Rest was dragged along by Viola and Primula to go shopping in town.
Rosemarybury, the provincial capital of the Marquisate of Rosemary. It was the city right at the marquis's doorstep.
While it was a large city in the northern part of the kingdom, it was considerably smaller compared to the royal capital.
In exchange, the streets spread out with a calm atmosphere far removed from the bustle, and for Rest, it felt much more pleasant to spend time in than the hectic royal capital.
"Rest, Primula. Over here!"
"Wait, sis!"
Viola took Primula by the hand and headed toward the shop.
Rest trailed a little behind the sisters, walking at the rear.
"This shop here. I found a place with adorable clothes, so let's go take a look!"
The place Viola led them to was a clothing store.
It wasn't particularly large, but it had a chic atmosphere and an elegantly designed storefront.
"Welcome."
When they entered the shop, a female clerk who appeared to be in her late thirties greeted them.
"Hello. Will you be showing us clothes again today?"
"Oh my, Lady Viola. Welcome—please take your time and enjoy your visit."
The female clerk smiled at them with a gentle expression.
The fact that she addressed her with an honorific suggested she knew Viola was the lord's young lady.
"Lady Primula has come as well today, I see. And that gentleman there is...?"
"He's the fiancé of both me and my sister."
"My, my! Is that so!"
The female shopkeeper covered her mouth with both hands in surprise.
"I'd heard the rumor that the two of you were engaged... but that gentleman is your fiancé, is he? He doesn't seem like the imposing sort, does he?"
"Yes, isn't he handsome?"
"Yes, Rest is kind."
"Th-thank you."
Rest offered his greeting, somewhat flustered.
"There's no need to be so formal. You'll be the lord someday, won't you?"
"Yes... probably..."
"Then you should carry yourself with more confidence."
The shopkeeper was right—Rest did seem far too deferential for a future lord.
If a noble was too meek, people around them would simply take advantage of that weakness.
He would have to learn the proper bearing of the ruling class eventually.
(A ruler should be feared rather than loved... Was that Machiavelli?)
Rest recalled knowledge he had read in books during his past life.
Being loved wasn't necessarily a bad thing, of course... but the thinking was that it was better to be feared than so approachable that people would walk all over you.
(I chose this subject in my academy classes too, but it's not just management skills as a lord that I need to work on—my mindset has to change as well.)
"You're right... No, you're absolutely right. I'll keep that in mind."
Rest cleared his throat and straightened up.
"Well then, I'll have him try on some clothes. Yesterday, I found some that would suit Rest perfectly."
"Go right ahead. Take your time."
Rest ended up trying on several outfits that Viola had picked out.
They were a bit plainer than what nobles typically wore, but they were comfortable and well-designed.
They weren't the kind of thing you'd wear to a social gathering, but for everyday use they'd be more than adequate.
"Oh, those look nice."
"That suits you well, Master Rest."
"Thanks, I like them."
"How's the size? I can adjust the hem if you'd like."
"No, they fit perfectly just like this."
Responding to the shopkeeper, Rest lightly waved his arms to check the comfort of the outfit.
The range of movement was excellent too. He decided to wear them home as they were.
"Let us try some on as well."
"Master Rest, please wait here for a moment."
Viola and Primula each grabbed an armful of clothes and disappeared into the fitting room.
When the two emerged a short while later, they were wearing dresses. They had matching designs—Viola's was orange while Primula's was light blue.
Something Rest had come to understand over the course of a year together was that Viola preferred warm-toned colors while Primula leaned toward cool-toned ones.
"You both look great."
"Thank you. Maybe I'll try this one on too."
"Me too—would it be all right if I tried this one on?"
"Of course."
The two picked out different outfits and disappeared into the fitting room once again.
(They're girls after all — of course they both enjoy clothes.)
Rest smiled warmly at the sight... but he didn't yet know what lay ahead.
That this trip to choose clothes would drag on for another two hours.
He was about to learn, in the most painful way possible, just how much longer women's shopping took than anyone could have predicted.