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 16

“Then I’ll give you the entire morning to select several dresses. Lord Varick has requested a lunch meeting, so please change before then. I’ll come to pick you up when it’s time. We’ll be making greeting rounds in the afternoon, so please be prepared.”

“Understood. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule.”

After finishing Karan’s introduction, Airny returned to Varick’s side. Apparently, ‘welcoming Otilie so suddenly has created a backlog of work.’ Otilie appreciated how openly Airny shared these internal circumstances. It was much more comfortable than awkwardly hearing people’s inner thoughts.

Just as Airny left, the tailors arrived in the room. They seemed to have brought many ready-to-wear items, and Otilie breathed a sigh of relief.

Since she wouldn’t be receiving a salary immediately, the dress expenses would naturally be billed to her father. She was glad they weren’t demanding haute couture. Of course, this was Varick’s instruction, and it was a matter of maintaining the marquis family’s dignity, so no one would complain.

(Still, there are so many different dresses.)

Otilie gazed at the dresses brought into the room and let out a small sigh.

Even though they were all called dresses, they were completely different in both material and design from what she wore to last night’s banquet.

“This dress is particularly popular among the ladies-in-waiting. It’s renowned for its gorgeous yet elegant design and is our shop’s best-selling item.”

“I-is that so…”

The dress the shop assistant showed her was made of glossy, soft fabric. It was a mermaid-style dress that followed the body’s lines – a sophisticated, mature piece.

(The shop assistant recommends it, so maybe this will do for now.)

She felt bad about taking up too much time. Otilie approached the dress.

[Hmm… This dress is very beautiful and I often see similar types in the castle, but I don’t think it suits Lady Otilie very well.]

Karan’s inner voice reached her. Slightly shocked by the ‘doesn’t suit you’ comment, Otilie glanced at Karan.

[Lady Otilie is petite and slender, so a different type of dress would suit her better. Actually, I’m sure she’d look absolutely adorable. Probably this dress is the most expensive and profitable, but I think they’re recommending the wrong dress.]

(Wow…)

Exactly right. Otilie could clearly hear the shop assistant’s inner thoughts too. She understood that as businesspeople, pursuing profit was natural and tried not to mind, but if it didn’t suit her, that was different. After all, selecting dresses was about having an appearance worthy of standing beside Varick.

[But still when I see people wearing this dress, they look like capable women, and Lady Otilie might like it.]

“Um, what do you think, Karan?”

She probably couldn’t interject herself – Otilie sought Karan’s advice.

“Well… I’m still organizing my thoughts. May I look at the other dresses?”

“Yes, of course.”

Karan obtained permission from the tailors and began examining the dresses.

(Karan… she’s thinking about so many things for my sake.)

She hadn’t voiced it yet. She seemed to be quite the cautious type. She compared dress after dress, tilting her head and murmuring to herself.

[This is taking forever. How long does she plan to continue?]

How much time had passed? The tailor sighed quietly in their heart. Though smiling outwardly, they seemed somewhat tired. Not a single dress had met Karan’s standards yet, and time was just passing by – it couldn’t be helped.

(It’ll be lunchtime soon.)

She needed to select one dress soon and change.

“Karan, um…”

Just as Otilie called out, Karan’s expression completely changed.

[This dress might be good. The skirt has pleats. Cute. The fabric seems stiff and less prone to wrinkling. I’ve heard Lord Varick’s assistants have demanding work, so wouldn’t this type of dress be better? Plus, it matches Lady Otilie’s eye color well.]

The dress Karan was now looking at had a lovely contrast of white and lavender. It was an A-line design with a tightly cinched waist, accented with lace and ribbons. Unlike the mature dress from before, it gave the impression that she could wear it without trying too hard.

“Would you like to try this one on? We’ll need to adjust the size too.”

“Yes, please.”

As the shop assistant spoke to Otilie, Karan said “Please do” while still diligently selecting dresses.

(Amazing concentration.)

Karan must be the type who focuses intensely on one thing. Earlier she mentioned ‘being removed from work by her senior’ – this might be one reason why.

Since Otilie could hear Karan’s inner thoughts, it didn’t bother her, but others probably often couldn’t tell what she was doing or thinking. It would be understandable if she got labeled as slow or incompetent at work.

(But…)

“It suits you perfectly! Truly adorable!”

The tailor said this with shining eyes. It wasn’t flattery but genuine feeling.

“…Thank you.”

The dress Karan selected was comfortable to wear and suited Otilie very well. It took time, but it was excellent work.

(If I leave it to Karan, it’ll be fine.)

She would surely work hard for Otilie in many ways.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror once more, Otilie gently narrowed her eyes.

(I wonder if Lord Varick will say it suits me.)

Somehow that thought crossed her mind, and Otilie’s cheeks turned red. Her heart pounded loudly. Even though someone would come to pick her up soon – the more she tried to calm down, the more Otilie’s tension grew.