“Hey, don’t make a fuss… Why are you still acting like a puppy despite the situation?”

“B-b-b-but, it’s because, Lord Oswald—!”

She had a lot to say.

Such as, ‘Lord Oswald is so cool’, ‘I love you, Lord Oswald’, and so on to the point her thoughts became jumbled…

—Ay any rate, they needed to leave that place as soon as possible.

“Lord Oswald…!!”

When barriers were forcibly removed, their casters would be temporarily paralyzed.

Randolph, who had been incapacitated, furiously glared at Oswald.

“—How dare you go up against the royal family! Underneath that selfless façade is a traitorous fake…!”

“What are your intentions?”

“What!?”

Oswald, still holding Charlotte, quietly stared at Randolph.

“Why is the saint drenched in water? As if kidnapping someone’s wife isn’t bad enough, you dared try laying your hands on her…”

Lord Oswald…!?

At first glance, Oswald seemed calm.

But for some reason, sweat trickled down his neck. Keep in mind that it was in the middle of winter, and freezing air was blowing in through the shattered walls. Not to mention, his cloak was currently draped over Charlotte.

“Before calling someone else a fake and whatnot, take a proper look at yourself.”

“Y-you, what are you saying…”

“Can’t you understand something so simple?”

She had a bad premonition. She couldn’t bear to listen to their exchange.

No matter how calm he tried to look, Charlotte could clearly sense that his breathing was shallower than usual.

Could it be, Lord Oswald is…

—Rings, earrings, and other ornaments adorned his fingers and ears.

They weren’t something Oswald usually wore, but they seemed to be filled with divine power—just like Charlotte’s handcrafted accessory.

In other words, Oswald equipped them for self-protection.

Thinking about why he, who should be strong, would wear so many magical accessories made her nauseous.

“Lord Oswald, you can’t…!!”

“I’m saying that you are the disgrace of the royal family, stepbrother.”

“…!!”

—at that moment.

“You…!!”

Oswald’s provocation caused Randolph to scream in rage.

“A lowborn has no right to talk ill of the royal family!”

“…”

The flames that blazed from Randolph’s magic circle rushed forward like a muddy stream.

The tremendous heat and roar of the fire made keeping her eyes open almost impossible, but Oswald calmly extended his right hand towards the oncoming flames.

A faint film of light manifested, blocking Randolph’s flames. At the same time—

—Pakin!

She heard an explosion.

One of Oswald’s rings shattered as if it were made of sugar.

Instead of using his own, Lord Oswald is relying on magical gems to conjure this barrier…! Both teleportation and powerful barriers should be something he can cast with ease, and yet—! Not only does he have to rely on magical gems, he also wasn’t be able to immediately teleport to this place…

Charlotte was convinced.

—As I thought! Lord Oswald’s magic is being exhausting!

At that moment, she was enveloped in fear.

Magic power and divine power were source of life. The amount of innate magical power varied depending on the individual, but it was essential for sustaining life.

The magic used to destroy the barrier just now must have used up all his magic… All because he wanted to save me…

Charlotte hurriedly tried to get down to the floor.

However, Oswald kept a firm hold over her. At the same time, a second wave of flames rushed towards them.

“Oswald! Your birth was a mistake!”

“Lord Oswald!”

The second ring exploded. At the same time, a third barrier was conjured.

Oswald began to have trouble breathing. Still, he looked to Charlotte and said.

“Please be quiet. I want to chip away Randolph’s magic as much as possible.”

“But Lord Oswald!”

“His offensive magic certainly has high firepower and is powerful. …Even so, if he keeps firing away without thinking, he’ll soon use up his magic.”

He spoke calmly, as if reassuring her.

However, there was no way she could remain calm. Flames crawled like snakes around the barrier created by the magical gems.

“—Enough with the barriers!”

“…”

The barrier broke with Randolph’s cry.

However, the earrings worn by Oswald created a new barrier, but she couldn’t rest easy.

Only seven magical gems left…! If only the earring I made for him were here…!

The handmade earring imbued with divine power was still in Heydemarie’s mansion. She desperately tried to come up with something else.

—In that case, my tracker!

Apparently, it wasn’t just for letting Oswald know where she was. The mesmerizing light blue stone had been imbued with great power to protect Charlotte.

If she gave it back to Oswald, it should be of help to him.

However, as soon as she tried to remove it, Oswald caught her hand.

“…I gave it to you. You have to wear it at all times.”

“Lord Oswald…!!”

While his grasp was gentle, it was also strong enough to prevent her from removing the necklace.

After confirming that, Oswald let out a sigh as if to reassure her. Then, as he held her close, a magic circle appeared underneath his feet.

It can’t be.

The color of the light surrounding the circle was pale green.

She immediately knew what magic it was.

“—Charlotte.”

Charlotte looked up at him and saw that he was smiling. She gasped.

What he’s trying to do is…!!

---

***T/N: A bit disappointed that in almost every story, it always lead to the female lead being saved by the male lead.

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