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 12

Descending the stairs, Otilie’s father appeared before them, wearing a robe over his nightclothes.

“Y-Your Highness! My apologies for this appearance. I just woke up moments ago.”

After wringing his hands, her father bowed his head with excessive force. At his overwhelming vigor, Otilie couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

[The servants woke me in such a panic, I thought something terrible had happened. I never imagined Your Highness would actually be here. But the information is so confused I can’t grasp the situation at all. Why is Otilie being carried by Your Highness?]

Her father couldn’t hide his confusion as he alternated his gaze between Varick and Otilie. Varick gave a faint smile.

“Don’t worry about it. You must be tired from last night? I’m the one who should apologize for coming at this hour.”

“Not at all, not at all!”

Bowing his head obsequiously, her father sighed inwardly.

[Last night, Iama was in the worst mood ever. I’m exhausted from listening to her endless complaints in the carriage. And it’s all Otilie’s fault.]

Thinking that far, he glanced briefly at Otilie.

“U-um! Your Highness, could you put me down now? I’m… I’m fine.”

Her father’s reproachful gaze was too much to bear.

“Oh?”

Varick looked somewhat dissatisfied but set Otilie down.

“By the way, Your Highness, why were you carrying Otilie…?”

“Ah, haven’t you heard from the servants yet? Miss Iama treated Miss Otilie quite harshly. She was injured, so I brought her like this.”

“Iama did!?”

Her father’s face turned pale as his eyes widened.

Iama being cold to Otilie was nothing new. But no one had ever witnessed it before. Moreover, Varick was royalty. His confusion was only natural.

“That is, um… Is it true? Surely even Iama wouldn’t injure her own sister. Could it be some kind of mistake?”

“I understand wanting to think that. But it’s the truth.”

Varick sighed softly while staring intently at Otilie’s father.

“Initially, I was shown to the drawing room, you know? The servants said they’d fetch Miss Otilie and you. But while I waited, I heard a tremendous noise and shouting from upstairs, and I couldn’t stand waiting any longer, so I went to check. That’s when I found Miss Otilie collapsed by the bookshelf. Would you like to read my memories? What I saw and heard. Then you’d believe me, wouldn’t you?”

“Impossible! That would be most improper!”

Trembling uncontrollably, her father bowed repeatedly. Then he muttered, “My apologies.”

“—Tell me, Marquis, who exactly are you apologizing to, and for what?”

Varick inquired. Her father stared blankly, his eyes round with confusion.

“Huh? That is… Naturally, I’m apologizing for doubting Your Highness’s words.”

“Marquis, I don’t care about that. More importantly, don’t you have someone else you should be apologizing to?”

Varick’s expression, which had been gentle until now, suddenly turned severe.

[What? Why is Your Highness so angry? What in the world…]

After pondering for a moment, her father noticed Otilie standing where Varick was looking, then bowed once more.

“Otilie, I… I’m sorry.”

“…It’s fine.”

Otilie replied. Her chest felt heavy and tight.

(Father doesn’t understand anything.)

What mAirnyng could a perfunctory apology hold? He had no comprehension of why he needed to apologize to Otilie. He was merely acting as Varick wished because Varick expected it.

“…I intend to discuss this matter thoroughly with you another day.”

“Is that so…? But, Your Highness, this is a matter unrelated to you, and I will speak firmly to Iama myself.”

“It is related. I came to take Otilie with me. Didn’t you hear that from the servants?”

Varick cast a cold glance at her father. Her father nodded repeatedly while sneaking glances at Varick’s expression.

“Ah, yes. I did hear something to that effect. But I have no idea why Your Highness would come for Otilie…”

Her father tilted his head in confusion. Otilie herself still didn’t know the purpose of Varick’s visit.

(Why did Lord Varick come for me?)

Seeking an answer, Otilie gazed at Varick, and a hand was extended before her.

“I want Otilie to become my aide.”

“Huh?”

It was Otilie who asked back.

Even for Otilie, who could hear others’ inner voices, these were completely unexpected words. Staring at Varick, she blinked in surprise.

“Your aide? Me?”

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

Varick smiled gently. Otilie’s heart pounded wildly.

(His aide? Me? …Really?)

It was only yesterday she’d wished to be of use to him. Staring at Varick in disbelief, he gave a firm, clear nod. Even without hearing her inner voice, he seemed to understand Otilie’s feelings—that she wanted to go with him. Otilie’s cheeks flushed bright red. Varick narrowed his eyes softly.

“B-but Your Highness! I’m ashamed to say Otilie is mediocre—we haven’t provided her with much education. I’m sorry, but I doubt she’d be of any use to you.”

“Mediocre, hmm… I see. So, Marquis, you don’t trust my judgment of character?”

“N-no! That’s… That’s not what I meant, but!”

Otilie’s father flustered.

[This is bad! Saying ‘we haven’t provided much education’ is a huge lie. We’ve given Otilie virtually no education at all. But I don’t want His Highness to know our domestic affairs. He’s already displeased; anything more would be.]

After thinking it over, he awkwardly averted his gaze.

“Your Highness’s judgment is accurate. Truly, you have remarkable discernment. However, I believe Iama would be more immediately useful to Your Highness than Otilie. We’ve provided that child with every possible education.”

“Immediately useful, hmm…”

“Indeed. But if Your Highness truly wishes for Otilie to be your aide, I will dedicate everything to educating her. However, that would require some time. Could you, could you please consider it?”

Her father bowed deeply. Otilie involuntarily looked down.

(He’s right, of course.)

As she was now, Otilie probably couldn’t be of any help to Varick. She herself had originally thought, ‘I’ll go meet Varick after honing my abilities more.’ Just because Varick himself came to meet—to fetch her, should she accept so readily? In her current state, far from being useful, wouldn’t she just be a burden?

“…You’re right.”

Varick said. Bitterly disappointed, Otilie bit her lip hard.

(I knew this… I myself think it’s better this way.)

Even so, Otilie’s heart sank heavily. If only she had the strength to argue back. She found herself thinking.

Simultaneously, her father smiled happily and said, “In that case!”

“I’ve thought carefully about your proposal. But you see, even if she isn’t immediately useful, I don’t want to leave Miss Otilie in this house.”

“Huh…?”

Otilie and her father murmured simultaneously. Varick smiled at Otilie.

“Your Highness…”

Otilie wept silently. Varick gently wiped her tears.

“It’s alright. I’ll hone your abilities. So, don’t worry. Come with me.”

Once again, Otilie gazed at the palm extended before her.

Honestly, she wasn’t confident she could be useful to Varick right now. Even if things were fine now, she worried he might become disillusioned with her someday such anxieties existed.

(Even so.)

Otilie took Varick’s hand.

She wanted to go with him, to be by his side. Otilie wished to be of use to him.

“Then it’s settled.”

Varick smiled contentedly and gave Otilie’s shoulder a light pat.