Chapter 62

After that, Osvald and Charlotte returned to the mansion and each took a bath. After getting ready, the two of them began to sort out the events that had transpired.

They reviewed everything that had happened since she lost her memory, as well as the scenes shown to her in the diary. Then, Charlotte earnestly explained what she had seen after her divine power returned through Osvald's kiss.

"――So, you see, it turns out that I have always, always loved you, Lord Osvald!"

"………………"

Sitting next to Osvald on the bench, Charlotte demonstrated the size of her love with her hands and added with a huff, "It's not just a little bit of love. I endured so much, using your existence as my strength, even in difficult and sad times!"

"……"

"It's more like I know it from the scenes I was shown, rather than my memory returning...! But I can clearly feel it! My life has always been filled with my love for Lord Osvald!"

"…………Understood……"

Then, Osvald, who had been covering his face with one hand and looking down, muttered in a low voice, "I understand, Charlotte... I understand your feelings, so please don't repeat this story anymore."

"What!? But I've only told this story five times!!"

The feeling of loving Osvald is something that can't be expressed no matter how many times she says it. Feeling unsatisfied, Charlotte tilted her head in confusion, but Osvald let out a heavy sigh.

"…Try to put yourself in my position, having to endure your straightforward 'I love you' with a big smile."

"???"

Tilting her head, Charlotte decided to hold back for a moment and share her conclusion.

"Furthermore, I've been a bit concerned since the conversation with Lord Randolph at the ball. I suspect that the direct cause of my memory loss might not just be the sealing of my divine power, but also my own will."

Charlotte placed her palm over her left chest.

"Contract magic is a contract imposed on the soul. …But if the soul is interpreted as memory, then perhaps the contract is invalid for me in my memory-less state?"

Osvald looked up and narrowed his eyes slightly as he gazed at Charlotte.

"To escape the royal family's contract, you erased your memories, didn't you?"

"My pre-memory-loss self also believed that our marriage would be a burden to Lord Osvald. However, with the contract magic, I cannot refuse the marriage."

Perhaps, Charlotte had erased her own memories to free Osvald from the marriage.

"The diary contained fabricated entries that could be interpreted as me viewing Lord Osvald as an enemy. After seeing these entries, I might have tried to escape from Lord Osvald."

However, Charlotte added, "Of course, more than anything, my heart raced for Lord Osvald!"

"Alright, let's move on for now."

"Oh…!! The way you reprimand me is so skilled, and your profile is so cool!!"

"Regardless, let's discuss your hypothesis."

While savoring Osvald's beauty, the discussion proceeded calmly. Osvald picked up a piece of paper from the table and tapped it with the back of his middle finger.

"While you were drying your hair, I quickly checked the bookshelves in this mansion. There are documents that discuss the connection between memory and the soul—"

"O, Osvald-sama!! That, that, tapping the paper with the back of your middle finger is not allowed!! It's not good, it's cool, it's unfair…"

"Charlotte. Be quiet."

"Yes!!"

Straightening her back, Charlotte listened to Osvald.

"There are documents that discuss the connection between memory and the soul, even with a brief search. However, I've never heard of a theory that links memory, the soul, and contract magic. It makes sense that there is little information, as it is unique to the royal family…"

"But, evidence is more important than theory, Lord Osvald!"

Charlotte raised her hand and spoke.

"Lord Osvald, you are actually a member of the royal family, right? So, you should have the qualifications to be the commander of contract magic."

"…Well, yes."

"But I have disobeyed Lord Osvald many times, haven't I? I hugged you even when you said not to, and I didn't wait when you told me to during my runaway. I must have refused many small commands."

At those times, Charlotte did not experience the pain of breaking the contract.

"Even after the seal was lifted, my memory has not returned. I have only glimpsed scenes from the past. …And when I disobeyed Prince Randolph's command to kneel, I was unharmed…"

Osvald furrowed his brow, perhaps recalling that moment.

(Although he looks like this, Lord Osvald must have realized that my memory loss was a way to escape the contract.)

Osvald tried to help Charlotte escape from the royal family. Could this be because he considered the possibility that Charlotte was free from the contract magic?

However, for the rational Osvald, taking such a risky bet was not something he would do willingly. Therefore, the conclusion Charlotte reached was merely one she had thought of herself.

"I still believe that my memory loss was a plan I devised to escape the contract and free my beloved Lord Osvald."

"…………"

"Even if I couldn't resist, my actions have been so sinful that they are not allowed to be with my beloved. Whether it was a command or whether I have lost my memory now…"

Looking down at her palm, she remembered.

What thoughts did the people who died on the battlefield have when they reached out to Charlotte? And how sad must they have been when their hands were pushed away?

"I cannot escape this fact. …And I do not want to escape it."

"Charlotte…"

"…The only miscalculation on my part might be that my love for Lord Osvald did not disappear even after I lost my memory…"

That morning, when Charlotte woke up, she fell in love with Osvald without any memory.

But in reality, it wasn't love at first sight that morning.

Charlotte had always, from childhood, loved Osvald without interruption.