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 13

Led by Varick, Otilie boarded the carriage.

“Then, Marquis, I’ll send the details in writing.”

“…Are you truly taking Otilie with you, Your Highness?”

Otilie’s father peered anxiously into Varick’s face. Varick gave a firm, deliberate nod.

“As I mentioned at last night’s soirée, Lady Otilie’s abilities are remarkable. They’re precisely what I need. I can’t understand why you’re so opposed, Marquis… Well, I can guess the reason, though.”

Saying this, Varick gave the father’s shoulder a light pat. In that instant, the father’s eyes flew wide open.

“Ah… Aah…? Huh? Iama! Otilie?”

Staring at Otilie in the carriage, he dropped to his knees in shock.

(Is this… Father’s memories?)

Images flooded rapidly into Otilie’s mind—a young Iama. Beside her, a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. That must be Otilie.

Little Iama stared straight into her father’s eyes.

[“Only love me! Don’t even look at Otilie!”]

This must have been the first time Iama charmed their father. Otilie felt a suffocating tightness in her chest, as if bound in chains.

“Otilie.”

Her father called her name. It was the same warm, affectionate gaze and then a guilt-ridden expression that he usually directed at Iama. But it lasted only a moment before his eyes returned to their usual coldness.

“…? What was that just now? …My apologies. I seemed to have spaced out for a moment.”

Her father straightened up with a start, then bowed to Varick. Varick replied “Not at all,” while letting out a soft sigh.

[Well, he’s been charmed, brainwashed for sixteen years. I thought it would be impossible to fully restore his sanity. But if we keep in contact like this, maybe—]

Varick glanced briefly at Otilie. Otilie gasped softly.

(So, Lord Varick nullified my sister’s charm ability inside Father?)

If so, then perhaps her father didn’t truly despise Otilie from the bottom of his heart? Would there comes a day when he would acknowledge her?

(For just a moment, a truly brief moment, Father was kind to me.)

Such a small thing made Otilie overwhelmingly happy. Her eyes grew warm with tears.

“Well then, Marquis, until next time.”

Varick said this and got into the carriage. Then, the carriage carrying the two of them slowly began moving toward the royal capital.

“…Don’t you want to take one last look at the mansion? I have no intention of ever letting you return to that house, you know.”

The mansion gradually receded into the distance. When Otilie shook her head, Varick smiled gently.

“Alright. If that’s fine with you, Otilie, then it’s fine with me.”

Saying this, Varick squeezed her hand tightly. Otilie’s cheeks flushed. Varick grinned broadly while gazing intently into her eyes.

“More importantly, since you’ll be my assistant from now on, I’d like you to call me by my name, not ‘Your Highness.'”

“Huh? But…”

To Otilie, it felt presumptuous. Being told “Here you go” and switching immediately was difficult.

“It’s fine. All the other assistants do it, so there’s no problem. In fact, if you were the only one using a different form of address, wouldn’t you stand out?”

“That’s true, I suppose.”

“I’ll also call you Otilie from now on. Okay?”

Varick stared at Otilie with eyes full of expectation. It didn’t seem like he would move on to the next topic until she called him.

“…Lord Varick.”

“Mhm.”

He smiled, looking very pleased. Even though it was such a small thing, Otilie’s heart pounded wildly.

“While we’re on our way to the castle, would it be alright if we talk a bit about what’s to come?”

“Yes. Um, but…”

Otilie glanced down briefly. Her hand was still held by Varick.

“Hm?”

Varick tilted his head slightly and smiled at Otilie.

[Do you dislike it?]

Then, he deliberately didn’t say it aloud, but asked her that question in his mind.

(I don’t dislike it…)

It’s embarrassing and makes my heart race. Because of that, I’m worried if my mind is working properly.

But it’s also true that my trembling fingertips and my heart are calming down thanks to him.

(What should I do? What’s the right answer?)

Her experience with touching and talking to others was far too lacking; she had no idea what to do. Otilie grew deep red as she pondered.

“Ah… Sorry for making you troubled. Your reactions are just too adorable.”

“…!”

Varick laughed as if he couldn’t hold back. He reluctantly released her hand, then gently stroked Otilie’s head.

“When we arrive at the castle, I’ll first show you to your room.”

“My room?”

“Yes. There are rooms for live-in staff, so I had one prepared for you right away. I thought you’d want to see where you’ll be living from now on, right?”

Varick asked Otilie. She herself didn’t mind what kind of room it was, but she was grateful for his consideration. Otilie bowed her head and said, “Thank you.”

“In the afternoon, I’ll have another assistant show you around the castle. You can also greet the various departments at that time. From now on, I’ll be entrusting communications to me to you, Otilie, so you’ll need to learn their faces and names.”

“U-Understood.”

Gradually, what Otilie needed to do was becoming more concrete. She felt a sense of determination.

“And then, this is the most important task for today.”

“Y-Yes! What is it?”

His serious tone made her heart skip a beat. Varick narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Having lunch with me and the other assistants.”

“Huh? That’s the most important task?”

The unexpected content made Otilie reflexively ask back. Varick chuckled softly.

“Yes. Since you’ll be working as my right hand from now on, I want to get to know you better. The other assistants surely feel the same.”

Saying this, Varick stared intently into Otilie’s eyes. His gaze was full of curiosity. Even though he shouldn’t have the ability to read others’ minds like Otilie did. She felt as if he could see right through her.

“And also, I’d be happy if you wanted to get to know me better too.”

“Eh…? Of course, I want to know more. Much, much more.”

When Otilie answered hesitantly, Varick’s eyes widened slightly, and he covered his mouth as if embarrassed.

[Being told “I want to know you”… is actually pretty embarrassing for the person hearing it. Or rather, I’m happy to think that Otilie is interested in me.]

Varick turned away and let out a troubled sigh. He probably didn’t realize that Otilie could hear his inner voice.

(This might be the first time I’ve been glad to be able to hear someone’s inner thoughts.)

It was so fun and delightful and somehow ticklish that Otilie had to desperately hold back from laughing.