Chapter 10

This treatment is too much. Told that "I hate you," and now faced with the possibility of never seeing her face again, she faints from the overwhelming supply of emotions.

Sniffing, Charlotte somehow managed to sit back on the long chair.

"―Next week, we have to attend a ball at the royal castle."

"Huh..."

Charlotte blinked in response to what Ozvalt said.

"I've heard that you dislike social gatherings. However, there is no right to refuse this summons."

"A ball... that means a party..."

"In short, it's an inspection. You have to prove to the king and others that your divine power is indeed sealed and that you are not a threat to the country or the world."

"......That......"

"Hmph. I expected you to react like that."

Ozvalt frowned, saying it as if he didn't expect anything else.

"I knew you would refuse. Nevertheless, I will make you come, by any means necessary. I have to... "

"Lord Ozvalt, is...!!"

Unable to bear it, she stood up and asked.

"Is this ball... a date...!?"

"No, it's completely different."

With a distant look in his eyes, he firmly stated.

"Lord Ozvalt and the ball! Wearing a beautiful dress, doing my makeup, and going out together...!! Yay! I'm so happy!!"

"That's why I said it's different! It's an inspection by the royal family, a form of surveillance, and a spectacle for everyone to see!"

"A spectacle, you say?"

Ozvalt sighed deeply and pressed his forehead.

"You are beautiful, after all."

"!!"

Charlotte covered her mouth with both hands, but he looked completely unaware.

"The nobles who were afraid to approach you will now try to get close, knowing that your divine power is sealed. There's a risk they might act rudely, given that I'm there to supervise."

"Lord Ozvalt... Lord Ozvalt said I'm beautiful...!!"

"I'm only talking about your appearance. Now, please listen to me."

She wanted to savor his previous words, but she didn't want to miss any of Ozvalt's new words. Nodding, Charlotte straightened her back.

"There's no problem, Lord Ozvalt. I will enthusiastically attend the ball!"

"Are you serious?"

"Because if I don't go, Lord Ozvalt will be in trouble, right? I will do anything to be of service to Lord Ozvalt!!"

As she said this with enthusiasm, Ozvalt frowned even more.

"You want to be of service to me?"

"Yes!"

"Really, what's gotten into you this morning? You were supposed to hate me, the one who captured you, forced you into marriage, and took your divine power."

"Is that so!?"

Faced with a doubtful gaze, she hastily fell silent.

(The past me... I have a bad feeling we won't get along. But for now...)

After a cough, she puffed out her chest and answered.

"I have reflected on my past behavior."

"Reflected? The one who laughed while repeating those deeds?"

"Deeds..."

"I won't let you forget them."

Actually, she had forgotten them completely.

But she couldn't say that, so Charlotte hung her head.

I know it's dishonest to keep quiet about my lack of memory.

But I also feel that saying 'I forgot' is a way to avoid responsibility. It's hard to decide what to do.

"I don't think I can make up for everything I've done. But I want to repay Lord Ozvalt for the trouble I've caused, one step at a time."

"Is it because you want to prove that your divine power can be sealed?"

(The me before I lost my memory didn't seem to admire Lord Ozvalt.)

Thinking this, Charlotte shook her head.

"It's love at first sight."

"......What nonsense."

"But in the day before today, I saw many wonderful things about Lord Ozvalt. Your high skill in magic, your delicate yet bold character as seen in the way you draw magic arrays... and your kindness."

"Kindness?"

Charlotte nodded.

"You lent me your coat when I sneezed."

"......That was..."

"From the embroidery, it must be a uniform. If you lent it to me and went to work, you must have been in trouble. But you put it on my shoulders."

"......"

"Earlier, when I screamed and cried, you immediately asked if I was feeling well!"

Ozvalt's features are very handsome.

When Charlotte woke up, she couldn't remember anything, but the intense beauty was imprinted in her mind. However, her heart now beats for more than just his good looks.

"Charlotte... Every time you call my name, I feel it deep in my heart."

She placed her hand on her left chest and closed her eyes, savoring the joy.

"I love Lord Ozvalt more now than I did this morning. Tomorrow, I will love you even more."

"......"

"If you order me, I will go anywhere, whether it's a ball or a cage for display!"

Ozvalt looked straight at Charlotte.

Charlotte's eyes sparkled as she met his gaze. Then he sighed and spoke.

"You...?"

"?"

Ozvalt closed his eyes calmly.

"Never mind. Get ready for the ball."

"Yes!"

After nodding with all her might, she smiled and savored the moment.

(Still, the sealing array... It's something I have no interest in now, but if I think it was done by Lord Ozvalt, it's invaluable. And the fact that it's in the same spot...)

At that moment, Charlotte realized something terrible.

(Wait a moment. The sealing, I believe, requires the person who seals and the person being sealed to touch the spots where the arrays are inscribed to seal and unseal, right...?)

Thanks to the vague memories she still had about magic and divine power, she turned pale instantly.

(That means... Lord Ozvalt and I, when the sealing was done, we... had a very passionate kiss...!)

As she tried to imagine it, Charlotte's vision blurred.

"...Charlotte?"

"I can't... Just imagining it, I feel faint..."

"!?"

And Charlotte really did faint.