Chapter 56

"I will do anything to be of service to Lord Oswald."

"I love Lord Oswald more now than I did this morning. Tomorrow, I will love you even more."

Surprised by her unexpected words, but realizing that she had no memories from before the seal, his strange wariness disappeared.

From then on, Oswald listened to her words, observed her expressions, and first gave her a guardian stone that would reveal her location.

He then decided to解除监视魔法，以减少魔力的无谓消耗。

Charlotte没有意识到这一点，也没有表现出任何逃跑或做危险事情的迹象。

她只是全心全意、努力不懈地继续对Oswald倾注情感。

"Because if I hadn't been born, there would have been people who wouldn't have had to die."

The young Oswald always blamed himself like this.

But Charlotte, without any hesitation, spoke straight to Oswald, dispelling his self-reproach.

"――I am so happy just because Lord Oswald is alive!!"

Recalling that moment, he couldn't help but smile.

(…You wouldn't know, Charlotte.)

Surrounded by Randolph's flames, within the barrier created by the guardian stone, Oswald thought quietly.

(Your words were so invaluable to me as a child. …How much I had longed for them.)

The guardian stone in his earring shattered as it created a new barrier.

"Lord Oswald, I am so, so happy that you have returned!"

Charlotte's eyes sparkled every time Oswald returned.

The former Oswald was despised and feared, even for his mere existence in a corner of the castle.

"My beloved lord is such a respectable person. …Thinking of this, I am so happy that my mouth becomes all mushy."

She said this, watching everything Oswald did with genuine happiness.

This was the opposite of her father, who would immediately hint at punishment whenever Oswald took actions that were not in the royal family's interest.

When she cried, and he asked what he could do to make her stop, Charlotte, sobbing, said:

"Lord Oswald, if you can stay healthy and live a long, happy life every day…"

(…No one has ever wished for me like that.)

While suppressing the raging flames, Oswald let out a small breath.

"Lord Oswald…!"

Charlotte, whom he was holding, looked at him with a face that seemed to be on the verge of death.

If she struggled, the barrier he was barely controlling would become unstable, making it difficult to maintain the protection from the guardian stone.

Perhaps realizing this, Charlotte could hardly move and only tried to stop Oswald with a pained voice.

However, the reason Charlotte started to resist more than before was likely due to the magic circle that appeared at their feet.

"Why, why a transfer array…!! You are already almost depleted of magic power, and this will…!!"

"This is a transfer array, so it is for transferring."

There was only one guardian stone left.

Stones capable of controlling Randolph's magic were not widely available. Randolph, hidden by the flames, was a formidable opponent.

"But the magic power contained in this array is only enough to transfer one person…!"

"You're right."

Charlotte seemed to have figured out what Oswald was about to do.

"I will send you as far away from this tower as possible."

"No! That will put Lord Oswald in danger…!"

In truth, he wanted to transfer her to the Heidemarie residence. Unfortunately, Oswald did not have enough magic power left for that.

Seemingly realizing this, Charlotte shook her head desperately.

"Please, Lord Oswald, run away. I beg you, please! If you hadn't come to save me, Lord Oswald wouldn't have been in danger…!"

"Ultimately, the reason you were kidnapped by him is because of me."

He bitterly reflected on how he was a troublesome existence.

"…You will likely lose consciousness after this."

"―No way."

He smiled as softly as he could and told her:

"With this cloak, the woven magic should prevent you from freezing if you sleep outside. …When you wake up from unconsciousness, don't worry about me. Transfer to Lord Heidemarie's place."

"…!!"

At that, Charlotte's face changed.

With Randolph's roar, the flames seemed to intensify.

Before the last guardian stone broke, he placed his hand behind Charlotte's neck.

"You once said that the only thing you had was your love for me, but that's not true."

"Lord Oswald…!!"

"I was saved by your existence. …And you also said that 'villains should not be happy,' but that is a mistake."

He pulled Charlotte closer.

If he achieved his goal, Charlotte's consciousness would fade at that point.

So, he chose his words with that in mind.

"At the very least, I…"

Their gazes met one last time, and he told her:

"―I truly wish to make you happy, even if it means losing my life."

"…!!"

And so, Oswald gently kissed Charlotte.

He opened her lips, touched her with his tongue, and released the seal that was imprinted there.