A few days had passed since Rest's encounter with the Rosemary sisters, and life had returned to its usual rhythm of chores and quiet training. That was, until the afternoon brought an unexpected summons to his father's study.
Rest stood before the heavy oak doors, bracing himself for whatever unpleasantness awaited him. As soon as he stepped inside, his father's voice cut through the air like a lash.
"What is the meaning of this, you failure?"
Rest's eyes narrowed slightly, but he held his tongue, his expression calm. He had long grown used to Lucas Evern's venomous barbs.
"I'm not sure what you mean," Rest replied evenly.
Lucas glared at him, his face flushed with anger. In his hands was an envelope bearing the unmistakable wax seal of the Rosemary Marquis family.
"This! This letter arrived from the Marquis of Rosemary, addressed not to me, nor to Cedric, but to you! Explain yourself!"
Rest blinked, genuinely surprised. "To me?"
"Yes, to you. When did you meet the daughters of the Rosemary family? Did you dare to reveal your true identity to them?" Lucas's tone was accusatory, as though he expected Rest to confess to some heinous crime.
"They visited the estate a few days ago," Rest said simply. "I spoke to them briefly in the garden. It was nothing more than a harmless conversation."
Lucas eyed him suspiciously, searching for any sign of deceit. Rest met his gaze with quiet composure, unwilling to offer more than the truth.
"You spoke to them," Lucas muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. "And yet somehow, the Marquis of Rosemary has decided to summon you. A lowborn, illegitimate child… someone without magic."
His words were laced with scorn, but Rest remained silent.
Lucas sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Regardless, we cannot afford to decline this invitation, especially after Cedric's… idiocy. The Marquis is still furious over what happened, and if we refuse, it could spell disaster for our family."
Rest nodded, understanding the implications even without further explanation.
"You will go," Lucas continued, his tone sharp. "And you will keep your head down. Apologize for Cedric's blunder if necessary. Lick their boots if that's what it takes. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Father."
Lucas dismissed him with a wave of his hand, muttering to himself as Rest left the study.
Later that day, Rest found himself being prepared for his visit to the Rosemary estate. For the first time in years, he was allowed to take a proper bath—not the quick, chilly scrubs in the forest spring he had grown accustomed to, but a warm bath with soap and fresh towels.
Afterward, he was dressed in fine clothes, their rich fabrics unfamiliar against his skin. As he looked at his reflection in the mirror, Rest couldn't help but smirk.
"Almost like a real noble," he muttered, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt.
The truth was, he was a noble by blood, even if he was treated more like a stable hand. But today, for the first time, he looked the part.
The carriage ride to the Marquis's estate was uneventful but offered Rest a rare chance to reflect. The Rosemary sisters had been kind, but this level of hospitality seemed excessive. What could they possibly want from him?
When the carriage finally came to a stop, Rest stepped out to find himself in front of an expansive, ornate mansion that dwarfed the Evern family estate.
"Welcome, Rest!"
"Welcome, Lord Rest!"
The unexpected greetings startled him. He turned to see two figures rushing toward him—Viola, her golden ponytail swaying as she ran, and Primula, her silver hair shimmering in the afternoon light.
"We've been waiting for you!" Viola said, her voice bright and cheerful.
"Thank you for coming! We should have visited to thank you properly, but…" Primula trailed off, her face slightly flushed.
"W-Wait, hold on a moment—" Rest stammered as both girls grabbed his arms and began pulling him toward the mansion.
Glancing back, he caught sight of the coachman who had brought him, his mouth slightly agape. The man quickly looked away, feigning ignorance as if to erase the scene from his memory.
The sisters led Rest through the grand halls of the mansion, chatting excitedly as they guided him toward the garden. Rest tried to process the whirlwind of attention, but it all felt surreal.
(What exactly is going on here?)
The garden was a sight to behold—a sprawling oasis of color and fragrance, filled with vibrant flowers in full bloom. In the center of it all stood a round table, already set with a pristine white tablecloth, fine china, and an array of cakes and pastries.
"Please, have a seat," Primula said, gesturing to the table.
"We've prepared tea and some of our favorite desserts," Viola added, smiling warmly.
Rest hesitated but eventually took a seat, feeling somewhat out of place in the luxurious setting. The sisters took seats on either side of him, their proximity making him more nervous than he cared to admit.
A maid appeared, pouring tea with practiced grace. Rest picked up the delicate porcelain cup, the rich aroma wafting up to meet him.
"How is it?" Primula asked, her expression eager.
Rest took a cautious sip. The tea was undoubtedly high-quality, its flavor smooth and refined. "It's… very good," he said honestly.
The sisters beamed, clearly pleased by his response.
"Now, try this cake," Viola said, cutting a piece of strawberry cake with her fork. Before Rest could react, she held it out to him.
"I-I can eat it myself," he stammered.
"Nonsense. Here, say 'ahh,'" Viola insisted, her tone teasing.
Caught off guard, Rest reluctantly opened his mouth, and Viola fed him the cake. The sweetness of the strawberries and the cream melted on his tongue, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"It's delicious," he admitted.
"Then try this one," Primula said, offering him another slice.
"Ahh…" Rest found himself repeating, feeling more like a child than ever as Primula fed him.
Before long, the sisters were taking turns, each offering him bites of cake and pastries. Rest, overwhelmed but unable to refuse, dutifully accepted every offering.
By the time they were finished, Rest felt uncomfortably full, his stomach protesting the sheer amount of sweets he had consumed.
The sisters, however, seemed utterly delighted.
"You've made us so happy by coming," Viola said, her voice soft.
"Thank you for everything, Rest," Primula added, her cheeks tinged pink.
Rest looked between the two of them, their smiles radiant and genuine. He still didn't fully understand their motives, but in that moment, he decided to simply enjoy their kindness.
For now, he would let the mystery unfold in its own time.