«How should I put it… He’s a remarkably reassuring man.»
Staggering under the bombshell of a heavy responsibility that had been dropped on him, Rest returned to Viola and Primula.
Count Walnut, watching that back which looked smaller than it actually was, murmured in admiration.
In addition to Count Walnut, Marquis Rosemary, Marquis Cattleya, and Duke Crocus were present.
All were heavyweights of the moderate faction that supported the king. They were vassals whom the royal family could trust.
«It must be because he’s a commoner by birth. He’s humble and serious for all his strength and status… I’d like to make those ambitious nobles drink a cup of his humility.»
For better or worse, Rest was a noble who didn’t act like a noble.
He was the illegitimate child of the Honorary Viscount family. This was probably because he had lived as a commoner for a while after his birth.
But… regardless of his own intentions, Rest stood out conspicuously.
He was an exceptional magician, a fortunate young man who had captured the hearts of the beautiful sisters of House Rosemary and ended up with a girl on each arm.
Since entering the academy, his meteoric advance had been unstoppable.
He defeated the magic beast Sabnock, which no one had been able to defeat since the kingdom’s founding. He subjugated Rodele Aiwood, who had incited a rebellion. While defeating monsters on the plains, he pushed forward with frontier development of the wilderness, and before long, not only the Rosemary sisters but also the daughters of prestigious houses such as Yuri Cattleya, Celestine Crocus, and Urla Lavender had gathered around him.
Just what sort of fate had he been born under? It was enough to make one give up in awe.
«Despite having the power to achieve great feats that no one else could accomplish, despite winning the affections of young ladies from prestigious houses… he shows no sign of getting carried away. Does he not realize that if he wanted to, he could even aim to overthrow the royal family?»
Rest had too much influence.
With the support of prominent houses like Rosemary, Cattleya, Crocus, and Lavender, depending on how he maneuvered, he could even rival the royal family.
And on top of that, he possessed unmatched magical talent. If it were any other noble, they would have burned with ambition and been thoroughly black-hearted.
«He is moderate and knows his place, Your Excellency.»
Marquis Rosemary said.
Marquis Rosemary, who had been looking after Rest as his father-in-law, knew better than anyone that Rest lacked ambition.
«I don’t know whether it’s his birth or his upbringing, but he is a man without desires. He keeps a peerless beauty like my daughter at his side, yet he still hasn’t laid a hand on her and preserves his chastity. There’s no way he would consider overthrowing the nation.»
«Hmm… perhaps that lack of desire is what draws your daughters to him.»
Noble children—especially those blessed with talent and lineage—tend to become arrogant.
Rest’s half-brother, Cedric Eberun, was a magical genius, but he was a sadistic and selfish person.
The Third Prince, Rodele Aiwood, also possessed innate talent and royal blood, yet he was devoured by his own desires and brought to ruin.
While blessed with talent, he is humble and good-natured. He does not become arrogant, does not lord it over others, and treats women with respect… Perhaps that is why they like him.
«Well, as he is now, he won’t harbor any rebellious intent toward the royal family. For now, we can be at ease.»
«But… we cannot be sure about the next generation.»
Marquis Cattleya cast doubt in a heavy tone.
«Even the child of a moderate king could become a tyrant. There is also the possibility that his children or grandchildren might harbor ambitions.»
«Mmm… I cannot deny that. That is precisely why we need to prepare for the future.»
After Marquis Cattleya’s advice, Count Walnut turned his eyes to Duke Crocus.
Duke Crocus nodded and gave his opinion on how to deal with the matter going forward.
«First, we must introduce his bloodline into the royal family. We should accept his child—preferably a daughter—into the royal family. I believe it would be best to make her the wife of the Crown Prince’s child, the king two generations from now.»
If they become relatives of the royal family, Rest’s children and grandchildren will not turn hostile.
Without incurring the dishonor of betrayal, they can be assured of prosperity as the king’s maternal relatives.
«And… let us have him produce as many children as possible. We will disperse lands and property through inheritance.»
«His children will become powerful magicians. As my wife intended, this will also contribute to strengthening national power.»
Marquis Rosemary continued after Duke Crocus.
The wife of Marquis Rosemary, Irish, was already scouting out mistresses for Rest, fully intent on having him build a polygamous harem.
"Political strife is brewing even in the Gaiselle Empire, and the northern foreign tribes are making suspicious moves... His blood and power will surely contribute greatly to the future of the Kingdom of Aiwood."
"Well then, that settles it... And more than that, I never expected him to resolve even the problems of House Lavender. With my son's misconduct, I can hardly face him without feeling deeply indebted."
Count Walnut let his shoulders slump heavily.
The House of Lavender had been a potential political enemy. He never imagined Rest would solve even the problem that had been troubling Count Walnut.
"But, that margrave sitting over there is probably..."
"I don't care."
Marquis Cattleya tried to offer some advice, but Count Walnut immediately shook his head.
"Even if he's a fake, I don't care. What's important to us is protecting the country and its people, not upholding the law or justice."
"As you command. I spoke out of turn."
Marquis Cattleya obediently withdrew.
Everyone present had a faint suspicion that the Margrave Lavender was a fake.
It wasn't exactly hard to guess what had happened to the real one...
Even so, as long as it served the national interest, there was no problem. They had no intention of poking the hornet's nest and letting the good fortune they had so fortunately obtained slip away.
"From now on, we'll have Count Clover work hard for us. To that end, let's arrange a meeting with the Crown Prince soon."
"They are the king and vassals who will support the next generation. Why not go a step further and arrange a dinner between the heirs of each house?"
"Yes... let's do that."
Nodding deeply at Duke Crocus's words, Count Walnut fell into thought, wondering what his schedule for the next month looked like.