Chapter 18

Oswald spoke words of praise. I savored them, feeling a shiver run down my spine.

(Why can’t sounds be stored away…!! Ah, I must ruminate on this while the memory is still fresh! ‘Elegant, elegant, elegant’…)

"…So, Charlotte"

"Yes!"

Called by Oswald’s name, I looked up at him from the floor. Oswald, with his brows still furrowed, said:

"What was the serving cart in the hallway?"

"Oh!"

Of course, it was Charlotte’s dinner.

After returning from the Hydemarie mansion, as usual, the meal was placed in the hallway. Charlotte had enjoyed it thoroughly, then tidied up the dishes and quietly returned them to the hallway. It seemed that Oswald had seen this.

"It’s impossible to leave a serving cart after the master has finished eating without clearing it away."

He deepened the frown between his eyebrows and looked down at Charlotte.

"…Are the mansion’s maids neglecting their duties to you?"

"No, not at all! The maids are taking excellent care of me!"

"They are neglecting you."

(I-I’ve been seen through as easily as breathing!!)

Oswald pressed his forehead and sighed.

"I will have the butler give them a stern warning. …I will also consider punishment."

"Um, no, Master Oswald! Actually, I asked the maids to do this. When they bring my dinner, I tell them to go back and rest immediately."

"Hmm? Why would you do that?"

"Well, that’s…"

Faced with a suspicious gaze, she sat back down on the floor.

(If this continues, the maids will be scolded! It’s my fault for making them so frightened that they turn pale. I have to somehow cover this up!)

Her gaze wandered to the right.

"Um…"

Then, she moved it to the left.

Unfortunately, Charlotte’s mind was filled only with memories of Oswald.

"Because Master Oswald is coming back…?"

"Why would you send the maids away when I return?"

"Eh!? W-Well, because!!"

At that moment, a sudden idea came to her: their relationship.

"…We are newlyweds, after all…!"

"………………"

At that moment, Oswald stiffened.

(Ah, I’ve given a completely nonsensical reason!!)

What does being newlyweds have to do with it? If he questions that, she has no answer.

(…Oh? But Master Oswald seems slightly taken aback…?)

"………………"

For some reason, he took a step back and spoke in a very low voice.

"……There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you since yesterday"

"Yes, what is it?"

Somehow, it felt like the conversation had shifted.

With this hope, Oswald, still with a stern face, said:

"Why do you wear such thin nightgowns every night?"

"Eh? Me?"

"If you don’t realize it, check for yourself."

"…"

At his words, she looked down at herself again.

The nightgown she was wearing tonight was pastel blue.

Charlotte’s hair was a light golden color, and her eyes were blue, creating a harmonious color palette.

This was something she had found in the wardrobe. Like the pink nightgown she wore yesterday, she really liked it, but perhaps Oswald was right.

"Indeed, the hem and the collar area of this nightgown are somewhat see-through. If you look closely, you can see through it a bit."

"…I haven’t looked closely, so I don’t know."

"It’s a sleeveless dress, and the neckline is wide, exposing the chest. So if you look closely, it could be considered revealing."

"…I haven’t looked closely, so I don’t know."

After hearing this repeated a couple of times, Charlotte was taken aback.

"…I’m sorry!! Perhaps I looked indecent!?"

"That’s why I’m saying I haven’t looked closely, so I don’t know!!"

But this was a serious matter. It seemed that such clothing was not to Oswald’s liking.

"I apologize, Master Oswald!"

Charlotte hurriedly stood up and grabbed the hem of her nightgown.

"I haven’t been considerate…! I will change this dress immediately, right away!!"

"Wait, why are you changing right here in this situation!?! Stop, absolutely stop!!"

"Awa, awa, awa, awa… Then I’ll take it off, I’ll take it off!!"

"That’s not the issue!!"

In the midst of the chaos, Charlotte turned her back to Oswald and tried to lift the hem of her nightgown.

(I must get rid of this dress that Master Oswald dislikes as quickly as possible…!)

"Wait…!"

At that moment, an unbelievable event occurred.

"Damn…!"

Oswald, from behind, tightly embraced Charlotte.

"………………!?"

Charlotte froze, her thoughts completely halted.