I’m Just a Counselor Chapter 93

When I arrived at the mansion and unlocked the door with the key Julian had given me, I was momentarily surprised, for the sight inside was not at all what I expected.

 

“Didn’t you say it was uninhabited… and in need of renovation?”

 

According to Julian, it was, but the mansion was decorated as if it had been inhabited until just yesterday.

 

The furniture looked a little worn, but it was clean, and the rest of the house was very well kept. The candles in the candlesticks were new and the chandeliers were bright. Nothing was chipped or broken.

 

“Didn’t you say the mansion was neglected?”

 

I wondered if I was the only one who felt this way, as Sir Melvin looked at the pristine glass windows.

 

“They left the furniture in place… hmmm, is that because they didn’t know what Vanessa’s tastes would be, in case you wanted to leave it alone?”

 

“Uh… then, Shane, is it possible that you did this because you were told to do so by the Crown Prince…?”

 

“Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else who would do that.”

 

Shane was right, as there was no way Earl Huons would have done this.

 

Julian wasn’t the only one who would have decorated the mansion like this without someone else in between. ‘Had he had someone clean it before giving it to me?’

 

‘Julian was that thoughtful?’

 

I shuddered at the thought, but I was grateful to Julian for going out of his way.

 

“We can stay the night without doing much.”

 

In fact, I’ve been planning to spend the night in this mansion since we left the Snowflake Mansion. It doesn’t hold any memories, but I’m still excited to call it home. For the record, I never intended to sell it in the first place.

 

I thought, ‘It’s good to have a second home, but still.’

 

It’s always good to have real estate, and even if I end up broke in the north, I’ll still have a home. And somehow, I think Julian would be upset if I sold this place.

 

But at least I don’t think I’ll have to pass out while cleaning.

 

“So, are you actually going to spend the night here?”

 

Jeremiah asked with a slight frown as he looked around the mansion. Ever since we arrived at the mansion, he hadn’t been hiding the fact that something wasn’t quite right.

 

I looked at him, scratching my head, and then nodded.

 

“Yes, Duke. I’ll return to the duchy tomorrow.”

 

“That’s right, Jeremy.”

 

Shane interjected, smiling broadly.

 

“Vanessa and I will be back tomorrow, so you can go now.”

 

“…Melvin will be here, too.”

 

“Can I bring Melvin? Don’t you need an aide?”

 

“I’m fine on my own.”

 

Jeremiah gritted his teeth at Shane, who answered through clenched teeth, then glanced back at Sir Melvin, who was standing in the distance. Sir Melvin flinched under his fierce glare.

 

“See that Miss Vanessa is escorted out of harm’s way.”

 

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

 

“From harm’s way.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

Jeremiah emphasized, and Melvin answered stiffly. I looked at him, very determined, and thought of Kianton. I don’t know why, but the two of them seem similar…

 

“Stop being so overprotective, Jeremiah, it’s not like Vanessa’s a child.”

 

“…….”

 

“Or is it because you don’t trust me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Shane wiped a tear from his eye at Jeremiah’s unrelenting response.

 

“I can’t believe I’ve been taking care of you for all these years and you’re still rebelling against me…”

 

“…….”

 

Jeremiah glared at Shane in disbelief, then turned to me.

 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Vanessa.”

 

Jeremiah had unfinished business at the Duke’s mansion, and he couldn’t waste any more time.

 

Jeremiah left the manor, leaving me, Shane, and Sir Melvin alone in the viscount’s chambers.

 

There was an awkward air between us. No, really, only between me and Sir Melvin.

 

Shane quickly put on a nonchalant face and smirked.

 

“Let’s start with dinner, Vanessa, and the side dishes.”

 

“Side dishes…?”

 

Sir Melvin muttered in disbelief, but Shane ignored him.

 

I chuckled and checked the kitchen. It was immaculately clean, and the utensils were ready for immediate use.

 

However, it didn’t look like we had enough food to cook, so we’d have to go grocery shopping. I immediately turned to Shane.

 

“Shall we go to the market first?”

 

“Sure. We saw it on the way here.”

 

Sir Melvin followed us in silence. After buying some vegetables, meat, and bread at the market, we returned to the mansion to prepare dinner.

 

I wasn’t too worried, as I already knew Shane was a good cook.

 

The stew for dinner bubbled away in the pot. Sir Melvin slipped into the dining room, saying he would set the table.

 

Shane dipped a ladle into the pot, swirled it around, and turned to me.

 

“This is just like old times.”

 

“Like old times?”

 

I cut the bread and placed it on my plate, my eyes widening at his sudden comment.

 

“When we were in Hazel. You used to say I’d make you something delicious.”

 

“Oh. I did.”

 

“When you found out I was Sherry, I honestly didn’t think I’d ever do it again.”

 

“Haha. We talked about that the other day.”

 

“Yeah. But Vanessa… you don’t mind doing this with me?”

 

“Well, we’re friends.”

 

“…Isn’t it? Oh, would you look at this liver?”

 

Shane scooped some stew into a ladle and handed it to me. I tasted the stew and wordlessly gave him a thumbs up.

 

Shane smiled and put the stew on my plate. Shane’s stew seemed to have gotten a passing grade from Sir Melvin.

 

“You’re good at everything.”

 

Sir Melvin muttered nervously as he looked at Shane and drained his stew. Shane merely shrugged at the unflattering compliment.

 

After finishing my meal and washing the dishes, I wandered around the manor.

 

Viscount Asell’s three-story mansion was rather extravagant for a viscount, with large rooms and expensive-looking decorations in the hallways.

 

I wondered, ‘Did the Asell family have a lot of money?’

 

I pondered, but nothing came to mind. I’d never thought of myself as rich before, and it felt a little strange.

 

Of course, I’d have to win the trial against Earl Huons to get all the property, but…

 

“Ah, this must be the bedroom.”

 

I opened the door and admired it a little.

 

The bedroom was about the same size as my room at the Duke’s castle. The wallpaper was freshly applied and the bed was made. The sheets and comforter also looked freshly washed.

 

I sat down on the bed, thanking Julian once again. The mattress was plush without being too soft.

 

I shouldn’t have felt any new appreciation for it, but I couldn’t help but feel differently now that it was all mine. Estella would be disappointed if she knew.

 

“Wait, is this the original bed?”

 

It doesn’t look old, didn’t they buy it new?

 

I looked around the room with second-guessing. The couch, the wallpaper, the lights, the nightstand… Come to think of it, maybe some of the decorations in the hallway were new too…

 

I don’t remember much about the mansion, so I should be able to recognize what was there originally.

 

“Isn’t Julian trying to sneak it all in later?”

 

I don’t think a kid worthy of a crown prince would do this for free, I thought as I lay sprawled out on the plush bed.

 

‘I hope he doesn’t expect me to pay for the repairs to the mansion with my body.’

 

I’m not going to go into society as Kianton 2, no way.

 

I shook my head, remembering Julian calling me Viscount Asell. Viscount isn’t a high title, and I hope not.

 

Maybe I should start studying politics now…

 

“Vanessa!”

 

Shane’s call from outside jolted me out of my slumber. I blinked open my eyes and sat up.

 

“I almost went to bed without taking a shower.”

 

Shaking my head, I followed Shane’s voice down the stairs.

 

He was sitting in the dining room again. I couldn’t see where Sir Melvin had gone.

 

“Where is Sir Melvin?”

 

“Melvin went outside to look around. Jeremiah was so insistent that you stay out of harm’s way.”

 

“Well, since he’s here as my escort, shouldn’t he be looking out for Shane as well?”

 

“Haha, I guess so, but I figured if he’s going, I don’t really have to follow, so we’ll…”

 

Shane, who deftly returned the playful flick, rolled his eyes and waved the glass bottle in his hand.

 

“Let’s have a drink.It’s been so long.”

 

“When did you buy that?”

 

“Earlier, when you bought the meat. It’s a fermented apple, the owner recommends it. You don’t like bitter stuff.”

 

“That seems like a long time ago.”

 

“I’m the one who remembers.”

 

Wherever he found it, Shane had set two wine glasses on the table.

 

He tilted the bottle and the red liquid spilled into the glasses. The color made my mouth water.

 

I couldn’t resist and took a seat across from him. Shane picked up a glass and held it out to me. Suddenly, I remembered my first drink with him.

 

“You know, drinking with Sherry always made me drink too much.”

 

“Yeah, well.”

 

“I used to wonder why you were such a good drinker.”

 

“Now I know.”

 

Alcohol is the best way to get someone to spit out information. And Shane, who would have to use it, would never be able to get drunk first.

 

I grabbed my glass and clinked it against Shane’s, then asked playfully, “What do you get out of getting me drunk?”

 

“What information did you get out of getting me drunk?”