Chapter 90

Then, while holding Charlotte in his arms, Osvald used the magic of analysis to check her injuries.

Even right after Charlotte returned, he had confirmed that no sound-stealing magic had been cast and that she was unharmed.

Despite this, Osvald, with a very sincere look, traced Charlotte’s body with his magic.

The shadow of Osvald’s hand occasionally brushing against Charlotte’s skin made her feel ticklish and unable to bear it. Charlotte pressed both hands to her mouth and closed her eyes, trembling slightly as she endured it.

After a while, even when it finally ended, for some reason, she was still placed on Osvald’s lap.

“??? O-Osvald-sama…?”

“What’s wrong?”

On the table, several cases containing guardian stones were placed. Osvald, who had only momentarily let Charlotte off his lap to arrange these boxes, then picked her up again and brought her to the present moment.

“What has been going on since just now… Ah!”

“I’m choosing your guardian stone.”

Osvald picked up one of the ear ornaments made with a guardian stone and placed it near Charlotte’s ear.

“I called out to all the merchants in the Holy Capital and had them bring these here. It was a great regret that they didn’t arrive in time for your outing.”

“I already have a guardian stone!?”

“The ones you wore today were just hastily made. Even though they are of the first grade, they are still not enough.”

“Hin…!!”

Osvald’s hand touched Charlotte’s ear. He gently removed the ear ornament with the guardian stone she had been wearing and replaced it with the one he had just picked up. He narrowed his eyes and muttered, “Should I buy all seven boxes…?”

“How many years’ salary is that!?”

At his very serious words, Charlotte paled. If this continued, her beloved Osvald would spend a fortune on her.

“This is that, right!? Mr. Hydemarie said it!! If you keep buying new collars and toys for your pets, Fenrir and the others, without limit…!! Please come to your senses, Osvald-sama!!”

“Of course, pets are important, but you are my wife. I think it’s a husband’s privilege to adorn his wife, don’t you?”

“Aaaah, Osvald-sama is so cool…!!”

Charlotte covered her face with both hands again and sobbed.

Looking up at Osvald from close range, the outline of his jaw, the rugged Adam’s apple, and the line of his neck were incredibly beautiful.

While trying to resist being captivated, Charlotte thought about Osvald, who was still choosing guardian stones.

(I can’t let Osvald-sama spend so much money on me! However, if I don’t have a way to protect myself in an emergency, I’ll end up worrying Osvald-sama…)

If her divine power wasn’t sealed, she could make them herself. However, in that case, she would need a gemstone that could withstand her divine power as a medium.

(I have to think of something. I’m already causing Osvald-sama trouble because I don’t have my memories…)

“Charlotte”

“Yes!!”

Just as she was trying to divert her thoughts, being called from such close range left her no choice. Resigned, Charlotte looked up at him and blinked.

“Osvald-sama…?”

Osvald was quietly looking down at her.

“I will repeat this as many times as necessary.”

His voice was very calm, yet clear as he said,

“…You are my wife.”

“…!!”

Her heart skipped a beat at his words.

“Y-Yes, I know, Osvald-sama…”

“Do you really?”

Osvald slightly narrowed his eyes and leaned in even closer to Charlotte’s face. His voice, though not malicious, carried a sincere tone as he asked,

“Do you have a sense of reality and awareness of it yourself?”

“A sense of reality and awareness of being Osvald-sama’s wife!?”

Asked such an outrageous question, Charlotte shook her head vigorously.

“That is too much of an honor…!!”

“……”

At the moment she said this, Charlotte was startled by Osvald’s expression.

“I’m sorry, Osvald-sama.”

She had seen Osvald look a little sad like this before, but it was the first time she had seen him look this way.

“I am well aware that my resolve is lacking.”

“…Charlotte”

“For me, Osvald-sama is a miracle just by existing. And yet, I can be close to you, hear your voice, and meet your gaze… This fact is so overwhelmingly happy for me that it feels like my breath is stopping.”

Charlotte pressed the back of her hand to her eyes.

“…I, who have trampled on so many, the ‘Cruel Saint Maiden’….”

“……”

Osvald’s hand, which had been about to touch Charlotte, clenched tightly.