At last, the first-ever gala hosted by the House of Count Clover came to a close.
Although the celebration was meant to commemorate the mansion's completion, the collection of rare delicacies had turned it into a banquet where the food took center stage. Regardless, with guests ranging from the Aiwood Kingdom's most influential nobles to royalty, the event was a resounding success. It was an auspicious beginning for the newly established House of Clover.
"Well... it’s finally over. Good work, you two."
"Yes, well done to you too," Viola replied.
"Good work, Lord Rest," Primula added.
A soft clink echoed as they brought their three glasses together. They were in a private room within the Count Clover Mansion, sharing a quiet toast together. The party had ended, and the guests had already departed. While the cleanup remained, they had decided to hold their own private celebration first.
"Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Honestly, a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."
"Same here. It was my first time hosting a gala of that scale, so I was incredibly nervous."
"As was I. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst," Primula said, clutching her chest with a long sigh.
They were both only sixteen. Even as daughters of a Marquis, they were technically still students. While they were considered adults in this kingdom, back in Japan, they would have still been seen as children. Yet, they had just finished entertaining the pillars of the state—adults equivalent to cabinet ministers or governors. It was no wonder they had been so tense.
"I'm just glad everyone had a good time. It adds much-needed prestige to our House of Clover."
"Our house, huh...?" Rest smiled wryly.
They hadn't held a formal wedding yet, but Viola and Primula were his fiancées. This party had served to officially announce to the world that they were to be the Countesses of Clover.
"What’s that look for? Do you have an objection?"
"Lord Rest, do you have second thoughts about marrying us?"
"No, no, not at all. Far from it... I just thought it was the perfect timing."
"Perfect timing?" they asked in unison, tilting their heads.
Despite having opposite personalities, seeing them synchronize their gestures like this was always heartwarming.
"To tell the truth, I’ve prepared a surprise—well, two of them, actually."
"Oh? What is it?"
"I wonder what you have in mind?"
"Well then, would you both follow me to the balcony?"
Rest opened the glass doors and led the sisters outside. They followed him with puzzled expressions.
"I considered showing this off as entertainment during the party, but I decided I wanted the first time to be just for the two of you. It's my newest magic."
Rest focused his mana and raised his palm toward the heavens. He had created several original spells, but this one wasn't for combat. It was a spell designed purely for joy.
"Night Cherry Blossom!"
In an instant, fire erupted in the sky. Pink flames bloomed against the darkness, painting a vivid, radiant flower.
"Wow...!" the sisters gasped in awe.
Rest released a continuous stream of multi-colored flames, coloring the canvas of the night sky.
"Incredible... it’s so beautiful...!"
"I've never seen magic like this before. Did you develop this yourself, Rest?"
"Yeah. I named it Night Cherry Blossom."
This was the new magic Rest had developed. By launching colorful flames into the sky, it provided a spectacular display—essentially, it was a firework show.
(Fireworks don't exist in this world. That’s to be expected, given the lack of gunpowder.)
It was entirely possible to recreate the effect with magic; technically, it wasn't even that difficult.
(The difficulty lies in the lack of the concept. Magic is viewed as a weapon—a technology for war. No one thinks to use it just to make people happy.)
Back in his original world, it had taken six centuries from the invention of gunpowder for ornamental fireworks to emerge. Perhaps it was because gunpowder was a precious resource, or perhaps simply because few thought to turn a tool for killing into a form of entertainment.
"This is amazing, Rest! So this was the surprise!"
"I'm so happy... but didn't you say there were two?"
The sisters asked curiously, their voices bright with excitement at the beautiful sight. Rest felt even more nervous than he had during the gala. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the items he had prepared.
"A gift for both of you. I'd like you to have them."
"Eh...?"
He presented them with rings crafted from Rainbow Crystal. He had taken the raw ore he brought back from the centipede nest and commissioned a jeweler to process them. He had even secured their ring sizes by having an attendant maid measure their fingers in secret.
"I wanted to say this properly... I'm in your hands from now on. Please, stay by my side as my wives."
"............!"
For a moment, the two stood frozen in shock as he slid the rings onto their fingers. Then, as the reality sank in, their faces broke into wide smiles, and they lunged at him.
"With pleasure!!"
"Whoa!"
The force of their embrace sent Rest sprawling onto his back on the balcony floor.
"Even if you beg, I'm never letting go! Be prepared!"
"We'll be together forever! I'm not taking no for an answer!"
"Hahaha... please, go easy on me."
Seeing Viola and Primula so happy they were nearly in tears made the effort entirely worth it.
"Oh, I'm just so happy! I want to give you everything right now!"
"Sister Viola, why wait for the wedding at all?"
"You're right... as long as we don't start a family quite yet, maybe we should just finish things here?"
"Wait, what?! What are you talking about?!"
Rest shouted in a panic at their suggestive remarks.
"It's fine, Rest. Just look at the stars."
"I'll be very gentle, Lord Rest...!"
"Wait—no—stoppppppp!"
Pinned down by the two girls as they began to loosen their dresses, Rest let out a high-pitched scream that sounded like a frightened maiden.