Chapter 48

"‘Even if I don’t fall in love with you, it’s fine,’"

"…………"

Charlotte blinked.

It wasn’t that she had no idea what he was talking about.

Rather, because she clearly remembered saying it, she didn’t understand why Ozvalt was asking her about it.

"Yes, I did indeed say that."

She answered calmly, and Ozvalt’s eyebrows furrowed.

"Why? You like me, don’t you? Then why don’t you ask the same of me?"

"…? Because, Lord Ozvalt—"

Charlotte slipped her hand away from Ozvalt’s.

Then, placing both hands over her chest, she stated a simple fact clearly.

"I am a sinner, after all?"

"…!"

Ozvalt’s eyes widened, and Charlotte, still smiling, answered him.

"You should know that, Lord Ozvalt. I am the cruel saint, a detested being."

"That’s…"

"That’s why it’s impossible for you to love me. Because—"

Charlotte spoke as if stating the obvious.

"Those who have done wrong should not be happy."

"…Charlotte…"

Smiling, she said this, and Ozvalt’s face contorted in pain.

"Thinking back, it’s always been like this. You never hesitate to show your affection, but whenever I try to do something for you, you react as if you ‘can’t accept it.’"

"Lord Ozvalt, just by your existence, I am very happy…"

Charlotte exhaled, her breath turning white, and she gazed into Ozvalt’s eyes.

"So please, rest assured! Even if you don’t love me, or if you find someone else important, I will still be a good girl…!"

"…Huh?"

She recalled the beautiful women she had seen talking with Ozvalt at the ball the other night.

Her noble friends had also said that Ozvalt was very popular with women. It was only natural, as he was such a wonderful person.

"I became the wife of the beloved Lord Ozvalt. …With that fact, I’m not afraid of anything!"

"…But—"

Actually, the thought of Ozvalt loving someone else made her chest ache.

However, she had no right to feel sad. So she forced a smile and said brightly,

"You don’t have to love me. I just want you to be healthy and live a long, happy life…"

"…Nonsense."

"…?"

Ozvalt said this with a voice tinged with quiet anger.

"Listening to you just now, what is this? You should still be unaware of what would make me happy."

"…Lord Ozvalt?"

"More than anything, it’s you, Charlotte. Where is the logic that you should not be happy?"

"That’s obvious! I have committed the utmost cruelty."

But Ozvalt said,

"…Even though you don’t remember any of it?"

"…!!"

Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise.

"…You knew?"

"…………"

Perhaps Ozvalt hadn’t intended to reveal this. He slightly furrowed his brow and then fixed his gaze on her.

"You shouldn’t be held responsible for what you did when you had no memory."

Charlotte made a statement that went against Ozvalt for the first time.

"That’s not true."

With a straight back and without hesitation, she told the person she loved,

"Even if I lost my memory, I am still me. —I should bear the consequences and the punishment for what I have done."

"You were branded with a contract magic by the king. If you couldn’t resist, there was nothing you could do."

Then Ozvalt told Charlotte,

"At the very least, I believe that… both you and the ‘saint’ Charlotte had your reasons."

"…!"

His words were so gentle that she almost cried.

(…But, the me in those visions and dreams was smiling…)

Whispering in her heart, Charlotte shook her head.

"It’s not right, Lord Ozvalt. It’s too much for me."

"…What…"

(Lord Ozvalt is so kind…)

She wanted Ozvalt to be happy.

So Charlotte didn’t dream of a future where she remained by his side. She shouldn’t have such dreams.

But hearing Ozvalt’s words, she felt a faint hope.

(Every word from Lord Ozvalt gives me a glimmer of hope. He might allow me to stay with him… But I shouldn’t, I can’t hope for such a despicable thing, I can’t!)

Charlotte pressed her lips together and, with determination, said,

"…No matter what Lord Ozvalt thinks! I must atone for my sins…!"

"…Charlotte…"

"…Excuse me…!!"

Charlotte closed her eyes tightly, turned her back on Ozvalt, and ran away.

"I’ll be staying at Professor Hydmarie’s house for a while!!"

"Wait, Charlotte…!"

She couldn’t turn back, even when she heard his voice calling her. She had to leave Ozvalt before she gave in to her feelings.

(I became his wife in name, and the memory of that remains. It should be enough, but I shamefully want more. Before I do, I must…!!)

Running through the snow, she had gone a few meters when—

"………………"

Charlotte stopped abruptly, turned around, and slowly walked back through the snow.

"…Charlotte"

"…………"

Without looking at Ozvalt’s face, she hung her head dejectedly.

"…C…"

"……"

She must have looked like a puppy that had run away and then returned meekly to have its collar put back on.

"…I don’t know where I am…"

"…I see…"

And so, with tears in her eyes, Charlotte was sent by Ozvalt through a teleportation array to start her runaway life at the Hydmarie residence.

***

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