Few months had passed since grandma decided to move back. I as well received fathers letter, and a good news came unexpected while I was in the Hidden Land. The letter came directly from Reyes, and he told me that my brothers had started getting curious as why my whereabouts this couple of months was unknown. 
Anyhow, the letter stated that I, fifth prince of the Ogre Kingdom, was permitted with the right of documents, and my access to the labyrinth, I was proposing to father few months back. 
The Fortress of Heaven... He told me that I can now participate in the game, and my departure was arranged... He told me that I'll be leaving within next day, since the travel between the labyrinth and the kingdom is by far a little bit far. 
I can't use teleportation either way. That ability is useless, I need the image before teleporting, even in long distance. The only problem lies, looking at the open door and breathed out. 
"Come in, Charlotte."
With a sudden move, I heard a footsteps clanging from the wooden floor, upon sneaking, she finally decided it was better to show up since I know she's there since Reyes came bearing a letter from the palace. 
Now, even though we are in that kind of relationship. I do not know how to explain this to her, or how will she react. I'm afraid, we'll be separated and she doesn't like that. 
That is why I remain in this place for many months. "You found me again," she paused and then she walks towards the table. "Is that a summon?"
I looked away and hide the letter from the cabinet. "It's nothing, don't worry," I stiffly said and force a smile. 
"We've been together since few months, I already know when your hiding something, come on tell me!" 
Can I say that? I will leave and I don't know if I'll come back? She'll probably throw tantrum when she heard what I said. So never mind telling her anything, but I need to do it. Tomorrow, she'll hate me and it will be another problem if she suddenly leave. 
I am not ready for that. Once I'm dead, the barrier will disappeared, because I rebuilt the barrier that way. "You're very persiste—"
"Reyes told me already, you are leaving, aren't you?"
I see, that old geezer! I crossed my arms and breathed out. Then I went closer to her, before I took a strand of her hair and smile. "I'm sorry," I said and fake a smile. "Before I meet you, this was the decision I had in mind—in order to survive, and now because of you, I have my resolve to go, because this way can I fully protect you."
She growl and pushed my hands away. "Why? Why must you go?" She pushed her hands against me, trying to make me fall but because her strength is not that strong, she couldn't even move me. Of course, I wasn't happy of this outcome.
Charlotte is crying... It's my fault after all... 
I shook my head and pull her closer. "I have to, so please, trust me this once."
"No!" She pushed me again and look at me determined. "I will come along!" 
"I refuse..."
I tighten the grip on her hair so I ended up dropping her hair. She looked at me and turn around. 
"W-why can't!?"
Is she frustrated that I refuse to bring her? Of course, I don't want to bring her, she might not look like it but she doesn't know the dangers of the labyrinth, if she come along, I won't be able to train well if I need to protect her as well. 
I have to convince her to stay somehow. "Because, it's dangerous, I can't bring you along knowing that the place I seek could take your life or mine."
"Even so, I have the rights to complain, because you will go alone and I don't want to lose you either! I rather join and protect you as well!"
But she's... I bite my lips and grabbed her by the shoulder. "Please, I'll be powerless if I knew that you'll going to throw your life away, I can't protect you there, I can't Charlotte."
The labyrinth had taken many lives, you know why? Because that forsaken tower had an eye to those with lesser magical powers, while others was fed to magical power itself. Charlotte is a human, her body can't withstand the tower and she'll lose her life. 
I don't want that. "I'm not powerless, as you implied me to be! Trust me for once, so please listen to me, just this once!"
Why must she wants to go? I click my tongue and embrace her from behind. I've never love before, nor I was affectionate towards many, but it was her and her alone will I understand this feelings. 
I don't want to lose her because of my incompetence on protecting her, and I can't lean on Tsrtys forever, I had to become stronger than now so I can protect everyone.
"I know but—"
"Don't worry, I am a mage, I know my things, alright?"
I breathed out and nodded. Recently after teaching her basic defensive magic, we discovered that Charlotte has a hundred percent chance of becoming a mage. She can learn spells, and create one so I knew she's strong to protect herself but I couldn't accept such. 
Why? 
They are one of the most easiest targets to be attacked, they can't protect themselves while using their magic as open as it sounds.
Just like healers, they can't heal themselves when injured, so how could she suggest this? I'll be busy leveling up but she'll get in the way if she's there. 
I looked at her and then finally I breathed out. I then grabbed her hands slowly and put her fingers on my face. "Is this really what you want?" 
She nodded and smile. "We promise that day, we won't leave each other, we will become stronger—together."
I remember that promise, it was the same night I confessed to her. I remember her saying those same lines as she did before and that's when I realize. 
She didn't want me to protect her, she was always willing to stay closer to me even if the whole world is our enemy. How did I forget that? Is it because of fear? Is it because I was so afraid of losing her that she felt prisoned?
I can't really win against her. "Then I have no rights to stop you, I always have no rights over your decision but promise me one thing—don't leave me alone and say my name when your in trouble, alright?" 
Charlotte tears sudden fell and drop on my hands. I took a handkerchief from my pocket and carefully thrust it on her face, wiping all over her tears. 
"I just--" 
She held my right hand which was used wiping her tears. "I've never felt afraid before, and when Reyes told me that place you want to go, I didn't want you to go but I couldn't stop you either, can't I?" 
She's really weak with emotions even when I said that she'll stay here when the capital was under demons attack. She wouldn't let me go but I knew deep inside, she know that she can't stop me.
Just like her, apart from being naive, she was stubborn and very kind. "Come on, don't cry, I will take you so don't cry." 
Her tears didn't stop so I had to say something, thinking she'll stop but she continues and it made me laugh. "You look so ugly when you cry, so don't—" 
"Aww!" 
I complained and hold my stomach. Why did she hit me suddenly!? "You useless man! Woman wouldn't like you telling the that they are ugly!" 
I smile and chuckles. "Fine, I am sorry that I did you no good, okey?"
She glare at me and she smile. "That's not what I want to hear!" 
"Alright, I understand," I grabbed her shoulders and embrace her. "Please come with me, Charlotte." 
She snore and then nodded. "Yes!" 
⚜⚜⚜
We'd like to take some time to say goodbye but honestly Gray was crying, I can't say why but maybe it is something about Charlotte coming with me. 
"Jezz, stop it already! Your embaressing me!" 
Gray remain crying. "Why are you going with Lucifer, all of a sudden!? You've never gone outside the town."
She looked at me and then she shifted back. "Because I love that person, Gray, and I want to become strong with him together." 
Love? I chuckled and nodded. She did say that, she loves me for who I am maybe I didn't really realize that.
"You stubborn girl!" 
"Don't worry, I am here, I won't let anyone touch her, and I won't let anything happen to her."
Gray look at me with a straight glare, the tears on his eyes slowly disappears. Those eyes, it makes me want to run, why? That look is telling me to 'shut up' as if I said something. 
I give back a long glare and faked a smile, then he made sure to smile as well but give me a frightening look.
That guy, his telling me to die. 
"What are you two glaring at each other?" 
"Ah, nothing!" 
"His telling me to die."