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 24

Several hours later, Otilie was escorted by a knight to a waiting carriage. Another passenger was already inside, who smiled warmly the moment he saw Otilie.

“Good afternoon, Otilie. Thank you for coming today.”

His expression showed genuine delight. With her heart pounding, Otilie bowed deeply.

“Lord Varick, I should be the one thanking you. I look forward to your guidance today.”

Varick took Otilie’s hand and escorted her into the carriage. As soon as she took her seat, the carriage carrying the two of them began moving slowly.

“You look different today than usual.”

Almost immediately after they were alone, Varick started the conversation.

“Ah… my clothes?”

“No. Your clothes, your hairstyle, your makeup. Everything’s different from when you’re working.”

Saying this, Varick studied Otilie intently.

Karan had chosen a girlish dress combining purplish-pink silk with black lace. The soft princess-line skirt was paired with black lace gloves, enamel shoes with higher heels than usual, and balanced with a hat.

Her hairstyle involved softly curling the sides before gathering it into a chignon.

As for makeup, after Karan spent considerable time creating dewy skin, she’d applied various products around Otilie’s eyes to create doll-like large pupils. Her blush and lipstick were a pink with stronger red tones than usual. Otilie felt unlike herself and slightly uneasy.

(I wonder what Lord Varick thinks of me?)

He said I look different, but I haven’t heard any other impressions. What if he thinks I look strange or that it doesn’t suit me? — As negative thoughts swirled in her mind, her face gradually lowered.

“Hey Otilie, look up.”

Just as Otilie was secretly troubled, Varick called out to her. When she timidly raised her face, Varick gave her a gentle smile.

“Do you want to know what I think?”

“Eh? That is… yes. I’d like to know.”

She’d always believed it would be better not to know people’s feelings. That way she wouldn’t get hurt or suffer. Though she’d cursed her ability before, Otilie now genuinely wanted to know someone’s feelings.

“…I’m really glad you’ve come to feel that way.”

Varick smiled. Otilie tilted her head slightly with a quiet “Eh?”

“When we first met, you seemed to absolutely hate hearing people’s inner voices. I tend to think a lot and make many assumptions and speculations. I thought it might confuse you, so I tried as much as possible not to let you hear my inner thoughts.”

“Was that it?”

Otilie had thought she couldn’t hear Varick’s inner voice because he had things he didn’t want her to hear. But thinking back carefully, Varick had initially said “there’s nothing I’d mind you hearing,” so he must have been controlling his ability for her sake.

“I’m sorry, I… I had no idea you were considering things that far for me.”

“There’s no need to apologize. I was the one who didn’t tell you or let you hear. But perhaps that’s no longer necessary?”

When Varick asked again, Otilie properly reflected on her condition over the past week.

“Well… yes. It’s true that recently, inner voices don’t bother me as much. I suppose you could say I hear them but don’t really hear them. I think I’ve become accustomed enough that I wouldn’t be afraid at evening parties or crowded places now.”

The other aides working in the same room had all sorts of thoughts while working. Some murmured the contents of documents they were preparing in their minds, others planned their next tasks while completing current work, some endlessly simulated interactions with officials they were scheduled to negotiate with, and there were aides who happily thought of their fiancés at random moments.

At first, Otilie had been bewildered by these inner voices. But as days passed, her ears and heart gradually grew accustomed. She learned to listen but not hear—to let the voices flow past her.

Except during conversations, she felt she could now unconsciously choose “not to hear.” Of course, the fact that people weren’t consciously directing their thoughts particularly malice toward her like in her family home was a significant factor, but this was something the old Otilie could never have done.

“I see. That’s good.”

“Is this what you meant by honing my ability?”

“Yes, that’s right. If you were alone, you wouldn’t experience ‘consciously not listening,’ nor could you explore how to use your ability. Or practical applications like when you tried to give me your ability the other day.”

“Yes! It’s all thanks to you taking me out, Lord Varick.”

“That’s not true.”

Varick denied this. When she tilted her head wondering why, he gently narrowed his eyes.

“You were trying to stand up to your family and servants at the mansion, weren’t you? Even in that terrible environment, you struggled to change and become stronger. So, the changes beginning in you now aren’t because of me. It’s because you worked hard yourself. Have more confidence in yourself. You truly worked hard.”

At Varick’s words, Otilie’s eyes grew warm.

She couldn’t possibly be unhappy to hear such words.

(I worked hard…)

Even though it’s only been a week. Even if it might be a small step compared to others. Still, there’s someone who recognizes her efforts and changes.

That’s precisely why Otilie had something she wanted to make clear.