Chapter 9

Oswald began by saying this:

"Show me the array on your body."

"…Huh?"

Charlotte froze in place.

"What's wrong? It's the sealing array."

(What, what, the 'sealing array'!!)

Pressed for time, she desperately tried to recall her memories.

(I… I remember! When restraining a criminal magician, an array is inscribed on their body to seal their magic. That means my divine power is also sealed by that array, right?)

But the crucial part was yet to come.

(I… I have no memory of where on my body the array is inscribed…!!)

Charlotte remained silent, a forced smile on her face.

The array constructed by the magician should exist somewhere on her body. When activated, it emits light, but otherwise, it appears as a faint pattern. That's how it should be.

(Ugh, I remember the mechanism of the array… At least, can I recall what happened when I took a bath earlier…!!)

However, she had no clue at all. As she hesitated, Oswald gave her a suspicious look.

"…Can't you show it?"

"N-no, it's not that…!"

"Surely, you haven't tampered with the seal, have you?"

His eyes, filled with caution and suspicion, were beautifully chilling. In any other situation, she would have savored the moment.

(I… I have to do something… Ah!! This is a brilliant idea!)

Grateful for her own inspiration, Charlotte spoke up.

"Can I see your array first, Lord Oswald!!"

"……"

His well-shaped eyebrows twitched.

"Why should I show you such a thing?"

"Because!! I want to see it!!"

"Why would you want to see my array?"

"I will engrave it in my heart."

She said this with complete honesty. Oswald slightly stepped back, seemingly unable to understand.

But she wasn't saying it out of any ulterior motive. This was genuine information gathering.

(The sealing array is a pair. As the sealer, Lord Oswald, and the sealed, me, we should have the same array inscribed in the same place. …It's like a matching set… Hehe, hehehehe…)

The idea of having the same array in the same place felt almost like a married couple, which was a good feeling.

In reality, it was more like the relationship between a criminal and an executioner, but she had forgotten that due to her memory loss.

"Enough of that. Show me your array quickly…"

"P-please, Lord Oswald!! If I don't see your array, I won't be able to control my inner impulses!! How is the construction of the sealer's array, and how beautiful is it!? I'm so curious that I might dance all night until morning!!"

"Stop that!!"

(Oh no!! I shouldn't have let my personal desire to see Lord Oswald's array take over…)

She quickly corrected her forward-leaning posture.

"…If I show you my array, will you show yours?"

"!!"

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Charlotte's face lit up.

"Y-yes!! If Lord Oswald wishes, I will show it anywhere on my body!!"

"No need, just show the array. …Sigh, damn…"

After a tired sigh, Oswald glanced at Charlotte.

Then, he opened his well-shaped lips.

(―――――!!)

Charlotte couldn't help but gasp.

What she saw was a delicate array drawn in aqua.

Thanks to her retained knowledge of magic, even with her memory loss, she could appreciate its excellence. The perfect calculations, the efficient construction, and the skill of the person who created it were all evident in the magic array inscribed there.

That is, on Oswald's tongue.

(…Lord Oswald's, red tongue, with the sealing array…)

The view lasted only a few seconds before Oswald closed his mouth.

Charlotte lowered her head, her gaze falling to her knees, and she fell silent.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"……"

"I told you, what good does it do to see an array? If you're satisfied with seeing something trivial, then open your mouth quickly…"

"…Sniff, sniff…"

"!?"

She didn't want to show tears, but they couldn't be held back.

Noticing that Charlotte was crying, Oswald stiffened. Then, with a voice that seemed to suppress his frustration, he asked:

"W-why are you crying!?"

"U-uh, I'm sorry… I apologize. Showing such an unsightly side…"

"Did you catch a cold this morning, perhaps?"

"No…!! That, that, this is…!!"

Tears streaming down her face, Charlotte desperately tried to explain.

"…Sticking out your tongue is too sexy, it's unfair!!"

"――――…………"

At that moment, Oswald gave her a half-lidded look.

"Really, really, it's not allowed…!! A cool and handsome Lord Oswald sticking out his red tongue like a mischievous child is absolutely not allowed…!! What are you going to do with such a mix of cuteness, sexiness, and surprise!! Sniff, sniff, waaahh!!"

"…What am I hearing right now…?"

Oswald stood up with a sigh of exasperation.

"…At least, I understand that you're not willing to show your array voluntarily."

"A…! I-I'm sorry… snif…"

She was genuinely crying, but it might have been misunderstood. She felt truly apologetic, as she hadn't intended to mislead.

As Charlotte tried to stop crying and Oswald stood in front of her, it happened almost simultaneously.

"…Lord Oswald…?"

"…"

Oswald's hand reached out.

Then, his hand grabbed Charlotte's chin, and his thumb forced her lips open.

"Ahm!?"

As if training a puppy to stop nipping, Oswald's finger was pushed into Charlotte's mouth.

He then pressed her wet tongue with his thumb and examined its surface closely.

After that, he narrowed his eyes and said:

"…It's beautifully set."

"……"

His hand immediately withdrew, and she was released.

The moment she was free, Charlotte slid off the couch.

"I… I can't take it anymore. I'm going to faint. I've reached my limit…"

"Hey, don't thrash around on the floor right after a bath!"