I’m Just a Counselor – Chapter 123

Author: Dakku-san

It wasn’t just Jeremiah—everyone in the ducal estate seemed to feel Estella’s absence. In the week after she left, the atmosphere in the estate had grown heavy and subdued.

But that didn’t last long. Another week passed, and the estate returned to its usual self.

True to their nature as people accustomed to enduring harsh winters, they quickly adapted to the absence of their beloved young lady and soon became lively again, busying themselves with spring preparations.

And there was one more thing that helped divert their attention from her absence…

“Lady Vanessa, it was you the duke asked for a hug from before leaving today, right?”

…That thing was me.

“And yesterday, he bought a whole bouquet of flowers for you on his way back! Kyah!”

“I never knew His Grace was such a romantic! Hehe…”

The ones chattering excitedly around me, seated in a chair, were none other than Estella’s former maids.

After Estella left, they had been among the most visibly depressed in the estate, having lost their primary duties. But now, they buzzed around me with giddy smiles.

I let them be—it was better than seeing them mope—but their endless gossip about Jeremiah and me was… well, a little embarrassing.

“His Grace just…”

I trailed off, scratching the back of my neck, unable to come up with a proper excuse. But everything they said was true.

Yesterday, Jeremiah had pressed a massive bouquet into my arms. And today, before leaving for a beast hunt, he’d whined—whined!—for me to see him off.

‘Lately, I keep giving in to him.’

Jeremiah must have noticed I’d grown softer toward him recently and was deliberately pushing further.

I pursed my lips. I’d thought no one was watching when he did those things, but apparently, everyone had seen.

‘Where are all these witnesses coming from?’

It felt like every little interaction between Jeremiah and me was spreading like wildfire lately. At this point, it was as if the entire estate had eyes everywhere.

‘It’s not like we’re trying to keep our relationship a secret…’

Still, hearing my love life constantly discussed by others was undeniably strange and embarrassing.

Ugh. I sighed, rolling my eyes before changing the subject.

“But really, you don’t have to keep doing this.”

Right now, the maids had me seated while they brushed my hair and applied makeup.

Truthfully, the biggest reason for their gloom had been losing Estella—their primary charge to pamper.

So, if having someone new to fuss over eased their melancholy, I didn’t mind playing stand-in.

But as I stared into the mirror, their hands grew increasingly… enthusiastic, and I couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

When I simply blinked at my reflection, the maid styling my hair confessed.

“Well, once Lady Vanessa becomes the Duchess, this will be part of our duties anyway, so we’re just practicing… Oops.”

Whether she’d spoken without thinking or not, the maid covered her mouth and giggled.

I couldn’t hide my flustered expression at the word she’d let slip.

“Duchess…?”

Just saying it aloud made the term feel heavy, like it was sinking into my chest.

Duchess. The lady of the estate. The title for Jeremiah’s spouse.

I’d thought about it once before—when Jeremiah had proposed, suggesting I become Estella’s sister-in-law.

‘No, wait. It wasn’t a proposal, just a suggestion.’

Whether it was “proposal” or “Duchess,” words that once felt distant now loomed large. Maybe because I was taking them seriously now? Or maybe…

“Ugh, fine! I’ll just say it outright! We all believe the duke will marry you, Lady Vanessa!”

“And when that happens, you’ll be our Duchess! We won’t even be able to call you ‘Lady Vanessa’ anymore—it’ll be ‘Your Grace.’ Hehe!”

“Northerners are known for quick decisions and swift action. You’ve seen how the young lady is!”

So… they really thought Jeremiah and I would marry?

‘But is that… okay?’

No matter how much my status had risen, I was still just a baroness. For a woman like me to suddenly become a Duchess…

Of course, Jeremiah didn’t seem to care at all. He’d even mentioned marriage back when I was a commoner without hesitation.

‘But more than that… I don’t know how these people truly feel.’

Being loved by Jeremiah and Estella was one thing, but being accepted by the ducal household was entirely different. The Duchess would stand beside the duke, helping lead the family.

Honestly, that was what worried me the most. Hesitantly, I gauged their reactions before mustering the courage to speak.

“Do you really think it’s okay?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“For someone like me to become the Duchess…”

As my voice trailed off, the maids exchanged wide-eyed glances.

“Of course it’s okay!”

“What do you mean, ‘someone like you’? You’d be more than welcome! Why would you say that?”

“But the position of Duchess is important to all of you, isn’t it?”

“We believe Lady Vanessa would do wonderfully.”

I wondered if they were just being kind, sugarcoating the truth for my sake. But their words didn’t stop there.

“You know, even the knights and others already treat it as a given that you’ll be the next Duchess.”

“What?”

“You didn’t know?”

“Not at all…”

Wait—so everyone already thought that? What was going on with the people in this estate?

‘Do they really think I’m… suitable?’

I pressed a hand to my forehead, my thoughts spiraling. The maid continued cheerfully.

“His Grace is kind, but apart from matters concerning the young lady, he can be a bit indifferent. Having someone as warm and gentle as you by his side…”

“It’s a perfect match!”

“And lately, the Duke’s been making it painfully obvious how much he adores you… Swoon!“

I tried to steady myself, looking into the mirror. Reflected back at me were my flushed face and the maids’ mischievous grins.

“By the way, Lady Vanessa.”

“…Yes?”

“You realize you haven’t denied being in a relationship with His Grace even once, right?”

“……”

My face in the mirror turned even redder. The maids burst into laughter.

* * *

“Wait, so the people in the ducal estate already see you as the future Duchess?”

Later, I asked Shane about what the maids had said. When it came to information, he was the most reliable.

Shane listened, then waved his hand dismissively.

“Yeah, it’s true.”

“They really think I’ll become the Duchess?”

“Yep. Honestly, Jeremiah hasn’t exactly been subtle lately. He’s made it pretty clear you’re his lover.”

“That’s not…”

I bit my lip, then rubbed my face.

So the root of all this was… him? Jeremiah making it obvious? Were these people just following their lord’s lead? That didn’t seem right!

“Well, it’s also…”

Shane started to say something, then stopped. Scratching his head, he spoke again as if reading my mind.

“Of course, Jeremiah not hiding his affection plays a part. Many here have served for years—they’ve seen how hard he’s worked. Anyone he loves, they’ll accept.”

“Then…!”

“But not everyone blindly follows his word. Even those who don’t would only approve of you as Duchess if they truly believed you were right for it.”

“……”

“They must think you’d do well in that role, that they’d be fine with you as their superior. Vanessa… they like you.”

His blunt words made me unbearably flustered.

If they were accepting me not just because of Jeremiah, but for me… If they genuinely cared for me… then maybe it really would be okay.

‘Though Jeremiah hasn’t actually done anything, so this might all be premature…’

I kept fanning my face, then glanced at Shane.

His expression was unreadable, and a sudden wave of unease hit me. Still, I had to ask.

“Then what about you?”

“Hm?”

“How would you feel… if I stood by Jeremiah’s side?”

He tilted his head, then broke into a soft smile. A warm hand gently ruffled my hair.

“I’d be happy to watch and bless two of my dearest friends.”