I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 76

   The crown prince responds to my chilly remarks with an almost shameless nonchalance.

 

“What’s wrong with me? I’m the crown prince of this country.”

 

Damn that crown prince but he was right. 

 

He was the crown prince in the country, and one of the few people who could call the imperial ball his own. Besides, he was the hero of this world.

 

He would never understand, no matter what I said. Just like Estella did when she spoke. So, I might as well just suck it up and move on.

 

I gave up trying to explain further to him and kept my mouth shut, but it seemed I was the only one who gave up.

 

“So, why didn’t you wear the clothes I gave you?”

 

The crown prince was persistent, demanding an answer. Come to think of it, Jeremiah and the maids had asked me which of the two dresses I would wear.

 

I narrowed my eyes and asked bluntly.

 

“Is it really that important?”

 

“Uh.” 

 

“…….”

 

Apparently, it’s important to him, because he just walked away because I didn’t wear it.

 

Eventually, exhausted, I spoke up.

 

“Well, I was already supposed to wear this dress before you sent it to me, and you knew I was at the dukes, so did you really think I wouldn’t have anything to wear?” 

 

“I thought the duke wouldn’t give it to you because you weren’t wearing the right thing that day.”

 

I rolled my eyes and wondered what “that day” the crown prince was referring to-obviously not the first day we met, but when I attended the empress’s tea party.

 

“Why don’t you wear something more appropriate to the New Year’s ball?” he said, which must have been directed at me.

 

‘But was the dress that bad?’ 

 

I thought about it for a moment, but no. Estella grumbled that she should have given me a prettier dress, but as far as I was concerned, it was pretty enough and appropriate for the occasion.

 

“The duke has been gracious enough to me. He doesn’t make me feel small-minded over something like a dress.”

 

Yes, the crown prince had seen nothing but noble things in his life, so maybe it didn’t seem like enough.

 

Deciding to let this one slide, I chose to defend Jeremiah instead of giving him a hard time.

 

The crown prince, who had been looking down at me with a scowl, gave a small snort.

 

“If the Duke cared about you, you wouldn’t be out here alone, would you?”

 

“…….” 

 

“Because he left you alone, you almost got dragged away by that bastard, wouldn’t you? Isn’t that, right?”

 

I didn’t argue back, though I knew better than to disturb the busy Jeremiah. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like he was right.

 

Jeremiah has a lot of priorities before me, so it doesn’t matter if I’m alone or if I’m about to be defecated on by someone…

 

‘It was… my decision. What’s wrong with me? Wake up, Vanessa Asell!’

 

This is the crown prince’s way of blaming everything on Jeremiah. I shake my head vigorously, refusing to let him talk me out of it.

 

Jeremiah had done his best for me. He’d even said he’d deal with any bullies appropriately. It was only natural that he should fulfill his responsibilities and duties as a duke. 

 

“Don’t keep saying strange things, Your Highness.”

 

The crown prince didn’t even pretend to hear me.

 

“Do you remember what I said the other day, the offer to take the place of Duke?” 

 

“…Was that an offer?” 

 

“I made it clear. I’ll look forward to seeing you at the New Year’s ball, so think about it. Is it still valid?”

 

“…….” 

 

“Lady Vanessa. This is an opportunity that will not come again, and here I am, extending my hand to you.”

 

The crown prince smiled smugly and held out one hand to me.

 

I realized I was more receptive to his offer than I had been before; perhaps he had mentioned the New Year’s ball knowing this would happen. But I was too old to make impulsive choices. Unlike my lover, the crown prince, who was only eighteen.

 

“I made it clear then. I don’t want it.”

 

The crown prince’s brow furrowed at my cold response.

 

“And since it’s not the duke’s line I’m after, but the Princess’s, why do you keep saying I’m the Duke’s favorite?”

 

“That’s…” 

 

“I’ll repeat from last time, Your Highness, you’re mistaken.”

 

“…….”

 

Fortunately, the crown prince didn’t ignore me this time; he scowled and muttered something about how he wouldn’t leave Kianton alone. I guess Kianton was right about the misunderstanding.

 

I bent down to leave, feeling sorry for Kianton, who was about to be squashed by his psychotic boss.

 

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then. I know you didn’t mean to, but you did save my life, and for that I am grateful.”

 

“What, are you the long-tailed type?”

 

I turned away without answering his question and was just about to return to the ballroom when suddenly the crown prince called out to me, “Hey, Vanessa Asell!”

 

Unable to ignore the call, I stopped in my tracks and stared at him in disbelief.

 

He ruffled his red hair, grumbled, and stormed toward me, “When you get back,” and lifted my wrist. There was a bare handprint on it, probably Gale’s.

 

He dug in his pocket, pulled out a handkerchief, and carefully wrapped it around my wrist.

 

“The duke… no. Have the princess apply medicine.” 

 

I was stunned by his touch for a moment. Then I remembered something I’d heard Estella say before: 

 

“The crown prince appears at Estella’s debutante ball, and their romance begins.” 

 

Since Estella’s debutante ball is today, it’s also the day her romance with the crown prince begins.

 

‘Then this was supposed to be Estella’s, too.’

 

I’m a little excited to hear this from a guy who didn’t seem like he would. So, this is how romance works.

 

“Vanessa Asell?”

 

“Ah…”

 

I scrambled to my feet and jerked my wrist away from the crown prince.