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 9

“Well, that takes care of the nuisance.”

Varick spoke. Otilie stared at him intently, unable to hide her surprise.

“Your Highness Varick, just what are you…?”

“Think about it? What kind of ability do you think I have?”

It seemed Varick wanted Otilie to find the answer on her own. Smiling slightly, he tilted his head just a bit.

(His Highness Varick’s ability)

There was no doubt he possessed a special power. Varick’s mother had the blood of the Einhorn family, and glimpses of it could be seen in his exchanges with Iama. Otilie pieced together the events so far and eventually arrived at one conclusion.

“Your Highness Varick is unaffected by our abilities—no, you can choose whether to be affected or not, can’t you?”

“Exactly right. Good. I’m glad you managed to figure it out on your own.”

Laughing happily, Varick patted Otilie’s head. Otilie was so startled she nearly jumped.

“U-um, Your Highness. I’ve never had anyone do something like this to me before. I don’t know what the correct reaction is.”

“Is that so… Then, just react however you feel. If you dislike it, I’ll stop right away. If you’re happy, I won’t stop. I’ll properly gauge how you’re feeling, so don’t worry.”

“How I’m feeling…?”

Until now, Otilie had lived suppressing her emotions as much as possible. If she didn’t, she’d be crushed by sadness and pain. Inside the mansion, only despair existed, making it painful just to be alive.

But now, having come to the royal palace and spoken with Varick, Otilie was beginning to remember emotions other than despair.

(Right now…)

She felt embarrassed. At the same time, her heart felt slightly warm.

This was the first time she’d ever been praised, touched, or treated kindly by someone. Surely this must be the emotion called ‘happiness.’

(I’m… happy.)

Once she thought that, for some reason her eyes grew hot. Otilie sniffled quietly, hoping Varick wouldn’t notice.

“Getting back to our earlier conversation, I can repel not just the Einhorn family’s abilities, but all abilities. That’s why no matter how much Miss Iama tries to charm me, it has no effect. However, I don’t indiscriminately repel all abilities. If I wish it, I can accept the influence of abilities, and I can even share my own ability with others. Like when I spoke to you inside your mind, or made it so you couldn’t hear Miss Iama’s inner voice.”

Listening to Varick’s explanation, Otilie let out an admiring sigh.

“That’s amazing…! I can’t control my ability at all. I hear the inner voices of everyone present…”

“Abilities depend on how you train them. I think you have plenty of room to grow from here. Your ability in particular, Miss Otilie, is one that can only be honed through repeated dialogue with people. Because of the environment you grew up in, right now you can only unilaterally hear inner voices, but you probably can choose not to ‘hear’ them, and you might even be able to initiate conversations yourself. I think it’s an ability with infinite potential.”

“Infinite potential…?”

It made her genuinely happy to hear her ability had room for growth. But the thought of conversing with others inside that mansion was terrifyingly daunting. She’d probably break down before she could even train her ability. Thinking that made her reluctant. Just imagining it made her stomach clench sharply.

“Hey, Miss Otilie. Earlier, you said I was amazing.”

“Yes. I envy you, Your Highness… I truly think it’s a wonderful ability.”

Not understanding why he’d bring that up, Otilie tilted her head slightly.

“Thank you. But when I was young, I didn’t like my ability.”

“Eh?”

So surprised, Otilie reflexively asked him to repeat. Varick narrowed his eyes gently.

“You didn’t like it? …Really?”

“Really. Because my ability doesn’t let me do anything by myself, you know? My mother has the ability to see the future and protects the country splendidly, yet I can’t do anything without others’ abilities. I was frustrated, resentful, and sulky for quite a long time. But there’s no point in wishing for what you don’t have. I realized that one day, quite abruptly. So, I decided to change my approach.”

“Change your approach?”

“Yes. If I don’t have something, I can gather it. Not limited to the Einhorn family, I decided to gather all sorts of talented people around me.”

Varick’s expression looked somewhat nostalgic. Otilie stared at him intently.

“Gathering talented people…”

Muttering, Otilie gently pressed a hand to her chest. She was feeling an anxiety she’d never experienced before. Part of her wanted to seal her heart and pretend not to see. —But that wouldn’t change anything. Resolving herself, Otilie peered into her own emotions.

(I’m… envious of the people whose talent His Highness Varick has recognized.)

That must be the name of this feeling. The moment she named it, the fog in her chest seemed to clear somewhat.

If Otilie could use her own ability more skillfully, would Varick have recognized her? Would he have needed her? Could she have stayed by his side more? Thinking that made her body feel restless.

“Um… What did you think of my sister’s ability?”

“Miss Iama’s? Well… I think there are many situations where it could be useful, but I don’t ‘want’ it.”

“Is that so?”

Otilie didn’t really understand what the royal family’s work entailed. But Iama’s ability to manipulate others’ minds must surely be convenient. The reply was so unexpected, Otilie was astonished.

“Why don’t you need it?”

“Because it’s more fun to get what you want by yourself, right?”

Saying that, Varick showed a carefree smile. Otilie’s heart thumped loudly.

“Rather than forcing obedience through charm or brainwashing, I want people to properly understand and follow me by their own will. So, Miss Iama’s ability is unnecessary for me. I don’t find it attractive either.”

“…I see.”

Otilie replied while feeling somewhat relieved.

(Then, what about my ability?)

How wonderful it would be if she could ask that. But right now, she had no confidence at all.

(Even so…)

If she let this chance slip away, she might never even be able to convey these feelings. Otilie took a deep breath and turned to face Varick.

“Your Highness Varick, if someday I become stronger. If I can properly face my own power, may I request an audience with you again?”

Her voice trembled with nervousness.

This was the first time she’d ever conveyed her own feelings to someone like this. Before, she would have declared it ‘absolutely impossible,’ but now there was a part of her that didn’t want to give up without trying anything.

“Of course. I’ll look forward to it.”

Varick said that and took Otilie’s hand. His palm was large, warm, and strong. Courage filled Otilie’s empty heart and body. When Otilie smiled, Varick’s cheeks flushed slightly.

[…She’s cute.]

“Eh?”

Was that remark directed at Otilie? While Varick was explaining his ability, she hadn’t heard his inner voice at all. She’d assumed he was deliberately repelling her ability to avoid confusing her.

(Could it be he let me hear that on purpose? That I’m cute? To cheer me up? …Or does His Highness still not realize I can ‘hear’ it?)

Otilie’s cheeks turned crimson. Varick stared at her face intently for a moment, then let out a loud “Ah…!”

He hurriedly averted his gaze, then awkwardly covered his mouth.

“Sorry, I let my guard down.”

“Let your guard down?”

Echoing his words, Otilie looked up at Varick gently.

“That is… I said at the beginning that ‘I wouldn’t mind if you heard my inner voice,’ and I truly meant it, but… it’s pretty embarrassing, huh. Precisely because it’s my true feelings, it’s even more so.”

“Eh…?”

Otilie repeated Varick’s line in her mind, her heart starting to pound.

(So, those words earlier were His Highness’s true feelings? Really?)

She wanted to confirm, but she could no longer hear Varick’s inner voice at all. Instead, Varick’s cheeks were stained a surprisingly deep red.

Though bewildered, Otilie ended up letting out a soft chuckle.