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 54

The engagement of Otilie and Varick spread throughout the nation in the blink of an eye. While most people were swept up in celebratory mood, not everyone shared the sentiment. Eventually, the news reached Iama’s ears, and furious shouts echoed through the Einhorn residence.

“What is the meaning of this, Father! Otilie is engaged to Prince Varick?!”

The servants trembled at Iama’s shrill voice. Her father sighed and urged her to sit down.

“You must be joking? When did this happen? First of all, selecting a crown princess should follow certain procedures, shouldn’t it? Announcing an engagement so suddenly will cause backlash from other nobles! There’s no way this could be accepted…”

“Actually, Her Highness hosted a tea party recently to select Prince Varick’s bride. So, it’s not entirely without procedure.”

“Huh?”

Iama raised her voice again.

“What’s that? I never heard about any tea party! Why!? Why wasn’t I invited! Me, who’s more beautiful and suitable to be princess than anyone else! Why!?”

Though taken aback by her ferocity, her father gave her a sharp look.

“There’s a clear reason. Iama, you were excluded from consideration due to your misconduct.”

“Misconduct…? That’s ridiculous. What misconduct could I possibly have committed?”

Her father didn’t answer Iama’s question. Trembling with rage, she slammed the table with a bang.

“I see. It’s actually Otilie’s fault, isn’t it? That girl must have given false advice to Her Highness to sabotage me! That’s why I wasn’t invited to the tea party! Why I wasn’t even considered as a candidate for crown princess! It must be!”

“Iama…”

“Then it’s not too late! Tell them to restart the selection process, Father! I absolutely cannot accept this! There’s no way.”

“Iama!”

Her father cut her off with a loud voice. Iama flinched and closed her mouth.

“It’s already decided. No matter how much you throw a tantrum, this time there’s nothing that can be done.”

“This time? …You always say that! You’re always like this, Father. No matter how much I begged, you never brought Otilie back, and you never listened to anything I said! It’s cruel! Why are you being so cruel to me!? Why!?”

“Well…”

Her father stared intently into Iama’s eyes.

“On the contrary, why has Father been listening to you until now? …Why should I have to listen to you? Tell me, Iama?”

“Eh?”

Her expression was as if she’d been snapped out of a spell. Iama’s heart pounded with an unpleasant thump-thump.

(What does he mean…?)

It was natural for her father and the servants to obey Iama. After all, that was the power of her charm—her brainwashing ability. Why was he questioning this now? Was he planning to defy her—?

“Anyway, it’s already decided. Understand? Don’t interfere with Otilie anymore. …Alright?”

With those words, her father left Iama’s room. Her nails dug into her palms, causing sharp pain. But the pain in her heart was even greater. A humiliation she’d never experienced before. Hatred burned within Iama.

“Unforgivable.”

This couldn’t end like this. Iama ignited the flames of revenge.

“An engagement announcement party?”

“Yes. It’s tradition to gather nobles from across the country and introduce the future princess.”

Varick answered Otilie’s question.

Today was a day off work. Otilie had been summoned to Varick’s private chambers, and they were having tea together.

“Future princess…”

While it was indeed true, hearing it put into words made her nervous. Though resolved to marry, she couldn’t help feeling the pressure.

“It’s alright, Otilie. I’ll be with you.”

Their hands remained tightly clasped. He kissed the back of her hand. Feeling her cheeks flush warmly, Otilie nodded with a soft “Mm-hmm.”

“But the only ball I’ve attended was the first night I met you, Your Highness, I’m worried if I can conduct myself properly.”

At home, she had only learned basic etiquette like formal greetings and how to bow to royalty. But this time, she would attend as the crown prince’s fiancée, so she needed to behave even more properly than before.

“Yes, I know. We’ll have to dance at this ball too, so we should practice together. We also need to prepare an exceptionally lovely dress—there’s so much to do before the ball. But…”

“But?”

Varick paused there, then hugged Otilie with an untroubled smile.

“I’m so excited! I want to show you off to everyone soon. To tell them my fiancée is such a wonderful, lovely woman.”

“Your Highness…”

Otilie’s heart pounded loudly. But it seemed she wasn’t the only one, Varick felt the same.

“I’m looking forward to it too.”

Returning his embrace, Otilie answered with a beaming smile.

Time flew by, and the day of the ball was finally tomorrow. Otilie worked as usual, her tension mounting.

“Otilie, could you stay after work today? There’s someone I want you to meet.”

“Someone you want me to meet?”

Who could it be? Holding her doubts, Otilie worked diligently in silence.

Finally, when the workday ended and the other aides had left the office, she got her answer.

“Otilie.”

“Brother?”

The visitor was Aldrich. Gently embraced, Otilie felt warmth spread through her chest.

“Long time no see, Otilie.”

“Yes. I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Brother.”

This was the first time she’d seen Aldrich since the temple matter was resolved. Though they’d exchanged letters a few times since then, she felt strangely nostalgic.

“But why are you here, Brother?”

“I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement… to tell you ‘congratulations’ in person. Tomorrow, nobles will probably come nonstop, and we won’t have time to talk properly. His Highness arranged this opportunity for us.”

As he patted her head affectionately, Otilie nearly teared up.

“I see. Brother, thank you.”

“Yes. Truly, congratulations, Otilie. …And also, there’s one more person who came to congratulate you.”

Aldrich glanced toward the door. …But no one was there. Just as Otilie tilted her head in confusion, faint footsteps could be heard after a moment.

“Eh…?”

The moment she saw the other visitor, Otilie couldn’t help but gasp.

“…Long time no see, Otilie.”

Standing there was Otilie’s father—Marquis Einhorn.