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 31

By the time Otilie and the others had finished listening to the man’s story and boarded the carriage for their return, the sky had grown completely dark. Gazing at the cityscape that showed a different face than it had during the day, Otilie let out a soft sigh.

“You must be tired. Rest until we reach the castle.”

Varick said this and pulled Otilie to lean against him. A pleasant drowsiness threatened to overwhelm her immediately. Shaking her head, Otilie straightened her posture firmly.

“I’m fine. Aren’t you the one who must be tired, Lord Varick?”

“Hm? …Yeah, you’re right. I’m pretty tired.”

This time, Varick leaned against Otilie. Feeling her heart skip a beat, Otilie pretended to maintain her composure.

“Still, it’s awful that there are people in this world who do such terrible things.”

“…Yeah, that’s true.”

A somber atmosphere filled the carriage. Both were thinking about the man who had earlier tried to drive his carriage into the square.

The man had originally been a master carriage craftsman, proud of his exceptional skills. He had even once built a carriage as a gift for the royal family. But one day, his apprentice stole everything from him—his techniques, his other apprentices, the suppliers of his parts, even his customers.

Naturally, the man hadn’t remained silent. He did everything he could to reclaim what was taken. He ran around to his business contacts, pleading with them to somehow resume placing orders with him.

However, behind the apprentice’s betrayal was a certain noble—Count Dingley, a man who lived for profit.

In exchange for providing financial backing to the apprentice, the Count received a share of the profits. The more carriages the apprentice supplied, the more the Count could boast to other nobles about his investment acumen, while the apprentice, for his part, gained the powerful backing of a noble despite having no trust or track record. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

In such circumstances, a mere merchant like the man stood no chance. With no way to recover his apprentice, the materials for building carriages, or his customers, how could he possibly work? His income dried up, and soon his savings were exhausted. He was already months behind on rent, and eviction was only a matter of time. Of course, he couldn’t even eat properly, and he was left with no dreams or hopes. His life was just waiting for death.

…But he couldn’t just die like that.

That was when the man came up with the idea of driving his carriage into the square. That way, he could leave his mark on history—his carriage. He wanted to make a statement against this unjust world and inflict a punishment worse than death on those who had hurt him. He wanted them to taste hell.

‘I knew in my head that I shouldn’t involve innocent people. But it was the only thing I could think of. No one even noticed I was suffering. I hated this world. I even though everyone was equally guilty.’

After telling his whole story, the man muttered this as if squeezing out the words. Otilie and Varick exchanged glances, unable to find any words to say.

‘I really am glad you stopped my plan. I’m genuinely relieved no one got hurt. But… but I! I’ve lost my job and everything, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to live from now on.’

His tears pained her heart. Otilie understood his feelings all too painfully.

(Because I had everything taken from me by my sister, too.)

…No, the man before her, who had been betrayed by someone he originally trusted, must have felt even greater disappointment. Losing what you once had must feel different from never having been given anything from the start. Otilie felt her eyes grow hot.

‘Philip, take him to the castle. …See that he’s given a warm meal.’

‘Yes, Lord Varick. I’ll arrange it immediately.’

‘Huh? B-but Your Highness! I’m not in a position to receive a warm meal.’

‘Regardless of what you intended, nothing actually happened in the end. First, I want you to rest your mind and body properly. You don’t have to figure out the future alone. My subordinates and I will help you.’

‘Your Highness…’

Otilie, who had been feeling just as lost as the man, felt warmed by Varick’s words. It was as if she herself had been saved once again. Otilie smiled through her tears.

“Well, speaking of awful, I think your family is pretty terrible too, Otilie.”

“Huh? Ah… yes, that’s true.”

Snapped out of her thoughts by Varick’s comment, Otilie came back to herself.

Venturing out into the world like this made her newly aware of how abnormal that mansion was. Smiling wryly, Otilie glanced softly out the window.

“Both that man and I… if only we could have consulted someone sooner… if we could have asked for help, it might have been better. …Honestly, I never even thought of that. I was convinced everyone in the world hated me, and I didn’t know where to go.”

In her case, the option of going outside hadn’t even existed, and her means of obtaining information were severely limited. Even if such places had existed, it was highly likely she wouldn’t have been able to use them.

“…That’s right. The reality is, there’s no system in place to notice people who can’t speak up and ask for help themselves. If you hadn’t attended the soirée, I probably wouldn’t have noticed you were suffering. As a country, we generally avoid interfering in family or personal matters.”

Ordinary families don’t need intervention from the state or lords. For nobles, especially, being scrutinized by others is nothing but shameful. That’s precisely why your father was so bewildered and deeply displeased when I intervened.

“However, it’s hard to say that consultation services are properly established. Many people probably find them intimidating, and plenty don’t even know they exist. Basically, our focus is on things that affect everyone, like roads and water supply; we don’t meticulously handle individual consultations.”

“…Couldn’t we create one? A place to listen to people’s voices.”

Otilie inadvertently murmured this softly. Varick’s eyes widened with a “Huh?” and she hurriedly shook her head in a fluster.

“N-no! I understand there are various challenges that led to the current situation. And I learned the other day that you can’t start new projects without clearing hurdles like location, personnel, know-how, and budget! But after what happened earlier, I just can’t help wondering if there isn’t something we can do. I know ideals are ideals, and we can’t achieve everything, but…”

“Listen, Otilie. I want you to remember this well.”

Varick spoke with a serious demeanor. Nodding along, Otilie unconsciously straightened her posture.

“Our job is to envision ideals and pursue them.”

“Huh?”

What did he mean? Otilie tilted her head slightly.

“Even if someone else… say, a civil official or an elder statesman, says ‘It’s impossible,’ we keep dreaming relentlessly. We search for a path to make it happen. I believe that as those who run the country, it’s important to have a strong desire, a ‘This is what I want to do.’ So, I want you to freely voice even the things you think are impossible. We can think about whether they’re feasible later. After all, if we don’t pursue ideals, who will? Who will make them real? There’s nothing sadder than a country without dreams.”

“Lord Varick…”

Thump-thump went her heart. Was this anticipation or excitement? When Otilie looked at Varick, he narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“I am the Crown Prince, and you are my aide. Let’s be idealists. Let’s be greedy. Let’s do everything we want to do. Of course, it might not all happen right away.”

“Yes, Lord Varick.”

What Varick had said to the man earlier… He… Otilie had the power to change the country and society. She pondered the meaning of his words anew.

(I am… Lord Varick’s aide.)

Somehow, her body felt burning hot.

With renewed determination in her heart, Otilie smiled powerfully.