Chapter 13: Invited to the Marquess’s Residence

A few days after meeting the Rosemary sisters, in the afternoon, Rest was unusually summoned to his father’s office.

“Hey… what’s the meaning of this, you failure!”

That was the first thing he heard, a sudden barrage of insults.

“What are you talking about?”

“A formal invitation has arrived from Marquis Rosemary’s family. Not for me or Cedric, but for you.”

His father, Lucas Ebern, expressed his displeasure openly, glaring at Rest as if he could pierce him with his eyes.

“Where did you meet the Rosemary sisters? You didn’t reveal your identity, did you?”

“…We just talked in the garden when they visited the mansion. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

“…………..”

Lucas raised an eyebrow, casting a suspicious look, but Rest had nothing to say.

During their recent visit, Cedric had taken them into the forest. As a result, they were attacked by a powerful monster called the White Fenrir, and the sisters had a brush with being devoured. Though they were rescued when they reached the edge of the forest, it seemed that the Marquis family was in conflict with the Ebern family for bringing the daughters into a dangerous situation. Even the usually lenient father was furious, and Cedric was still not released from his suspension.

“…Even without the recent incident, it’s unheard of for someone like you, an lowly commoner, to receive an invitation from the Marquis family. However, we can’t refuse the invitation from the Marquis family. Even if the recent incident hadn’t happened.”

“Is that so?”

“Really, why should someone like you, with no magic power, be…!”

Muttering complaints, Lucas eventually let out a deep sigh.

“…Make sure not to be rude to Marquis Rosemary. Even if you have to lick their shoes, sell yourself with flattery, and apologize for Cedric’s blunder.”

Following his father’s instructions, Rest was led to take a bath.

It was his first bath since coming to this mansion.

While he had escaped to the forest and taken a water bath, a proper bath was a rare luxury.

Moreover, after the bath, he was made to wear high-quality clothes that he had never worn since his reincarnation.

It was treatment that you wouldn’t expect for a child living in a stable. Perhaps his father felt indebted to the Marquis family, or maybe he wanted to hide the fact that he was mistreating Rest.

“Looking at it this way, I’m not bad either. I look just like a noble.”

Seeing his reflection in the mirror, Rest chuckled.

Not ‘look like,’ but he was a noble. He had become too accustomed to the smell of horse dung and had forgotten.

Once ready, he was put into the carriage of the Ebern Honorary Viscount’s family and taken to the Rosemary Marquis mansion.

His father and brother did not accompany him.

Perhaps the invitation explicitly stated, “Don’t come.”?

“Maybe they’re being considerate because I asked them not to inform my father and brother?”

The other day, he had parted ways with the sisters at the entrance of the forest.

Cedric and the two sons of barons who were friends with him had fainted, so they probably weren’t even aware that they had been saved by Rest.

After a while, the carriage continued to run, and eventually, they arrived at the Rosemary Marquis mansion.

“We’ve arrived. Be careful.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

Expressing gratitude to the familiar coachman, Rest got off the carriage.

There, a large mansion awaited him.

It was incomparable to the Ebern Honorary Viscount’s residence.

After all, it was a clear difference between an Honorary Viscount and a Marquis with a territory.

“Welcome, Rest-kun!”

“Welcome, Rest-san!”

“Waah!”

As soon as he got off the carriage, two girls ran towards him from the mansion.

The girl with golden hair in a ponytail… Viola.

The girl with silver hair that reached her waist… Primula.

The sisters from the Rosemary Marquis family whom Rest had saved in the forest.

“We’ve been waiting for you! Thank you so much for coming today!”

“Normally, we should be the ones to thank you. We’ll prepare tea right away!]

“What!? W-wait…!”

Viola and Primula grabbed Rest’s arms and dragged him towards the mansion.

Rest turned around in a hurry, and the coachman from the Ebern Honorary Viscount’s family looked at him with a surprised expression. However, he quickly averted his gaze from Rest, pretending to whistle. It seemed like he had decided to ignore what he saw.

(I understand how you feel. It’s not something you can report to your father.)

“Then, let’s go.”

Being pulled by the two, he went along with them.

Being escorted by the two cute girls, Rest couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

(Strange… Did I do something to be so liked by these two?)

Certainly, he saved their lives.

However, the one who caused the problem in the first place was Cedric, his half-brother.

He only cleaned up the mess made by his family. Was it not strange for him to be so favorably regarded?

“The maids are preparing tea in the garden. Please come this way.”

“We also have delicious sweets. Come on, please.”

Ignoring Rest who tilted his head in confusion, he was led into the garden by the two of them.

In the spacious garden, seasonal flowers were in full bloom, offering a delightful array of vibrant colors.

While honorary viscount Ebern had flower beds in their estate, they were planted with high-quality flowers such as roses, making it seem rather ostentatious.

It gave off the impression of a new rich lower-ranking noble, which ironically made it seem vulgar.

“Please have a seat at this table here.”

Prompted by Primula, he sat at the round table in the center of the garden.

The sisters took their seats on either side, and a maid quickly prepared tea and cake.

“The maids at our place are really good at making tea. The cakes here are also carefully crafted by our chef.”

“It’s our favorite. I hope you like it…”

“T-Thank you…”

They were unnaturally close to him. Puzzled, Rest picked up the tea cup. The rich aroma of black tea. Even an amateur could tell it was a high-quality product. Had he ever smelled such a fragrant black tea in his past life or any other?

“…”

He sipped, trying to savor the taste as much as possible. Honestly, he couldn’t tell if it was delicious. Perhaps it was due to his unsophisticated palate or lack of familiarity with black tea.

“How is it?”

Primula anxiously inquired, and Viola stared at him. Uncertain about the correct reaction, Rest decided to express his honest opinion.

“I haven’t drunk much black tea, so I’m not sure… but, at least, I don’t dislike it.”

“Is that so… I’m glad… Try the cake over here. It’s absolutely delicious.”

This time, he was recommended the cake. Surprisingly, Viola cut a bite-sized piece with a fork and brought it close, saying, “Ahh.”

“I-I can eat it myself…!”

“It’s fine, come on! Ahhh!”

“A-Ahh…uh.”

With a hesitant open mouth, the cake was thrust into his mouth. In this situation, one might question if he could really taste anything, but the strawberry cake with plenty of cream was undeniably delicious. Since his reincarnation into this world, this might be the first time he’s had a proper taste of sweetness.

“It’s delicious…”

“Ah, Viola! That’s not fair!”

This time, Primula cut a piece of cake and offered it to Rest.

“Please eat mine too… ahhh.”

“…Ahh.”

Unable to refuse the earnest Primula, Rest opened his mouth. Sweet. It was delicious after all.

“Okay, it’s my turn now.”

“If that’s the case, then me too.”

The sisters took turns feeding him cake. Despite the confusion, Rest couldn’t reject the offered cake and ended up eating it. By the time he finished many pieces of cake, Rest was thoroughly experiencing heartburn, feeling like a nestling being cared for by its parent bird.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter