“—I’ll do whatever it takes to help Lord Oswald!”

“—My love for Lord Oswald is far greater than it was this morning! Surely, tomorrow and onwards, I’ll fall even deeper for you!”

He was taken aback by her unexpected statements. But after realizing her memories had been lost, he no longer held any suspicions.

Afterwards, Oswald listened to her tales, bore witness to her myriad of expressions, and gave her a guardian stone that him showed her whereabouts.

On top of that, he dispelled the surveillance magic that depleted his mana.

Charlotte, who hadn’t even noticed, didn’t bother trying to escape or do anything reckless.

Unyieldingly, she devoted both her heart and soul to Oswald.

“If I hadn’t been born, someone wouldn’t have had to die.”

Back then, Oswald would always blame himself.

However, without the slightest hesitation, Charlotte declared to Oswald.

“—I’m so happy that Lord Oswald is still alive.”

Upon remembering that moment, he couldn’t help but laugh.

…If only you knew, Charlotte.

Surrounded by Randolph’s flames, Oswald reminisced within the barrier created by the guardian stones.

How much your words mean to me. How much I yearned to hear them back when I was still a child.

Another barrier appeared, and at the same time, the guardian stone attached to his earring shattered.

“—I’m very, very happy that Lord Oswald is home!”

Charlotte’s eyes twinkled every time Oswald returned home.

In the past, Oswald was shunned and feared even if he holed up in a corner of the castle.

“My husband, whom I’m in love with, is truly admirable! …When I think about him, I can’t help but smile, and my heart is filled with bliss.”

She sincerely expressed her joy towards his actions.

It was the exact opposite of what his father would say. If he behaved in a way that didn’t benefit the royal family, his father would threaten to punish him.

When asked how to stop her tears, Charlotte said between her sobs.

“—Then, I want Lord Oswald to be in good health and live happily ever after.”

—No one has ever told me that before.

Oswald let out a small sigh while suppressing the burning flames.

“Lord Oswald…!”

Charlotte, who was in his arms, looked grief-stricken.

If she struggled, she risked of destroying the unstable barrier. It would make protecting themselves with the guardian stones even more difficult.

Perhaps knowing that, Charlotte didn’t move an inch, and instead sorrowfully pleaded to him.

Nevertheless, when she saw the magic circle that appeared underneath his feet, she began to show even more resistance.

“W-what!? That’s a teleportation circle…!! Even though you’ve almost exhausted you magic, why are you—!?”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to use it to teleport.”

Only a single guardian stone remained.

There weren’t many stones on the market that could withstand Randolph’s magic. Randolph, who was concealed by the pillars of flame, was definitely talented.

“B-but, judging from the magic in this circle… It can only teleport a single person…!?”

“That’s right.”

Charlotte seemed to have guessed what Oswald was trying to do.

“I’m going to teleport you as far away from this tower as possible.”

“You can’t! You’ll be in danger…!”

In truth, he wanted to teleport her to Heydemarie’s mansion. Unfortunately, he didn’t have that much magical power left.

Perhaps realizing that, Charlotte frantically shook her head.

“Lord Oswald, please escape. Please, I beg of you…! If you hadn’t come to my rescue, you wouldn’t have been in danger…!”

“But I was the reason why you were kidnapped by him.”

Even now, he was such a troublesome existence.

“…You’ll probably lose consciousness after this.”

“—No way.”

He told her with the softest smile he could.

“However, with this cloak, you should be able worry free in the fridged outside cold thanks to its magical enhancement. …After waking up, don’t worry about me. Just go to Mrs. Heydemarie.”

“…!!”

Charlotte’s expression drastically shifted.

The intensity of the flames increased along with Randolph’s scream.

Oswald slid his hand behind Charlotte’s neck before the final guardian stone broke.

“You used to say that your love for me might be your only redeeming quality, but you see, that’s not true.”

“Lord Oswald…!!”

“I was saved by your existence. Also, didn’t you say that an evil person doesn’t deserve to be happy? That’s also wrong.”

He drew Charlotte closer.

If everything went as planned, Charlotte should’ve lost her consciousness there.

Hence why he chose his words.

“Because I, at the very least…”

He peered into her eyes, and told her for one last time.

“—Wish to make you happy, from the bottom of my heart, even if it means losing my life.”

“…!!”

Gently, he covered her lips using his.

Parting her lips, their tongues intertwined, and he unraveled her seal.

---

***T/N: This do be tearing me up

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