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 61

It happened when a lead was found regarding the temple incident, turning Varick’s office into a city that never sleeps.

“Lord Varick and Ms. Otilie, it’s about time you returned to your rooms,” said Airny while checking the clock. The date had changed long ago, and all the aides were rubbing their eyes. Documents of every kind were piled high on the desks, showing no signs of being cleared away anytime soon.

“No, please let me stay a bit longer. I’m not sleepy yet, and I can keep working.”

After hearing Otilie’s reply, Airny shook her head.

“That won’t do. Without proper sleep, your efficiency will drop. If this were a task that could be wrapped up in a day or two, it would be different, but this will be a long haul. Please go back and rest now.”

“But you and the others are staying, aren’t you?”

“We are, but we’ll be taking turns napping in this room from now on. We can’t have a woman like you doing something like that, so please return to your room.”

“But! …Yes, you’re right.”

Neither Airny nor the other aides wanted to exclude Otilie. They weren’t trying to discriminate against her because she was a woman. They were simply concerned that it wouldn’t be proper for her to engage in long overnight work or sleep alongside men.

Airny in particular was genuinely worried about Otilie, thinking, Ms. Otilie must be exhausted from using her abilities, and I don’t want her to collapse. She’s essential to the investigation.

(But I want to work alongside everyone else…)

As Otilie slumped dejectedly, Varick patted her shoulder.

“Otilie, I understand how you feel. But let’s call it a night and go rest. If you ruin your health, we’ll lose everything.”

“…Understood.”

As Otilie gathered her belongings, she let out a small sigh, careful that no one would notice.

It was the first time she had ever felt so frustrated about being born a woman. She also felt strongly apologetic toward her colleagues who were still working, and she couldn’t help but wonder if there was any way she could stay. Of course, the other aides besides Airny wouldn’t be pleased if she did—Otilie, who could read their minds, knew that all too well.

“Shall we go, then?”

Urged by Varick, Otilie left the office. With a lingering reluctance, she glanced back at the office door.

(I wish they’d tell me it’s okay to come back…)

But knowing Airny’s personality, she would never yield.

She would bid Varick goodnight and return to her room—or so she thought.

“I’ll walk you to your room.”

When Varick said that, Otilie’s eyes widened.

“That’s…! No, you mustn’t. You need to rest soon. If you escort me to my room, you’ll lose precious time.”

“It’s fine. Truth be told, I’d rather stay in the office and work with everyone too. But I know Airny won’t budge, so I have no choice but to return to my room.”

“Even so, I can’t allow that. I’ll be perfectly fine on my own.”

Though she knew it was rude, Otilie replied while quickening her pace toward her private quarters. But Varick, as if determined not to let her escape, followed closely behind.

“Even if it is within the castle walls, it’s dangerous for a girl to be alone at this hour, isn’t it? Or rather, I’m worried about you, Otilie.”

“Th-then, if you could just assign one knight to accompany me, that would be…”

“No.”

Varick’s reply was unusually firm, making Otilie stop in her tracks.

“Let me walk you… Please.”

Her hand was taken, and as he gazed directly at her, Otilie’s heart gave a thump.

“Well, then… I’ll be in your care.”

When she hesitantly replied, Varick smiled happily.

They walked side by side along the path to the tower where the servants lived. A knight followed at a slight distance, providing escort.

(I feel so terribly sorry about this.)

It pained her to trouble Varick and the knight like this. As Otilie pressed her lips together, Varick asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry. I was just thinking… if I had been born a man, maybe I could have been more useful to you, Lord Varick…”

Hearing Otilie’s reply, Varick’s eyes widened. “Huh!?”

“Why? If you were a man, I’d be troubled. Or rather, I’d absolutely hate it.”

“But if I were a man, I would have had more stamina, I could have napped in the office, and there would have been no need for you to escort me like this.”

Gazing at Otilie, whose eyebrows were downturned in a slight frown, Varick narrowed his eyes gently.

“There are things only women can do. You don’t need to worry about it like that.”

“…Is that so?”

Even so, it was frustrating, and tears welled in Otilie’s eyes.

“Besides, wanting to walk you home is my own selfish desire. If you think of it that way, it makes me a little sad… I guess.”

Varick’s eyebrows lowered slightly. Flustered, Otilie said, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. This is my selfishness, my whim.”

As he said that, Varick gently squeezed Otilie’s hand. Her heart leaped with a thump.

“You see! I didn’t want to yield this to anyone else.”

“Huh?”

Their steps halted almost unconsciously. With a serious expression, Varick looked at Otilie and reached his right hand toward her cheek.

“I didn’t want to let anyone else have the role of escorting you to your room.”

Swoosh—her cheek was gently stroked. His touch and gaze were as if handling a precious treasure, and Otilie found herself staring, forgetting to breathe.

(What should I say in response?)

Her heart was beating so fast she thought it might leap out of her chest. She grew afraid that her feelings might be revealed through the hand touching hers, through her cheek.

“—So please, don’t trouble yourself over it.”

How much time had passed? Varick broke the long silence and patted Otilie’s head softly.

“…Understood.”

Hand in hand, the two began walking slowly again.

(I wonder what Lord Varick is thinking right now?)

She couldn’t hear his inner voice at all. Of course, Varick usually used his nullification ability to prevent Otilie from hearing his thoughts as much as possible, but for some reason, she desperately wanted to know how he felt.

Before she knew it, they had reached the tower where the servants lived. Otilie turned to face Varick and bowed her head. “Thank you very much.”

“Yeah.”

Varick narrowed his eyes and smiled, then reluctantly released Otilie’s hand.

“Goodnight, Otilie.”

Pat pat—he stroked her head as if soothing a child, and Otilie gently closed her eyes.

(It seems like I might have a good dream tonight.)

Her heart and body felt warm and fuzzy. Looking up at Varick, Otilie smiled brightly.

“Goodnight, Lord Varick. May you have sweet dreams.”

At that, Varick’s eyes widened quietly, and he hesitated for a moment. Then, leaning close to Otilie’s ear, he softly embraced her.

“Yeah. Well then, see you later.”

“…Huh?”

Leaving a bewildered Otilie behind, Varick turned on his heel.

(See you later…?)

Indeed, in just a few hours, today’s work hours would begin. But still, the phrasing felt oddly out of place. As she tilted her head in confusion and was about to return to her room.

I want to see Otilie in my dreams too. So, is it okay if I come see you?

“…………Huh?”

Hearing Varick’s inner voice, Otilie felt as if her heart might stop. Her eyes met his as he glanced back. Under his heated gaze and gentle smile, she felt as if all the blood in her body were boiling.

(In my dreams… I wonder if I’ll even be able to sleep properly.)

Covering her face with both hands, Otilie let out a warm, shaky breath.