Chapter 23

Her whole body was enveloped in a warm, gentle magic.

In the next moment, Charlotte found herself standing on the brick-lined streets with Ozwald.

Under the clear winter sky, the city was bustling with people coming and going, appearing to be a rather lively urban area.

Occasionally, a soft light would flash, and people who had also been teleported would appear. They began walking with a familiar air, joining the flow of the crowd. It was likely that this place served as a gateway for those who could use teleportation magic.

"Wow...!"

More impressed by Ozwald's impressive teleportation magic than the cityscape, Charlotte's eyes sparkled.

"That's amazing, Lord Ozwald...! It was so gentle, and then in an instant! There was no dizziness, not even a shock!"

"It's nothing. This is pretty normal."

"That's not true! And... oh, oh...!!"

Shocked by the scene before her, Charlotte covered her face with both hands.

Ozwald, adjusting the collar of his clothing, turned to her with a suspicious look.

"What is it? What's wrong...?"

"L-Lord Ozwald's...!!"

Shaken, Charlotte managed to squeeze out her words.

"Lord Ozwald's breath...!! It's visible because it's white...!"

"Huh?"

He gave her a look that said, "What's the big deal?"

"It's winter now."

"I... It's not good! This is a serious situation!! After all, it means that the breath that entered Lord Ozwald's body and was then exhaled is clearly visible...!?"

"......"

She could see where the breath from her beloved's lips had gone.

Was it even right for such a thing to happen? Charlotte's heart raced as she made a desperate plea to Ozwald.

"Lord Ozwald, please!! Could you just once more, just this once, breathe again!?"

"No, I do it without you telling me. Just let me breathe normally."

"Ah!! Just by talking, the new white breath is like a painting...!!"

While feeling a strong sense of emotion, Charlotte tentatively reached out her hand.

"Just a little... Yes, just a little, only the fingertips...!!"

She tried to gently touch the white breath with her index finger.

"Ugh...!!"

Her conscience and sense of guilt pained her so much that she quickly pulled her hand back.

"I can't, it's indecent! To even try to touch Lord Ozwald's breath... I'm ashamed!! I'm truly sorry for having such improper thoughts...!!"

"Stop it. Your apology is too grand and it's scary."

The passersby were whispering and watching Charlotte and Ozwald.

"Damn, we're drawing attention...! Let's go, Charlotte. We need to move from here."

"Y-Your footprints are also visible in the snow...!"

"Let's go."

"Okay!!"

Following Ozwald's back, Charlotte started walking briskly.

(This is a very big city!)

The snow-covered brick road was lined with shops on both sides, bustling with activity. People were walking happily, carrying their arms full of goods and laughing. Seeing their smiles made her feel happy too.

(Above all! Lord Ozwald is right in the center of my vision!!)

Charlotte pressed her cheeks with her gloved hands, feeling warm.

(Still...)

She noticed something else.

It was the gazes of the passersby, especially the women, all focused on Ozwald.

(I can hear it, I can hear it!! The voices of everyone praising Lord Ozwald's beauty!!)

The women all had flushed cheeks, seemingly captivated by Ozwald. In fact, people of all ages around them were looking up at him.

"Hey, isn't that man incredibly handsome?"

"Really! Maybe he's an actor? He has a great figure and a cool expression... it's so cool..."

(Yes, yes. I want to talk about it...!!)

Suppressing the urge to shake hands with each person, Charlotte's lips trembled with excitement. Moreover, Ozwald's beauty was not just about his appearance.

"...Charlotte. Wait a moment."

"Yes! What is it!?"

Stopping a few meters ahead, Charlotte came to a halt. Then, Ozwald called out to an old woman standing at the edge of the street.

"Excuse me, ma'am."

"!"

The old woman, who had been looking lost, raised her head. Ozwald, with a serious but expressionless tone, asked her:

"If I'm not mistaken, you seem to be lost?"

(He's referring to himself as 'I'...!!)

Her heart overflowed with affection for his gentlemanly behavior. The old woman sighed in relief and replied to Ozwald.

"Oh, dear...! Yes, I am. I'm embarrassed to admit it."

"Do you have a map? —Ah, this place isn't too far. If it's not too much trouble, I can guide you."

"Oh, thank you...! I'm so happy. I don't know how to thank you."

"No, it's nothing."

Then, Ozwald turned to Charlotte and said:

"Charlotte. I'm sorry, but I need to guide this lady for a bit..."

"Yes! I'll accompany you, Lord Ozwald!"

"!"

Charlotte's eyes sparkled as she walked over to the old woman. She took the old woman's hand and handed her the cane that was leaning against the wall of a building.

"Let's walk together, slowly."

"Thank you, I'm sorry. I know I'm slow for young people..."

"No! I'm not used to walking on snowy roads either, so it's very pleasant to walk slowly!"

Walking slowly meant more time with Ozwald.

Charlotte's smile reassured the old woman, and she felt relieved.

"..."

She noticed that Ozwald's gaze was on her.

"Lord Ozwald?"

"Nothing. Ma'am, let me take your bags."

Ozwald, with a cool expression, naturally took the old woman's bags. Charlotte followed his back and started walking with the old woman.

(Ugh. Lord Ozwald, who helps people so naturally, is so cool...!!)

But that wasn't all.

After seeing the old woman to her destination and discussing heading to the dress shop, Ozwald seemed to notice something else.

"A child is crying over there. I'll go check on them."

"Yes! I'll help, Lord Ozwald!"

After finding the lost mother, he turned his attention to someone else.

"That boy over there, it seems the teleportation array isn't working for him. I'll go talk to him."

"He's on the verge of tears! I'll come with you, Lord Ozwald!"

"Is that woman's shopping bag broken? I'll help her pick up the oranges, you wait here."

"I'll come with you, Lord Ozwald!"

"This time, it seems there's a dispute. I'll go mediate, you can stay in a safe place."

"Wow!! Please wait, I want to be by your side, Lord Ozwald!!"

Thus, they helped people all over the place, and finally, after a while:

"......This is strange."

Ozwald, pressing his forehead, muttered on the street.

"We haven't even reached the dress shop yet, why has so much time passed...?"

"Huh? ...Um, well, that's..."

Not sure if she should point it out directly, Charlotte tilted her head slightly.

"Um. There's one thing I'd like to ask."

"What is it?"

"Lord Ozwald. ...Have you ever been told that you have a 'constitution that endlessly attracts people in trouble'?"

"......"

Then, Ozwald made a very unwilling expression before replying to Charlotte.

"...Why do you know that?"

(Ah, he's so cute...!!)

Her left chest ached with love.