It was at that moment.

Charlotte regained consciousness. She saw that they were still in peril, and that only a single barrier separating them from the blazing fire.

—At the same time, their lips were still overlapping. There was a simmering heat swirling on her tongue. Soon, the heat pervaded her entire body.

“Mmh…!!”

She was seeing stars.

When their lips parted, Oswald kneeled and laid Charlotte to the ground.

“Lord Oswald…!!”

Or to be precise, on the magic circle that was going to teleport her away.

The blinding light began to envelop Charlotte. Once the magic circle was completed, it couldn’t be resisted.

“…!”

To prevent herself from collapsing on the floor, she propped herself up using both hands.

No, no, I can’t lose my consciousness here!

Heat engulfed her entire body. Her veins pulsated, as if overflowing with power.

The divine power that had been sealed on her left chest coursed throughout her entire body. The turbulent stream of tremendous power was about to rob her of consciousness.

I can’t withstand it! …Back then, when my divine power was sealed, I also couldn’t stand it and fainted…

Contrary to her resistance, the radiance emanating from the magic circle only intensified.

As only a small amount of magic power had been used for it, it needed time to activate.

…He’s using his life to sustain this magic circle!!

Charlotte resisted the encasing light and tried to reach out to Oswald.

“Lord Oswald, I don’t want this!!”

But Oswald didn’t look back. Instead, he grabbed his ice sword which had been thrusted into the floor.

“Lord Oswald, you’ll die…!!”

The surrounding flames rose, accompanied by a terrifying roar.

It must’ve been Randolph’s finishing move. The barrier cracked, and Oswald’s ring—the last guardian stone—shattered. The next moment, the surrounding flames were extinguished.

From the other side of the smoldering black smoke, Randolph brandished his blazing sword.

Without hesitation, Oswald defected the burning blade using his icy one. Their magic power collided with each other and pale sparks were released.

“Oswald, you…!! Why do you still have magical power left…!?”

“Unfortunately, unlike you, I have experience fighting in the frontline.”

“Don’t look down on me!”

Randolph slashed at Oswald again. Oswald parried it and counterattacked.

Truly, what a mesmerizing sight. No wonder the young Charlotte fell for him at first sight. No, even now, she found herself falling for him all over again.

It’s not that he has any magical power left! This is Lord Oswald’s sheer willpower!

Then, her consciousness was abruptly cut off. As she collapsed, she managed to break the fall in time.

“Ugh…”

Her body and mind were crying from the sensation of her divine power returning. However, she desperately held on to her consciousness, willing herself awake.

Move, I have to move! Don’t lose to the resurging divine power! Escape from the teleport spell and help him!!

While taking shallow breath, she envisioned the likely future.

At this rate, Lord Oswald is going to die…!

The flashback she saw earlier still left a bitter taste in her mouth. Namely because she had failed to save anyone. Even if her memory hadn’t returned, it was something that had taken place in the past.

“Die…!!”

“—!”

At that moment, the sword Oswald was holding was sent flying, and he fell on his knees.

“Lord Oswald!!”

Struggling to catch his breath, Oswald coughed. His shoulders were heaving. Beads of sweats trickled down his chin, before vanishing in the wind.

“Finally, Oswald. I can get rid of you, the enduring eyesore.”

“No!! Lord Oswald, give me your hand…!!”

If they held hands, they might be able to teleport together. Despite knowing how impossible it was, Charlotte reached for him.

However, instead of responding, Oswald merely smiled.

I can’t save him…

“—This is the end!!”

Charlotte shut her eyes.

I won’t give up.

With a consciousness that threatened to snap at any moment, she prayed with all her heart to escape from the teleport spell.

—This enormous divine power… How do I use it?

She spoke to herself—to the little girl she saw in the depths of her memories.

Please, remember… It’s for the sake of Lord Oswald!

—And then.

“—!”

Charlotte’s light blue eyes fluttered open.

All at once, the power that was scattered throughout her entire body unified.

Her long, golden hair. Her pale blue eyes. Her eyelashes. Her lips. Everything shone like jewels.

The pulsation of her divine power, which was searing hot, matched her heartbeat.

…I can do this. Respond to my will, my divine power!

Charlotte dispelled the teleportation spell on her own.

Then, she pointed at Randolph, who was about to swing his sword, and conjured a barrier.

“What!?”

The wall of light deflected Randolph’s sword, scattering sparks everywhere.

Charlotte’s hair fluttered softly. After releasing some flames, the sword turned into a black mass, almost as if it’d been extinguished.

In surprise, Randolph let go of his sword and it fell to the floor, shattering into pieces.

“What’s going on!? What did you do to me!?”

“Not another step, Lord Randolph.”

“…C-cease this at once, Saint Charlotte!! I’m a member of the royal family!! As the owner of the contract, I command you to kneel and bow your head!!”

Randolph screamed, pointing straight at Charlotte.

However, Charlotte didn’t have time for that. Lifting the hem of her overcoat, she approached Oswald.

“W-why!? How can you move!? The saint shouldn’t be able to go against orders of the royal family!?”

“—Lord Oswald!!”

Charlotte ignored Randolph and went straight towards her beloved.

Oswald, who was still on his knees, released an anguished voice.

“Don’t come near me! Just run away!”

“…”

“Escape! Escape from the royal family, from His Majesty, and go wherever you want!”

Even if he said that, Charlotte already knew where she wanted to go.

“I want to be by your side…!!”

She declared that and embraced Oswald in the next second.

Oswald gasped.

Charlotte knew how contradictory she was being.

In the snowy field under the meteor shower, she said that she’d leave.

She fully thought it’d make her happy, but in truth, that wasn’t what she wanted.

“Even if Lord Oswald were to live happily ever after, if I can’t witness it with my own eyes, I won’t be happy!”

“…Charlotte.”

“Which is why—!”

Charlotte caressed his cheek.

Oswald was risking his life to protect her. There was no mistaking that.

In fact, he even tried to ensure her escape—be it from here, or from the royal family, once and for all.

—And yet, this is how I repay my husband.

But still…

Truly, what a foolish wife I am. Just as leaving his side won’t made me happy, I also can’t decide what makes him happy…

Thus, Charlotte sincerely prayed—

“—Please, let’s be happy together, Lord Oswald.”

“—!”

Then, Charlotte kissed Oswald.

—…Envision it. The sensation of transferring divine power to a guardian stone.

She entrusted her overflowing divine power to Oswald.

As their lips overlapped, she put her thoughts and prayers into the kiss.

---

***T/N: “That’s it, Oswald! I’m leaving this to you again!”

…Can’t a female lead do the saving for once?

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