Chapter 53

"Ku...!! What is this? Your attitude, and even your aura, are completely different from before..."

(Ah, no, this won't do! I couldn't help it and let everything spill out...)

She clamped her hands over her mouth, but the words couldn't be taken back. However, it seemed that Randolph was more upset by the content of her words than by her change in demeanor.

"Generally speaking! Why do you praise Oswald so much...!!"

"Well, when you ask why..."

At this point, there was no point in trying to cover it up. Charlotte stopped acting like her former self and turned to face Randolph again.

"The passing of Lady Mother was a great tragedy. But it certainly cannot be blamed on Lord Oswald."

"N...!"

"Even the incident of his magic going out of control during his childhood was due to physical and mental instability. If anyone is to be blamed for that, it should not be the young Lord Oswald, but rather the entity that disturbed the innocent child."

"......!!"

It seemed that Randolph had a particular person in mind, as his eyes wavered.

"Whatever Lord Oswald has experienced in the past, and whatever has happened as a result, it will not shake my feelings for him."

In her heart, a new thought was born.

(Could what Lord Oswald said under the meteor shower have a similar meaning? ...That even if he did something in the past, I too can be happy...)

However, it was difficult for the current Charlotte to think the same way about herself.

She found it somewhat strange and contradictory.

"I love Lord Oswald very much. I am in love with everything he says, does, and thinks! Praising Lord Oswald is more natural than breathing."

"...Shut up..."

"Still, there's more I want to say, isn't there? If you allow it, Lord Randolph, I will praise Lord Oswald's greatness to the fullest!!"

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!!"

At that moment, Randolph reached out and grabbed Charlotte by the collar.

"Aah...!"

"Are you trying to get on my nerves?"

Her dress collar was tightened, making it very difficult to breathe.

"Rejoice, it's a great success...!!"

Charlotte frowned and looked up at Randolph.

"You're making fun of me! There's no way that guy, Oswald, is better than us brothers!! He has tainted blood. Yes, he shouldn't even have the possibility of inheriting the throne...!!"

"...Lord Oswald is a wonderful person...!!"

"I told you to shut up!! Well, it doesn't matter, your use is just one thing!!"

His eyes, clouded with red, were completely different from Oswald's.

The grip on Charlotte's collar tightened even more.

"Wait for it! I'll make you a blemish on Oswald...!!"

(No matter how a third party tries to tarnish Lord Oswald...!!)

Lord Oswald's noble presence cannot be clouded.

Charlotte stopped her immediate rebuttal.

(Could this presence...?)

Forgetting her difficulty in breathing, Charlotte spoke the beloved name.

"---Lord Oswald...!"

"H, huh...!?"

Randolph's expression clearly wavered.

"W-What are you suddenly saying...?"

"Lord Oswald will be here soon. I can feel his presence just outside the barrier."

"Stop talking nonsense!!"

"Nn...!!"

The sound of a tightening grip made Charlotte even more uncomfortable.

"You start talking nonsense... This tower is surrounded by a strong barrier!"

There was no need to think about why he was here.

"Even with minor magic or magical tools, it's impossible to transmit your location from the outside. There's no way Oswald could find this place!!"

No matter what danger was here, Oswald was very kind. If he noticed Charlotte's distress, he wouldn't overlook it.

(You mustn't come, Lord Oswald...!)

Grasping Randolph's wrist and trying to secure some oxygen, Charlotte prayed.

"Besides, this room is surrounded by stone walls!?"

Oswald's magic power must be nearly depleted by now.

And the powerful magic she felt from Randolph was undoubtedly from a first-class magician. She could sense that the barrier set up here and the magic circle used to pour water on her were both the work of a top-notch magician.

(The current Lord Randolph is serious. He is trying to harm Lord Oswald...!! Please, please, don't come!)

"You're talking nonsense. There's no way you could sense Oswald's presence from outside...!!"

No, Charlotte could sense it.

(I understand. It's about Lord Oswald, whom I love so much...)

Her heart would flutter with joy when he returned to the mansion where she waited for him every day.

Even without hearing footsteps, the slightest presence would fill her with joy.

Every day, every day, when Oswald returned to the mansion where Charlotte waited.

The magic power she felt now could not be a mistake.

That's why Charlotte prayed.

"...Lord Randolph...! Please, please, strengthen the barrier...!!"

"W-What...?"

"Please, strengthen the barrier's power, quickly!!"

She sincerely pleaded with Randolph.

"A barrier that cannot be broken, a more powerful one...! Otherwise, Lord Oswald will break through the barrier soon!!"

Shocked by Charlotte's desperate cry, Randolph loosened his grip.

"...!! Cough, cough...!!"

Finally able to take in a lot of air, she started coughing.

Looking at Charlotte, who had collapsed on the floor, Randolph glared at the wall.

"...There's no way such a ridiculous thing could happen...!!"

(...Ah...)

A creaking sound was heard.

(It's no good. ...No, no, you mustn't come...!!)

She wished with a prayer-like feeling.

However, the distorted sound of something collapsing grew louder and louder.

"There's no way he could find this place. Especially not break through this royal-level barrier from the outside...!!"

Charlotte felt the presence outside the room more clearly.

(Lord Oswald...!!)

Right after that.

A huge impact shook the room, and a gust of wind blew in.

"---...!!"

Apart from the sound of breaking glass, the sound of the stone wall collapsing was also heard.

A fierce cold enveloped the area, but the light that overflowed from Charlotte's chest enveloped her protectively.

The surroundings were frozen, and the floor and ceiling were covered in ice.

Only the area around Charlotte, who was enveloped in light, and the area around Randolph, who seemed to have protected himself with a small barrier, remained unharmed.

"U..."

Charlotte cautiously raised her head and saw the wall that had been cruelly shattered.

Through the gaping hole, a vivid magic circle of teleportation floated.

Dust still clouded the air.

But Charlotte couldn't mistake the sound of footsteps that echoed.

The figure, holding an ice sword and wearing a blue cloak, appeared before Charlotte.

"..."

Seeing the beloved figure, she almost cried.

(Why...)

She wanted to say, "Why did you come here?" She wanted to apologize, "I'm sorry," and express her gratitude, "Thank you for saving me."

But all she could manage to say was this:

"...Lord Oswald...!"

Oswald looked down at the drenched Charlotte.

He thrust the ice sword he held into the frozen floor.

Then, Oswald immediately took off his blue cloak and draped it over Charlotte's shoulders, just as he had done for her on that cold morning when she sneezed in the frozen room.

"...I've come to fetch you. Did you wait properly?"

"...!!"

Kneeling, Oswald picked up Charlotte, wrapping her in the cloak.

Her body floated up, and she almost screamed in surprise.

Oswald, supporting Charlotte with one hand, touched her collar with the other.

The dress must have clear marks from Randolph's grip. But now, she was more worried about Oswald.

"It's no good, you must escape quickly, or...!!"

"I need to confirm your safety first."

"!"

Oswald's fingers touched Charlotte's neck.

He pulled the delicate golden chain, revealing the blue stone from inside her collar.

"...As expected of a national treasure-level stone. It can be sensed even through a thick barrier."

"National treasure?"

"Thanks to you keeping the 'lost tag' as instructed, I was able to find you."

Oswald narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and told Charlotte with a gentle expression.

"You're a good girl. ---Well done, Charlotte."

"......!!"

These were the words she had once wished to hear from Oswald, which would make her happy enough to work hard for the rest of her life.

Though she knew it was shameful, she was so happy that her body trembled.

"Lord Oswald...!"

Charlotte clung tightly to Oswald.