And so, Rest and the Rosemary sisters became officially engaged.
The formal announcement had yet to be made, but the public proceedings were already complete.
An engagement between a noble and a commoner would not have gone so smoothly, but Rest technically held status as a noble.
Since the Marquis of Rosemary held parental authority, there was no need to obtain permission from House Eberun.
The engagement proceedings were concluded without difficulty.
A grand engagement party was held at the Marquis's estate, and the three of them were warmly congratulated.
Then, several days later, once the excitement had finally begun to die down...
Rest decided to head to his family home, House Eberun, to report both his academy enrollment and his engagement to the sisters.
"Are you sure, Rest? You don't need me to come along?"
"Yes, it's no problem."
Before departing, when his father-in-law Albert asked, Rest answered proudly, chest puffed out.
"I want to settle things with that household once and for all with my own hands. Even if it's you, Father, I won't back down!"
"Is that so... Well, I've already sent advance notice. If anything happens, I'll handle it, so feel free to cause as much of a scene as you like."
"Yes. Thank you for your concern."
After bowing to his strict but caring father-in-law, Rest set off for his family home in a carriage from the Rosemary estate.
It was a distance he could have easily covered on foot without a carriage, but he borrowed one so the people of the honorary viscount's household would not look down on him.
(So this moment has finally come...)
As the carriage rocked gently beneath him, Rest fell deep into thought.
One year had passed since he was taken in by House Rosemary.
Five years had passed since his mother died of illness and he was taken in by House Eberun.
It felt like it had been an absurdly long time.
(No, that's not right. It was even longer.)
His entanglement with House Eberun began even further back.
From the moment Rest was born… no, it stretched all the way back to when his father had his way with his mother, who worked as a maid, and forced her to bear a child.
That tangled fate would finally be settled today.
Rest was no longer a punching bag who would just take it lying down and cry himself to sleep.
He had obtained enough power and standing that they could no longer look down on him.
(It's not like I was looking forward to revenge or anything. Still, the thought of rubbing it in the faces of the people who trampled all over me is making me insanely nervous…)
"We've arrived, Master Rest."
"Thank you."
The carriage came to a halt, and a voice called down from the driver's seat.
Hearing a servant who used to call him "Mr." now address him as "Master" drove home the reality that he had truly become a member of a marquis's house.
"Heh…"
Rest let out a short breath, then stood up and stepped down from the carriage.
"W-Welcome!"
It was his first time back at the House Eberun estate in a year.
Standing before the front gate was his father, wearing a plastered-on smile — Lucas Eberun.
He must have been lying in wait, since a messenger had been sent ahead.
Flanked by his wife, with servants lined up behind them, they bowed their heads in greeting.
"Welcome, welcome! To the House Rosemary's... to wh—?"
Lucas was speaking the formal words of greeting, but it seemed he had just realized the true identity of the person he was bowing to.
His face contorted, his eyes went wide, and he froze in place.
(Ah... so even you can tell, huh.)
Rest let out an ironic, bitter smile.
Today, Rest was dressed in fine clothes befitting a noble, and even his hair was neatly groomed.
He should have looked like a completely different person from when he'd been living in a stable, but even so, Lucas had apparently recognized him as his own son.
(So a father's eyes still work even when he's useless... how annoying.)
"I-I-Impossible... Why, how could you...?"
"Good day, Lord Honorary Viscount."
Rest smiled smugly at the stunned Lucas.
"I've come today as the representative of Marquis Rosemary with a report to deliver. By the way... was that use of the word 'fool' just now directed at me?"
"—!"
Lucas's face went pale.
No matter that they were father and son, Rest was standing here under the name of House Rosemary.
A mere honorary viscount had absolutely no right to call him a fool.
"I-I apologize. Please forgive my slip of the tongue..."
"Wh-what's gotten into you, dear? What did that person...?"
His wife — Lisa Eberun — asked, looking bewildered.
It seemed she hadn't realized that the person they were greeting was Rest.
"Yes, let us forgive. Everyone makes mistakes, after all."
"...Thank you for your mercy."
Lucas's expression twisted with humiliation as he forced out the words.
His wife, beside him, remained completely bewildered.
(It's a good thing Cedric wasn't here. He definitely would have done something stupid.)
Or perhaps, knowing that, he wasn't here for that very reason.
If that were the case, then even this father might have realized Cedric wasn't the ideal son.
(Well, it's too late to realize it now. I can't imagine that guy reforming and becoming serious.)
"Then, could you show us inside?"
"...Understood. Right this way."
Following his scowling father, Rest returned to his childhood home, a place devoid of good memories.