(Urla… no, it’s not that I find it strange, but isn’t she a bit too pretty?)
I knew that Urla Lavender was a beautiful girl with delicate features.
I had thought that if she dressed up, she would become even more adorable.
But… seeing Urla perfectly dressed up in front of me was so shocking that I was left speechless.
For Rest, Urla Lavender had the image of being «not a bad kid, but a bit gloomy.»
She was a low‑key beauty who rarely spoke up on her own and, despite her good looks, didn’t try to stand out.
That’s how it had been… but the impression of the Urla before me was the complete opposite. She had become a perfect young lady, a perfect beautiful girl.
(Now that I think about it, why is she dressed like this… no, could it be that this is her loungewear and she always wears clothes like this at home?)
I thought it was common to dress casually at home and dress up when going out, but perhaps Urla was different.
(No way, she dressed up for me… no, no, there’s no way.)
Rest was not that kind of delusional guy.
He wasn’t so presumptuous as to think that just because a girl was wearing fancy clothes, it was for his benefit.
He quickly suppressed his agitation, straightened his back, and placed a hand over his chest.
«Ah… thank you for inviting me today.»
«………… Yes.»
«It’s an honor to be invited to the mansion by Lord Margrave Lavender, who is called the most powerful figure in the eastern part of the kingdom. I’d like to pay my respects later.»
«…………»
Urla was silent.
Silently, she stared intently at Rest’s face.
"Ah... Urla?"
"Ahem."
Urla was silent.
As Rest was at a loss on how to respond, the butler standing beside him gave a loud cough.
"Yes...?"
"Ahem, ahem! Ah-hem!"
When he turned his gaze, the butler repeated his coughing.
The eyes staring at Rest seemed to say something, and he felt urged on.
"Cough cough"
"Cough"
"Umm, hmm..."
The unusual behavior was not limited to the butler.
The other maids and servants were also coughing and clearing their throats, silently pressuring Rest to demand something.
(It's not like a cold is going around in the Lavender margrave's territory... is it?)
Of course, he understood what was being demanded.
Rest took a light breath and turned to face Urla again.
"Um... Miss Urla?"
"Urla"
"Urla..."
"Mn."
Ah, um… that suits you. I think you look… I mean, you always look… incredibly cute today.
"…………"
It was a fumbling compliment.
He was used to saying things like this to Viola and Primula, but he'd never said them to Urla, so he was nervous.
"Haaah…" went a collective sigh.
The people around him sighed at his less-than-tactful line.
(Sorry for not having a silver tongue… as if I can just spout sweet nothings like that!)
He grumbled in his head… but the very next moment, he suffered a devastating attack.
"You think I'm cute… I'm happy."
"Eep…!"
Urla had flashed an incredible smile.
A devastatingly beautiful girl was smiling at him right before his eyes.
Since she usually wore a bland expression, the impact of that smile was immense.
(A smile from a stoic-type beautiful girl… its destructive power is way too dangerous…!)
"Well, I suppose that's a passing grade."
"A passing grade. The young lady's smile was quite lovely."
"He's a count, but still just a teenage boy. It's to be expected, right?"
"I actually thought it made a good impression. I heard he has multiple fiancées, but he comes across as very sweet and innocent."
The servants standing nearby were murmuring to each other.
He wanted to tell them to stop openly evaluating a guest… but since their assessment was just barely positive, he figured he should probably let it slide.
"We have tea prepared over there. Please, come this way."
"Coming!"
The butler led them to the inner room, and Urla, in high spirits, waved him over as well.
"House Lavender... isn't this a more pleasant place than I thought...?"
What was all that tension on the way here for?
Rest felt his shoulders starting to relax, but he thought, "No, no," and tightened his resolve once more.