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 58

The office was enveloped in a warm, celebratory atmosphere. One of Otilie’s colleagues, Brad, had just gotten engaged.

“Congratulations on your engagement, Brad!”

“Thank you.”

Varick and the other aides offered their congratulations one after another. Brad accepted the congratulatory bouquet from Otilie with an embarrassed smile.

His inner voice was pure happiness. Otilie felt as happy as if it were her own news.

“So, Brad’s finally engaged.”

“That means Lady Airny is the only single one left now.”

“—I have no intention of pursuing marriage until I witness Lord Varick and Lady Otilie’s wedding.”

Airny replied calmly while glancing gently at Otilie. Though unspoken, Otilie knew Airny was eagerly awaiting their marriage and couldn’t help but smile with narrowed eyes.

“Still, chasing after your first love for ten years is incredible.”

“Really, really. Being that devoted takes talent.”

“In my case, my first love was at five years old, and she was a maid fifteen years older…”

The other aides began sharing stories about their own first loves.

(First love, huh)

The men wore nostalgic expressions—but for Otilie, it felt like just yesterday. She instinctively glanced at Varick, who happened to turn toward her at the same moment, making her heart skip a beat.

“Lady Otilie’s first love must be Lord Varick, right?”

“Eh? Um… yes.”

The aides grinned mischievously. Otilie’s cheeks flushed bright red with embarrassment.

[I’m so happy. If we were alone, I’d hug you right now.]

As if whispering in her ear, Varick’s inner voice reached her. Then he gently enveloped her hand in his, making Otilie’s heart race even more.

“What about Lord Varick’s first love?”

This time the topic shifted to Varick. After thinking for a moment, Varick let out a small “Ah…” He covered his mouth and averted his eyes from Otilie for just an instant.

[Oh no. I never expected this reaction…]

[Since it’s Lord Varick, I assumed Lady Otilie was his first love.]

Regretful and apologetic inner voices came from the other aides.

(Lord Varick’s first love)

The earlier excitement vanished without a trace, replaced by a sharp pang in Otilie’s chest. But she couldn’t let Varick notice. Otilie hid her true feelings and continued smiling cheerfully.

Even after the conversation ended and she was on her way to princess education, the haze in Otilie’s heart refused to clear.

(How stupid. No matter what I do, I can’t change the past, and this was years ago anyway.)

Even though she understood, she couldn’t help thinking. What if she had met Varick first? She wanted Varick to have loved only her.

(When did I become so greedy?)

Just recently, she couldn’t even imagine being loved by someone yet now she wanted to monopolize Varick.

How shameful. How foolish.

Unable to accept her own emotions, Otilie covered her face with both hands.

[Farewell, Lady Otilie.]

At that moment, as she heard a woman’s voice, her shoulder was tapped lightly, and an incredible sensation of floating overcame Otilie.

“Eh?”

Her vision blurred, and the feeling in her body gradually faded. How much time had passed? Finally feeling grounded again, Otilie breathed a sigh of relief.

(Thank goodness. For a moment I panicked, wondering what happened.)

As far as she could tell, nothing had changed about herself or her surroundings. Otilie was standing in the same hallway as before.

[She’s an unfamiliar woman? Who could she be?]

But then, she heard a somewhat lisping inner voice from behind. Turning around, Otilie’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Lord Varick…?”

Before her stood a young boy of about seven years old.

But his beautiful golden hair, his differently colored eyes, his expressions and mannerisms—to Otilie, they could only belong to Varick.

(Still, how adorable he is…!)

With large, acorn-like eyes and rosy cheeks, the boy was so cute she wanted to run over and hug him immediately.

“You called my name, so you know me?”

Showing wariness, Varick stared at Otilie as he replied.

(As I thought, this boy is Lord Varick.)

Otilie replied “Yes” while gulping nervously.

If this boy was truly Varick, there were only two possible explanations: either ‘Varick had become younger’ or ‘Otilie had traveled to the past.’

However, remembering the woman tapping her shoulder and the bodily sensation she’d experienced, the latter was probably correct.

(I’ve been sent to the past, haven’t I?)

What should I do? Her heart pounded dokun-dokun.

If she could return to the present after some time passed, that would be fine. But there was no guarantee of that.

Moreover, recalling the inner voice of the woman who sent Otilie to the past—who had said farewell—the situation seemed nothing short of hopeless.

“Are you okay?”

Varick spoke gently, worried about Otilie who looked like she might burst into tears at any moment. Though internally he was desperately wondering whether he could trust her or if she posed any danger, he apparently couldn’t bring himself to ignore someone in distress.

“Thank you, Lord Varick.”

Otilie held back tears as she smiled bravely. No matter how hopeless the situation, knowing Varick was by her side made her feel stronger.

Varick’s eyes widened slightly, and his cheeks flushed faintly pink.

“Um… if it’s okay with me, would you like to talk?”

“Eh?”

Otilie quietly caught her breath.

Meanwhile, back in the present, three days had passed since Otilie went missing, and a large-scale search was underway.

“Where could Otilie have gone?”

Varick furrowed his brow and let out a deeply troubled sigh.

Otilie had disappeared mere minutes after leaving Varick’s office. There was no doubt she’d been caught up in some incident.

Was she safe? —The thought made him unbearably anxious.

(I should have insisted on assigning her a bodyguard.)

Otilie had argued that since they were only engaged and the castle was safe, she didn’t need a guard. But no one could replace Otilie. If she didn’t return—the thought made him feel like he couldn’t go on living.

“Lord Varick! We’ve found someone who knows Lady Otilie’s whereabouts.”

Just then, one of the aides appeared and reported this to Varick.

“Take me to them immediately. I’ll speak with them personally.”

Varick declared with a serious expression and hurried off.

“Lord Varick.”

In the room they were led to, Otilie’s father—Marquis Einhorn—was waiting. The Marquis’s ability was to read others’ memories—using both his and Otilie’s abilities, they had thoroughly investigated everyone who was in the castle on the day of the incident.

“So, where is Otilie?”

“Well… it seems Otilie has been taken to the past.”

The Marquis muttered bitterly. Varick’s eyes widened, and he instinctively covered his mouth with his hand.

“I’ve been trying to get information on how to bring her back, but they keep insisting ‘there’s no way.’ Since I’m using my daughter’s ability to hear inner voices, it seems to be true. Moreover, they say humans sent to the past can’t withstand the distortion of spacetime, and Otilie will disappear soon.”

The Marquis hung his head, tears streaming down his pale face.

“Why did this have to happen? She was finally! Finally going to be happy.”

His voice was so anguished it felt like it would tear the listeners’ hearts apart.

But then, Varick’s expression softened slightly.

“It’s alright. Otilie will definitely return.”

“Eh?”

Everyone presents looked up in surprise.

Varick’s expression showed none of the earlier anxiety or sorrow. It was filled with certainty.