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 8

“Ah, Lady Iama.”

Varick smiled pleasantly while hiding Otilie behind him. He glanced back at Otilie for just a moment.

[Stay here]

(…Huh?)

Varick’s mental voice echoed in her head. Otilie tilted her head slightly.

[I still have things I want to discuss with you. But it seems I can’t keep your sister waiting any longer.]

(Things you want to tell me…?)

Otilie had no idea what that might be. However, it probably wasn’t something that could be conveyed through one-sided mental communication alone.

“May I greet His Highness as well? I’ve been truly looking forward to this day when I could finally meet you.”

[Now then, hurry up and fall under my spell?]

Iama narrowed her eyes slightly. Otilie gasped sharply.

(What should I do! His Highness shouldn’t know about sister’s ability!)

Earlier, their father had only informed the Queen about Iama’s ability. Since Varick had been standing some distance away, he shouldn’t have heard their conversation.

(I need to find a way to tell His Highness about this.)

However, there was no way for Otilie to send mental messages to Varick. Moreover, since Otilie didn’t know how Iama used her ability, she had no idea how to counter it either.

[I see… So, it’s a mental interference type ability.]

Just then, Varick’s mental voice reached her. Otilie looked up sharply, staring intently at Varick.

[‘Charm’—no, given its strength, it might be more accurate to call it ‘brainwashing.’ What do you think? …Lady Otilie, if my assessment is correct, could you squeeze my left hand?]

Looking over, Varick had casually placed his hand behind his back. Otilie hurriedly grasped his hand.

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Iama. It’s an honor to make your acquaintance.”

After waiting for Otilie’s response, Varick returned Iama’s greeting. Iama’s brow twitched slightly.

[Why? Why isn’t my ability working? He should be kneeling before me, begging for my love.]

(…Huh? Has sister already activated her ability?)

Since Varick was acting so normally, Otilie hadn’t realized Iama was trying to charm him. Still, if that was the case, it was also mysterious how Varick had figured out Iama’s ability.

“I’ve attended so many evening parties hoping to meet you, Your Highness. Though I hadn’t been able to meet you until tonight…”

“Unfortunately, official duties keep me busy. I prefer to conduct social affairs through official business. You’d be surprised how much information you can gather that way. I’ve heard quite a bit about you too. They say you’re a very captivating woman.”

“Oh, how delightful! Do I appear captivating in Your Highness’s eyes as well?”

“Yes, of course. Very captivating, indeed.”

At Varick’s words, Iama’s eyes sparkled.

(Perhaps Lord Varick deduced her ability from the rumors about sister? That’s why he could resist the charm? But what about now? Is the charm starting to take effect?)

There were many things she wanted to know, but Varick’s mental voice remained silent. Otilie watched their exchange anxiously.

“Actually, recently there have been numerous broken engagements among nobles at evening parties. And the cause is always the same, on the man’s side. They declare before other attendees, ‘I’ve become captivated by another woman. I cannot marry you.'”

“Oh my, such things…! Those poor young ladies who had their engagements broken.”

While responding this way, Iama laughed quietly in her heart.

[How pitiful to lack sufficient charm. Really, if they don’t want their partners stolen, they shouldn’t parade them around at parties with other women. They should keep them safely hidden away.]

(Huh…?)

Could Iama be the cause? If she was deliberately charming engaged men and ruining their marriages; this was serious.

[Just as I thought. Her ability seems to require eye contact with the target.]

(Eye contact?)

Then Varick’s mental voice reached her again. Otilie subtly observed his expression from behind.

[Of course, Lady Iama is a woman of beautiful appearance, but she doesn’t captivate and control others through her mere existence. That’s why not everyone who sees her falls under her spell. Also, merely exchanging glances once doesn’t have that significant an effect. It seems she needs a certain amount of time or repeated contact to control someone at will. And I suspect the effects aren’t permanent either.]

(So that’s how it is…)

Despite having grown up in the same household for sixteen years, Otilie knew nothing about Iama’s ability. However, Varick’s hypothesis made perfect sense. The etiquette instructor had started acting strange several days after lessons began, likely after coming into contact with Iama. Plus, not everyone at this venue appeared charmed by Iama. Varick must have discerned these facts in just a short time.

[—What’s going on!? Prince Varick doesn’t seem charmed by me at all! We’ve made eye contact so many times already! This has never happened before! Why!? Why is this happening!?]

Iama’s voice reached her, almost like a scream. She seemed to be panicking.

[This is getting nowhere. I need to get closer to His Highness.]

No sooner had she heard this than Iama suddenly stumbled. Varick caught her. She smiled slyly with her head still lowered.

“Oh, Prince Varick… My apologies. I felt a bit dizzy.”

Iama slowly raised her face. She was now much closer to Varick than before.

“Thank you for helping me… And yet, Your Highness, your eyes are so beautiful. I can’t help but be mesmerized. Please let me see them closer. Oh, I feel like I might stop breathing.”

Saying this, Iama gently touched Varick’s cheek. Stroking the area around his eyes, she let out a seductive sigh.

[This should definitely charm His Highness.]

While wearing an exquisite smile, Iama gazed passionately at Varick. Varick looked into her eyes and smiled back pleasantly.

“That sounds serious. You should return to your estate immediately.”

“…………Huh?”

Instantly, Iama’s smile stiffened. Varick called a nearby servant and handed Iama over to them.

“Please inform Marquis Einhorn. Tell him Lady Iama is returning home due to feeling unwell. And since I’m concerned, he should accompany her. Add that it’s by my command.”

“Yes, sir.”

The servant tried to lead Iama to the Marquis. However, Iama shook her head and forcefully pushed the servant away.

“Wait a moment! I’m perfectly fine. I just felt a little dizzy…”

“Didn’t you say you felt like you might stop breathing? You shouldn’t underestimate dizziness. Besides, if it’s a contagious illness, that would be troublesome. You wouldn’t want to inconvenience others, would you?”

“Th-that was just a figure of speech. I’m not actually unwell…”

Iama’s cheeks flushed red with humiliation.

“And also—”

Varick smiled pleasantly while subtly winking at Otilie.

“We can’t have broken engagements occurring at evening parties attended by us royals.”

“Such…! That wasn’t my fault—”

“I never said ‘it’s your fault.’ I merely pointed out that Lady Iama was present every time these broken engagements occurred. And your name came up as the woman those nobles claimed to be captivated by. So, I’m simply saying it would be undesirable for you to continue attending these parties.”

“Wh…!”

[What is this!? He’s basically saying I’m to blame! This is… this is utterly humiliating!]

Immediately, Iama’s furious scream reached her. Otilie gasped sharply.

[It’s alright.]

Then came Varick’s voice. He squeezed Otilie’s hand and gently narrowed his eyes.

[Like this, you can’t hear her. So, there’s no need to be afraid.]

As soon as Varick spoke, Iama’s voice somehow grew distant. Judging by her expression, she was probably still screaming complaints about Varick in her heart. But as if her ears were blocked, it no longer reached Otilie’s mind.

When Varick gave another signal, the servant led Iama away. As a frightened Otilie tried to follow, Varick gently stopped her.

“Ah, you needn’t worry about Lady Otilie. We still have matters to discuss, and I’ll ensure she returns to the estate in a separate carriage.”

“Huh? But…”

[You wouldn’t want to ride in the same carriage as Lady Iama in her current state, would you?]

Varick’s voice reached her. Otilie nearly burst into tears.

“Wh-why!? Why is it always Otilie—!”

With a frustrated, contorted expression, Iama was led away from Varick and the others. Otilie couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed at the situation.