Chapter 5

A large teleportation magic circle appeared in the conference room set up in the royal castle.

The refined and efficient array spoke of the high skill of the person who handled it and the vast amount of magic power it required.

The people gathered in the conference room sighed in admiration at the magnificent array.

"---I'm sorry. I'm late."

The one who appeared was a young man with the title of Duke, Ozvalt Ralph Langheim.

Ozvalt's posture was correct, and his gait was dignified. His mere presence tightened the atmosphere of the room.

Both men and women were captivated by Ozvalt's presence.

However, it was not just his handsome features that drew their attention.

It was his demeanor, his conduct, and the quiet elegance backed by his strength that attracted people.

"Please don't worry, Captain. It's still five minutes before the start time."

"But everyone seems to be here. I was absent all day yesterday, causing you all trouble."

"Not at all. Under Captain's perfect command, we were able to carry out our mission without any confusion."

The dozen or so people gathered here were all Ozvalt's subordinates.

They were all powerful magicians, forming one of the elite units of the kingdom. These people looked at Ozvalt with respect.

However, Ozvalt's expression remained stiff.

"......"

***

After the morning meeting, Ozvalt was exhausted.

This fatigue was not due to the meeting just held.

Nor was it due to the intense work schedule he had to maintain to clear his schedule for his wedding yesterday.

(......What was Charlotte this morning...?)

Walking down the corridor of the royal castle, he couldn't help but frown.

The image that came to mind was that of the woman he had taken as his wife yesterday.

Charlotte, with her pale golden long hair and light blue eyes, was known as a "rare holy maiden."

However, her refined and delicate appearance and the title of holy maiden could not be taken at face value.

Charlotte had used her power, which was supposed to heal others, cruelly and at will.

(......She has trampled on and toyed with the lives of many people.)

The power that governs life is also the power that governs death.

If Charlotte wished, she could easily destroy an entire country. There were precedents where something close to this had happened.

Ozvalt knew that even if her divine power was forcibly sealed through their marriage, she would not remain docile.

(If I can't control her, I'll have to kill her before she regains her divine power.)

That's why Ozvalt was prepared for this morning.

After sealing Charlotte's divine power yesterday, he had wished that she would not wake up.

(But...)

She opened her eyes, framed by long lashes, and looked at Ozvalt with her light blue eyes.

Then, she said those words.

"I've fallen in love with you at first sight!"

(......Why did it turn out like this...?)

He stopped, pressing his forehead in exasperation.

(It's not as if this morning was our first meeting...! I'm exhausted. Is this just a strategy to toy with me with her outrageous statements...?)

Her attitude was completely different from last night, which was also strange.

However, in the past, Charlotte had pretended to repent to avoid severe punishment. He couldn't take her changed attitude at face value.

(She might be behaving well until she regains her divine power. No, calling that 'well-behaved' might be a bit off...)

The more he thought about it, the more his fatigue grew.

He had been prepared to take on several troublesome matters by marrying Charlotte.

However, the direction of the 'trouble' was different from what Ozvalt had imagined.

While pressing his forehead and looking down, he was called from behind.

"Hey, it's rare to see you without your formal overcoat. The newlywed Duke of Langheim?"

"......Stop it, Ignatz."

The one grinning was a magician with whom he had fought on the same battlefield, a long-time acquaintance.

He was the heir of a marquis family, but despite his status and strength, his words and actions were frivolous. Ignatz put his hand on his chin and peered at Ozvalt's face ostentatiously.

"Oh, oh, you're wearing such a gloomy face. No matter how wicked she is, you've got such a beautiful wife. You should be a little happier."

"Are you kidding? She's Charlotte Lya Eynsworth."

"She's now Charlotte Lya, 'Duchess of Langheim.'"

Ozvalt glared at him quietly, and Ignatz shrugged.

"You should be aware of the responsibilities of marriage, Ozvalt."

"......Hmph."

Of course, he understood what this man was trying to say.

"Ozvalt, the invincible and genius magician! That's why, despite your difficult background, your current position is recognized. You've even earned the title of Duke, and everything is going smoothly."

Ignatz put his arm on Ozvalt's shoulder and whispered in his ear.

"Your wife is said to be the strongest 'Holy Maiden' in history. There will be people who will be anxious about your marriage..."

"Shut up."

Ozvalt sighed and pushed Ignatz's arm away.

"I understand your well-meaning advice. But you never know who's listening."

"I'm a kind friend who's worried about you. You could at least tell me why you ended up marrying the Holy Maiden."

"I told you before. I'm one of the few who can kill Charlotte, and I was chosen by His Majesty to monitor her."

He straightened his military collar and cracked his neck.

"The reason it's marriage instead of imprisonment is that the 'Holy Maiden' still has value."

"Well, if her healing power is needed, they can't release a criminal who has once been in prison, can they?"

After a look of understanding or lack thereof, Ignatz said:

"But, don't you get some perks? Being the husband of such a beauty."

"What? That's ridiculous..."

But at that moment, the image of Charlotte sneezing this morning came to Ozvalt's mind.

"......"

The nightgown she was wearing was thin for the winter season.

The reason for her light clothing was probably because it was their first night of marriage.

Ozvalt had draped his overcoat, the uniform of the royal magicians, over her trembling, slender shoulders.

It was a small act of guilt.

No matter how much she was the Holy Maiden Charlotte, he had frozen the room while she was in such a thin nightgown, unable to do anything without her divine power.

So, he felt bad and had her put on the bright blue overcoat.

"......It's warm......"

The expression on her face when she smiled.

The melting, genuinely happy smile of Charlotte came to his mind reflexively.

"......"

"Whoa...!?"

There was a loud thud.

He hit his forehead against the wall to erase the image of Charlotte that had come to mind.

(Don't let her throw you off. Don't let your guard down. Never be swayed by her.)

After that, he muttered, "Why did it come to this?"

"......My head hurts......"

"Well, no wonder!"

And so, Ozvalt, holding his aching head, began his morning duties.