However, Charlotte regretted speaking those words the moment she said them.

After all, if she were to make any careless remarks regarding the prince of the country, it might bring trouble to Oswald.

“The prince…?”

“I, I, I mean…! I’m talking about Lord Oswald…! I’m talking about how princely he is…!”

“Hm?”

Although she diverted the topic, it was still something that she wanted to know.

“…Uhm, does Lord Oswald have any enemies?”

“…”

The question itself reminded Charlotte of the writing in her diary.

On the first page of the diary, along with a portrait of Oswald, the word ‘enemy’ was written.

But that was written before I lost my memories. While my enemy may have been Oswald, how about Oswald’s?

Prince Randolph clearly held malicious intentions towards Oswald.

Even though Oswald shrugged it off, he was visibly still wary of the prince.

That led to the question—why would the prince of the country, and a magician who served his country—who also happened to be a duke—be in such a feud?

“…Ah! I’m sorry, Grandpa! Considering you’re a gardener, there’s no way you’d know about such a thing! Silly me…!”

“…”

The old man smiled wryly.

“Excellent people are shunned by people of the same generation.”

“Well, certainly… If you think about it, that made sense.”

After all, Prince Randolph seemed to be very proud of himself.

He was probably around the same age as Oswald.

As such, if someone like Randolph were to be compared to Oswald and faced the reality that he was no match for him, it might lead to him harboring strong animosity…

…But said ‘hostility’ felt much more complicated than that. Lord Oswald, to be treated like that by someone of a higher stature, he must’ve had it rough…

No, actually…

Charlotte pondered.

Seeing her, the old man laughed.

“Apparently, my benefactor is very anxious about something. Then, would you like to follow this old man’s advice?”

“Advice?”

“Yes, a slight piece of advice. With this, your or your beloved’s heart may clear up.”

Charlotte chuckled at the old man’s joking wink.

“…Yes! By all means, please let me know!”

Then, Charlotte proceeded to carry out a certain strategy taught to her by the old man.

***

In a library at a corner of the royal castle, Oswald was reading a magic tome.

After brushing away a thin layer of dust, he flipped the pages, looking for the description he needed.

Then, an acquaintance from his boyhood days approached him.

“Hey, long time no see, Oswald.”

“…For a subjugation that only required three days, it sure took you a long time, Ignatius.”

“Okay, okay, I’m honored to receive a compliment from Commander Oswald.”

Ignoring his friend, who was shrugging his shoulder, Oswald back looked down at the magic tome.

Ignatius didn’t pay him any heed.

“Even so, how troublesome. Why do you need to cite a magic tome to write a report?”

While lamenting such things, Ignatius join Oswald in front of the bookshelf and whispered a something while reaching for a book.

“…Your prediction was correct, Oswald.”

“…”

Once again, Oswald confirmed that no one was around.

“Is this about the order of succession to the throne?”

“That’s right. No wonder His Highness Randolph’s upset.”

…Because His Majesty the King stated that the right of succession will be decided not by the order by birth, but instead by ability.

As it dawned on him that his hypothesis was correct, Oswald suppressed the urge to click his tongue.

Ignatius shared the sentiment.

“Among all the princes and princesses, His Highness Randolph is at the bottom.”

“Ignatius, you should refrain from saying anything like that. After all, we don’t know who might be listening.”

“Though, you seem to have a habit of deploying soundproofing magic whenever I’m around?”

Oswald scoffed.

With a wry smile, Ignatius pulled out a magic tome he didn’t even intend to read, scattering the dust in vain.

“Which is why His Highness Randolph is raging inside, and became hostile towards you and Charlotte. That being said, the dispute at the evening party should have been captured by the surveillance magic, right?”

“…”

“If that’s the case, then it should’ve reached the eyes of the other princes—and above all, His Majesty.”

“Ignatius.”

Oswald closed his eyes and spoke firmly.

“I’ll never trust anything that His Majesty the King does.”

“…Oswald.”

He recalled what Randolph had revealed at the evening party.

Charlotte was bound by a magic contract… perhaps from the moment she was offered to this country.

In truth, before Charlotte’s divine power was sealed, he had never encountered the villainous saint before.

I only heard the rumors.

Then, on the battlefield, I saw her from afar. Not only that, I’ve also witnessed the moment when an entire squad was healed by her divine power…

…And then, the remains my friends, who were laid to waste after the saint refused to heal them.

…However, he had never actually met and spoke with the wicked woman.

The fact that she didn’t appear in front of us on the battlefield, or that she didn’t interact with people because she didn’t like socializing—were those truly her intentions?

After all that was said and done, he began to doubt everything.

“After taking advantage of me and Charlotte, His Majesty will probably discard us once we no longer have any value.”

“—Ah.”

After staring at Oswald for a while, Ignatius shuddered and hugged his own body in an exaggerated manner.

“What you said just now was even worse than what I said…!”

“Hmm.”

“Well, aren’t you totally on edge? If you get all flustered like that, won’t Charlotte hate you?”

…Charlotte, hate me?

As he tried to picture that, Oswald’s face became stern.

“…No, that’s just not possible, seriously.”

“Are you hearing yourself!?”

---

***T/N: Yeah, I can’t imagine Charlotte hating Oswald either.

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