I’m Just a Counselor

Julian Carte has lived the perfect life.

 

Born a noble prince in the only empire on the continent, he was the natural heir to the crown and promised the next throne.

 

As a child, he was the center of everyone’s adoration, and as he grew into a boy and young man, he became even more radiant and gorgeous. He was so intelligent that he memorized every book he read, and his martial arts skills were outstanding.

 

His every gesture was graceful without effort, and he had an innate charisma.

 

He was a perfect fit. A world that seemed designed for him.

 

Julian became the arrogant ruler of that world. Until Jeremiah Oppenheim came along.

 

“The Duke of Oppenheim is so perfect.”

 

Jeremiah began to take away the accolades that Julian deserved and began to create cracks in his perfect life.

 

In a way, it’s no wonder Julian hated him.

 

He wanted his life to be as badly broken as he was. But Jeremiah always managed to evade Julian’s machinations, and he became the perfect northern ruler.

 

Julian stared at the falling maple leaf, which left tiny ripples on the water’s surface.

 

Sitting in a disheveled position, Julian tilted his head slightly and opened his mouth. Kianton swallowed dryly, nervous of what might come out of that mouth.

 “Do you have any idea how much you’ve embarrassed me?” “…I’m sorry.” “You know that, huh?” “Yeah, I know.” “You know, in front of a f*cking duke~ I even told him that my escort was mugged and to take good care of him~” “I’m guilty as charged.” 

Kianton’s mechanical reply made Julian glare at him for a moment, but he said nothing.

 

Apparently, the idea of asking Jeremiah for anything resembling a favor had stung his pride more than he’d expected.

 

It was hard to do, his only rival in life.

 

But Kianton was not without his share of resentment.

 “I didn’t get robbed for my own good! It’s no coincidence that I ended up in the Duke of Oppenheim’s castle…!” “Shut up.” “Yes, your highness.” 

Sighing heavily at his faithful escort who shut up without protest, Julian finally made a decision.

 

After all, it would only feel right to repay him a hundredfold.

 

Being in debt, especially to Jeremiah, was unacceptable, so he had to put his pride first.

 “What about the Duke?” “He’s looking better, and his swordsmanship seems to have improved.” “Do you want to die?” “I’m afraid not.” 

Julian, who had more or less adjusted to the clueless escort knight, waved a hand and gestured for him to say something else.

 

Perhaps it was the duke’s weakness he was hoping for. Kianton thought for a moment, then spoke seriously.

 “The duke’s sister, I mean.” “Princess Estella?” 

Julian knew the name. Though he had never met her.

 

Still, he knew that Jeremiah had treated her as if she were a baby, perhaps the only weakness of his that Julian had noticed.

 

‘I’d forgotten about that lately.’

 

The princess was one of the more useful paddles he could use. If Jeremiah is still paddling his sister.

 

Julian leaned in, suddenly interested.

 “Is there something wrong with the princess, is she a little short of brains?” “No. She’s very bright.” “And…” “I understand she’s seventeen this year… and she’s very beautiful. I thought an angel had descended when I first saw her, with that shiny silver hair…” “…….” 

Silver hair and chartreuse eyes. Kianton’s description of the princess was exactly the same as the duke’s.

 

‘So, it’s Princess of Oppenheim…’

 

Julian, whose head was spinning at the mere mention of silver hair, finally spoke up.

 “Do you really want to die?” “I’m sorry. But she is so beautiful.” “One more word about her and you’re dead.” “Yes.” 

A psycho who doesn’t know the beauty of love… Grumbling to himself, Kianton changed the subject.

 “It seemed to me that His Highness the Duke had a lover.” “A lover?” 

For once, he might actually have something useful to say. Julian’s eyes sparkled like a rascal’s.

 “I don’t believe he’s made a lover, though.” 

But if it were true, it would be very funny. Julian asked, eagerly.

 “A nobleman?” “No. It was a commoner, Miss Vanessa, the Princess’s physician…, apparently.” “Aha. A commoner.” “Yes. And the Princess follows her very well.” 

The corners of Julian’s mouth twitched upward. It didn’t matter what the woman was doing in the duke’s castle, or whether the princess was obedient or not.

 

What mattered was that Jeremiah’s lover was a commoner, which meant that Julian was the best hand to play to screw Jeremiah. Using a commoner woman was nothing to Julian.

 “I saw her come out of the duke’s bedchamber in the middle of the night.” “Did you?” 

Julian hoped Jeremiah was very much in love with her, because that would make stealing her all the more pleasurable.

 

Julian giggled in anticipation of what was about to happen. It would be fun to have Jeremiah begging in front of him.

 “What’s her name? Vanessa?” 

Julian Carte would break Jeremiah Oppenheim in a heartbeat. Because in this perfect world, there should be only one perfect ruler.

 

Well, whatever happened to his hand afterward was none of his business.

 

* * *

 

The unusually red leaves of the maple trees had turned, and winter had finally arrived.

 

Naturally, winters in the north were unusually cold and long. In order to survive the winter, northerners prepared thoroughly, including the large markets held during this time.

 

People would buy and sell stockpiles of food and winterization supplies from each other at the market before the cold kept them from leaving their homes. Sometimes they give winterization tips.

 

I had been to that market a couple of times since I came to the north.

 

‘Come to think of it, my first winter in the north I barely survived on the tips I got there.’

 

That’s the hardest thing about living in the North, the cold, which can be unbearable if you don’t prepare for it in advance.

 

I’m also from the islands, so I’m more vulnerable to the cold than northerners.

 

‘Will it be okay this year?’

 

There’s no way the duke’s castle isn’t well heated. At least it’s warmer than my one-room house. There’s a fireplace in every room.

 

Anyway, there was another reason I was thinking of this market. The question.

 “You want to go to the market?” 

Sitting on the couch, Estella nodded, her eyes twinkling as she hugged the cushions. It was adorable.

 “Yes! I thought it would be fun to go with my sister!” 

I would have given the world to go with Estella, but… unfortunately, I had a wall.

 

I rolled my eyes, then asked.

 “I wonder if the duke would let us.” “You have to ask his permission? I don’t want to play with a knight on my back…” 

Estella frowned in response. 

 

‘I see she still doesn’t like that.’

 

But if Estella says she’s going to the market, Jeremiah will definitely have someone with her.

 

I thought about it for a moment before I spoke up, before Estella became even more reluctant.

 “I think he’ll be fine with me staying with you, just like he was the last time we went on a picnic, and besides, the Duke won’t force you to do something you don’t like.” “Then it’s no problem, because I’ll still be walking hand in hand with you!” “I’ll tell him I’m coming.” 

I’m still a little nervous about letting them talk about this between the two of them. If I push, they might not understand each other and it might turn into a fight.

 

With that in mind, I went to Jeremiah instead of Estella.

 

* * *

 

I knocked on the door to his office, and he answered from the other side of the door, telling me to come right in.

 

I cautiously opened the door. The heat from the fire in the fireplace hit me in the face.

 “Miss Vanessa, what’s going on?” 

Jeremiah, pen in hand, asked me with a questioning look on his face. I cleared my throat lightly and addressed him.

 “I have something to tell the Duke.” “What is it?” “Estella has…” 

I glanced at Jeremiah and told him that Estella wanted to go to the market with me.

 

Jeremiah narrowed his eyes at my words.

 “Of course.” 

I smiled hollowly at the look on his face. As I suspected, if Estella had come to Jeremiah to tell him herself, they would have argued and fought.

 

Just as I was about to praise my foresight, Jeremiah cut me off.

 “I’ll put an escort on it, and that will do.” “You know Estella doesn’t like that.” “I think I spoke to her the other day so she would understand.” 

Jeremiah shot me a sharp look. I recognized the implications of his words.

 

Why Jeremiah was desperately trying to protect Estella. Of course I know, and I understand. But it wasn’t the only thing Jeremiah was good at.

 

I sighed heavily and opened my mouth to speak.