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 11

With Varick’s assistance, Otilie rose from the floor. The pain from her back hitting the ground made her unsteady.

“You’re not alright. That must have hurt, didn’t it?”

After letting Otilie lean against him, Varick gently stroked her cheek. After wiping away Otilie’s tears, he fixed his gaze on Iama.

“So? Miss Iama, what were you doing to Miss Otilie?”

“What do you mean… This is a family matter. It has nothing to do with you, Your Highness.”

Despite having declared she’d “never considered Otilie family,” Iama smiled as if she’d never said such a thing. But inwardly, she was panicking.

Why? Why is His Highness here! The maids! What on earth is Father thinking!?

Unable to hide her confusion, Otilie looked back and forth between Iama and Varick.

“Being family doesn’t mean you can do anything you want; that kind of thinking shouldn’t be tolerated, right? You’re the daughter of a lord who judges others. I think you should know that much at least.”

“My! Your Highness, do you think I used violence against Otilie? How absurd! This clumsy girl ran into the bookshelf all by herself. And her cheek, my hand just barely touched it. It’s nothing you could call violence. Right, Otilie?”

As she said this, Iama glared at Otilie.

You understand, don’t you? If you say the wrong thing, I won’t let it slide.

Terrified, Otilie gulped. Watching her, Varick gently pulled her closer.

“So? Why has Your Highness come to our home so early in the morning? We received no prior appointment, and this is my foolish sister’s private room. It’s no place for someone as noble as you.”

Iama smiled. You’re the one at fault for coming here at this hour without an appointment. Her intention was to subtly lace her words with sarcasm and shift the focus.

“My purpose for visiting is as I said earlier. I’ve come to fetch Miss Otilie. Of course, I should have sent proper notice before visiting, but I wanted to see her even a second sooner. That’s why my visit is at such an early hour.”

Saying this, Varick smiled warmly. Otilie’s heart leaped, while Iama’s cheeks flushed bright red.

What is that!? Is His Highness seriously fond of Otilie!? Instead of me!? That’s absolutely impossible!

As a charm ability user, Iama had never encountered a man who didn’t hold affection for her. Moreover, this was the first time she’d witnessed someone else being praised and spoken to kindly right in front of her. The sense of superiority she’d gained by seducing engaged men and ruining their marriages deflated all at once. Furious, Iama clenched her fist tightly.

And what does he mean, ‘fetch Otilie’!? Don’t tell me he’s thinking of making her his consort!? You must be joking!?

(Indeed…)

Hearing Iama’s inner voice, Otilie secretly agreed.

Surely, after exchanging only a few words last night, he wouldn’t decide to “make her his consort.” But then, why had he come to fetch her? Seeking an answer, Otilie glanced up at Varick.

“…And also, after a night passed, it occurred to me that ‘maybe Otilie is suffering badly at the hands of her family.’ It seems I was right to come early.”

“My, is that so. I’m terribly sorry to have caused you unnecessary worry.”

Iama denied it without a moment’s delay. She clearly wanted to pretend she’d never laid a hand on Otilie. Varick laughed in disbelief and sighed.

“But what do you mean, you’ve come to fetch Otilie? For what purpose?”

“I don’t think I need to tell you that, Miss Iama. It’s none of your concern, and I want to take Miss Otilie away from this house as soon as possible. You can ask your father about it later.”

Varick shot a cold look at Iama.

Wh—!? What is that!? It’s none of my concern!?

Irritated inwardly, Iama pressed closer to Varick.

“My! I am this girl’s sister. If my sister is about to be taken somewhere, I’d be worried knowing nothing about it.”

“Is that so? It didn’t look that way to me at all. Have you already forgotten what you were shouting at Miss Otilie earlier?”

Varick smiled. Iama gritted her teeth and shook her head.

“I have no recollection of that.”

“So, you’re going to play ignorant to the end. Well, I expected as much. Talking to you won’t get us anywhere. I intend to summon the Marquis to the palace another day to hear his account.”

Making it clear he wouldn’t let this slide, Varick turned to Otilie and said, “Let’s go.”

“Wait, Your Highness! …That’s right! Since you’ve come all this way, how about some tea? I’ll have our chef prepare delicious tea sweets.”

Iama clung to Varick. Then she smirked.

Yes! This is a rare chance given to me by God. I failed last night, but now I might be able to charm His Highness. …No, I will absolutely charm him!

(Sister is going to…!)

Hearing Iama’s inner voice, Otilie desperately tugged on Varick’s sleeve.

No matter how much Varick could block others’ abilities, they couldn’t let their guard down. Besides, Iama was even more desperate to charm Varick than she had been last night. If by some chance Varick’s ability failed.

It’s alright, I know.

Without speaking aloud, Varick replied, then looked straight into Iama’s eyes.

“No need for tea. As I said earlier, I want to leave the mansion soon.”

“There’s no need to rush so much! I want you to know more about me, Your Highness. After all, there’s no lady in this country as intelligent and beautiful as I am. I’d be perfect as your consort, wouldn’t I?”

Blinking repeatedly as she stared at Varick, Iama grew increasingly frantic.

This is strange! My charm really isn’t working on His Highness! Why!? Until now, there’s never been anyone immune to my ability! And even without using my ability, everyone was always charmed by me!

(It’s true! Sister’s ability has no effect on His Highness at all.)

Secretly moved, Otilie glanced up at Varick. He patted her head and narrowed his eyes gently.

“Sorry, but I don’t find you intelligent, and I feel no attraction to you whatsoever.”

“Wh—!? You say I have no ‘appeal’!?”

A vein bulged on Iama’s temple. For Iama, born with a charm ability, those were the most humiliating words in the world.

“How dare you…! How dare you say that!”

“Since we’re on the subject, I’ll tell you this: no matter how much you use your ability, it’s useless. I will never be drawn to you. You can’t even become a consort candidate, so keep that in mind.”

Brushing off Iama’s anger, Varick turned to the attending maid.

“So, could you please pack Miss Otilie’s belongings right away? She won’t be returning here, so keep that in mind.”

“Eh? …Y-yes, of course. But there’s nothing you could really call Lady Otilie’s belongings…!”

“Don’t say unnecessary things.”

Iama poked the maid’s side. Flustered, the maid fell silent and looked down, avoiding Varick’s gaze.

“Shall we go, then?”

Saying this, Varick lifted Otilie into his arms. Completely taken by surprise, Otilie was thrown into a panic.

“Eh… Your Highness!? I can walk by myself.”

“But you’ve been unsteady since earlier, right? It’d be terrible if you fell on the stairs. Just hold onto me.”

“But…”

Though she was happy he cared, the gap between his treatment and that of her family and the servants was too vast to process. Mixed with embarrassment, Otilie’s face turned bright red.

“Then, we’ll be taking our leave.”

After observing Otilie’s expression thoroughly, Varick addressed Iama. She trembled with clenched fists, glaring daggers at the two.

I won’t forgive you.

Iama’s intense rage reached Otilie along with her inner voice.

She’s scary, isn’t she?

But it seemed Varick, who couldn’t hear her voice, felt the same. Muttering this, he smiled gently at Otilie.