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 49

A few days later, the day of the tea party finally arrived.

(Thank goodness the weather is nice…!)

Otilie looked out the window and breathed a sigh of relief.

This tea party was something she had carefully planned with the queen, hoping to bring joy to the invited guests. She earnestly wished for everything to go smoothly until the very end.

“It’s finally here, Lady Otilie.”

While saying this, Karan efficiently helped Otilie get ready. Otilie knew that Karan had studied makeup and hairstyling especially for today and had prepared diligently. She felt grateful but at the same time, it made her feel a little awkward.

(Ah… what should I do! If Lady Otilie is chosen as the crown princess, I’ll become the crown princess’s maid! It’s like a dream. Too wonderful!)

Although she couldn’t keep the fact that she had been invited to the tea party a secret, being misunderstood like this made her uncomfortable.

(Sorry, Karan. I don’t think Prince Varick will choose me as his bride.)

It was embarrassing that just being invited to the tea party made people think there was a possibility. If expectations were raised too high, she would feel guilty if things didn’t work out, so she preferred to keep things moderate.

Still, she couldn’t bear to crush Karan’s dreams. Otilie smiled ambiguously and left her room.

When she arrived at the venue, Otilie looked around.

(…Yes, everything is set up as planned.)

Confirming that the table settings, food, desserts, and decorations were all arranged as discussed with the queen, Otilie let out a soft sigh.

“Otilie.”

Just then, the queen, who had also just arrived, called out to her. There was still some time before the start, so the guests were sparse. Even so, Otilie noticed the young ladies who had arrived early glancing her way.

(Who is she?)

(Her Highness is speaking to her directly. That’s unfair. I wish I could get closer to her too.)

Hearing these inner voices made Otilie’s stomach twist with pain.

(This won’t do. If I look like this, Her Highness will worry about me.)

Otilie smiled cheerfully and greeted the queen.

“Your Highness, um…”

“I’m glad you came.”

The queen said this and tightly squeezed Otilie’s hand.

“Huh? Um…”

(But I wasn’t the one who invited myself.)

Although she was relieved that the queen knew she had been invited, she still felt somewhat apologetic.

“Forget about work today. Otilie, enjoy yourself as one of the guests.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

With that, the queen went to greet the other guests.

(As one of the guests, huh.)

Indeed, for Otilie, who had always been focused on work, this was a rare opportunity. Not everyone invited today was a candidate for Varick’s fiancée, so she should take the queen’s advice and enjoy herself properly.

(Alright.)

Otilie decided to change her mindset.

At the appointed time, the queen gave her greetings, and the tea party officially began. Since Varick was scheduled to arrive later, the young ladies flocked to the queen one after another.

(I’ll definitely become the crown princess!)

(Before meeting Prince Varick, I must win the queen’s favor.)

(I’ve gathered so much information about Her Highness in high society for this day. I can’t afford to fail!)

Every time she heard such inner voices, Otilie was taken aback.

(So many young ladies want to become the crown princess.)

The maids and ladies-in-waiting who worked in the castle had ambitions for career success but didn’t aspire to become the crown princess. Of course, part of it was because they were of lower status than the ladies invited today, but the enthusiasm of the ladies here was far more intense than Otilie had imagined.

(They’re amazing! They have so much confidence in themselves.)

“No one is more suited to be the crown princess than me”—whether in looks, education, or status—even without hearing their inner voices, their pride was palpable. It made her envious. Otilie felt a little sad as she reflected on herself.

Thanks to Varick, she had come to like herself much more than before.

But the past of being bullied by Iama, her father, and the servants wouldn’t disappear, and their scornful gazes and the fear still haunted her dreams from time to time. She often found herself thinking, “I’m a worthless person.” Each time, she threw herself into her work, desperately trying to hold herself together.

But sometimes… really, just sometimes, she wondered if there would be nothing left for her without her work. And that such a person wasn’t worthy of Varick.

“Good afternoon.”

““……!”””

Just then, Varick arrived at the tea party venue. Instantly, the expressions of the young ladies changed noticeably. They now wore the faces of hunters.

“Prince Varick!”

“Thank you for inviting us today!”

“It’s been since the last evening party! It’s an honor to see you again!”

The young ladies rushed forward, jostling each other, desperate to get closer to Varick. Their sheer boldness and intensity left Otilie stunned.

(Amazing! I could never compete with that.)

Otilie couldn’t bring herself to act like that. It felt like a harsh reminder that you needed that kind of guts to become Varick’s bride.

(Ah… I dressed up so nicely, but it looks like I won’t even get to greet Prince Varick.)

Suddenly, she heard someone’s inner voice, and Otilie looked up.

(Well, it can’t be helped. I’m not that pretty.)

(They’re incredible! I’m envious.)

(I mustered the courage to come, but someone like me doesn’t belong here. I wish I could have exchanged at least a word with His Highness.)

A few young ladies near Otilie were gazing at Varick.

(Oh… There are women like that too, aren’t there.)

Not everyone could be confident in themselves. There were plenty of women who felt the same way as Otilie.

If Otilie asked Varick, he would probably speak to them. But he wouldn’t be able to leave that spot for a while, and besides, this tea party was meant for selecting a bride. She couldn’t bear to interfere.

(But they came all this way. I want them to at least enjoy themselves.)

Otilie made up her mind and approached the young ladies.

“Um… if you’d like, would you care to chat over there? There are some really delicious desserts.”

The young ladies all looked up at once, staring intently at Otilie.

“This is my first time being invited to a tea party. I don’t have many people I can call friends, and it doesn’t look like we’ll get to speak with Prince Varick for a while, right? I thought, since we’re here, I’d love to hear about all sorts of things.”

Otilie’s heart pounded. What if they refused? What if they found her annoying or felt uncomfortable? Such worries lingered. But still—

“…You’re right. Waiting here like this, it doesn’t look like our turn will come anytime soon.”

“Thank you. I’m so glad you spoke to me…! It’s unbearable and lonely being alone.”

“I don’t come to the royal capital often either, so I’d love to make friends.”

Seeing their responses, Otilie’s eyes sparkled.

(I’m glad I mustered the courage…!)

“Thank you,” she replied, her face breaking into a full smile.

Then, the group gathered around a table and enjoyed tea and desserts together.

“This is delicious.”

“Really! The royal pastry chefs are in a class of their own.”

“This tea too. It has a mysterious flavor, somehow.”

Since she had carefully selected these with the queen, seeing them enjoy it made her very happy.

After that, they talked endlessly about their territories, local specialties, recent events at evening parties, and fashionable dresses. Listening to all their stories, Otilie laughed many times.

(This is fun. Chatting with other women is so enjoyable.)

Since she usually worked surrounded by men, this felt refreshing. It was much more relaxing than her interactions with the queen, and it felt somehow healing.

“Um, if it’s alright, may I join your conversation? You all look like you’re having so much fun, I’m envious…”

As they chatted, one by one, then two by two, the number of young ladies grew. Before she knew it, a much larger circle had formed than when they started.

(I was thinking maybe I shouldn’t have come, but…)

(I’m so happy to have made friends like this.)

(I have another reason to look forward to coming to the royal capital now.)

Listening to their conversations and inner voices, Otilie breathed a sigh of relief.

(I’m glad…)

This was the tea party she had worked so hard to prepare with the queen. She didn’t want anyone to have a bad time. She had hoped they would enjoy themselves, so she was happy to have achieved that goal.

“…You look like you’re having fun.”

A voice came from behind her.

(Ah…)

When Otilie turned around, her eyes met Varick’s, who was smiling happily. Her heart leaped and raced, while the young ladies at the same table stirred with excitement.

“Your Highness!”

“Prince Varick!”

Their cheeks flushed at Varick’s appearance, whom they hadn’t been able to approach earlier.

“You all looked like you were having so much fun, I wanted to join in. Is that alright?”

“Of course…!”

“Please, let us speak with you!”

Their faces lit up with joy. Everyone seemed thrilled that Varick had spoken to them.

(Thank you, Otilie.)

Suddenly, she heard Varick’s inner voice. When Otilie looked at him, he narrowed his eyes as if dazzled. His expression was so gentle and warm that Otilie felt like she might cry.