Thus, Rest took up residence at the Marquis Rosemary estate.
He had lived as a commoner until the age of ten, and for the four years following his mother’s death, he had made his home in a stable. Living in a marquis’s mansion was an entirely foreign experience, and he had braced himself for a life of walking on eggshells, feeling like an interloper.
However, once he actually began his new life there, it proved to be comfortable. In fact, it was perhaps a bit too comfortable.
"Rest-kun, is there anything you don't understand yet?"
"Lord Rest, this is how you solve this particular problem."
"……"
In a room far too grand for a mere apprentice servant, Rest sat sandwiched between Viola and Primula, focused on his exam prep.
Viola sat to his right and Primula to his left. The two pressed their bodies against his with unnecessary closeness as they peered down at his work. Since they were within the privacy of the mansion, both were dressed in what appeared to be loungewear. Or perhaps "nightdress"—or even "negligee"—was the more appropriate term.
The garments were a bit too thin to be worn in front of a boy their age. The colors seemed coordinated to their hair: yellow for Viola and light blue for Primula.
What on earth is this? Rest wondered. Why are they wearing such provocative clothes just to tutor me?
He desperately tried to keep his focus on the questions, but in the back of his mind, he was acutely aware of the sisters.
Then again, this was the Rosemary mansion. The sisters were free to wear whatever they pleased in their own home. Rest had no right to complain.
Come to think of it... I remember reading in a manga somewhere that nobles don't feel a thing about showing skin to commoners. Does that mean they’re fine because they don't even see me as a man?
"There... I’ve solved it."
"Mm-hmm, that’s correct! Well done, Rest-kun! I feel like giving you a reward!"
"Lord Rest has such an excellent memory! At this rate, you’ll be more than ready by the time the exams arrive!"
"Ugh..."
The sisters leaned in, the soft pressure of their bodies unmistakable. A faint, floral fragrance drifted from them. There were no shampoos or body soaps in this world, so he found himself wondering what produced such a lovely scent.
He could feel a gentle warmth and soft texture against both his arms. Because of the thin fabric of their dresses, their curves were vividly discernable. Rest was not so young that he failed to realize what he was feeling.
Inevitably, his face flushed deep red, and his tongue felt heavy in his mouth.
"M-My ladies... um, you’re touching me, err...!"
"Don't call me 'My lady.' Call me Viola."
"And I'm Primula, Lord Rest."
"Ugh...!"
The two pressed themselves even closer. He had no memory of ever experiencing the sensation of a woman's breasts—which yielded and changed shape so softly—aside from his mother’s when he was a small child, even if he included his previous life.
No way... Am I really being toyed with by children like this?!
Rest’s body trembled as a strange sensation sent shivers down his spine. In his previous life, Rest had died at seventeen. To him, the fourteen-year-old Rosemary sisters should have looked like middle schoolers.
However, the people of this country all possessed Western features. While people often said Japanese people looked young by international standards, the sisters looked like mature women to him—high schoolers or older.
Even though I’m practically a middle-aged man if you count my previous life... to think I’m being trifled with by girls this young...!
"Rest-kun?"
"Lord Rest?"
"Kh... Lady Viola, Lady Primula, you’re too close. Please, move away a little...!"
"I don't think the 'Lady' is necessary... but very well."
"Yes. I shall forgive you for today."
The sisters gave him mischievous smiles and finally pulled back. As the blissful sensation receded, Rest felt a confusing mix of relief and disappointment.
"Well then, let's move on to the next problem."
"This is an application of the one we just did. I believe you can solve it, Lord Rest."
"I... I’ll do my best."
Focus... yes, focus on the problems! Stop thinking about those two!
Rest tried to channel all his mental energy into the textbooks on the desk.
I am a machine. A mindless, problem-solving automaton. I know nothing else. Solve, solve, solve... Don't think. Feel! The sensation of their—No, ignore that!
While performing a frantic mental comedy routine, Rest managed to finish all the questions.
"I-I’m done..."
"Good work."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Y-Yes... thank you very much..."
Exhausted in more ways than one, Rest slumped back in a daze. Ignoring his state, the sisters began grading his work. Suddenly, they let out a synchronized gasp.
"Primula, there’s a mistake here!"
"You're right, Sister. And it's such a rudimentary error, too."
"Eh...!?"
Rest hurriedly checked the page. Sure enough, he had gotten one of the answers wrong. It wasn't even a difficult question; the mistake was the result of simple carelessness.
"That's a shame... I was thinking of giving you a reward if you got every question right..."
"Yes... it is very unfortunate indeed..."
The two spoke in perfect unison, looking genuinely dejected.
"A... a reward...?"
He was intensely curious about what that might have been. He felt a pang of regret for missing out, yet at the same time, a part of him felt relieved. It was a bizarre, inexplicable feeling.
"I am truly sorry... after you both went to the trouble of teaching me. I will be more careful from now on..."
"Oh, I know, Sister! How about we give him a 'punishment' instead of a reward?"
"Eh...?"
Primula clapped her hands together as if she had just had a brilliant idea.
"That's perfect! What a wonderful suggestion, Primula!"
"Wait... what?! Hold on, you two!"
"No resisting. Stay still, Rest-kun."
"That’s right. This is the penalty for failing such an easy question."
The two closed in again, their expressions filled with delight. Once more, the soft pressure of their bodies pinned Rest’s arms.
"Hiee...!"
"Now then, for your punishment. Here it comes...!"
"Please steel yourself, Lord Rest!"
"Uhee?!"
As the sisters began their "punishment," Rest let out a strange, high-pitched yelp.
"Hau... M-My ladies, you are being far too bold..."
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, the sisters' attendant maid stood with a face turned crimson. She had been stationed there as a chaperone, knowing it was improper for young men and women to be alone together, but the young woman was still too green and innocent to ever hope to restrain the sisters' whims.