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 19

The gentle morning sun tickled her eyelids. Wrapped in the warm, fluffy futon, Otilie smiled at the sheer comfort.

“Good morning, Lady Otilie.”

A soft voice. When she slowly opened her eyes, her maid Karan’s smiling face came into view.

(Is this a dream…?)

To think there would come a day when she’d be happy to wake up.

Every morning, she had thought over and over again, “I’ve woken up again.” It felt like a lie, those days spent in a dimly lit room with little sunlight, crying from hunger.

“Now, let’s get ready for the morning. You’ll be busy again today, won’t you?”

“…Yes. Could you help me?”

Suppressing the urge to cry, Otilie slowly sat up. Then she and Karan exchanged smiles.

“Did you get enough rest?”

Karan asked as she finished washing Otilie’s face and began styling her hair.

“Well… The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the work was so enjoyable. I don’t think I’m too tired.”

…Even as she said that, Otilie couldn’t help but give a wry smile when she saw her reflection in the mirror.

Yesterday, after lunch, she had walked endlessly around the castle with Airny to introduce Otilie to the heads of various departments—general affairs, economy, culture, diplomacy, welfare, construction, and more. All the department heads were men at least twice her age, and Otilie couldn’t let her guard down for a moment to avoid being disrespectful.

That said, quite a few of them took a condescending attitude toward her because she was a young girl. But the moment they learned Otilie was the youngest daughter of the Einhorn family, they did a complete about-face, groveling and adopting a humble posture. It seemed Otilie’s father was still greatly feared. As someone who could hear people’s inner thoughts, Otilie felt a complicated mix of emotions.

Physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion—it would be a lie to say she was completely refreshed.

(Lady Otilie, you still look tired after all. Of course, that’s natural. You’ve only just started working. Maybe I should apply a little more blush today? If you look healthier, the fatigue might not stand out as much. As for the color… since you’re fair-skinned, pink would suit you better than orange. And your hairstyle should match today’s dress.)

Karan was observing Otilie and thinking of all sorts of things for her. Just that alone made Otilie feel as if her weariness was being soothed.

After finishing her preparations, Karan made tea for Otilie.

“Lady Otilie, would you like to have your meal in your room?”

“Um, are there other options?”

Since it was her first day yesterday, she had finished on time and had dinner in her private quarters. Her feet had been so swollen that she had let Karan take care of everything, but perhaps there were other ways?

“Yes. If you wish, Lady Otilie, you could go down to the dining hall to eat. But a lot of people gather there, so I wouldn’t recommend it when you’re tired. It seems the other aides use it when they want to exchange information with people from different professions, though…”

“I see… Then, for today, may I eat in my room?”

Otilie, who could hear others’ inner thoughts, wasn’t good with crowded places. For her, who had lived almost entirely alone until now, yesterday had been a series of trials in that sense as well.

“Of course! Please relax and wait here while you have your tea.”

Saying that, Karan happily left the room. Otilie moved to the sofa and let out a big sigh.

(Somehow, it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been alone.)

Her life had changed drastically in just one day.

Come to think of it, Varick had advised her last night, “Make an effort to set aside time to be alone.”

“I know you want to improve yourself, Otilie. But don’t rush. Take your time and let your heart and body adjust.”

Just remembering his words made her body grow warm. She wanted to change right now, she had to become stronger.

(Alright, I’ll do my best.)

Otilie stretched firmly and patted her cheeks lightly.

(That said…)

Humans can’t suddenly become strong, after all.

One hour before work began. Otilie stood alone in front of the office door, staring at it.

(There’s no knight outside the door, so Lord Varick probably isn’t here yet. Are there any aides who have already arrived? I can’t hear their inner thoughts from here, so I don’t know.)

Being her first day, there were many things she didn’t understand. Was the office open? How should she enter? What should she do first upon entering? Above all, she simply lacked courage.

(Calm down. Be brave, Otilie. …You decided to become stronger for Lord Varick, didn’t you?)

If she stumbled here, she wouldn’t be able to do anything. Just as Otilie resolved to knock.

“Aren’t you coming in?”

A refreshing tenor voice sounded by her ear.

“Lord Varick!”

Flustered, she turned around to find the master of this room—Varick—smiling down at her.

“Good morning, Otilie.”

“Good morning, Lord Varick.”

“Did you sleep well yesterday? …You look like you’re in good spirits, at least.”

Saying that, Varick leaned in to peer at Otilie’s face.

(Thank goodness…! I have to thank Karan.)

If her makeup hadn’t hidden it, she might have made Varick worry unnecessarily.

Otilie nodded repeatedly and replied, “Thank you.”

“Thanks to you, I slept very soundly.”

“That’s good. How was your meal? You’re so small, Otilie, you have to eat a lot.”

Saying that, Varick gently patted Otilie’s head. She felt both embarrassed and happy. Otilie’s cheeks flushed red.

“But you’re early. It’s still an hour before work starts, you know?”

“W-well, as a newcomer, I thought I should come earlier than everyone else.”

“Hmm, that’s a good attitude. But you don’t have to come this early.”

Saying that, Varick entered the office. The room was utterly silent, with no sign of anyone else.

“But you’re already here, Lord Varick.”

“Hm? Today is special.”

“Eh? …Special?”

Otilie’s eyes widened.

Come to think of it, she had heard that Varick arrived fifteen minutes before work started. Why was he here now?

“I thought you’d probably come early. So, I left my room earlier than usual. I’m glad I came.”

“…Eh?”

In that instant, Otilie’s cheeks turned even redder.

(W… for me?)

Her whole body felt burning hot.

She was overjoyed that Varick cared about her this much. Was it okay to be treated so well? Wouldn’t she be punished? After all, Otilie was still a useless newcomer who hadn’t accomplished anything.

“Hey, since it’s just the two of us, why don’t we talk a little before work?”

Varick deepened his smile and urged Otilie to sit on the sofa.