"Huh... marriage? Wait, why?"
This topic had never come up before.
He and Celestine had been on friendly terms as acquaintances, but there had never been any excessive contact like with Yuri.
"Wait... if His Majesty the King and Duke Crocus have both agreed to this, then this is what you'd call a political marriage...?"
"That's exactly right."
Celestine nodded.
After all, as a duke's young lady, Celestine wouldn't choose her marriage partner based on personal feelings like or dislike.
If she was going to get engaged to Rest, there had to be a political reason behind it.
"Rest, you may not be fully aware of this, but... your existence is becoming increasingly significant in this country."
"That's... because of the Sabnock subjugation, isn't it?"
"Yes. The Sabnock subjugation, and defeating Lord Rodele as well. Your overwhelming ability as a magician can no longer be ignored by the royal family."
He had defeated the magic beast Sabnock, which no one had been able to fell for over a hundred years, toppled Rodele, and brought the civil war to an end.
Without question, Rest was a crucial fighting force for the next generation. He had already risen beyond the position of heir to the Marquisate of Rosemary.
"I can't say this too loudly, but... in truth, our country is dealing with a number of problems."
Celestine explained in a clear voice as she adjusted her damp hair.
"The internal threats of Lord Rodele and Marquis Eiger have been eliminated, but external threats still remain. The foreign tribes in the north have been long-standing enemies. They launch raids every few years, and it's believed they may invade again in the not-too-distant future."
"The foreign tribes... you mean the ones called the demi-humans, right?"
"That's right."
When Rest confirmed, Celestine nodded in agreement.
The foreign tribes in the north, sometimes called barbarians, were a race known as demi-humans — similar to humans, yet fundamentally different.
Numerous species, including oni and winged people, dwelled there and invaded both the Kingdom of Aiwood and the Gaiselle Empire.
"The Gaiselle Empire, which should be our ally in fighting the foreign tribes, has also been showing suspicious movements in recent years. Apparently, the hawks within the empire have been gaining momentum and pushing aside the moderates."
"If the hawks come to dominate, will they turn their sights on this country too...?"
"Yes. That's why the Kingdom of Aiwood has been quietly expanding its military. Rest, you are expected to become a key fighting force in the war that will eventually come."
Rest was strong.
Albert Rosemary, a court magician; Irish Rosemary, his wife; and Iljas Cattleya, the knight commander.
At this point, there might be people stronger than Rest, but when it came to future potential, Rest was likely ahead.
Keeping Rest tied to the royal family for a future war was the natural course of action.
"Currently, there are no princesses in the royal family who are close to Rest's age. The royal relative who best matches Rest would be me, it seems."
"So that's why Lady Celestine and I are..."
"Yes. Rest, I'm truly sorry for having the royal family's arrangements dictate your life like this..."
"No... that's fine, honestly..."
Rest's gaze naturally drifted downward, toward the exquisite proportions submerged in the hot spring water.
Marrying her meant... in other words, he could have that body all to himself.
(I couldn't say about bust size, but the smoothness of her skin, the slenderness of her waist — they were on par with or better than Viola's...)
"Rest?"
"N-no! I'm sorry!"
He blurted out an apology without thinking.
Casting lustful eyes at another woman when he already had fiancées — how despicable.
(W-well... if Lady Celestine was going to become his fiancée too, then maybe it was okay...?)
"Ah, no, no... if anything, wouldn't you be the one who has it hardest, Lady Celestine?"
Rest gave a light shake of his head and asked an important question.
"I understand that the royal family wants Lady Celestine and me to marry, but that doesn't mean my engagements with Viola and Primula will be dissolved, right? Are the two of them really okay with a man who already has fiancées?"
"Why would that be a problem?"
"Why would that be a problem, she says..."
"You're kind and considerate, Rest. Compared to Lord Rodele, you're far and away better."
"Rodele..."
Thanks to that idiot prince, the bar for men had been significantly lowered.
Indeed, compared to that good-for-nothing, even a man with multiple wives would seem like a prime catch.
"The royal family will make an official announcement eventually, but... I believe it's virtually certain that I will become Rest's fiancée."
"......I see."
He had many thoughts swirling through his mind and was still in a state of confusion, but... if Viola and Primula had given their consent, there was nothing Rest could say about it.
"I can't give you a 'yes' right away, but... I'll sort through my feelings."
"Please do... and if you truly don't want this, please tell me. I'll have His Majesty the King persuaded to call it off."
"......"
Rest looked at Celestine's face, then let his gaze drift to her body once more, only to avert it again, his cheeks flushing red.