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 57

(I can’t see… anything.)

It was as if all sensation throughout her body had vanished. Otilie’s consciousness wandered through pitch-black darkness.

“Disappear! Quickly, vanish from this world!”

(Ah, that’s right! I must disappear. I must vanish from this world.)

…At that moment, Otilie became completely unable to think of anything else. Her body began moving on its own to fulfill Iama’s wish—for Otilie to disappear.

She squeezed her own throat with both hands, her breathing gradually growing faint. It was painful… but she didn’t even have that sensation now.

“Otilie!”

Varick forcibly pulled Otilie’s hands away. However, Otilie’s eyes remained fixed on the void. She wouldn’t look at Varick.

“Snap out of it, Otilie!”

Varick said this while tightly squeezing Otilie’s hand. He had to quickly dispel the charm’s effect—Varick poured his own ability into her. Yet even after using his ability, Otilie’s condition didn’t change. Rather, her body grew cold and seemed to be weakening rapidly.

“Otilie!”

Varick called Otilie’s name over and over. But there was no response. Was it already too late? …Such anxiety crossed his mind.

“No, that’s wrong. My voice will definitely reach Otilie. I’ll definitely make it reach her.”

While holding Otilie close, Varick told himself this.

◇◆◇

(I must disappear. Quickly. I must not be happy. I must be unhappy. I’m someone who shouldn’t exist in this world.)

Because happiness belongs to Iama. It’s something Otilie shouldn’t possess. Therefore, she must return her entire existence to Iama.

(If only Otilie—if only I—weren’t here—)

Iama’s voice echoed in her head. Iama’s voice became Otilie’s voice. She no longer understood what she was. She couldn’t see. Couldn’t hear. She was being dragged down, down, swallowed by darkness. Disappearing. This is how it should be, Iama’s voice whispered.

(That’s right.)

If only Otilie disappeared, everything would work out. Things would return to how they should be. This was her fate from the beginning. If only she hadn’t met Varick…

[Otilie]

Just as she thought that, a voice suddenly reached her ears. —It was different from both Iama’s and Otilie’s. So, faint she thought she might be mishearing but Otilie definitely heard it. It was calling her name.

[Otilie! Listen to my voice! Otilie!]

A powerful voice. The owner of the voice was clearly seeking—Otilie’s warmth. Her existence.

(…Lord Varick)

Thump! Her body pulsed, and consciousness and sensation returned to Otilie. However, the sheer agony made her writhe in pain.

“Otilie! Otilie, snap out of it!”

Varick firmly lifted Otilie’s body. While slapping her cheeks, he desperately continued calling to her.

(Lord Varick is calling for me.)

I must return. To my beloved Varick.

But in her head, Iama was still screaming. We don’t need you! Disappear! Vanish! Over and over again.

But each time, Varick’s voice pulled Otilie back.

[I need Otilie]

His voice, his heart, warmed Otilie gently yet powerfully. —Otilie’s own voice gradually grew louder.

(I won’t disappear. I want to live. More and more!)

Together with Varick!

Because Otilie had promised to make him happy. She couldn’t disappear here. She would absolutely, absolutely return to Varick!

Gasp! Otilie woke up with a large exhalation. Her breathing was ragged. Her vision was still blurry and unclear.

“Otilie… Otilie!”

A warm drop of liquid fell onto her cheek. It seemed to gently seep into Otilie’s body. Then she was squeezed in a bone-creaking embrace, and Otilie couldn’t help but smile.

“Lord Varick… Please don’t cry. I’m alright now.”

Otilie murmured. Varick stroked her cheek, firmly confirmed her warmth, then hugged her powerfully once more.

[Otilie]

Varick’s voice resonating through her heart and body felt comforting.

Kisses on her cheek, forehead, and eyelids made her body feel light. Their lips met naturally. Her heart, which had been heavy as lead, became light, and Iama’s voice completely disappeared. It was as if the fog covering her mind had completely vanished. Tears spilled from Otilie’s eyes.

“Lord Varick…”

After their lips parted, Otilie gently gazed at Varick. His tear-stained cheeks. Love welled up powerfully within her.

“Because you called for me… because I heard Lord Varick’s voice, I was able to return here.”

The voice that always guided and supported Otilie. The warm person.

The noisy voice of Iama was no longer audible. Because Varick was here. Because she wished to make Varick happy.

“I love you, Otilie”

They gazed at each other, crying and smiling.

After that, the evening party was held as scheduled. Although there were concerns about the lingering effects of the charm, they respected Otilie’s own strong wishes.

“Are you really alright? We could reschedule if it’s too much…”

“I’m fine. I actually feel more energetic than before. Thanks to Lord Varick and… this brooch.”

Saying this, Otilie gently stroked the brooch at her chest.

The blue sapphire memento from her mother that she received from her father. But now, the stone had lost its color and turned transparent.

Apparently, sapphires have protective properties. A gemstone imbued with the wish to protect someone precious. The parental love Otilie had desperately wanted might have protected her—when Varick told her this, Otilie cried a little more.

When the evening party began, Otilie was introduced to the nobles as Varick’s fiancée.

“My… she’s absolutely lovely.”

“I hear she’s excellent as an assistant too.”

“Lady Otilie was the one who resolved the temple incident, wasn’t she? What a remarkable achievement.”

People sighed in admiration at her beautiful, dignified appearance.

Above all, the affectionate bond between the two was heartwarming to witness, and people praised that the country’s future was secure.

As for Iama, the source of all this trouble, it seemed she had exhausted all her ability and energy in her attempt to ruin Otilie. She had become like a doll with its soul gone.

As if lost in a dream, she occasionally muttered deliriously, unable to understand even who she was or where she was. She would likely never regain her sense of self. Confined to a remote facility, she lived quietly.

Three months have passed since then.

Otilie continues to live happily today as Varick’s assistant and fiancée.

Balancing princess education while continuing her work as an assistant is extremely difficult. There’s naturally no precedent. But this was according to Otilie’s own wishes.

“Because I am Lord Varick’s assistant, I want to remain Lord Varick’s assistant.”

Even after engagement, even after marriage. No matter how difficult, she wants to keep working as Varick’s assistant forever. To continue supporting Varick from the closest position… that is Otilie’s wish.

“Yeah… that’s right.”

Varick smiled while leaning close to Otilie.

“Otilie is my excellent assistant, my beloved fiancée, and the most precious, irreplaceable person in the world. There’s no substitute for you anywhere. So, will you stay by my side forever?”

Tap. Their foreheads touched. Varick’s heartbeat conveyed how much he cherished Otilie, making her feel like crying.

“Of course! Please let me stay by your side forever!”

Smiling at each other, they exchanged a kiss.

And so, the mind-reading noble daughter who had everything stolen by her charming older sister obtained her precious person and unparalleled happiness.