Viola and Primula.
Rest, who had almost been attacked by the women he loved... somehow managed to get through it safely.
Hearing the girlish screams, Viola and Primula's parents—the Rosemary couple who were staying at the mansion—rushed over and stopped their daughters' rampage.
"Listen, my daughters... premarital relations are a disgrace to the nobility. Absolutely unthinkable!"
"That's right. Do you at least have proper contraceptives?"
"No matter how reliable Rest is, you haven't even graduated from the academy yet. It won't be too late to wait until you've solidified your position a bit more."
"At sixteen, the risk of a miscarriage is high. I want plenty of grandchildren, but... if you ended up dying, it would all be for nothing."
The couple scolded the sisters, each from a completely different perspective.
The father was completely opposed to premarital relations, while the mother was of the opinion that it was fine as long as they used contraception.
Viola and Primula sat in seiza before them, listening with their heads bowed.
"Don't worry, when the time comes, I'll make sure to prepare some vitality tonic. I had this guy take it once, he was really like a monkey..."
"Irish, could you shut up for a moment?"
"Mmph..."
Albert covered her mouth, stopping her from spilling the intimate details of their married life.
Seeing that Viola and Primula had reflected enough, he turned his gaze to Rest, who was nearby.
"Ah... sorry my daughters caused you trouble, Rest."
"No..."
Rest shook his head as he straightened his torn jacket.
Honestly, it had been a very close call.
Rest and the sisters were almost naked. If the two had arrived just a few minutes later, all three might have lost their virginity.
He was supposed to have resolved himself to marry, but it seemed he needed a bit more mental preparation to cross that line.
"I like and cherish the two of you. I'm not angry."
"Rest..."
"Lord Rest..."
"Well, how should I put this... when the time comes, I'll make up my mind, so please take care of me then..."
"...Perhaps I should teach you contraception magic while I'm at it."
Albert pressed his fingers to his temples, looking as if he was enduring a headache.
Although he had managed to prevent premarital intercourse this time, it was only a matter of time before the next opportunity. He must have sensed that from the three's attitude.
"Oh dear... I'm looking forward to seeing my grandchildren too, but don't give me too much grief. The international situation is already precarious lately."
"Um... has something happened?"
The magic beast Sabnock had been subjugated, Marquis Eiger and Third Prince Rodele had been killed, and House Lavender had switched to the moderate faction... The internal troubles that had been plaguing the Kingdom of Aiwood were mostly cleared up.
It was only natural that the king was concerned, since Rest had been involved in all of them to one degree or another.
"Has there been some movement outside? Is the Gaiselle Empire preparing for war?"
"No... if that were the case, we wouldn't be able to attend the party. The movement is in the north."
Albert explained in a sighing, gloomy voice.
"Recently, foreign tribes in the north have been spotted loitering near the border. It's not like they've done anything, but they've been silent for a long time. It's eerily suspicious, so we're investigating."
"Foreign tribes..."
The forest that spreads to the north of the Kingdom of Aiwood. The foreign tribes living there often emerged from the forest, threatening the Kingdom of Aiwood and the Gaiselle Empire.
The fact that a friendly relationship was formed with the empire, with which they had once been at war, was largely due to their existence.
"They were spotted in Marquis Cattleya's domain. His son is handling it, so a report should be coming in soon."
"Does that mean... we're going to war?"
"I don't know. But... if it comes to that, you'll likely be called upon too."
"...I see."
For better or worse, Rest stood out way too much.
He was the main fighting force second only to the Knight Order and the court magicians. The most promising young talent.
If the Kingdom of Aiwood went to war with the northern foreign tribes, Rest would surely be thrust to the forefront as a core asset of their forces.
"Well, that's how it is... The same goes for my daughters, but I'd appreciate it if you could prepare yourself for that as well."
"Understood... I'll keep it in mind."
Rest nodded in response to Albert's weary words.
(The mansion's finished, and my domain management is about to get into full swing. Please, God, don't let there be a war, alright?)
Rest sincerely wished for peace from the bottom of his heart... but he still lacked self-awareness.
He himself would find it utterly disagreeable, but Rest was beloved by trouble.
There was no god who would answer Rest's prayer for peace.
If there was a god who had taken a liking to him... it would surely be the god of fate, who loved mischief.
Rest's wish went, as expected, unanswered... Then, three months later.
The northern foreign tribes launched a massive attack on the Kingdom of Aiwood, and once again, the flames of war rained down upon Rest's head.