Chapter 99

(……The country that is said to have offered my childhood self to this nation…)

Charlotte pursed her lips tightly.

When Ozwald glanced at the image, what had been paused started moving again. In the image, Charlotte, with a trembling voice, told Niklas:

“…If you insist that I must become Lady Ozwald, no matter what…”

At the throat of the Charlotte from the past, the magic circle of the contract magic glowed.

“I will resist until the end. Even if he comes to fetch me, I will continue to refuse.”

Niklas slightly narrowed his eyes at her strong gaze.

“…You have never met Ozwald, have you?”

“Your younger brothers have kept me at a distance.”

“Huh. And yet, you hate Ozwald so much?”

“……”

It was at that moment.

(Ah…)

Seeing herself in the image, Charlotte couldn’t help but gasp.

“I hate him.”

Tears welled up in Charlotte’s eyes as she answered.

“Even if I have only seen him from afar. …Even if I can only know his character through rumors, I hate him because I am not worthy of someone like him.”

Anyone who heard her words would know they were lies.

Ozwald, looking at the image, pulled Charlotte closer by the shoulder. The Charlotte in the image remained kneeling, head bowed.

“…I hate… him…”

“……”

Niklas looked down at her trembling shoulders with a slight frown.

“Charlotte. ‘Look up.’”

“…!”

The magic circle of the contract magic glowed again at his merciless command. Charlotte, forced to look up, had tears streaming down her eyes.

“Don’t glare at me like that. …You’re pretending to beg me, but you’re probably thinking of a way to escape the contract magic, aren’t you?”

(…?)

Charlotte was somewhat surprised by Niklas’s words.

(To lose my memory and thus the effect of the contract magic, and escape the marriage with Lord Ozwald… Is Prince Niklas aware of the plan I had devised in the past?)

“Still, it’s futile. You can’t escape no matter what.”

“…”

“However, I also feel pity for you.”

Niklas propped his cheek on his elbow and cleared his throat.

“I’ll teach you a magic. Charlotte.”

“…?”

“Stand up and come to me.”

The Charlotte in the image, though a bit unsteady, complied. Niklas reached out to the Charlotte in front of him and grabbed her neck, where the magic circle of the contract magic was visible.

At that moment, Ozwald’s fingers on Charlotte’s shoulder tightened slightly.

“Close your eyes.”

Charlotte slowly closed her eyes.

“This is a magic you should cast on yourself. Learn it in one go, understand? …”

At the same time, the image slowly faded away. The last thing heard was this voice:

“I expect great things from you.”

Left in the white space were only Charlotte and Ozwald.

“…Is it over?”

(Lord Ozwald…!)

Charlotte, tightly embraced, held her breath in Ozwald’s arms.

“I can’t forgive all the people who have treated you carelessly. …I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner.”

“Phew!? No!! Lord Ozwald is my savior, so please don’t say such things!!”

Somehow, she managed to respond, but her heart was pounding. Recalling the image from earlier, Charlotte mustered the courage to reach out.

(…Here goes…)

“!”

She hugged Ozwald tightly.

“Charlotte?”

“I… I get so nervous around Lord Ozwald! One of the reasons is that I’ve had a long-standing crush on you even before I lost my memory…”

For Charlotte, it felt incredibly daunting. But at the same time, it made her feel his warmth and presence close to her.

Her chest felt warm and embarrassed.

“Every time I feel your kindness, I am very happy. …I truly feel saved by you… Ah!”

Charlotte closed her eyes in surprise when Ozwald kissed her.

It wasn’t just a light touch. Ozwald gently parted Charlotte’s lips and gave her a deeper, more passionate kiss.

“Mm, mm…!”

She couldn’t help but let out a muffled moan at the melting heat.

When Charlotte’s thoughts were about to dissolve, Ozwald finally released her, wiping her lips with his thumb and smiling.

“…Just as I thought.”

“Huh…?”

“The seal won’t break even if the magic circles touch in a dream.”

“!!”

She could feel her face turning red at his smile.

(No!! I can’t acknowledge this fact, this situation!! I’ll break, I’ll pretend it never happened, I’m sorry…!!)

Hiding her face with both hands, she continued:

“B…B…But, Lord Ozwald!! If Lord Clyde was sent from my homeland, it means he is not related to the princes!! Prince Niklas…?”

“Charlotte. I’ll fill in the gaps in your memory regarding this.”

“?”

Glancing at Ozwald through her fingers, he looked at the space where the image had been.

“The figure in the latter part of the image—most likely, it is not the second prince, Prince Niklas.”

“…What!?”

Charlotte’s eyes widened in shock, at that moment.

“…!?”

A chill ran through her entire body.