Chapter 8

After obtaining the great prize of her beloved's name, Charlotte parted ways with the old man and wandered around the mansion until dusk.

To avoid frightening the maids, she would hide in the shadows of the corridors whenever she sensed someone approaching. Thanks to this, she managed to complete her exploration without being seen by anyone until nightfall.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment, she returned to her room to find a serving tray with a meal placed in front of the door. The same had happened at noon, and she had gratefully partaken of it. Whether by some magic, the food remained warm and delicious despite the passage of time.

Though dining alone, Charlotte enjoyed her meal.

(I hope my thanks can somehow reach the cook who prepared this and the maids who brought it despite their fear...)

Thinking this, she looked down at the small note she had written. She had found a pen and ink on the desk in the room. Since there was no suitable paper, she had carefully cut a paper napkin and wrote her message on it.

She placed the serving tray with the note in the corridor and returned to her room. Recalling that there was a bathroom in addition to the wardrobe during her morning exploration, she peeked inside and found that the bathtub was already filled with water.

After gratefully taking a bath and changing into a nightgown, Charlotte sat down on a chaise lounge, feeling warm and cozy. She opened the first page of the diary and looked at the words she had written on the unused part of the paper napkin.

(This is definitely my handwriting...)

She compared the word "enemy" written in the diary with the words she had written on the paper napkin.

(The portrait that was tucked in was of Lord Ozvalt. The message below it suggests that Lord Ozvalt is the "enemy," doesn't it? But, to whom... Normally, it would mean that before I lost my memory, Lord Ozvalt, who could seal divine power, was the "enemy" to me.)

Charlotte frowned and glared at the notebook.

(I might not get along well with my former self. Why would such a word be the only thing that came to mind in front of this beautiful portrait!)

When she met Ozvalt, what was he wearing, and what expression did he have? These details should have been recorded, but only the word "enemy" was written.

(There should be more useful... information about Lord Ozvalt...)

Shaking the diary didn't bring about any changes. There might be something on the second page, but it wouldn't open normally.

(It might be better not to open it. If divine power activates, Lord Ozvalt will come running again.)

She wanted to see him as many times as possible, but she didn't want to be a burden.

(I can't impose on him. After all, I am the wife who is hated by that person...)

Charlotte looked down at the diary with a heavy heart.

"......"

She looked around the room. Confirming that no one was there, she took the small portrait of Ozvalt and hugged it tightly to her chest.

(...Ugh. L, life force...!!)

Even as a portrait, Ozvalt was beautiful. Of course, he couldn't compare to the real thing, but Charlotte immediately felt invigorated.

(Even if I am hated, I am his wife! Even if I am never to see him again, I am, after all, his wife!)

Standing up from the chaise lounge, she clenched her fist tightly.

(Just knowing this fact, I feel a burst of health from within. I will serve diligently!)

She didn't need anything else. Still, she carefully tucked the portrait back into the diary.

(I don't need anything else, but I should keep what I can...! This is my personal possession, from before I lost my memory...!)

Besides, she had gained one more thing.

"...Lord Ozvalt Ralph Langheim"

Just muttering his name made her feel warm from the depths of her heart.

(And the old man even told me that Lord Ozvalt is a duke! It's wonderful to have learned so much more than just his name... Ah, I'm so happy...)

She savored her joy. At that moment, a knock echoed through the room.

"---Charlotte"

"Whaaaaa!?"

Hearing the voice of an unbelievable person, Charlotte let out a cry.

"Was that a scream? ...Hey, I'm coming in!"

"O, O, Oz... Oz..."

Seeing the figure before her, she collapsed weakly.

"Lord Ozvalt is so handsome...!!"

"......"

Standing in front of the door was Ozvalt, who was hundreds of times more beautiful than the portrait, with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Let me ask, just to be sure..."

His eyes looked at her as if she were a completely unknown entity.

"Did you scream because some emergency occurred?"

"Of course, it's an emergency!! Seeing Lord Ozvalt at night is different from seeing him in the morning...!! Ah, I want to gaze at you without blinking, but the thrill of looking directly at you makes my heart race...!!"

"Alright. You don't seem to be sick."

Ozvalt closed the door behind him, and Charlotte covered her mouth with both hands.

(We are alone in a closed room...!!)

Shaken by confusion and joy, she couldn't even speak. However, when Ozvalt sat down on the chaise lounge, she stood up, driven by a sense of duty.

(Oh no! I must hurry...!!)

"Wait. What are you doing?"

"Yes! I'm arranging all the lamps in the room around Lord Ozvalt!! I want to see you from every angle, without missing a single detail!!"

"Stop! It looks like some new ritual!!"

Ozvalt, looking tired, told her to sit opposite him. Overwhelmed by the joy of being allowed to sit next to him, she sat down on the chaise lounge facing him.