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 50

Not long after Varick joined Otilie and the others, the tea party came to an end.

“I wish I could have spoken more with Your Highness…!”

“I feel the same way!”

“Truly! Your Highness went and left us for that other table. I was so lonely.”

“Couldn’t we extend the tea party? I want His Highness to get to know me better!”

The high-ranking young ladies (who were also brimming with self-confidence) who had been vying for Varick’s attention since the tea party began had regrouped around him and were clinging to him.

“Yeah… Sorry, but I have important business to attend to now.”

“Oh… I see.”

“How disappointing…”

Though Varick was smiling gently, he seemed inwardly fed up. Otilie couldn’t help but sympathize—it was only natural.

(But what is this important business?)

He had no plans scheduled after this. Thinking he would be tired and would need time to carefully consider the selection of his bride, his aides had arranged his schedule accordingly. If he had made any plans, Otilie should have heard about it.

Meanwhile, one by one, the young ladies began leaving the tea party venue.

[I wonder if His Highness or Her Majesty will stop me? If things continue like this, I’ll really have to go home, you know?]

[I’m sure I’ve been chosen as a candidate for the bride. When will I be summoned to the castle next? …Ah, His Highness is looking this way! I’m so excited…]

But in their hearts, they seemed desperate to stay. The young ladies kept glancing back at Varick and the Queen, sending hopeful looks their way. Varick smiled cheerfully, deftly deflecting their intense gazes.

“Lady Otilie, we absolutely must talk again.”

“Please visit my estate next time? I’d love to go shopping together.”

“Thank you, I’d be delighted.”

Meanwhile, Otilie was exchanging farewells with the young ladies she had met at the tea party, feeling wrapped in warmth.

[I’m glad I got to speak with Lord Varick at the end.]

[I never thought I’d make friends in a place like this. I’ll try writing a letter as soon as I get home. I hope I get a reply.]

(I’m glad.)

As one of the officials who had prepared this tea party, she didn’t want anyone to go home feeling sad.

Listening to the inner voices of the young ladies, Otilie breathed a sigh of relief.

(Well then.)

Cleanup would begin soon. They would surely need extra hands. Though Otilie was one of the invited guests, now that it was over, it didn’t matter. She decided to offer her help—just as she thought that…

“Otilie.”

“Ah… Lord Varick?”

Called from behind by Varick, Otilie turned quietly.

“What is it?”

“…Well. I was thinking I’d like to have tea with you again, just the two of us. I came to invite you.”

He gently offered his palm. The venue buzzed with excitement.

[Lady Otilie has been invited by Prince Varick! Does that mean she’s decided as the next Crown Princess?]

[I know I should be leaving, but I’m so curious. I want to peek.]

[I’m glad it was Lady Otilie that His Highness invited! I was on edge worrying that one of those earlier young ladies might be chosen.]

Since the high-ranking young ladies had already boarded their carriages, only those favorable toward Otilie remained. Even so, she was surprised that Varick had approached her in this manner.

(What should I do? Given the timing, this is going to be misunderstood.)

Though Otilie was his aide, this was the venue for the tea party to select his bride. It was only natural for others to mistakenly think she had been stopped because she was a strong candidate. Otilie timidly looked up at Varick.

“Um, if this is about work, we could discuss it back in the office.”

“It’s not that I want to talk about work. You heard what I said earlier, right? That I have important business. …I wanted to invite you.”

Varick said this while staring intently at Otilie. His gaze was earnest, his expression serious. Fighting the urge to look away, Otilie replied, “I see.”

“Shall we go, then?”

Led by the hand by Varick, Otilie was whisked back to the tea party venue.

As soon as they sat at the table, steaming hot tea was brought over. Unbeknownst to her, cleanup had progressed, and this was the final serving.

(That’s a relief! The atmosphere felt so formal, and being alone with him would have made me too nervous.)

Maids and officials were standing by nearby. Otilie secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank you for preparing the tea. Everyone, you may withdraw.”

(Huh?)

But her relief was short-lived, as Varick gave that order. Before Otilie could stop them, they said, “Understood,” and disappeared.

(What should I do?)

Otilie’s heart pounded loudly. She knew there was no need to be this nervous around Varick—but she couldn’t help imagining all sorts of things, and it made her unbearably embarrassed and apologetic. She shook her head.

(No… that’s not it. Lord Varick just wants to have tea with me. Nothing more, nothing less.)

To hide her nerves, Otilie took a sip from her teacup. The hot tea burned her throat and chest, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

“…Are you nervous, by any chance?”

Varick asked. Otilie’s body stiffened with a start before she quietly shook her head.

“No, not at all…”

“I see. …Well, I’m nervous. I’ve never felt like this before in my life.”

Saying this, Varick placed a hand over his own chest. He looked somewhat uneasy. Otilie’s heart began to race once more.

“Um… It’s fortunate we had such nice weather today, isn’t it? We had discussed arrangements in case of rain with Her Majesty, but since the garden is so beautiful, I’m glad you were able to see it. Many of the young ladies seemed pleased, and… um…………”

Feeling unbearably awkward, Otilie desperately scrambled for topics, but none of them seemed to last. She racked her brain, then glanced briefly at Varick’s face. He was smiling gently, watching her intently.

“Otilie.”

Varick called her name. Otilie replied, “Yes,” and glanced at him. A brief silence fell. Varick took a deep breath.

“—May I continue our conversation from that day?”