She pleaded Randolph from the bottom of her heart.

“Please, fortify your current barrier! We need an ultimate, unbreakable barrier! Otherwise, Lord Oswald will soon break through this one!”

Randolph was taken aback by Charlotte’s scream and loosened his grip.

“…!! Ugh, haa…!!”

At last, she could finally breath. Charlotte broke into a coughing fit.

Randolph glared at the wall while Charlotte crumpled on the floor.

“…What foolish thing are you—”

…Ah.

—There was a creaking sound.

No, no, no, no, don’t come…!

She desperately wished so.

However, the distorted sound of something collapsing intensified.

“It- It can’t be, finding this place should have been impossible. This is the ultimate barrier of the royal family, there’s no way he can break it from the outside…!!”

Charlotte once again sensed the presence from outside the room.

Lord Oswald…!!

—In the next moment.

A gust of wind blew into the room.

“—!!”

Apart from the sound of shattering glass, stone walls could be heard crumbling.

A terribly chilling air blanketed the area, but the light overflowing from Charlotte’s chest enveloped her as if to shield her.

The area was frozen over, both the floor and the ceiling were covered in ice.

Only Charlotte, who was enveloped in light, and Randolph, who seemed to have put up a small barrier at the last minute, were safe.

“…Ugh.”

Charlotte timidly looked up, only to be greeted by the sight of a mercilessly shattered wall.

A bright teleportation magic circle floated beyond the gaping hole.

The dust clouded the surrounding air.

Charlotte couldn’t possibly have misheard the resounding footsteps.

A man with a sword made of ice and a blue overcoat appeared before her.

“…”

Seeing his handsome face with her own eyes made her want to cry.

Why…?

She wanted to ask, “Why did you come?” While at the same time, also apologize. “I’m sorry.” And express her gratitude. “Thank you for saving me.”

—yet, the only words that came out of her lips were…

“…Lord Oswald!”

Oswald looked down at the drenched Charlotte.

He stabbed the ice sword in his hand into the frozen floor.

Then, he removed his blue cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

—Just like he did when she sneezed in the freezing room that morning when she just woke up.

“…I came to take you home. Were you waiting for me?”

“…!”

Oswald, who kneeled before her, wrapped Charlotte in his cloak before lifting her up.

She almost screamed at the floaty sensation.

As he supported her body with one hand, his other hand reached for her neck.

From the state of her dress, it was obvious that Randolph had just grabbed her by her collar.

Still, she was more concerned about Oswald than herself.

“No, please run away from here…!!”

“I need to ensure your safety first.”

“!”

Oswald’s finger brushed against her neck.

He lightly tugged at the delicate golden chain around her neck, revealing the light blue gem hidden below her garments.

“…As expected of a national treasure-class stone. Even behind a dense barrier, I could sense you.”

“National…?”

“It’s all thanks to you. You heeded my order to wear this tracker at all times.”

Oswald smiled in satisfaction, yet his gaze was gentle.

“Good girl. You did great, Charlotte.”

“…!!”

She had once asked him to say such to her. “If Lord Oswald praises me in such a way, I’d be happy and work hard for the rest of my life!”

Even though she knew it was a shameful thing, she trembled with joy.

“Lord Oswald…”

Charlotte tightly hugged Oswald.

---

***T/N: Lol with Oswald’s detector I’m sure I won’t have to go through all that stages just to locate Princess Peach.

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