I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 92

The envelope Julian handed me contained not only a card, but also a small key. It must have belonged to Viscount Asell.

 

I clasped the key with great excitement. Meanwhile, tea time in the greenhouse was almost over.

 

As I cleared my plate and rose to leave, Julian called me to him.

 

“My birthday banquet will be held soon.”

 

“Again? It’s only been a few days since the New Year’s ball.”

 

“Huh? So the crown prince’s birthday banquet is held alongside other events? Do you think this country is so easy?”

 

“I didn’t say that, did I?”

 

“No, but you make it sound like you didn’t know about my birthday?”

 

“Because I really didn’t…”

 

But for the sake of the self-conscious crown prince, I shrugged instead of talking.

 

Julian stared at me for a moment, trying to figure out how to interpret my behavior, then continued.

 

“…Anyway, if you’re going to return to the north, hold off until then. I want this to be the first banquet you attend as Viscount Asell.”

 

Julian’s words stunned me for a moment.

 

“I see, I will be Viscount Asell, a noblewoman, at that banquet.”

 

Suddenly, I remembered the New Year’s ball. The moments when I was unnecessarily intimidated by my status.

 

It was a long time ago, and I couldn’t believe how things had changed.

 

‘Maybe my mood will be different from then.’

 

I coughed a few times to hide my nervousness.

 

“Well… I’ll have a word with the Duke.”

 

“You can go to the North by yourself, why tell the Duke?”

 

“Just because… he came with me when I came, and…”

 

“Ha, I don’t want the Duke to come.”

 

After a moment of grumbling, Julian spoke up.

 

“Then wear the dress I gave you.”

 

“Does it really matter?”

 

“It’s very important. And take a separate carriage from the Duke. No, I’ll send one to the manor.”

 

Julian was serious, and although I couldn’t understand his nonsense, it was the birthday boy’s request, and I couldn’t refuse. So I said yes.

 

Julian didn’t seem to believe me, and after repeating myself several times, he let me go.

 

After parting ways with Julian, I left the crown prince’s palace and took a carriage.

 

Kianton, who came out to see me off, stiffened and then spoke.

 

“Lady Vanessa, I am so sorry. I should have protected you…”

 

“Uh, didn’t we just finish that conversation? It’s really fine, so don’t apologize to me, and I hope you have a long life as an escort to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

 

I hope Kianton stays by Julian’s side for a long time.

 

“No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think there’s any other knight who can accept Julian’s temper.”

 

I meant it in all sincerity, but somehow Kianton heard me, and he sighed deeply.

 

“I’ll take to my grave what Lady Vanessa said about my boss.”

 

“Can’t you just forget about it now? Anyway, I think Lord Kianton is a good knight, and I hope he stays that way until the end.”

 

Kianton’s shoulders slumped as he stared at me strangely as I smiled.

 

“You’re adding to my guilt this way, Lady Vanessa.”

 

“I didn’t mean to.”

 

“Eh. Never mind, but thank you for saying so anyway.”

 

He escorted me to the carriage, and as he did so, he lightly pressed his lips to the back of my hand.

 

I was a little surprised, as this was the first time I’d ever been greeted in this way.

 

 ‘Uh… Is he doing this because I’m a noble now?’

 

“I wouldn’t call it a substitute, but if Lady Vanessa needs me, I’ll come at once, whether it’s to the Islands or the North.”

 

“To… the north so you can get robbed again?”

 

“You have a very good memory.”

 

Kianton closed the carriage door with a bitter smile. The carriage began to move.

 

With Kianton’s promise, I leaned back in my seat, feeling not so bad.

 

 

* * *

 

 

“Are you sure?”

 

Jeremiah asked as soon as I returned from the palace. I glanced over at Jeremiah, who was sitting in his chair in the Oval Office. The setting sun was turning his silver hair scarlet.

 

I barely tore my gaze away from him and spoke.

 

“I didn’t say enough to get the Duke involved.”

 

“Hmm, coming from you, I don’t believe it, but…”

 

Jeremiah muttered, putting down the papers he was looking at.

 

I pouted a little, realizing that I’d come out of nowhere to be mistrusted, but before he could say anything else, I spoke up.

 

“I’m now Viscount Asell.”

 

“Come to think of it, you’re the only one left of the House of Asell, so I suppose you’ll be the next Viscount.”

 

“And His Highness the Crown Prince gave me the title Viscount Asell first…”

 

“That’s good.”

 

Jeremiah said breezily.

 

I studied him for a moment, then opened my mouth. I didn’t think Jeremiah was going to like this one.

 

“His Highness the Crown Prince has invited me to his upcoming birthday banquet…”

 

“…….”

 

“He asked me to delay my return to the north until then…”

 

“…….”

 

“Would that be okay with… Duke?”

 

“Me? Why me?”

 

“Well, if my schedule is delayed, the Duke’s schedule for returning home will also be delayed… Oh, do you want me to go back by myself? It’s not like I don’t have money or anything.”

 

“Were you thinking of going north with me?”

 

Julian asked similarly. Did these people think I was going to go separately? I was thinking of going back together, of course.

 

My luggage is all here, and even though I’ve become Viscount Asell, I’m still employed by the duke. I still have some time left on my contract.

 

‘So technically, it’s not Jeremiah who’s going back, but Estella and all of the Duke’s people…’

 

I rolled my eyes and nodded.

 

At that moment, Jeremiah’s frown, which had been contorting itself into a grimace ever since Julian had invited me to the birthday banquet, stretched into a lie.

 

“We can push back the schedule. It’ll be… two weeks after the birthday banquet, which is fine, and Estella will be fine with that, if it’s because of you, of course.”

 

“Are you sure… Estella will say it’s okay?”

 

“Yes.”

 

I groaned slightly, remembering the Estella of today, who was at the height of her aloofness.

 

Estella and I often bumped into each other in the hallways as well as at meals, and each time she would stiffen and walk past me first.

 

‘It’s not good to be next door to each other at times like this.’

 

I realized one more thing: how scary it is when a cute puppy, who is always bouncing and smiling, suddenly turns sullen and cold…

 

At one point, I even asked Jeremiah for advice on how to resolve my relationship with Estella.

 

“You don’t have to try, she just needs time right now,” he said.

 

‘I’ve heard this before, but…’

 

Jeremiah seemed to have a certain confidence in Estella. He still did.

 

I looked at him a little resentfully, but decided to trust Jeremiah’s brotherly instincts.

 

“Anyway, all I have to tell you is this… I’m thinking of going to Viscount Asell’s mansion now.”

 

“Now?”

 

Jeremiah frowned again and checked his pocket watch. I nodded to indicate that now was the right time.

 

The sun would be setting soon, and people would be worried if I disappeared after dark, so I was only saying it, not asking permission.

 

Having already made up my mind, I opened my mouth.

 

“I’m going to have dinner… in case I stay up all night, so don’t worry.”

 

“You’ve already made up your mind.”

 

Jeremiah raised his eyebrows as if he couldn’t stop me.

 

“No, I… since when am I being treated like a troublemaker by everyone?”

 

‘Sir Melvin? Did he start this?’

 

“Keep the escort, just in case.”

 

“I’ll go with Shane then.”

 

“Are you going to leave… Shane outside the mansion?”

 

“What? Of course not!”

 

“Then you think I’m going to leave you and Shane alone in the mansion, and besides, you might be up all night?”

 

Jeremiah pulled the corners of his mouth up in a pout.

 

“I don’t know why you keep trying to pull jealousy out of me, Vanessa.”

 

“…….”

 

“Oh. Is this your kind of thing?”

 

“No!”

 

I denied vehemently, but Jeremiah didn’t seem to believe me.

 

 

* * *

 

 

So there were four of us in the carriage on the way to Viscount Asell’s estate. Myself, Jeremiah, Shane, and Sir Melvin.

 

Shane asked if I wanted to go with him, so of course I agreed, and Jeremiah came along to check out the estate.

 

And Sir Melvin… was my other escort. Jeremiah said he couldn’t leave me alone with Shane in the manor.

 

“No, that’s why you have your own aides?”

 

What would I do if I stayed in the mansion alone with Shane? I’ll be chatting with a friend. Lately, Jeremiah had been acting like an overzealous lover.

 

‘Lover? What… lover?’

 

I bit the inside of my mouth as I realized what I’d just thought.