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 53

After enjoying tea with Airny, Otilie returned to the castle in the carriage he had prepared for her. It was completely dark all around, with the moon and stars shining beautifully at the top of the sky.

(Lord Varick, I wonder what you’re doing right now?)

Since she had left work on time, she didn’t know what he was up to. Was he still in his office? Thinking such thoughts, Otilie slowly made her way through the garden. On such a lovely moonlit night, surely taking a little detour wouldn’t be a sin. Letting out a soft sigh, Otilie gently looked up at the sky.

(Tomorrow, I’ll talk to Lord Varick.)

Why couldn’t Otilie respond to Varick’s feelings? As Airny had said, she shouldn’t make him wait any longer.

Truthfully, she was terribly frightened and lacked courage. The thought of Varick marrying another woman made her chest unbearably tight, and she felt like running away. Even so, precisely because she cared for him, Otilie had to make a decision.

(Because I want Lord Varick to be happy.)

For Varick, who had saved her. For him, whom she cherished more than anyone else. …Please, be happy. And for that to happen, an Otilie who couldn’t believe in herself wouldn’t do.

(How frustrating…)

How wonderful would it have been if Otilie could confidently say, “I can make Varick happy”? If she could have responded to his feelings with a smile, she surely would have been incredibly happy. Varick might have been delighted too. But even as she thought that, the shadows of Iama and the servants flickered in Otilie’s mind.

Certainly, she had gained some confidence in her work. She also took pride in having things only she could do.

But when it came to “Otilie herself” apart from her work, that was a different story.

She had been told things like “You should just die” and “You’re worthless” for so long. It was only natural she couldn’t feel confident. Of course, it was Varick who had recognized her value and encouraged her despite all that.

[This hurts…]

Just then, a voice carried on the wind reached her.

(This… is Lord Varick’s voice.)

There was no way Otilie could mistake it. Was he feeling unwell? Otilie hurriedly searched for Varick.

And just a little further ahead, she found him immediately. He wasn’t crouching or clutching his chest, he was simply gazing up at the moon.

(What is he doing here without any guards?)

It seemed he wasn’t unwell after all. Hesitating whether to call out to him, Otilie quietly observed Varick’s demeanor.

[I wonder what it would take for Otilie to like me? …Will she ever return my feelings?]

Then, Varick’s inner voice reached her again.

(Huh? That was about me?)

The moment she realized it, a painful, clawing anguish and impatience flooded through Otilie’s body.

(Lord Varick.)

Until now, Varick had done his best not to let Otilie hear his true feelings. Not because he would be troubled if she heard his inner voice, but because he didn’t want to confuse her. He had once said he wanted to give Otilie who had to unwillingly hear so many people’s inner voices every day even a little rest.

But perhaps he had desperately wanted to tell her. To have her hear it. His suffering. The fact that he was carrying such immense feelings all alone. That he was tormented, waiting impatiently for Otilie’s answer.

Even so, because he cherished Otilie so much, he had desperately kept hiding it.

[Otilie.]

I want to touch her.

I want to hold her.

I want to tell her I love her.

…I want to be with her forever.

—Those weren’t heard as words or an inner voice. But Otilie understood. They were undoubtedly emotions directed from Varick to Otilie.

“Lord Varick.”

Having made up her mind, Otilie called out to Varick. He made a small “Ah!” sound and for just a moment showed an embarrassed expression. Then, as always, he smiled with extreme gentleness.

“Otilie, you were invited for tea by Airny today, right? Did you have fun?”

It was as if the inner voice she had heard moments before was a lie. Varick narrowed his eyes gently and gazed at Otilie.

“If you stay out here, you’ll catch a cold. I’ll have someone escort you to your room, so soon…”

“I… like you, Lord Varick.”

Otilie said it. Varick’s eyes widened. “Huh?” he uttered.

“I love you, Lord Varick. I cherish you more than anyone, more than anything. I love you so much it’s hopeless…!”

It was the inner voice Otilie had carefully nurtured. Her most precious feeling. Just putting it into words made tears spill over. Wiping the tears that fell endlessly, Otilie’s shoulders trembled.

“Otilie, really? You like me?”

Varick embraced Otilie’s shoulders. Otilie nodded with a small “Mm-hmm,” still looking down.

“…!”

A sharp intake of breath. Then, she was hugged so tightly by Varick it felt like her body might creak.

“But that’s exactly why I think I’m not fit to be your consort.”

“That’s not true.”

Varick kissed Otilie’s cheek. Otilie gently shook her head.

“I want Lord Varick to be happier than anyone. But I don’t have the confidence that I can make you happy.”

“Then all the more, you have to marry me.”

“…Huh?”

Before a bewildered Otilie could ask why, Varick knelt down.

“You don’t need confidence. Because I couldn’t be happy marrying any woman but you. …It has to be you, Otilie.”

His intense gaze, his serious expression, burned in Otilie’s chest. Varick’s tears wet her left hand. The strong, fierce emotion shown by the always rational Varick. It was closer to a plea than a proposal.

“Otilie, if you want me to be happy, then stay by my side forever. Make me happy. …I’ll definitely make you happy too.”

The palm Varick held was warm and very strong. Hesitantly, Otilie gently squeezed back.

“…Are you really sure it’s okay if it’s me?”

In response to Otilie’s question, Varick nodded firmly.

“It has to be you. Absolutely, I can’t imagine anyone but you.”

Held tightly again, Otilie instinctively closed her eyes. Her whole body, her heart, felt burning hot and sweet.

An intense happiness she had never experienced before. The joy of wanting and being wanted, the exhilaration of mutual understanding was something she might never experience again. Otilie rested her face against Varick’s chest and hugged him back.

“And you know, even if you had refused, I had no intention of giving up.”

“Huh? Really?”

Otilie’s eyes widened in surprise.

Since he had asked for her opinion instead of commanding her, she had assumed that if she refused, that would be the end of it.

“If you had said no, I was going to stop pretending to be understanding and try to win you over. No matter how long it took, no matter how undignified it looked, I was determined to show you how much I love you, to tell you I want you to choose me. Because I can’t imagine anyone but you.”

“To think you were considering such a thing.”

Unexpectedly, Otilie’s whole body grew hot. Varick smiled happily and hugged Otilie again.

“Ah… I’m so happy. Hey, this isn’t a dream, is it?”

Tap. Their foreheads touched. The sound of Varick’s heartbeat, the heat of his skin, came through directly, and Otilie shook her head.

“It’s not a dream.”

She still didn’t have much confidence in herself. But because Varick said he was happy… because she wanted him to be happy. So now, Otilie wouldn’t hesitate anymore.

“Once again, will you marry me?”

Varick asked. He wanted her to choose him of her own will—sensing that feeling of his, Otilie let a soft “Fufu” escape her lips as she smiled.

“…Yes.”

Varick’s overjoyed smile warmed Otilie’s chest.

(Lord Varick, I will definitely make you happy.)

Whispering that in her heart, Otilie too broke into a full, beaming smile.