisel Empire—the great power to the east—was currently stable, but another internal conflict could easily fracture that peace.
"Fortunately, it seems Ulula Lavender is content to serve as a concubine. I understand you already have several other candidates for such positions? Since the Margrave Lavender House intends to take in every child born to Ulula, there will be no inheritance disputes. I truly believe there are no downsides to this arrangement."
"That... is true. There are no downsides..."
Rest squeezed the words out, his expression unreadable.
There were no downsides.
None at all.
He didn't dislike Ulula; in fact, he found her quite endearing for the way she had grown attached to him. If the country could be stabilized simply by him marrying her, then it was a purely positive development.
(And yet... there’s something chilling about how precisely they’re stripping away my options.)
It felt as though he was being slowly suffocated with soft silk. Just because the fabric felt pleasant didn't change the fact that if he yielded to it, he would eventually reach an irreversible end.
While Rest struggled to manage a growing headache, Marquis Catreia, who had remained silent until then, took a step forward.
"If... the number of wives is becoming a burden..."
"Pardon?"
"............No, forget it."
Marquis Catreia stepped back without finishing his thought. Despite being technically unrelated to the Lavender proposal, the Marquis wore a look more bitter than anyone else in the room. Rest had a fair idea of what the man had intended to say, but he chose to look away in silence.
"Of course, the Royal Family intends to support the Count Clover House to the absolute best of our ability. We will not leave you to handle this alone, so please, rest easy."
"......I am grateful for your consideration."
Rest bowed his head in response to Count Walnut’s assurance.
"We shall support you as well. Do not worry. I am counting on you to look after my daughter."
"Indeed... do your best, Rest."
"............"
Duke Crocus, Marquis Rosemary, and Marquis Catreia took turns clapping him on the shoulder. Marquis Catreia’s pat was particularly heavy; Rest felt his collarbone creak in protest under the force.
(So, it's basically set in stone now. I’m marrying Viola, Primula, Yuri, Celestine, and Ulula...?)
Every single one of them was the daughter of a prestigious noble house. On top of that, they were all exceptionally beautiful. It was as if he had become some sort of harem protagonist from a manga or light novel.
(I have to... make them all happy. No matter what.)
At least five of them. And that number might still increase. Then there were the children they would eventually have.
A growing family was a good thing. It was the best thing, really. For someone like Rest, who had never known the warmth of a parent's love, wasn't this the very definition of an ideal life?
(But... it’s a heavy burden. Perhaps I was underestimating what responsibility actually meant.)
A weight even greater than the one he felt when he was first named a Count bore down on him. Shuddering under the gravity of his new reality, Rest unconsciously tightened his grip on the front of his coat.