At Oswald’s decisive statement, Ignatius cried out.

“Oswald, regardless of how hot you are, it’s useless! If you don’t pamper that cat-like beauty, she’ll only get tired of you!?”

“A cat-like beauty…???”

…Really?

He pondered dubiously.

After all, Ignatius’ remark was too farfetched from reality. Figuratively speaking, it was as if he was looking at a distant sky, and a vast starry night expanded in his head.

Seeing Oswald behave in such a way, Ignatius sighed.

“Haa… This hopeless guy. Because you’re like that, Lady Charlotte said something to me at the evening party.”

“What did she say?”

“Oswald, I’m giving you advice as a friend—listen carefully.”

“Hey, what are you doing?!”

Ignatius jabbed Oswald’s ribs. When he frowned in pain, Ignatius had a more painful look on his face.

“—At the party, Lady Charlotte told me. ‘To Lord Oswald, I am—…’”

“…”

At the sudden revelation, Oswald’s eyes went wide.

***

As the snowfall ceased in the evening, and the moon began to emerge from the clouds—

—Charlotte was busy preparing something in her room.

At that time, a faint sound could be heard from the other side of the corridor.

“—!”

All day since morning, Charlotte had been waiting for that exact noise.

Charlotte perked up, got up from her couch, and rushed to the door—

“—Lord Oswald!”

“Like I said, you aren’t supposed to detect people before they even open the door!!!”

There stood Oswald, having returned home from work, still wearing his blue overcoat. He seemed slightly depressed.

Even if he was frowning rather distastefully, he was still handsome. For the first time in half a day, Charlotte got to swoon at Oswald. As she covered her mouth with both hands, she trembled.

“Welcome back, Lord Oswald…!! I’m so glad that you’ve returned safely, and also earlier than usual…. ahhh, the tips of your ears and nose are red…!! Although, it must be because of the blood flowing in your veins. Therefore, the one standing in front of me is unmistakably the real live—”

“—I’m sure I’m alive and well, thank you.”

“Ouch.”

Oswald pinched her nose. While it may have been intended to be a scolding, for Charlotte, it was still a huge deal—

—Wow, Lord Oswald just touched me…!? No, surely, I’m imagining things. Yes, I’m dreaming, it isn’t real. After all, there’s no way such a wonderful thing would actually happen—

“Seriously, though. How did she know it was me…? I didn’t even make the slightest noise. Next time, should I try to fully erase my presence…?”

While Charlotte was overwhelmed, Oswald muttered something. Then, he sighed.

“Well, never mind. By the way, Charlotte—hm…?”

Oswald, who was about to say something, glanced at her desk by the window.

“What? Were you in the middle of something?”

“? Of course! I made sure to think of Lord Oswald throughout the day!”

“No, that’s not what I’m referring to, your desk—…”

“—!!”

Charlotte suddenly recalled something. She was working on something and left it on her desk.

“Ah, uwaaaah—!!”

“!?”

She screamed, before proceeding to leap towards the desk to hide it.

“I, I didn’t do anything! There’s nothing to see here! I didn’t put anything away!”

“No, there’s obviously something there…? What did you do when I was away?”

“T, this is…! This is supposed to be a surprise for Lord Oswald… aaah—!!”

“…!?”

Startled, Charlotte covered her mouth.

She was sweating profusely, while Oswald tensed up at her remark.

Did he happen to have heard something he shouldn’t have, or was it just her imagination?

Not good…!! At this rate, my plan to surprise Lord Oswald with a gift will be revealed!!

“…”

As Charlotte panicked, Oswald held his breath.

…But I may still be able to get away with this.

Grasping at straws, Charlotte explained.

“T, this is nothing, Lord Oswald!! I, it’s just a secret gift that I’m preparing for a certain someone…!!”

“…T, to a certain someone.”

“Yes, a certain someone! And for some underlying reasons, I can’t tell Lord Oswald who…!!”

“Ah…”

Oswald, who seemed about to say something, nodded awkwardly.

“Alright, I understand.”

“Yes! Which is why, I’d like you to refrain from looking over here at this moment…!!”

“…”

In response, Oswald hid his eyes with his right hand, blocking his sight.

“—Don’t worry, I haven’t seen anything.”

“Really—! That’s a relief—!”

“…”

When Charlotte took a deep breath, Oswald hurriedly said.

“I haven’t seen it, so hide it from my sight now.”

“Okay! Thankfully, you didn’t see it. Also, Lord Oswald, if I may ask you something—which do you prefer; warm colors or cool colors?”

“…Cool.”

“Cool colors, I see. Thank you! Hmm. As I thought, blue will suit your overcoat nicely—”

“…Charlotte!!”

“Oh, right!!”

Charlotte seized the opportunity to remove the sheet from her bed and drape it over her desk.

Thus, she successfully hid the evidence.

“Alright, it’s fine now, Lord Oswald!”

“…”

Oswald dropped his hand. From the way he exhaled, he sounded way more relieved that even Charlotte.

Then, his red eyes found Charlotte.

“…I came home early because I have something to say to you.”

“Something, to say…?”

Seeing the bitter-faced Oswald, Charlotte gasped.

…Judging from his atmosphere, it doesn’t seem to be a casual matter, so maybe…

“It’s pertaining to the fact that His Highness Randolph treated you unpleasantly at the evening party the other day.”

As I thought, it’s about that prince!

Turning serious, Charlotte also looked at Oswald.

Did something serious happen…?

“During that situation, you stood in front of me.”

That must be the reason why…! Because of my ludicrous behavior, I caused him a lot of trouble…

As Charlotte’s shoulders slumped, Oswald said something unexpected.

“You must’ve done that in order to protect me.”

“I’m truly sorry, Lord Oswald, it’s my fault—Huh?”

…Apparently, unlike what she previously thought, a scandal did break out in the royal castle. However, Oswald’s eyebrows were still knitted.

“Let me start by saying this—you don’t need to come to my defense like that. …There’s no need. But apart from that, I’d like to promise you something.”

“…”

“Under the condition that you’ll be assisting me, then…”

“…?”

Upon hearing that, Charlotte tilted her head.

Certainly, she once promised him that. She’d never forget those words, which she exchanged with Oswald.

Even so, she still couldn’t comprehend the meaning behind his words, and incredulously stared at him.

“Uhm, uh, so, what about that…?”

“…W, what I’m saying is!”

Despite frowning, Oswald still stared straight into Charlotte’s eyes, and spoke clearly—

“—We’ll go on a date. From tonight—no, from now on, let’s hold hands.”

“…”

The silence lasted for more than ten seconds—and what happened right after that.

“Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh—!?!?!?”

“Don’t scream like that!”

Hearing Charlotte screaming with all her might, Oswald clutched his forehead and reluctantly looked down.

---

***T/N: Charlotte is a dog-person, literally…

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