My Life Was Taken by My Charm-Wielding Sister—But It Ends Here (The Mind-Reading Noble Lady’s Journey to Happiness After Escaping Her Toxic Family) - Episode 1

“I’d like to welcome you as my assistant.”

“Eh…?”

For Otilie, who should have been able to read others’ minds, this was a completely unexpected statement.

She had no idea what the man before her was about to say or what the correct response would be. Yet he exuded such a tolerant atmosphere that he seemed likely to forgive whatever reaction she might have. Otilie leaned forward slightly.

“An assistant? Someone like me?”

“Yes. I want you to leave this house and lend me your strength. What do you say?”

The man smiled gently. Otilie’s heart raced.

(I don’t want to go…)

Contrary to such thoughts, Otilie’s stomach growled pitifully.

The last time she had eaten was about three days ago. The water she had received then had also run out, so she needed to leave her room and head to where the servants were.

Taking a deep breath, Otilie dragged her empty body out of the room.

(…Okay. Father and sister don’t seem to be nearby.)

After straining her ears, she cautiously glanced around just to be sure. She couldn’t hear their voices. She hurried down the stairs.

“Um…”

When she reached the kitchen, Otilie timidly called out to the servants. They turned toward her slowly, without a word.

[Ugh, she came after all] [I thought it was about time] [Ah, what terrible timing. I was looking forward to the beef cheeks tonight]

Cold stares and mocking smiles. Just from that, she could clearly tell what emotions they were directing at her. But Otilie understood even more clearly; exactly what they were thinking.

Mind-reading—the innate ability Otilie was born with.

Everyone born into the Einhorn family possessed abilities related to the mind. Her father could read others’ memories, her brother never forgot anything he saw, and her sister Iama was a charmer.

Since these were rare abilities even in the vast Lindwurm Kingdom, the family was highly valued. At the same time, they were feared by other nobles.

So why was Otilie, the youngest daughter of such a family, treated so terribly? The reason lay with her sister Iama.

Otilie was born sixteen years ago. At that time, Iama was only two. Having been doted on like a precious flower until then, Iama couldn’t bear seeing her parents’ and servants’ attention shift to Otilie. So, to monopolize their focus, she awakened her charming ability.

[Ah, Iama] [How adorable! I’d do anything for this child] [Compared to her, Otilie is so ordinary. I don’t have time to fuss over her]

And so, there was no one left to care for Otilie.

Moreover, the power of Iama’s charm grew stronger each year. The servants, who had initially provided minimal care, eventually stopped even that, and now Otilie couldn’t even get proper meals.

“Um, I came to get my meal.”

“Eh? What is it?” “Your voice is too soft, I can’t hear you.” “Could you speak more clearly, please?”

The moment Otilie opened her mouth, the maids replied over her. Immediately afterward, their emotions flowed directly into her mind.

[She’s so gloomy] [It’s pathetic that she can only speak in such a pitiful voice. She should learn from Lady Iama more] [It’s creepy that she can hear our thoughts… wait, can she hear this too?] [Giving the same meal as Lady Iama to a child like this.]

The servants’ inner voices made her want to cover her ears but that was the troublesome part of this ability: covering them was pointless. She heard them whether she wanted to or not. There was no way to block it. Whenever she was around others, she ended up hearing nothing but insults. That’s why Otilie only came to get food once every few days. Why she couldn’t come more often.

Otilie’s chest ached sharply. She wanted to run away without taking anything but if she did, she’d be left starving. And she was already nearing her limit.

Steeling herself, Otilie turned back to the servants.

“Prepare my meal. And some water, please.”

The servants exchanged dissatisfied glances, then bowed and said, “As you wish.”

Finally, back in her room with the food, Otilie let out a small sigh. What the servants had given her was soup with vegetable scraps, hard bread, and only a few scraps of meat.

(Really, where did my portion of beef cheeks go?)

The servants had probably divided it among themselves. But neither her father nor Iama would complain. It was completely tacitly approved or even welcomed.

As she drank the cold soup, Otilie’s eyes grew hot. It was unbearably frustrating, but her next meal wouldn’t be for several more days. She had to eat it carefully and with a smile, or she’d be punished.

(Ah, delicious)

…Even as she thought that, her own voice echoed in her mind, [I’m sad], and Otilie gently furrowed her brow.