Chapter 91

"Being afraid of any more happiness, I know it's dishonest to Lord Ozwald. But—"

Charlotte hesitantly spoke of what she had never been able to convey before.

"To touch the love from the beloved Lord Ozwald with my own hands feels so daunting. Even though I understand in my head that this is a wrong feeling as a 'wife,' still—"

Charlotte knows that she is happy now.

And because she understands that this happiness is excessive, she hears a voice from within her heart saying, "You shouldn't accept it."

"…I am afraid of being too happy about being the wife of the person I love so much…"

"———…"

The current Charlotte agrees with the former Charlotte's thoughts.

"You don't need to blame yourself for anything."

"…!"

Charlotte covers her ears to block out the gentle words.

But the voice of the person she loves, no matter how hard it is to hear, is felt clearly.

"…If it's still difficult for you to feel that you are my wife—"

"…?"

Ozwald's hand gently strokes Charlotte's head, touching her golden hair as he speaks.

"Would it be better if I make you realize that I am your husband first?"

"E…?"

Charlotte instinctively removes her hands from her ears and looks up at Ozwald.

"…Is that a different story?"

"Yes. If you can forgive me everything that you cannot forgive yourself, that would be enough."

Ozwald slightly raises Charlotte's upper body, which he is holding on his lap, and leans closer to her face as he says,

"I want to make you happy."

"!"

At those words, Charlotte's eyes widen.

"If you think that your happiness is my desire, not yours, it might become a little easier, right?"

"…My happiness is Lord Ozwald's…?"

Seeing Charlotte's agitation, Ozwald smiles a little mischievously.

"I am happy when you rely on me, and I want you to cause me as much trouble as you can, on the premise that I won't let you get into any danger. I want to worry about everything, no matter how trivial."

"That's out of the question…!!"

"Every opportunity to buy something for you and give it to you is enjoyable for me. …Ah… I might even get a little excited."

"———!?"

The last part was whispered with a slight embarrassment, and its cuteness left her speechless. After a cough, Ozwald strokes Charlotte's cheek with the back of his index finger.

"Are you still not understanding that I am being serious?"

"No, but… because…! These things make me the only one who is happy and joyful."

"Think about it from the opposite perspective. For example, I might also rely on you in the future."

"!"

It's hard to imagine. But just thinking about such a scene makes Charlotte's heart ache.

"I might even be selfish and demand to share the same bed. If I think you might be injured, I won't be able to leave your side and will show a pitiful and ungraceful appearance."

"…Lord Ozwald is always so handsome…"

"Charlotte."

Ozwald, who smiled gently, asked while stroking Charlotte's head.

"Is it okay for me to cause you trouble?"

"…!"

Receiving such a kind and loving gaze is too daunting.

Even though she clearly understands this, Charlotte cannot resist.

She cannot turn away from Ozwald's strategy.

"…Please, cause me a lot of trouble."

"A lot?"

"Yes. …I am happy…."

"Keeping that happiness to yourself is a bit unfair."

The unfair one is surely Ozwald, not Charlotte.

Yet, she had no room to argue.

"Take your time to feel that you are my wife. There's no need to rush."

Bending down, Ozwald whispers softly in Charlotte's ear.

"…Please make me your 'husband' soon."

"…!!"

Just as Ozwald said to Charlotte earlier.

The happiness of being Ozwald's wife is excessive for Charlotte. It feels like a dream that lacks reality, and she hasn't been able to accept it.

Such a wish shouldn't come true, and she might have been restraining herself even before losing her memory.

But the desire for Ozwald to be her husband is something she wants to fulfill so much.

(For Lord Ozwald, I would do anything…)

The person Charlotte loves understands even her thoughts, completely.