Chapter 21

After leaving Charlotte's room, Ozwald sighed heavily in the corridor on his way to the study.

(Every night, she's so energetic. That guy)

Charlotte was supposed to have gone to Hydemarie today to receive etiquette lessons.

Hydemarie doesn't just welcome anyone as a 'student.' Ozwald knew this, yet he still asked her for a favor. Teaching something to the 'Holy Maiden' Charlotte was something that ordinary noblewomen would not accept.

(What kind of trick did he use to get her approval?)

The letter didn't provide any details. However, just by looking at Charlotte over the past few days, a bad feeling was starting to creep in.

(I thought she would be severely reprimanded and come back completely dejected...)

But when Charlotte saw Ozwald's face as he returned home, she beamed with a smile as if all the flowers in the world had bloomed at once.

"I'm so, so happy that you're back, Ozwald-sama!"

"..."

Then, when Ozwald asked about her clothes, her expression suddenly changed to one of utter despair.

"I'm sorry!! Did I look terrible!?"

At that moment, Charlotte really looked like she was about to cry. Thinking about it, Ozwald pressed his forehead.

"...You're overreacting to just one word from me."

In fact, he felt a twinge of guilt.

He hadn't expected Charlotte to be so shaken by his words. When he told her they would go out together, it was because he had a hunch that she would be delighted.

But he definitely wouldn't admit that buying a dress was a way to make amends.

(...Actually, the dress is only a small part of it. The main goal is to secure an outfit for the evening party.)

Ozwald then looked at the door of the study he had reached.

(And...)

He narrowed his eyes, erased all emotion from his face, and opened the door.

"You're late, Ozwald."

"..."

In Ozwald's private study, as expected, there was a guest.

The man with silver hair, his bangs swept to one side, was sitting on Ozwald's desk. He had his long legs stretched out and was grinning, looking at Ozwald with the same seductive eyes that women praised.

Ozwald had never given permission for this man to enter. However, he had no right to refuse his entry.

They were required to offer anything these people desired.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Prince Randolph."

"Haha."

Randolph, the legitimate heir to the throne, laughed mockingly at Ozwald.

"Really, you're not surprised at all. Did you see through my presence from the beginning?"

Ozwald bowed his head quietly and replied to Randolph with a bow.

"Your Highness's magic has a unique nature. If I couldn't sense its brilliance, I wouldn't deserve to call myself your subject."

"Enough with the transparent flattery. Do you think there are other people who can detect the activation of the intelligence transfer array that the royal family has devised?"

Randolph's well-featured face twisted as if he were looking at something filthy.

"---Monster."

"..."

Ozwald had no intention of arguing. He had heard it more often than Randolph had said it. However, today, Randolph seemed to be in a bad mood.

"Ah, right. Let's greet your bride."

"Your Highness Randolph."

"Is she upstairs? Come, let me see the face of the Holy Maiden whose divine power has been sealed, before my brothers do."

As Randolph got off the desk, Ozwald took on the form of offering advice.

"Please, with all due respect. The sealing array is still unstable and requires a few more days to settle. At this stage, it would be best not to stimulate the Holy Maiden."

"Stimulate? That's impertinent. I'm just saying I want to greet the Holy Maiden."

"No woman can remain calm in the presence of a great person like Your Highness. ...Please."

"Hmph."

With his eyes closed and his head bowed, Ozwald faced Randolph, who responded with a voice that sounded thoroughly unamused.

"Are you trying to hide it? Ozwald. Even with a cool exterior, I can guess."

"..."

"What you mean, I don't understand."

"Your magic is almost depleted, isn't it?"

Ozwald slowly opened his eyes while still bowing.

"Your magic is indeed excellent. The formulas you've created are intricate and precise, and yet highly efficient. However, no matter how excellent the magic array is, it's useless without the magic power to activate it."

"..."

"Originally, the magic power you possess is vast. It was more than enough even during the Great War. It wouldn't have run out! ---If not for the task of 'sealing the Holy Maiden.'"

What could be so amusing, Randolph began to laugh, his shoulders shaking.

"Rest assured, no one else would have noticed. Only I could imagine it."

"..."

"Ozwald, with your remaining magic power so scarce and you being defenseless now..."

At that moment, Ozwald naturally did not miss the magical fluctuation in Randolph's right hand.

"Even attacks that wouldn't normally hit. ...I can drive them in like this...!!"

"..."

The sword of fire that was swung stopped right in front of Ozwald's eyes.

Randolph's eyes widened, but Ozwald didn't even bother to make a facial expression. The magic array that instantly unfolded was a solid shield protecting Ozwald.

"Impossible! Theoretically, you shouldn't have enough magic power left to use such magic...!!"

"I apologize for not meeting your expectations. However, please forgive this little game."

"..."

Randolph took a step back and dispelled the flaming sword in his hand.

"A genuine monster."

He glared at Ozwald with red eyes.

"Because of the existence of someone like you...!"

"..."

Ozwald bowed to him again.

"That's enough. My mood is ruined."

As the magic array unfolded, the room was filled with blinding light. When the light faded, Randolph was gone.

(...Hmph)

Ozwald looked down at his right hand.

(I must have enough power left to deceive the enemy.)

But he had used some of it just now. He wanted to curse but kept it off his face.

In fact, it was as Randolph had said.

Ozwald's magic power was not much left. He had offered his own magic power to seal Charlotte's divine power. If his magic power was full, it would be a thousand, but the current amount was less than ten.

(The recovery speed is faster than I expected. As long as it doesn't turn into a major battle, I can hide it from anyone but a few skilled individuals.)

Ozwald took off his coat and threw it on the desk, then sank into the chair and sighed.

"A genuine monster. Because of the existence of someone like you...!"

(......)

He closed his eyes and pressed the back of his hand to his eyelids. For some reason, an incredibly carefree voice echoed in his head.

"I'm so happy that you're alive, Ozwald-sama!!"

Charlotte had looked up at him straight and said this.

"Damn."

His head started to hurt, and he couldn't help but frown. In his heart, he bitterly told the smiling Charlotte in his mind.

(...Someone like me shouldn't be told such words...)

***

This concludes Chapter 2!

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