Having obtained the wyvern meat, Rest had secured the main dish for the party.
However... meat alone was not the only ingredient he needed.
It wasn't that he had set out with this as his goal, but to complete the ultimate full course, he still needed quite a few more ingredients.
"So you're heading to the royal capital? If so, I'll transport the wyvern for you."
When Rest decided to visit Celestine to gather information about wine, Yuri made the suggestion with a beaming smile.
Just like always, she wore a look brimming with confidence, puffing out her chest — which was noticeably larger than that of girls their age — ever so proudly.
"The kind villagers arranged a carriage for us. I've made sure the meat is thoroughly frozen, so there's no problem even if I handle it alone!"
"Oh, uh, yeah... I see... yeah, I guess..."
Yuri's offer was certainly appreciated.
If he hauled the wyvern all the way to Count Clover's domain first and then headed to the royal capital, that would be making twice the trip.
Yuri was no child, either. She was hopeless with directions, sure, but as long as the carriage driver knew the route, that was no issue. An errand of this scale should be well within her capabilities.
"So just leave the wyvern to me and head off... *drool*"
"No... I'm actually getting really worried now?"
If anything, what worried Rest was whether Yuri might sneak bites of the wyvern meat along the way.
Could he really entrust precious ingredients to this drooling little glutton?
What if by the time she arrived at Count Clover's domain, the meat was gone, and he'd have to climb the mountain all over again?
"I-I'll be fine, okay?! I'm going to show you that I can actually be useful to Rest for once! I'm always causing trouble, so I need to demonstrate that I'm worthy of being Rest's wife!"
"Oh, so that's what you were worried about..."
He hadn't expected that.
It seemed that Yuri, in her own way, had been worried about the trouble she caused on a daily basis.
Yuri was already in the middle of having run away from home after kicking her father and brothers senseless.
Maybe she was thinking that if Rest rejected her marriage, she'd be sent back to her family as a nuisance.
She didn't need to worry about that... or rather, there were plenty of other things she should be worrying about.
Like how to behave as a lady. Or maintaining an appropriate distance with men.
In any case... Rest had no intention of returning Yuri to House Cattleya.
She had become his fiancée by circumstance, so he couldn't claim he loved her, but if asked whether he liked or disliked her, he'd answer that he liked her without hesitation.
The thought of Yuri becoming another man's bothered him, and he did want her to stay by his side from now on.
"Well, I'm genuinely happy you want to be useful. Since you're so eager, I'll go ahead and leave it to you."
"Yeah, leave it to me! I'll absolutely deliver it without taking a single bite!"
"And not just sneak-eating—keep an eye out for theft too, alright... I'm counting on you."
After this exchange, Rest entrusted the wyvern meat to Yuri and set off for the royal capital.
He used magic to fly to the royal capital and headed straight for House Rosemary's townhouse.
He'd sent word to House Crocus in advance and waited for a reply, since dropping in unannounced would be rude... He received a response the very same day—they wanted him to come see them immediately.
"I heard Celestine was quite busy, but... the appointment came together awfully easily..."
Rest found it puzzling, but headed straight for the Crocus estate.
"We've been expecting you."
"Lady Celestine is waiting for you."
A pair of maids greeted Rest upon his arrival at the estate.
With the flawless, composed bearing expected of a duke's household, they bowed to him.
"Um… I'm sorry for dropping by so suddenly. I brought some souvenirs, if you'll…"
"Then, right this way, please."
"Come, come, please."
Before Rest could offer the block of wyvern meat he had brought as a gift, the two maids ushered him inside the estate with insistent tugs.
It was a forcefulness entirely unbefitting maids who had been trained in flawless etiquette.
"Ah… uh…?"
Though bewildered, Rest followed the maids down the corridor of the estate.
The carpeted hallway was adorned with paintings and artwork that were lavish without being gaudy, making it feel as though he were strolling through a museum.
"This room, sir."
"Go on, go on, please. Go ahead and open the door."
"O-Okay…?"
They arrived at a room deep within the estate.
With a gentle push from behind by the maid, Rest—still thoroughly confused—knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"May I enter?"
Having received permission to enter, Rest opened the door.
"…Huh?"
And then… he froze.
As though some ice magic had been cast upon him.
"Oh, welcome. I do apologize… appearing before you in such an improper state."
The person in the room he stepped into was Celestine Crocus.
She was a familiar friend and his fiancée, but… she was in the middle of changing.
Rest's jaw dropped wide open at the sight of Celestine in black lace lingerie.