Chapter 44

"In the battlefield, what I did was nothing but terrible! Even from the perspective of the royal family, my actions must have been unbearable to witness."

"…Ah, yes! His Majesty the King was extremely angry…"

"That's why I am deeply reflecting on my actions."

Charlotte's interruption caused Randolph to twist his lips.

"I intended to devote myself to this country, considering it my homeland. I will never again speak so presumptuously as if I were one of you."

Pressing her hand to her chest, Charlotte respectfully told him,

"I will serve the royal family. ——If I go against this, I will suffer a torment worse than death, as I would be in violation of the contract magic, right?"

"…!!"

At Charlotte's smile, Randolph's face contorted. She pressed on,

"I promise. I am willing to be a slave to the royal family. Rather, I am happy to offer my body…"

But Charlotte stopped there.

Oswald, standing behind her, covered her mouth with his palm.

"…!"

She was then pulled back forcefully, yet somehow gently.

Oswald whispered in Charlotte's ear,

"…That's enough."

(Lord Oswald…?)

Under normal circumstances, Charlotte would have been thrown into chaos.

However, she managed to maintain her composure because the voice, which only she could hear, carried a certain pain and urgency.

"Charlotte. If you overuse your words of promise, it may lack effectiveness and sincerity. ——His Highness Prince Randolph should be well aware of the strictness of the King's contract magic, shouldn't he?"

"Oswald, you…!"

"Your Highness Prince Randolph, I beg you to forgive Charlotte's rudeness."

"Forgive her, you say? Humph! What authority do you have to…"

"Have you forgotten?"

The atmosphere in the courtyard tightened again.

"She is my wife now."

"——!"

The sound of Randolph grinding his teeth could be heard even from here.

"…I'll let it slide. Anyway, I only intended to enjoy seeing the Holy Maiden's face today."

"Then it seems our business is concluded. ——Charlotte, greet the Prince."

"Yes, Lord Oswald. …Good evening, Prince Randolph."

After a tongue-click, Randolph started walking towards the ballroom.

"Whatever. It's not like it matters anyway…"

Muttering to himself, his back disappeared into the crowd in the ballroom.

In the courtyard, now filled with silence, Oswald sighed deeply.

"Damn. From the looks of it, he intends to continue interfering unnecessarily."

Looking thoroughly exhausted, he ran his hand through his bangs. His agitated yet sluggish movements revealed his weariness.

"…Ah… Charlotte. About what just happened…"

"……"

Oswald chose his words carefully, showing concern for Charlotte.

"His Majesty the King is indeed cruel and harsh. However, he is also very pragmatic."

"……"

"Because you are a rare Holy Maiden, he won't easily allow anything that would render you useless. Therefore, Prince Randolph won't misuse the contract magic without the King's permission."

"………………"

"Regarding this, you can rest assured… Charlotte?"

Oswald, suddenly alarmed, grabbed Charlotte's shoulders and spun her around.

"…You don't mean…"

At that moment, looking directly at Oswald's face, Charlotte's composure crumbled.

"Ah…!! It's been twelve minutes and forty-eight seconds since I last saw Lord Oswald's face from the front…!!"

"…I see…"

Charlotte, covering her face with both hands, bit down on the emotions she had been holding back.

"This is the final blow…!! After all the trouble Lord Oswald has been through, what was that attack just now…!? Using your beautiful hands to cover my mouth, and calling me your wife…!!"

"Forget it!! Besides, there was no other way to say it! How else would I have explained it! Besides, you were the one who—"

"A… No, I can't. The feel of Lord Oswald's hand and the scent of his perfume, I feel dizzy the moment I remember…"

"Hey!? Wait, you can't faint here and now for such a reason!?"

It was understandable that he couldn't handle it.

Charlotte, having made up her mind, placed her hands on her stomach and, with a peaceful smile, let her consciousness drift away.

"Damn! Excuse me, sir, please inform His Majesty's attendant that the Holy Maiden has fallen ill, and we will set up a transfer array to take her back—…"

(Ah… From above, I can hear Lord Oswald's beautiful voice. I'm sorry for causing trouble… I want to fall asleep with the sigh I just heard as my lullaby…!!)

And amidst her fading thoughts, she also considered this:

(The villainous me before I lost my memory. What were you thinking…?)

And with that, Charlotte let go of her consciousness.

***

This concludes Chapter 4!

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