I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 121

“Actually, I’m here to tell you something.”

 

Estella’s tear-streaked face turned determined as she released us from the hug.

 

“I want to become a proper duchess now.”

 

“Estella, does that mean—” Jeremiah frowned.

 

“After filling in for you, I realized how unprepared I am. So…” She took a deep breath. “I want to study properly and return to help you.”

 

My breath caught. To ‘come back’ meant she’d be leaving first. She was talking about… college!

 

Jeremiah looked like a parent whose puppy just announced it was moving out. His shocked silence spoke volumes.

 

‘But she’s not leaving forever,’ I reminded myself, understanding his turmoil. To Jeremiah, his precious greenhouse flower was demanding to be transplanted into the wilderness.

 

“Is this truly necessary?” he finally managed.

 

Estella squared her shoulders. “For your information, I don’t need permission. I’ve already decided.”

 

“Esti, as your brother—”

 

“I’m enrolling at the Imperial Academy! It’s admission season, and I’ve already secured the dean’s approval.”

 

“What? When? Who even told you about—”

 

“Mr. Shane.”

 

Jeremiah’s face turned to stone. ‘Poor Shane,’ I thought. ‘You’ll need to hide from Jeremiah for weeks.’

 

“It’s a one-year intensive program, extendable to three. I’ll assess what suits me best.” Estella’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

 

I couldn’t help smiling at her enthusiasm. Even Jeremiah seemed disarmed by her determination. With a resigned sigh, he compromised:

 

“I’ll write to the academy dean.”

 

Of course Jeremiah knew the dean. But Estella bristled:

 

“Don’t you dare ask him to monitor me!”

 

“They wouldn’t comply even if I asked. Though a sizable donation might—”

 

“Brother!”

 

Their argument continued until Estella suddenly redirected:

 

“You never told me about the Winter Crown affair!”

 

“That’s— Esti, it’s because—”

 

“As an Oppenheim, I had every right to know!”

 

Jeremiah’s mouth snapped shut like a trapped clam. His silence confirmed Estella’s suspicions.

 

“I understand you want to protect me,” she said firmly, “but I need to become a proper duchess. This is my decision!”

 

Jeremiah looked utterly defeated. ‘Game, set, match to Estella,’ I thought, slicing the cake. The sweet cream aroma filled the air as I served portions.

 

“Fine. It’s your choice,” Jeremiah finally conceded.

 

Estella turned to me triumphantly. “You’ll support me, right?”

 

“Of course.” I recalled her earlier words: “I’ll stand on my own!” I just hadn’t realized how literally she meant it.

 

“You’ll make us both proud.” Estella wasn’t just a delicate flower—she was a sapling determined to weather winters like Jeremiah had.

 

“I’ll study hard with your fountain pen!” she declared.

 

“I’m glad it’ll be useful.” The gift’s sudden practicality felt fated. I smiled imagining her writing with it.

 

As I ate my cake, a thought struck me. “When does enrollment close? Are there eligibility requirements? Because I might—”

 

“Absolutely not!” Jeremiah’s fork clattered against his plate. Estella giggled.

 

 

* * *

 

 

Two days later, we packed Estella’s academy-bound trunk—or rather, Jeremiah unpacked while she packed. He even shot me pleading looks to intervene.

 

‘So Jeremiah’s secretly a doting parent,’ I mused, helping load the final bags. Part of me ached at how decisively Estella was leaving, but I knew this was right for her.

 

“All set.” Estella heaved the last bag into the carriage. I stroked the nose of her birthday gift—a stunning white stallion—before joining them.

 

Jeremiah was fussing over her again: “Contact me immediately if anything—”

 

“Brother, I need to say goodbye to Vanessa now.”

 

“Say it here.”

 

“Go away!” She shooed him off and hugged me tightly, then whispered: “He’s pouting, isn’t he?”

 

“Because he loves you.”

 

“Please cheer him up for me.” She grinned before adding quietly: “Sis… you’re the best person I know.”

 

“Saying that again?”

 

“Even if you’re slower and less refined than me…” She winked. “Please take care of my hopeless brother!”

 

Before I could react, she bowed dramatically and declared: “Friends are nice, but I’d rather you became family!”

 

My face burned. “Estella—!”

 

“See you on break!” She laughed, hugging me once more before boarding the carriage.

 

As the wheels creaked into motion, Jeremiah appeared beside me, ears red as he muttered:

 

“Perhaps we should send something to the dean…”

 

I rolled my eyes. ‘Of course he’s plotting.’ Maybe I’d ask Julian for advice—the imperial family surely had academy connections.