I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 124

As March passed and April arrived, the weather grew completely warm.

The once-frozen ground had thawed, and soil was being swept away here and there, leaving the knights of the ducal estate busy minimizing damage to the villages.

Seizing the opportunity, I returned to my house in Hazel to do some spring cleaning.

 

“Haa.”

 

I flung the windows wide open, and the spring breeze rushed in, sweeping away the dust that had settled over the winter. I hadn’t been able to clean properly while staying at the ducal estate.
I took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air—until someone interrupted my moment.

 

“Estella seems to enjoy economics.”

 

Jeremiah, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, muttered with an unusually serious expression. He was holding a letter Estella had sent from the Academy.

She had safely enrolled and seemed to be enjoying her studies and life there.

 

‘Last time, her letter mentioned that much.’

 

Was there something else written this time? I quietly stepped behind Jeremiah, peeking at the letter before taking a step back to observe him.

 

Honestly, Jeremiah, acting like this makes you look like a parent worrying over their child’s future…

 

“Hah. At this rate, she might just settle down at the Academy.”

 

Jeremiah grumbled discontentedly, crumpling the corner of the letter. It seemed like he was barely holding back from storming into the Academy right then.

 

‘Is he worried Estella might extend her one-year program to a full three-year course?’

 

“What on earth is that old man, the Headmaster, doing to Esti—”

 

“But, Your Grace.”

 

As much as I wanted to let him keep reading, I couldn’t stand Jeremiah’s sulking any longer and cut him off. His gaze, which had been fixed on the letter, shifted to me.

 

I noticed his eyes softening like the spring sunlight and gulped. Fine, fine… but—

 

“Why are you here?”

 

No, seriously—while the other knights were running around managing the estate, why was Jeremiah, who should’ve been overseeing them from his office, lounging on my sofa playing the role of an overbearing parent?

 

“Why?”

 

Jeremiah tilted his head.

 

“What’s wrong with me being at your house?”

 

He shamelessly shot back. I narrowed my eyes.

 

‘Vanessa… Please, just stay a little longer. If you leave too… I’ll be too sad.’

 

Every time I tried to return to Hazel, he’d put on that fragile expression and whine. Each time, my resolve weakened, and I ended up staying—or even pretending to give in, tucking him into bed in his chambers.

 

‘But at this point, it’s not even about Estella being gone anymore.’

 

I wouldn’t fall for his tricks this time!

 

Firm in my decision, I had finally returned to Hazel today—only to find him already here.

 

‘So, this is your new tactic?’

 

Realizing I was no longer swayed by his usual antics, Jeremiah had switched strategies—boldly bulldozing his way in like a snake slithering over a wall.

 

‘Are the siblings both suffering from separation anxiety?’

 

Back when I first mentioned leaving the estate to Estella, it was sudden, so her shock was understandable. But I hadn’t expected Jeremiah to be like this—worse than Estella, even.

 

I sighed deeply, pressing a hand to my forehead. I couldn’t exactly coddle Jeremiah like I did Estella.

 

“I can still commute, you know.”

 

“Who said anything? So, I’ll commute to your house. What’s the problem?”

 

“The knights at the estate seem swamped these days. Won’t Sir Melvin say something?”

 

“I’m in charge. And I’m busy too, so what do you want me to do?”

 

Jeremiah countered effortlessly. I realized I couldn’t out-argue him.

 

‘Should I just buy a proper mansion?’

 

At this rate, it might be better to settle Jeremiah in a real estate rather than this modest house… Wait, why was I already planning my surrender?!

 

I shook my head vigorously. Watching me, Jeremiah spoke up.

 

“I just don’t feel at ease leaving you alone.”

 

“Still?”

 

“Even if we ignore all the accidents, you’ve had alone before… Vanessa, I feel like one day, you’ll just up and leave me behind.”

 

“……”

 

“Last time, I was so worried you’d follow Estella to the Academy. Do you have any idea how much I agonized?”

 

“Well, I didn’t go in the end.”

 

I slumped slightly, wondering if I really amplified Jeremiah’s insecurities that much.

 

Apparently, no matter how certain I was about him, I wasn’t giving him the same reassurance.

 

But at the same time, my heart fluttered. The fact that he cared enough to say such things, that he always wanted me by his side—it meant he truly loved me.

 

“I really just came back to clean this time.”

 

I glanced around the house before approaching Jeremiah. He stared at me, half-confused, half-expectant.

 

I grinned and handed him a cleaning tool—probably the first time he’d ever held one.

 

“Well then, Your Grace. If you’re going to stay, at least help me clean.”

 

“…Vanessa, you’re serious?”

 

“Yes.”

 

At my firm reply, Jeremiah reluctantly stood up. Though skilled at camping, cleaning was clearly beyond him.

 

I giggled repeatedly as I showed him how.

 

Who would’ve thought I’d one day order the duke himself to do chores?

 

I felt oddly accomplished.

 

 

* * *

 

 

By the time May arrived, I visited the island again. While the north enjoyed spring, the island already felt like early summer.

 

When I first came here earlier this year, I hadn’t understood why the ducal family complained so much about the weather. Now, I got it. Maybe I’d truly become a northerner.

 

“Mother’s been especially relentless lately.”

 

Like everyone else, Julian had switched to lighter clothing.

 

Dressed in a summer robe, he met me at a café near the Snowflake Estate where we’d last talked. He grumbled while nibbling on a cookie.

 

“I think it’s because the duchess is doing well at the Academy. Damn it. Nothing good ever comes from being near an Oppenheim…”

 

“What now?”

 

“One duke was enough. Did the duchess really have to excel too?”

 

Apparently, the Academy Headmaster had sung Estella’s praises before the Empress. Hearing that, Her Majesty had gone into competitive mode, insisting ‘My son is better!’

 

‘Jeremiah would love this.’

 

Though, wasn’t the original plan to marry Julian and Estella? Did she really need to be so competitive?

 

I chuckled at the incomprehensible mindset of parents. Meanwhile, Julian, under the Empress’s relentless scrutiny, vented to me.

 

‘If only I could see Estella while I’m here.’

 

Unfortunately, the Academy’s schedule didn’t align, so I had to leave without meeting her. I gazed wistfully in the Academy’s direction.

 

“You only ever write about good things in your letters.”

 

“Because only good things happen.”

 

Hearing Julian’s voice, I grinned. He stopped chewing his cookie and rested his chin on his hand, studying me.

 

His dyed hair hid his natural red, but his sharp golden eyes remained the same.

 

The spring sunlight traced his refined features, casting a warm glow on his lightly tanned cheeks. I smiled at him.

 

“You look well too, Julian.”

 

“…You’re the one dealing with all the bad stuff for me.”

 

I recalled the letters he’d sent me in the north. After I told him to skip the formalities, his letters lost their lengthy greetings and flowery language.

 

Instead, they were packed full of his thoughts—good, bad, and everything in between. I shrugged.

 

“Keep writing like that. I’m ready to listen.”

 

“You don’t mind?”

 

“Of course not. As your closest aide, it’s the least I can do.”

 

At my reply, Julian cracked a small smile.

 

After parting with him, I stopped by the Asell Viscountcy before leaving the island. The caretaker I’d hired before was diligently maintaining the estate.

 

In the garden, the seeds Shane had planted had sprouted, now proudly displaying fresh green leaves.

 

‘I should tell Shane the good news.’

 

I handed the caretaker an extra tip, and he nearly knelt in gratitude, praising the “generous Viscountess.” A little embarrassing, but money really was the best solution.