I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 62

That’s when Estella spoke up with excitement.

 

“Sis, there’s a parade in town this evening to celebrate the New Year.”

 

Her voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I took my hands off my dress.

 

Fortunately, I quickly realized why she’d brought this up out of the blue.

 

“Is that where you want to go?”

 

“As usual, you know my taste.”

 

Estella smiled affectionately and placed a box of clothes in my arms. I take it and realize it’s a box of Jeremiah’s finest robes.

 

“Why are you giving me this?”

 

I looked at Estella with a puzzled expression, and she spoke up.

 

“You promised my brother, and you can’t just walk out on him, so why don’t you tell him, and bring it to him.”

 

“Me? But…”

 

“Oh, and also ask him if he can go out with me today. Like I told you last time. Please, Sis Vanessa!”

 

I thought last time… that would work better if Estella did it herself.

 

I started to say something, but I was overpowered by Estella’s back, and I carried the box in my arms all the way down to Jeremiah’s office.

 

“I can’t.”

 

She’s still too embarrassed to say it herself.

 

Having found a convincing reason, I knocked on the door of the office.

 

For a moment, I didn’t hear an answer and wondered if Jeremiah wasn’t inside, but before I could turn around, I heard him answer.

 

“Come in.”

 

After hearing the terse reply, I opened the door to the office.

 

Jeremiah wasn’t the only one in the room, and I rolled my eyes awkwardly at Sir Melvin, who stood by his desk, holding a box.

 

Jeremiah, who was sitting in a chair, half-raised himself and spoke.

 

“Miss Vanessa, what is it?”

 

I set the box down in its proper place and answered his question.

 

“First of all, these are the clothes I ordered from Madame Cornelia, and I have something to tell the Duke.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Jeremiah asked impatiently. I glanced at Sir Melvin.

 

I don’t know what you two were talking about before I arrived, but from the looks of it, it was business. Maybe they were talking about slave tops.

 

In any case, I didn’t want to seem like an intruder if I asked them to go out with me.

 

But that doesn’t mean I can’t do what Estella asked.

 

I looked up at Sir Melvin and opened my mouth, unsure of what to say.

 

“Estella said there’s a parade this evening to celebrate the New Year.”

 

“Oh, are you here to ask for an escort? Did Estella say she wanted to go there?”

 

“Yes, but… I was wondering if the duke would like to go with us if he’s free today.”

 

Jeremiah’s expression became strange as he heard my words.

 

Perhaps he realized that I was speaking on Estella’s behalf. But it sounds like it’s my voice coming out of…, as if I’m asking Jeremiah to go out with me.

 

I wait for his response, feeling more than a little nervous.

 

“Okay. Maybe we should go out for dinner tonight.”

 

But despite my fears of rejection, Jeremiah readily accepted my offer.

 

“Your Excellency, but…”

 

“The parade is fine.”

 

Jeremiah interrupted Sir Melvin, who seemed about to protest. As if that weren’t enough, he turned to my adjutant.

 

“Ah, well, since I have two escorts, I suppose I’d better have two of you, too. Will you accompany me?”

 

“Yes? Me too?”

 

“Miss Vanessa, I hope you don’t mind Melvin’s presence?”

 

At Jeremiah’s refreshing suggestion, I glanced at Sir Melvin again.

 

Well, it’s not like there’s anything wrong with having him around. Estella knows Sir Melvin well enough to know…

 

‘Sir Melvin’s been busy since he came to the Islands.’

 

It’s all well and good to hunt down the top slavers, but a man needs a break.

 

It’s not like Sir Melvin is going to sneak off to play around, so I’ll let him rest with me now. Of course, with his boss around, he won’t be able to relax.

 

“Yes, of course. I’m sure Estella would be delighted to meet Sir Melvin.”

 

I said quickly, before Jeremiah could change his mind. Sir Melvin sighed heavily, but it didn’t seem to deter his superior’s words.

 

I suddenly felt sorry for him and patted his arm comfortingly without Jeremiah’s knowledge.

 

‘I mean, technically, I’m the culprit…’

 

Anyway, that’s how the foursome for this evening was formed.

 

* * *

 

“I wonder what we’re going to do tonight!”

 

Estella was unusually excited, her pretty silver hair fluttering like the wings of a butterfly as she bounced from room to room.

 

I remembered her complaining about her bangs once, but she seemed to have forgotten about them.

 

I smirked at her.

 

“You’re so excited? I thought you used to hate the word escort.”

 

“Hehe. I used to.”

 

Estella rubbed her cheeks shyly.

 

“I guess it’s better because I’m going with you, and I’ll have one hand on you and one on him, so that’s nice.”

 

“Estella…”

 

Oh my God, she’s so cute and adorable, I can’t believe this is happening.

 

I couldn’t help myself and hugged her tightly. My heart was pounding as the time approached for the appointment to see if Estella’s new boyfriend had moved on.

 

The appointment finally arrived.

 

As I dressed and left the manor, I saw Jeremiah and Melvin already there, each with a horse at his side.

 

“Greetings, Princess.”

 

Sir Melvin, holding the reins of the white horse, gave Estella a stiff bow.

 

Estella returned his greeting, then turned to Jeremiah, her eyes wide.

 

“Brother, what’s with the hair?”

 

“…I thought it would be too conspicuous to just leave. Someone might recognize me.”

 

Jeremiah muttered, smoothing down his hair.

 

Estella was surprised to see that his hair was as black as the horse behind him. The black-haired Jeremiah looked nothing like the silver-haired Jeremiah.

 

Estella, who had been staring at him with her mouth open as if in disbelief, turned to me and asked.

 

“Sister, what do you think?”

 

“Huh? Me…?”

 

“Yes, his black hair. Do you like it?”

 

Estella asked so bluntly that I blinked in embarrassment.

 

Well, I suppose the Duke of Oppenheim being on the streets is conspicuous, so I can understand Jeremiah’s disguise…

 

“You want my opinion?”

 

I glared at the dark-haired man.

 

If Jeremiah with his starry silver hair was elegant and cool, Jeremiah with his dark hair was a bit more… well, provocative. Should I say he looks provocative?

 

I think there’s a little bit of that with black, as there is with Shane, but what’s more obvious is.

 

“What color doesn’t look good on that face?”

 

Jeremiah’s eyes met mine at once. He looks a little nervous, and I smile sheepishly at him. He’s beautiful, after all, so it’s all good.

 

“You look great, Duke. You look great.”

 

“Thank you…”

 

“I guess black hair is all the rage for northern dukes after all…”

 

Estella, who was muttering something unintelligible with a serious look on her face, demanded of Jeremiah.

 

“I want black hair too!”

 

“Yeah. I was thinking of dyeing your hair anyway, Esti. I have other colors available… black hair?”

 

“Black hair!”

 

Did she really ask me if I liked black hair so she could decide what color to dye her hair? Did she ask me if I thought she was pretty?

 

“Estella…”

 

Estella would look good in any color. I looked at her with amusement.

 

Her hair, too, had been dyed black by Jeremiah.

 

Estella touched her blackened hair curiously, then turned to me.

 

“Sis, do you think I’m pretty?”

 

“Yes, you are.”

 

Estella is just as cute with silver or black hair.

 

My selfless answer made her smile with satisfaction. When she was finished, Jeremiah spoke up.

 

“I think it would be better if we rode out on horseback instead of the carriage today, Esti, would that be okay with you?”

 

“Yes! I’m fine.”

 

Estella replied cheerfully, glancing back and forth between Jeremiah and Sir Melvin. Two men with horses and two women who couldn’t ride.

 

It was easy to see that Jeremiah and Sir Melvin intended to carry each of us one at a time.

 

Well, I guess Jeremiah will be carrying Estella, won’t he?

 

Hopefully the ride would bring them closer together.

 

I muttered my hopes to myself and started walking to reach Sir Melvin. But Estella beat me to it.

 

“I’ll go with Sir Melvin then, you go with brother, sister!”

 

Estella ran quickly, just in case anyone would argue, and grabbed the white horse by the scruff of the neck behind Sir Melvin. Sir Melvin was dumbfounded by Estella’s unexpected offer.