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 25

“Um… let me ask again. What do you think of my outfit today, Lord Varick?”

“Huh? You’re cute. Incredibly cute. So cute I want to hug you right now, I mean it.”

“Wh-what?!”

Responding so casually, Otilie couldn’t help but blush bright red.

“I’m glad! I finally said it. Honestly, I’ve been dying to compliment you sooner.”

“Eh? …Are you being sincere?”

If so, that was a bit too mean. Otilie had been deeply, deeply concerned about Varick’s opinion all this time. It was only natural she’d suspect he’d been hiding his inner thoughts just to tease her.

“Of course. If you’d like, I can explain everything I’m feeling right now.”

“N-no, that won’t be necessary! As long as you don’t think I’m strange, that’s more than enough.”

“Strange? Not at all. Your usual natural makeup is cute too, but today, your skin makes me want to touch it.”

As he spoke, Varick moved to the seat beside Otilie.

“Your cheeks and lipstick, they’re almost dangerously captivating. You’re cute, but that glossy allure is irresistible. If I stare too long, I might not be able to look away.”

“That’s… thank you?”

Even as he called it “dangerous,” Varick was gazing intently at Otilie. Aware of his eyes on her cheeks and lips, she felt an indescribable restlessness. Even though he wasn’t actually touching her, it felt as if he might. A sensation so vivid it was almost an illusion.

(Even though Lord Varick would never think such things.)

If so, this was all Otilie’s imagination. Thinking such thoughts was far too disrespectful. Desperately shaking off her distractions, she feigned composure.

“Your dress and hairstyle are truly adorable. The contrast with your usual look is so striking, it really moves me. It makes me wonder what other sides of you I haven’t seen yet.”

“Ah, that part was all Karan’s hard work. She said doing the same as always wouldn’t feel fresh.”

“I see. Hey, did you tell Karan who you were going out with?”

Saying this, Varick gently touched Otilie’s hair. Startled, she shook her head.

“I didn’t tell her. I just said I was going out with someone from the same department, given the circumstances, and she didn’t press further. But Karan never imagined you’d be my companion, so please rest assured. You can trust me on that!”

Regardless of Otilie, if strange rumors spread about Varick, it would be a disaster. Explaining this earnestly, Varick widened his eyes in confusion and said, “Huh… I wouldn’t have minded if you told her.”

“You mustn’t! You’re at a crucial time, Lord Varick, choosing your future queen. Even if the excuse of showing the new assistant around the capital during inspections holds up, it’s better if people don’t know you’re out with a woman.”

“That’s Airny’s advice, isn’t it? As your assistant, it’s very proper. But I did say this was a date.”

Varick drooped his shoulders dejectedly. Otilie felt a sharp pang in her chest probably not her own pain.

(Lord Varick…)

Otilie was Varick’s assistant. Working for him, honing her skills—that was her job and her duty. But there was something she prioritized even more.

Hesitating, Otilie tightly gripped Varick’s sleeve.

“…That’s exactly why because you said you were looking forward to it, I worked hard with Karan to dress up.”

“Yeah, I know. It made me really happy.”

Saying this, Varick gently pulled Otilie into an embrace. At the same time, a sigh, almost like a cry, was heard.

[Damn it! I couldn’t hold back after all. It’s just that Otilie said something too adorable.]

Followed by his inner voice. Even the sound of Varick’s heartbeat reached her clearly, and Otilie’s cheeks flushed crimson.

(Even though he said earlier, “Maybe I don’t have to hide it anymore?”)

Actually, hearing his inner thoughts made her inevitably flustered. Was this really okay to listen to? …She felt like asking.

“Hey, Otilie, who did Karan think you were going out with?”

“Eh? That would be… maybe Airny or Brad? She imagined it might be one of them since neither is engaged and they seem like they’d take good care of me.”

“I see…”

Varick groaned softly in his mind. It seemed he couldn’t quite sort out his thoughts.

“Lord Varick?”

“Ah, sorry. …It’s probably this.”

Struggling to put his unspoken feelings into words, Varick let out a small sigh.

“I think I don’t like the idea of Karan thinking ‘Otilie is out with another assistant.'”

“Eh?”

What did that mean? Muttering Varick’s words in her head, Otilie groaned just like him.

“That is… why do you think that is?”

“Right? I don’t really know either. This is my first time feeling this way.”

Seeing Varick pout in frustration, Otilie couldn’t help but laugh.

“Maybe one day we’ll understand.”

“…Yeah. If you figure out the reason before I do, will you tell me then?”

“That sounds like a heavy responsibility. I’ll have to listen carefully.”

Another task had been added to Otilie’s duties.

But being relied on made her happy. Otilie gently narrowed her eyes.

“I’ll do my best.”

Varick smiled and replied, “Yeah.”