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 56

“Prepare the carriage.”

Iama gave the order to the servant. She was dressed in a beautiful, luxurious party dress.

“…Where are you headed?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To the castle. Hurry up. We’ll be late, won’t we?”

Saying this mockingly, Iama furrowed her brow.

It seemed a soirée was being held at the royal castle tonight. Her father had stubbornly kept it hidden, but judging by the timing, it was clearly a gathering to present Otilie as the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

…And yet, none of the maids had offered to help Iama change. Even when Iama called, no one would even come to her room.

(How infuriating. I’ll absolutely ruin it.)

Everything that belonged to Otilie was Iama’s… it was what she should have had by right. Money, the status and honor of being Crown Princess, and even happiness—all of it.

So, she had to take it all back. No matter what.

“I won’t let you go,”

the servant replied. Iama raised her voice, “Hah?”

“What foolishness are you spouting? And just who do you think you’re talking to—”

She lifted her face and flinched, her body trembling. Looking around, she saw that nearly all the mansion’s servants had gathered before her, staring at her coldly.

(What? What is with those looks? This is just like… just like! As if I’m the one at fault! Those expressions should be directed at Otilie, shouldn’t they?!)

Disdain, pity, hatred, and fury—these were the emotions Iama had manipulated the servants into directing at Otilie.

Her chest, her body grew restless. It felt disgusting… Iama unconsciously hugged herself tightly.

“Lady Iama, we will no longer obey your orders. We have caused Lady Otilie much suffering until now. From here on, we wish for her happiness. …Therefore, we cannot allow you to go.”

The head servant spoke. He was someone who had been employed by the Einhorn marquis house since childhood. Until now, he had never once defied Iama’s orders and had been utterly devoted to her, and yet…

(Why? How? Everyone’s gone mad. Ever since that night of the soirée. …It can’t be! That man is the source of it all…!?)

Thump-thump, her heart beat with an unpleasant sound.

The only man unaffected by Iama’s charm, Crown Prince Varick. He might truly be able to nullify her ability. And if he could share that power with others—!

(It all makes sense.)

Little by little, the servants’ behavior had grown strange. The attitude of her brother Aldrich. And even her father abandoning Iama—all of it.

“How far must you torment me before you’re satisfied? …Don’t mess with me!”

In her rage, Iama’s hair bristled. A powerful aura burst forth. The servants in front of her collapsed one after another, losing consciousness. Those further back could barely remain standing.

“Ah, Lady Iama!”

In that moment, Iama dashed out of the mansion. But the servants were as if pinned in place, unable to move. They could only pray for Otilie’s safety.

(Don’t be nervous…)

In the waiting room prepared near the soirée venue, Otilie faced her reflection in the mirror.

The dress she wore was a gift from Varick for this evening. On her chest was her mother’s keepsake brooch. The amethyst and emerald earrings, chosen to match his eye color, made her feel shy, and her heart fluttered a little.

(I’m really going to be engaged to Lord Varick…)

It had been about a year since they first met. Back then, she never imagined she would be chosen as Varick’s marriage partner. …Honestly, she was still filled with disbelief. Every morning when she woke, she had to check that ‘the days until now weren’t just a dream.’

“Otilie,”

Varick arrived in the waiting room. Dressed in a brand-new soirée suit, he looked very gallant, and Otilie couldn’t help but be captivated.

“Are you ready?”

As he asked, Varick looked a little tense himself. Realizing she wasn’t the only one nervous, Otilie felt somewhat relieved.

“…How do I look? Is there anything strange about me?”

At Otilie’s question, Varick’s eyes softened slightly. Then he hugged her tightly.

“Nothing. …You’re incredibly cute.”

Whispering “Really, so cute,” Varick kissed Otilie’s forehead. Her chest, her body felt unbearably sweet. Otilie’s cheeks flushed bright red.

“Shall we go soon?”

Varick held out his hand to Otilie. Just as Otilie smiled and said, “Yes,”

“I won’t let you go, Otilie.”

As the waiting room door opened, a cold voice pierced Otilie. Instantly, all the hairs on her body stood on end, and she began to tremble uncontrollably.

(That voice, it can’t be…)

Too frightened to lift her face, Otilie could still see Varick’s guards collapsed near the door.

“Lady Iama, how did you get here?”

Varick spoke. Otilie gulped.

“How? Hehe… I’ll admit you took various countermeasures, but if I got serious, it was nothing. After all, with my charm ability, there’s no need to force my way through the front. Even His Highness couldn’t possibly have countermeasures against charm for every guest and everyone in the castle, right? Well, it was a bit of a hassle to deal with the guards lying there, but at least I learned your ability isn’t absolute, so I suppose it’s all good?”

Ha ha ha! Laughing loudly, Iama approached the two. Varick hid Otilie behind him, furrowing his brow deeply.

“So? What business do you have with Otilie?”

“Isn’t it obvious? There’s no way someone like Otilie could manage being Crown Princess! I thought I’d take her place. Because an ugly, gloomy, talentless, incompetent, and uncouth woman becoming Crown Princess is unthinkable. Or rather, no one would accept it. Right?”

“…Really?”

“Huh?”

“Looking at Otilie now, do you honestly think that?”

Saying this, Varick gently brought Otilie forward a little. Instantly, Iama’s lips trembled, and her eyes widened.

[What the… what is this!? She’s like a completely different person from a year ago!]

Her skin was radiant, her hair beautiful, her once gaunt body had filled out becomingly, and she had even grown several centimeters taller. Though her features were always well-proportioned, they had matured into something lovelier and more beautiful, and her dignified, refined demeanor would surely draw admiring sighs. Her dress was worn flawlessly, exuding elegance and grace. At the very least, there was no justification for Iama’s insults.

“And it’s not just her appearance. In just one year, Otilie has achieved outstanding results as an aide. Everyone in the castle—no, the entire country—recognizes her excellent work. I won’t let anyone call her incompetent. …They couldn’t possibly. Besides, many people have been saved by her kindness. I’m one of them. And yet you say ‘no one would accept it’? Don’t push this joke too far.”

The strong tone was unlike the usually calm Varick. Iama gritted her teeth.

“Anyway, didn’t I tell you before? I don’t think you’re clever, and I feel no attraction to you. That Lady Iama would never become a candidate for Crown Princess. And yet you want to take Otilie’s place? Isn’t it obviously impossible? More than that, Otilie is irreplaceable to me. No one else could ever take her place. Absolutely no one.”

“Tch…!”

The sharp gaze, the words, seemed to burn through Iama’s entire body. Seething anger welled up from deep within, and Iama clawed at her hair.

[This is unbearable! It’s not supposed to be like this! I took everything from that girl! I was supposed to have taken even her share of happiness! And yet, it’s me who’s being robbed! Father, Brother, the servants! Everyone’s left my side! There’s nothing left for me. It’s all Otilie’s fault!]

Unforgivable. It couldn’t be accepted. Iama sharply lifted her face.

“…Just disappear.”

“Huh?”

“Someone like you should just vanish!”

Instantly, the air around them warped. Iama’s eyes shone intensely, beginning to flash crimson.

[If only Otilie weren’t here, I would have been happier! If only you weren’t here!]

Iama’s scream echoed in Otilie’s mind. Disappear, just vanish! The words made Otilie’s chest ache sharply.

(Is this… Big Sister’s ability running wild?)

The situation was clearly not normal, and Otilie trembled in fear.

“Otilie, close your eyes! Don’t look at Lady Iama’s eyes!”

“But…!”

If this continued, Varick was in danger. Even with his ability, he might not be able to withstand it. Otilie had to protect Varick—.

“Ha ha ha ha! That’s why I say you’re foolish!”

Iama grabbed Otilie by the front of her dress. Iama’s eyes loomed close. In that instant, Otilie’s consciousness wavered and began to fade.

“Ah…”

“Otilie!”

Varick immediately pinned Iama to the floor.

But by then, Iama’s eyes had already lost their light and color.

“Hehe… I should have done this sooner. Much sooner…………”

Tears spilled from Iama’s eyes. A mad laugh echoed through the room. Varick rushed to Otilie’s side.