I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 71

“Her Majesty has asked us to continue our teatime, but I think it would be best to end it now.”

 

Estella said coldly, her face showing that she’d lost all her anger toward the crown prince. Then she squeezed my hand.

 

I could see the worry in her eyes that if I stayed any longer, the crown prince might say something else to me. Realizing what she meant, I was a little touched.

 

“You don’t have to see us off.”

 

“I wasn’t planning on going.”

 

“I’m glad to hear that, sister, let’s go.”

 

Hearing the crown prince’s words, Estella gave a small snort and tugged on my hand.

 

Behind the crown prince, Kianton made a face that seemed to scream, “I want to see you off!” but no one seemed to mind him.

 

I glanced at him through salty eyes, then turned to walk after Estella.

 

Behind me, I heard the crown prince’s sarcastic voice.

 

“Why don’t you wear a more proper dress to the New Year’s ball?”

 

* * *

 

The ride back to the ducal residence was in the duke’s carriage, not the imperial carriage. Once in the carriage, Estella said to the duke’s driver.

 

“Do you think I can be alone with my sister until we reach the mansion?”

 

“Ah, yes. Of course, my lady.”

 

The knight glanced at me, but decided it was all right, nodded, and headed for the coachman’s seat.

 

As soon as the carriage pulled away, Estella asked,

 

“Sister, has the Empress said anything about the crown prince?”

 

She was fierce, as if she had misunderstood my silence. I replied, trying to soothe her in hindsight.

 

“As His Majesty told me earlier.”

 

“…….”

 

“When I saw Her Majesty in Hazel, she told me about her son, and I didn’t realize she was the Empress at the time, so I didn’t realize it was the Crown Prince she was talking about.”

 

Estella nodded at my calm explanation.

 

“So this is your first time seeing the crown prince, then?”

 

“Isn’t it?”

 

Actually, it wasn’t, but it was something I didn’t want Estella to know, so I smiled sheepishly and lied in good faith.

 

Luckily, Estella didn’t pry further, and instead, she hugged the cushion next to her and began to grumble.

 

“What kind of eyes do you have for a stranger? It’s ridiculous, really! And what about the way you talk? Isaac? Isaac?! You’re talking like a weirdo!”

 

The words finally came out of Estella’s mouth.

 

“That bastard!”

 

“…….”

 

The walls are soundproof, so maybe someone was listening. I looked at her indignantly and sighed.

 

‘I’m glad I stopped her before she went into a full-blown rage.’

 

I barely suppressed a chuckle as I listened to the remarks, which teetered dangerously close to insulting the royal family.

 

Still, it was cathartic. She’d said all the things I couldn’t say.

 

“Well, at least there’s one good thing!”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“That there’s no way I’m ever going to romanticize him!”

 

Estella exclaimed, her eyes flashing as she squeezed the cushion as if it were the face of a crown prince. I giggled secretly at her exclamation.

 

‘That would be cute.’

 

I smirked, unable to resist a little romance.

 

Estella would be the only one who could handle the crown prince’s gorgeous looks, and his personality would be hard to tame.

 

If you fall in love, you’ll make up for the lack of buds, won’t you?

 

‘It’s fun to change in love.’

 

I shook my head in amusement. I couldn’t bring this up in front of Estella, who was getting angry.

 

“At least the Empress seems like a nice person.”

 

The barely real Estella said, flicking away the messed-up cushion.

 

At least today’s events didn’t seem to be an unpleasant memory.

 

I quickly agreed with her.

 

“It was, wasn’t it? I’m glad Estella thinks so too.”

 

“If his mother is like that, who did the crown prince learn from, His Imperial Majesty…?”

 

“Estella…”

 

But I couldn’t help but sigh again at the ensuing mutterings. Well, it’s a good thing this carriage is soundproof.

 

* * *

 

A day before the New Year’s Ball, Snowflake Manor was starting to get busy. After all, Jeremiah and Estella were the main reason why they were on the island.

 

In the meantime, the maids came to me and offered to help me dress up before tomorrow’s ball.

 

I felt both grateful and sorry for them for doing me a favor. Even though I was from a noble family, I was in the same position as them now.

 

“Thank you for offering to help, what can I say…”

 

“Don’t say that.”

 

The maid chuckled and said,

 

“You helped Miss Vanessa. You’ve made working here more enjoyable.”

 

“So we should help Miss Vanessa, too.”

 

“Keeping Miss Vanessa on her toes helps the Duchy, too!”

 

That’s a lot to say for someone I’ve only worked with for a little over three months.

 

I nodded, feeling like I would be ignoring their goodwill if I refused anymore.

 

Still, I’ll try to be as inconvenient as possible.

 

While I was thinking to myself, it was Sir Melvin who approached.

 

“Miss Vanessa, a moment. His Excellency the Duke is calling for you.”

 

“Jeremiah wants me? Why?”

 

He must be in the middle of something.

 

I followed Sir Melvin to Jeremiah’s office, somewhat bewildered.

 

Sir Melvin knocked on the door and was quickly answered to come in. I opened the door to find Jeremiah sitting at his desk with his arms folded in front of him.

 

“I’m here with Miss Vanessa, Your Excellency, so you can talk.”

 

“No, over there…!”

 

Sir Melvin shoved me into his office and slammed the door before I could say anything. Feeling like a sheep thrown to the wolves, I stared despairingly at the closed door.

 

I thought he was smiling as he closed it at the end, but I was mistaken, wasn’t I?

 

‘You’re not getting back at me for spending time with Estella last time, are you…?’

 

If you are, Sir Melvin, I’ll call you an asshole for the rest of my life!

 

I swallowed hard and turned to face Jeremiah, who had been shouting at Sir Melvin.

 

When I realized he was silent, I realized he was glaring at me with a ‘I’m very uncomfortable right now’ expression on his face.

 

“What, what…?”

 

I asked cautiously, watching his eyes.

 

“What did you call me for, Duke?”

 

Instead of answering my question, Jeremiah gestured to a large box on the table.

 

I stiffly moved toward it, and he spoke briefly.

 

“Open it.”

 

I reached for the box, unsure of what to do. The box was made of fine materials and decorated with silk ribbons.

 

I fiddled with the silky ribbon, then lifted the lid to reveal the contents of the box. I sucked in a breath.

 

“What’s this…”

 

“It was delivered to the mansion this morning, Miss Vanessa.”

 

Jeremiah added in a gruff voice. I blinked in confusion and finished examining the box.

 

Inside was a gorgeous dress, and not just any dress, but a gorgeous gown with all the accessories to match.

 

“Who the hell sent…?”

 

If it’s Madame Cornelia’s dress that I customized with Estella, it’s already in my closet. I don’t need another dress.

 

I rolled my eyes and then noticed the card lying on the side of the box. The card was also of very fine quality.

 

It had a short message written on it in old-fashioned cursive.

 

[Wear it to the New Year’s ball. -Julianne L. Carte].

 

“…….”

 

I narrowed my eyes and stared at the writing on the card and the sender’s name.

 

‘… Is that the crown prince’s name? Does that mean he sent this dress and accessories?’

 

“No. Why on earth?”

 

No matter how I thought about it, there was no reason for him to do me this favor.

 

Was it because of the offer he made me the other day? The one where he asked me to come to the Islands?

 

The… bribe to blow the whistle on Jeremiah?

 

He was ready to threaten me then, and now he’s changing his tune? Because I know the Empress? Because I’m playing it cool? Because he’s afraid I’ll overreact?

 

I was trying to figure out the crown prince’s intentions. Jeremiah, who had been still, spoke.

 

“The Crown Prince.”

 

“……?”

 

“Have you become acquainted with His Highness, or have you always known him?”

 

…I think he just stuttered, but this must be my imagination, right?

 

“Well, Miss Vanessa is under no obligation to tell me everything.”

 

I glanced back at Jeremiah and realized he’d been watching my expression the entire time I’d been checking the boxes.

 

And I realized that whatever the crown prince was trying to do by sending me this, he had apparently succeeded.