Viola and Primula.
Rest had been on the very brink of being devoured by the women he loved... but somehow, he managed to escape the predicament.
Alerted by a scream worthy of a maiden in distress, the girls' parents—the Marquis and Marchioness Rosemary, who were staying at the mansion—had rushed onto the balcony and put an end to their daughters' rampage.
"Listen well, girls! Premarital relations are a disgrace to the nobility! They are strictly forbidden!"
"Exactly. And do you even have proper protection?"
"Rest is a reliable young man, yes, but neither of you has even graduated from the Academy yet. It won't be too late once you’ve secured your standing."
"At sixteen, the risk of a miscarriage is far too high. I want plenty of grandchildren, but if you were to die, what would be the point of any of it?"
The couple lectured the sisters from entirely different perspectives. The father was a staunch opponent of premarital intimacy, while the mother belonged to the "it's fine as long as you use contraceptives" camp.
Viola and Primula sat in formal seiza before them, their heads hung low as they endured the scolding.
"Don't you worry. When the time finally comes, I'll prepare plenty of stamina potions. I’ve made this man drink them before, you know, and he really did act exactly like an ape—"
"Eilische, could you please remain silent for a moment?"
"Mmph..."
Albert physically clamped his hand over her mouth, cutting her off just as she was about to graphically detail their private affairs. Seeing that Viola and Primula had been sufficiently humbled, Albert turned his attention toward Rest.
"Ah... I apologize, Rest. My daughters have caused you a great deal of trouble."
"No, it’s..."
Rest shook his head while attempting to fix his torn jacket. To be honest, it had been a razor-thin escape. Both Rest and the sisters had been practically naked. If the parents had arrived even a few minutes later, all three of them would likely have lost their virtue.
He had thought he was prepared for marriage, but it seemed he still needed a bit more mental fortitude before crossing that final line.
"I love them both, and I cherish them. I'm not particularly angry."
"Rest..."
"Lord Rest..."
"Well, how should I put it... when the time eventually comes, I’ll be prepared too. I’ll be in your care then."
"...I suppose I should teach them contraceptive magic sooner rather than later."
Albert pressed his fingers to his temples, his face twisting as if he were fighting off a sudden migraine. Though they had prevented the act this time, it was only a matter of time before the next opportunity arose. He had clearly sensed the tension between the three of them.
"Good grief... I look forward to seeing the faces of my grandchildren, but please, try not to give me an ulcer. The international climate is precarious enough as it is."
"Um... has something happened?"
The Magical Beast Subnock had been slain, Marquis Eiger and the Third Prince Rodel had been defeated, and the Margrave Lavender House had defected to the Moderate Faction. Most of the internal threats that had long plagued the Aiwood Kingdom were finally resolved. Since Rest had been central to almost all of these events, it was only natural for the King to keep a close eye on him.
"Is there movement abroad? Is the Geisel Empire preparing for war?"
"No... if that were the case, we wouldn't have been able to attend this party. The trouble is brewing in the north."
Albert explained with a heavy, troubled sigh.
"Lately, members of the Northern Foreign Tribes have been spotted loitering near the border. They haven't committed any overt acts of aggression yet, but they’ve been silent for so long that this sudden appearance is eerie. We’re currently investigating."
"The foreign tribes..."
The vast forests to the north of the Aiwood Kingdom were home to various tribes who occasionally emerged to threaten both Aiwood and the Geisel Empire. In fact, the primary reason for the peace treaty between the two formerly warring nations was the shared threat these tribes posed.
"The sightings were in Marquis Catreia's territory. His son is currently handling the situation, and we expect a formal report soon."
"By any chance... do you think there will be a war?"
"I can't say. But... if the worst should happen, the kingdom will surely call upon you."
"I see..."
For better or worse, Rest had become far too prominent. He was now a strategic asset second only to the Knight Order and the Court Mages—the most promising powerhouse of the new generation. If the Aiwood Kingdom went to war with the northern barbarians, Rest would undoubtedly be thrust onto the front lines as a primary force.
"Well, that’s how things stand. I’d appreciate it if you could prepare yourself for that possibility, just as you prepare for my daughters."
"I understand. I'll keep it in mind."
Rest nodded at Albert’s weary request.
(My mansion is finally finished, and the management of my territory is about to start in earnest. Please, just let there be peace. No more wars.)
Rest wished for tranquility from the bottom of his heart... however, he still lacked a certain self-awareness. Though it was entirely against his will, Rest was a man cherished by chaos.
There was no god listening to Rest’s pleas for peace. If there were a deity watching over him, it was surely the God of Fate, who delighted in nothing more than a cruel prank.
Rest's wish went ungranted. Three months later, the Northern Foreign Tribes launched a massive invasion of the Aiwood Kingdom, and the flames of war descended once more upon his head.