I’m Just a Counselor

“So I told you, then…” 

After breakfast, Estella sat near the window and chirped away.

 

She seemed to like the goulash for breakfast. The chef made a new version of the chicken stir-fry last time, and when I took a glimpse of it, Estella was in tears.

 

‘It seems like Estella is impressed with everything I do after the rosé tteokbokki…’

 

Anyway, I’m glad she’s feeling more fulfilled in my work these days.

 

I was pouring Estella a cup of black tea as she chatted away, when I suddenly noticed something that had been bothering me from earlier and asked.

 “Estella, what’s that bracelet? I haven’t seen it before.” 

There on Estella’s wrist was a bracelet she had never seen before.

 

Estella’s eyes widened as she looked at me, but then she smiled and answered.

 “Lord Kianton gave it to me! He was wandering the streets and thought of me and bought it.” “Yeah…” “I thought he was some kind of nuisance, but he’s surprisingly friendly. There must be something wrong with the crown prince after all.” 

I only smiled at Estella’s comment.

 

‘Kianton, you bastard, you ignored me and gave this gift directly to Estella?’

 

I grit my teeth, remembering Kianton driving me home last night. No matter how you slice it, you’re out, asshole.

 “Do you like the bracelet?” “Yes!” 

I’d never seen one before…, but I’ll give Estella credit for quickly picking up on her taste…

 “But sis, you can tell this bracelet is new?” “It’s Estella’s, of course I recognize it.” “You’re so attentive~! You’re my favorite.” 

Estella smiled and threw her arms around me.

 

I hugged her back, patted her on the back, and pushed the teacup in front of her.

 

Just then, Estella pointed out the window and exclaimed.

 “Oh, look, there’s my brother!” “…….” 

Intrigued, I put down my own cup and cautiously looked out the window. True to Estella’s words, I saw a group of men exiting the gates.

 

All of them were armed with basically solid armor, some with huge battle axes on their backs, and some with what looked like harpoons. Oh, is that a spear?

 

‘They say it’s an important slaying…’

 

As they inspect their weapons, a mild sense of dignity appears on their faces.

 

Their aura of dignity was evident even from a distance, and I turned my gaze to the front of the procession.

 

Jeremiah’s silver hair glistened in the sunlight, and his stiff, graceful posture made him stand out atop his horse.

 “Is one sword enough for you?” 

I mumbled, regretting that he only had a longsword strapped to his waist. Besides, Jeremiah was in uniform, not armor. A sign of confidence in his own power, I suppose.

 

‘I wonder if that’s all he’s got…’

 

I stared at him.

 

‘How are you feeling today, by the way?’

 

Did he wake up well? From here, it was hard to tell if he’d gotten enough rest.

 “……?” 

Jeremiah, who had been barking instructions at the group, looked up.

 

His hazel eyes sparkled colorfully in the warm sunlight. If his silver hair was like less melted snow, his pupils looked like buds that had sprouted from its chill.

 

I stared blankly into those eyes of his.

 

Was it my mood? Jeremiah seemed to be looking at me exactly that.

 “Sis, the tea’s cold!” “Okay, I’ll go.” 

Even as I turned at Estella’s call, I shook my head.

 

‘Is it my mood again…’

 

I thought Jeremiah smiled slightly at me.

 

* * *

 

Of the two men who left the castle, Kianton was the first to enter.

 

He approached me with a sullen look on his face, as if he hadn’t accomplished much in Hazel.

 

I looked puzzled at the apples in the basket he held out to me.

 “Why do you want to give me this?” “When I told him I was from the Duke of Oppenheim’s castle, I was asked to deliver it to Miss Vanessa. Miss Vanessa, it seems you have connections.” 

Oh, come to think of it, the lady who owned the fruit shop used to bring me leftover fruit from her sale when I was in Hazell. She was a hardworking young lady. Apparently she hadn’t forgotten about me after I went to the Duke’s castle.

 

I accepted the basket of apples in gratitude for my kind neighbor’s hospitality. Perhaps I could bake an apple pie with Estella with these?

 “Duchess, do you happen to like bouquets?” 

Kianton, who handed me the apples, immediately turned to Estella.

 

My eyes went cold at the sight. It was a buildup to speaking to me first.

 “Yeah, I like it.” “I’m glad, because on the way here, I thought of you, and I brought you a bouquet of…” 

Kianton handed Estella a bouquet of pink roses.

 “Where does he keep buying these things when he says he has no money?” 

I glared at the back of Kianton’s head. Unfortunately, my glare didn’t seem to penetrate the back of his head.

 “Wow, the colors are so pretty, thank you, Lord Kianton.” 

Estella happily accepted the bouquet.

 

Just as I was about to forgive Kianton again for that, I saw him blush bright red and changed my mind.

 

He even seemed to notice that Estella was wearing the bracelet he’d given her.

 

Maybe I should have just told Jeremiah to kick Kianton out yesterday…

 “And Princess. I am returning to the Island as of today. The deadline His Highness the Crown Prince gave me is up.” “Ah, I see.” “I will not forget your kindness when I return to the Island, Princess. My family is famous for its wine, and if you ever find yourself in the Island, you may ask for Count Bell…” “Estella can’t drink yet, Lord Kianton.” 

‘Where is this bastard coming from?’

 

I threw my arms around Estella, cutting off Kianton’s suggestion that she drink when she hasn’t even had her bat mitzvah.

 

It’s a good thing we’re leaving today. If Kianton had been any more persistent with Estella than this, I would have lost my nerve and slapped him across the back of the head.

 

Kianton coughed loudly, as if he’d finally caught my intense gaze.

 

I snorted and ignored him, then turned to Estella.

 “Estella, shall we put the flowers in a vase?” “Sure, sis, and those apples look delicious.” “Let’s make an apple pie together later. I’ll tell the chef and he’ll help us.” “Sure! Anything with you is good!” 

I managed to steal Estella safely away from Kianton. Back in her room, Estella placed the bouquet of pink roses in a pretty vase she had gotten from the maid.

 

Carefully placing it by the sunny window, she hesitated a moment, then said.

 “…Sister Vanessa.” “Huh?” “I want to see off the people who left the castle this morning, and I was wondering if you could go with me?” 

I looked at her in surprise. She wanted to be the first one to greet people, hmm… could I take that as a positive sign?

 

Lately, Estella seemed to be starting to think about people in the castle a little differently. She seems to be making the first move.

 

‘Maybe she’s even starting to accept that their favors are hers…’

 

Anyway, I nodded happily.

 “Of course you can go, I’ll be back in a few minutes, I think I’ll just take a look around the garden.” “Yeah! Come on, sis! Let’s put on some shawls and go out. It’s getting a little chilly.” “Estella, too. You know you don’t want to catch a cold, right?” 

Estella and I each put on a shawl over our clothes and headed outside.

 

True to her word, the weather was starting to get colder, but fortunately, the hunting party returned not long after we left.

 Buuu— 

The gates opened with a long blast of horns, and the same faces we had seen in the morning appeared, but their faces were young with pride instead of cowardice.

 

The large cart that had accompanied them was loaded with the carcass of a brown bear the size of a house.

 “That must be their kill of the day.” 

Hmm, it didn’t look all that different, except for being larger than a normal bear, but… Jeremiah must have had a reason for mentioning it.

 “Wow, the princess has come to greet us!” “What, the princess?!” “Princess Estella!” 

As they entered the castle, proud and confident, they spotted Estella and began to gush.

 

Like they’ve just met some celebrity.

 

She watched them with a little trepidation, and was greeted with all sorts of pleasantries.

 “Ew! It’s blinding!” “Didn’t a star fall from the sky right now? I think it fell right in front of me.” “Why do I suddenly feel so energized after seeing the princess?” 

No, really, Estella is a celebrity to them, and they are dazzled by her beauty as soon as they come home.

 

I smiled wryly, enjoying their admiration.

 

Estella hid behind me in embarrassment.

 “Ha, from today on, I will work harder. I’ll get paid for it with a smile.” “You’re really going to lose your allowance to the King.” “No, Your Excellency, I’m just kidding!” 

And through them came Jeremiah, his back to the evening sky.

 

Riding an elegant black horse with a glossy coat, he glanced back and forth between me and Estella.