I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 102

Jeremiah seemed to be choosing his words, and after a moment he looked me straight in the eye and spoke seriously.

 

“You have a tendency to sell yourself short, and while I appreciate that you see me as a great person, I don’t want you to think you’re not good enough for me.”

 

“…….”

 

“It’s okay that you think differently than I do, and maybe you’re right. But I’m still going to stay true to my feelings.”

 

“…….”

 

“Because what you’re saying doesn’t sound like a complete rejection of me.”

 

I let out a small sigh at Jeremiah’s words. He was right. Now I hadn’t clearly rejected his confession.

 

‘That’s because…’

 

I turned to face Jeremiah’s piercing eyes staring at me. His exhaled breath still held the same tension.

 

As always, I could see the tender affection in Jeremiah’s eyes for me, an affection that melted my heart.

 

Even now, when he was expressing his feelings for me, even now when he was telling me that he would never stop, he was looking straight at me the whole time. Like nothing else mattered to him right now but me.

 

I finally had to admit it. I don’t know when it started, but I was already falling for him.

 

“So that’s why.”

 

That’s why it was so hard to hold his hand or call him by his name. The reason I was so self-conscious and nervous around Jeremiah was because I had feelings for him.

 

I pursed my lips.

 

“I’m sure the Duke of… has better options than me.”

 

Jeremiah chuckled at my last excuse-like muttering.

 

“Vanessa, as you’ve seen, I’ve been trying to be the perfect man for my position, and as you say, having better options might add to that endeavor.”

 

“…….”

 

“But that’s it. I’ve already decided not to pick it, Vanessa, don’t you think you’re underestimating me?”

 

I stared at him, startled by his sudden words. Jeremiah shrugged.

 

“I’m good enough without that, and you don’t seem to realize it.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Didn’t you say earlier, I don’t like being treated like that? Horny? An asshole who gets off on the width of a woman’s skirt? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 

“…….”

 

“No one would ever dare look at me that way, not now, not ever, so that means no one has any say in what I choose to do.”

 

His confident statement reminded me of something he’d once said.

 

He’d said that no trap would work, and it’s true now. No matter how hard people try to bring him down, they’ll never be able to.

 

It was Jeremiah after all, so it made sense.

 

‘Surely… I was wrong.’

 

He mumbled into my hand as I thought to myself.

 

“Anyway, it’s the best option for me right now.”

 

“You might regret your choice later.”

 

“Well, if you put it that way, I’ve got a lot to regret.”

 

Jeremiah paused, apparently satisfied that I wasn’t going to unravel.

 

I turned and followed him as he began to walk, his pace somewhat slower in deference to my high heels.

 

Suddenly, the silence tickled me, and I glanced over at him before speaking up.

 

“What did you mean when you called me grumpy earlier?”

 

“I meant that you’re dressed from head to toe in the crown prince’s colors, and you’re being mean for putting up with all that.”

 

“It’s His Highness’s birthday, and you let it slide last time.”

 

“I didn’t think it would be this bad last time. I told you before, Vanessa, I’ve had a pitiful time missing you, I have.”

 

“…….”

 

“And it’s my birthday, too.”

 

I blurted out, startled by his addition.

 

“Really?!”

 

“No.”

 

“…….”

 

“Vanessa, do you know when Estella’s birthday is?”

 

I don’t know if Jeremiah is joking or not.

 

Looking at him fatly, I thought for a moment about his out-of-the-blue question before answering.

 

“March 5th.”

 

“Ha.”

 

Jeremiah smiled nervously and ran a hand through his hair. A few strands of silver hair spilled over and framed his flat forehead.

 

“You know Estella’s birthday so well, but you don’t know mine?”

 

“Does the Duke know when my birthday is?”

 

“April 23rd.”

 

“…You do.”

 

I muttered under my breath at Jeremiah’s blunt response. Wasn’t it in my employment contract… In any case, I was the only one who didn’t know his birthday, I said apologetically.

 

“I only knew Estella’s birthday because it came up once before.”

 

“Oh, really?”

 

“Yes. I’ll look up on the Duke’s birthday when I get back, or you can tell me now.”

 

“I’d rather you find out for yourself, Vanessa.”

 

“What? Aahh!”

 

I answered Jeremiah’s call and let out a small squeal of surprise at the face that was suddenly in my face.

 

Jeremiah’s arms tightened around me as I staggered backward. He leaned in, our lips just inches from touching, and asked again.

 

“Are you sure Estella is your favorite?”

 

“Is this… a joke?”

 

Jeremiah’s chartreuse eyes sparkled in the bright lights, and as I stared at him wide-eyed, wondering if he was doing this on purpose to embarrass me, I took another step back.

 

But his arm around my waist wouldn’t let me back away any further.

 

Jeremiah’s brow furrowed, and he muttered.

 

“First I was jealous of you because of Estella, and now you’re making her jealous of you.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“Nice ploy, Vanessa.”

 

His eyes narrowed. I gulped dryly, feeling my heart pounding madly in my chest at this toxic look.

 

Jeremiah asked innocently, as if he knew what I was thinking.

 

“Are you going to do everything I ask you to do for my birthday, too?”

 

“Uh… can… do?”

 

“I don’t want you to forget what I just said.”

 

Jeremiah’s face, which had seemed to grow distant after he spoke, suddenly drew closer again. Silver eyelashes fluttered down.

 

Lips brushed past his own. It was a respectful kiss, light as a feather, soft and gentle, but I covered my lips with a blush.

 

Jeremiah straightened up and spoke smugly.

 

“This will not be forgotten.”

 

“Duke, what… now!”

 

“I think we’ve had enough of this walk, let’s go inside.”

 

Jeremiah said, pressing his lips firmly to the back of his clenched hand.

 

I glared at him with wavering eyes, but eventually had no choice but to follow him.

 

The tickling sensation on my lips didn’t go away for a long time.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Whatever happened while Jeremiah and I were talking outside, we were greeted inside the hall by the sight of Julian and Estella dancing on the dance floor. In the distance, we could see the Empress watching them with delight.

 

Shane, who was squatting alone, spotted us and waved at us. I quickly asked him.

 

“What’s going on, did Estella happen to run into the Empress…”

 

“No, I thought she went in there with a declaration of war to clean up the mess, why is she dancing in there…”

 

Shane chuckled in response to my desperate question.

 

“They were in the middle of a fight and the empress came in and made them dance, and the crown prince couldn’t stop talking to his mom.”

 

I nodded, remembering Julian’s cowardice in front of the Empress.

 

Now that I think about it, the empress’s smiling face was actually shaking as they danced. No, they looked like they’d just chewed on a bug…

 

Beside me, Jeremiah muttered gravely.

 

“I’m thinking of marrying Estella in a love match.”

 

At that, Shane blurted out a shocked comment as if it had just occurred to him.

 

“Ah, Jeremiah, did you know that the Empress wants to marry the crown prince to the princess?”

 

“What?”

 

Jeremiah and I both stared at him, dumbfounded by Shane’s bombshell. Shane just shrugged.

 

“Come to think of it, before…”

 

I was invited to the Empress’s tea party, and she seemed to take quite a liking to Estella, and she whispered something to Julian before she left, and I think that’s exactly the look on his face.