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 20

“How was your first day working yesterday? I was worried you might not feel comfortable speaking honestly in front of Airny and the others.”

Varick sat down beside Otilie. Closer than when he’d sat next to her during lunch yesterday. Desperate not to let him notice her tension, Otilie forced a smile.

“I haven’t really done any proper work yet, so it’s hard to say. It would be a lie to say I’m not anxious about whether I can handle this. But Airny and the other assistants have all been so kind. I’m happy. Truly grateful.”

Even knowing about Otilie’s ability, the assistants had treated her warmly. Of course, since Varick was the one who decided to make Otilie an assistant, no one would openly complain. But even in their hearts, they were kind, consistently looking out for Otilie.

“…I’m glad. They’re all my proud assistants, after all.”

Varick smiled. Seeing his happy expression warmed Otilie’s heart.

(I wonder if someday I can become an assistant that Lord Varick can be proud of too?)

…While hoping she could, Otilie let out a soft “hehe” and smiled.

“Like I said yesterday, don’t push yourself too hard from the start, okay? If it feels tough, you can rest. I’m worried about your physical stamina, but since you can hear people’s inner voices, Otilie, I think you’ll tire more easily than others.”

“Lord Varick…”

There was no way she couldn’t be happy receiving such caring words. Fighting back tears, Otilie replied, “Thank you.”

“But I’m fine. It’s true I got tired, but until now, I’ve always been alone, shut away in my room, right? Everything feels so fresh, time flies by. It was fun, and it made me happy.”

Days spent living as if dead, inside a room where no one visited, with nothing that could be called entertainment. Even when she met people from the mansion, all she got back were cold stares and inner voices. She’d be exhausted even though she hadn’t done anything. Psychological fatigue, the terror of living had been immense.

Compared to that, yesterday’s fatigue was nothing. Talking with Varick made Otilie think that again.

“I see… Okay. I’ll make sure to keep a careful eye on you too, Otilie.”

“Huh? That’s I’m fine! I can’t impose such a burden on you, Lord Varick. Just being taken in like this is more than enough gratitude for me. I can look after myself.”

She’d heard from Airny that Varick was a caring person. It must be his nature. Even so, Otilie wasn’t a helpless kitten or puppy; if he worried too much, it made her anxious. Was it really okay for her to be here…?

“…It’s just that I want to do it.”

“Huh?”

It was a voice so quiet it could be mistaken for an inner thought. When Otilie asked for clarification, Varick gently narrowed his eyes. Then he gave her shoulder a light tap and slowly stood up from the sofa.

“Alright. But I’d like us to meet regularly like this, just the two of us, so I can hear your honest feelings. …Only if you’re okay with it, of course.”

“Huh? Just the two of us?”

Otilie’s heart gave a leap. She could speak honestly even if they weren’t alone. Of course, it might be harder to talk about the other assistants, but she never intended to say things that shouldn’t be heard by others anyway.

(But…)

Varick looked at Otilie. After being asked like that, there was no way she could say ‘no.’

“I’d like that, please.”

“Good. …I’m glad you didn’t refuse.”

Saying that, Varick laughed as if genuinely relieved. Otilie unintentionally averted her gaze.

(Lord Varick, you’re sneaky.)

Did he know he was making her heart race like this? …Did he know and say it on purpose?

(I wish my feelings could reach Lord Varick.)

Just then, Otilie remembered that Varick could share his ability with others. Plus, he’d said ‘abilities are something you hone.’ Maybe with special training, Otilie could learn to use it too? If so, could she convey her inner voice to Varick?

“U-um! Lord Varick, before, you made it so I couldn’t hear other people’s inner voices, right?”

“Hm? …Ah, you mean transferring the ability?”

Varick asked while gently taking Otilie’s hand.

“Transferring abilities is basically done through physical contact. You become aware of the energy flowing within your own body then imagine gathering it in your palm and passing it over. Do you want to try it too, Otilie?”

“Y-yes. If it’s alright with you, Lord Varick, I’d be happy to learn.”

She hoped that someday her ability might be useful to Varick. Otilie squeezed Varick’s hand back, tightly closed her eyes, and tried.

“…Well? Can you feel the flow of the ability?”

“Um—sorry. I don’t really understand.”

Otilie’s shoulders slumped as she let out a small sigh.

(As expected, you can’t change that easily overnight, can you?)

Being reborn suddenly one day as someone who can do anything… such convenient things only happen in fairy tales. Whether it’s awkward or pathetic, she had no choice but to face her incapable self and practice little by little. Otilie renewed the strength in her palm.

(If someday I could transfer my ability to Lord Varick. If I could be of use to him, then would he understand just how much I adore him?)

Then, Varick let out a soft “Hm?” and widened his eyes slightly. He glanced around the room, then stared intently at Otilie again. Otilie, eyes still tightly shut, was desperately confronting her own ability.

“Otilie, um…”

(I’ll do my best. I want to become stronger as soon as possible. I don’t just want to be helped, I want to be able to protect Lord Varick. I have to become a woman he can be proud of, like the other assistants.)

Then, a sound—【thump-thump】—different from an inner voice, reached Otilie’s ears. But there should be no one else in this room besides Varick. Moreover, it resonated in her heart at a different rhythm than her own heartbeat.

(So then, is this Lord Varick’s…?)

No way—could it be? Puzzled, Otilie slowly opened her eyes. Then, Varick, his cheeks dyed bright red, came into view.

“Huh?”

Varick’s expression was somewhat embarrassed. The sound of Otilie’s heartbeat—no, the other 【thump-thump】 sound separate from hers—grew louder.

(So right now, Lord Varick’s heart is racing?)

Why? …Her thoughts were too flustered to organize properly. She felt too shy to ask directly, but she couldn’t help being curious, so Otilie ended up staring at Varick’s face.

“Sorry, it seems I still need more training too.”

Varick covered his mouth and let out a troubled sigh.

“Huh? …Wha—?”

Without really understanding what was happening, Otilie continued to listen to the sound of two heartbeats—her own and Varick’s.