I’m Just a Counselor

Kianton’s words from today flashed through my head.

 

“Does the princess have a particular favorite?”

 

It was clear he had a crush on Estella.

 

Jeremiah had noticed, too. A big brother’s instincts, sensing his sister’s crisis!

 

‘Siscom’s, after all.’

 

But I’m not about to tell Kianton’s dark heart just yet…

 

I hesitated for a moment. If Jeremiah found out that Kianton had fallen for Estella, he would have him thrown out of the Duke’s castle in a heartbeat.

 

Not that Kianton would have much longer to stay at the Duke’s Castle, of course… but he’d have to be able to afford the trip back to the Islands anyway. He wouldn’t have that if he got his ass kicked.

 

‘Kianton has a social life.’

 

The Islands have a psychotic crown prince. Here, a duke as cold as a northern winter.

 

The thought of Kianton living in the middle of it all made me feel salty again.

 

Yes, in a social situation.

 “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I’ve never had a memorable conversation with Lord Kianton.” 

I eventually sided with Kianton. I owed it to Estella not to pile on.

 “…Really?” 

Jeremiah seemed dubious of my words, but said nothing more.

 

He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. I watched him, then turned back to the book. The only sound in the room was the ticking of a clock’s second hand.

 

After a while.

 

‘He must be asleep by now.’

 

I thought, as I closed the book and started to creep to my feet, Jeremiah spoke up.

 “Miss Vanessa.” “Aah!” “…What is it?” 

At my small scream, Jeremiah opened his eyes and looked at me. His chartreuse eyes were so clear and sharp in the darkness.

 

I smirked and planted my butt back on the chair, which was about three centimeters off the ground. I felt like I’d been caught trying to sneak away.

 

‘Embarrassing.’

 

I scratched my cheeks, glancing away from Jeremiah’s suspicious gaze.

 “Why, what’s wrong, Duke, I thought you were asleep…” “I knew full well you were going to get out as soon as I fell asleep.” “Ahhhh… Because that’s what I’m supposed to do in the first place..?” “You’re good at answering questions.” 

Jeremiah gave a small snort of sarcasm and continued.

 “Tomorrow’s the lynching.” “Yes.” “Which means that if you’re not sober enough to realize I’m doing this to you, you could be in danger.” “……?” 

I nodded, puzzled, because wasn’t that what he’d explained earlier?

 

It sounds weird to do something like this, when all I’m doing is staying with him until he falls asleep.

 

It’s no different than Jeremiah reading Estella a story until she fell asleep, and now I’m doing the same for him.

 

I stared down at the book of fairy tales in my hands as I thought about it. All the while, Jeremiah’s voice continued softly.

 “Is there anything you want to tell me?” “Something?” 

I looked up and stared at Jeremiah’s face, scratching my head. I couldn’t figure out what he wanted.

 “I hope you don’t mean to tell me to be careful.” 

Jeremiah is the strongest knight in the Empire, and the people he’s traveling with must be very strong indeed. For me to tell a man like that to take care of himself would sound like a joke.

 

I narrowed my eyes at him before answering in a gravely serious tone.

 “Are you okay with Estella?” “She’s… nevermind.” 

Jeremiah let out a low sigh and closed his eyes again.

 

I scratched my cheek again. No matter how much I think about it, all I can think of is that all Jeremiah wants to hear from my mouth is about Estella.

 “Forget it.” 

‘If you don’t know the answer, it’s better not to ask.’

 

 

Jeremiah seems to have given up.

 

I shrugged my shoulders and opened the book. The light from the crackling fireplace illuminated the words on the page.

 

Since he doesn’t seem to be falling asleep easily, I’ll do my best Jeremiah impression.

 “Duke, I’ll read to you.” “No thanks.” “Once upon a time, in a castle, there lived a princess with a heart of ice.” “Why don’t you listen when people talk?” 

I ignored Jeremiah’s distracted voice and continued reading the fairy tale. The story was about a princess who lived in a winter castle.

 

The princess’s heart was made of cold ice, and the king was worried that someone would melt it and kill her, so he locked her up in a tall tower.

 

There, the princess cried cold tears every day.

 

One day, a passerby spots the princess, caught by the tears falling from the top of the tower.

 

‘This sounds like the story of Estella.’

 

Come to think of it, the novel in which Estella is possessed is also called The Winter Castle.

 

I got carried away and continued the fairy tale.

 “A stranger became the only friend of a princess trapped in a tower.” “With his kind and warm words, the princess’s heart of ice slowly began to melt.” “Finally, all of the ice melted away, but the princess wasn’t dead, as the king feared.” “The princess had a new heart, and when it blossomed into a very pretty flower, a warm spring finally came to the winter castle.” 

‘It was a wonderful story…!’

 

On the page next to the last sentence was an illustration. It was a picture of a princess smiling beautifully in a winter castle in the springtime, and a stranger offering flowers to her.

 

I snorted at the fairy tale. Then I became aware of colorful breathing next to me.

 “Duke?” 

I put down my book and waved my hand in front of Jeremiah’s face.

 “…Jeremiah?” 

I called out his name, just in case, but Jeremiah was still sleeping.

 

Convinced that this time he’d fallen asleep properly, I set the book on the bedside table and carefully rose from my seat.

 “Sweet dreams.” 

With that final goodnight, I crept out of the room.

 

The warmth of the bedroom door was quickly replaced by a chill. The castle’s unlit hallways were eerie.

 

‘Last time I was like this, Jeremiah walked me to my room.’

 

I can’t do that now that he’s sleeping in there. I shook my head and started walking to my room.

 

At that moment.

 “Miss Vanessa.” “Gahhhhh!” “Ugh!” 

My screams startled the other person.

 

Ironically, relieved by the sound, I stumbled and barely caught myself from nearly falling.

 

Uh, but this door is soundproof, right?

 

I stared at the door, hoping Jeremiah hadn’t woken up to the screams. Thankfully, it was quiet beyond.

 

Finally, I turned toward the other side.

 “Lord Kianton?!” “Why, why did you shout!” “Anyone will be surprised to hear someone call their name out of the dark!” 

Kianton scratched his head as I shot back in exasperation.

 

I glanced over at Kianton.

 

He caught my eye and asked.

 “By the way, isn’t that room you just came out of, the Duke’s bedroom?” “Ah… yes.” “What has Miss Vanessa been doing in His Excellency’s bedroom all this time…?” 

I hesitated for a moment.

 

Kianton is the Crown Prince’s man. If I were to confide in him here and now about Jeremiah’s insomnia, it would reach his ears.

 

Jeremiah and the crown prince are at odds, and it would be bad if the crown prince knew about what could be considered Jeremiah’s weakness…

 

Before I could finish my reasoning, Kianton spoke up in alarm.

 “Miss Vanessa… were you the lover of His Highness the Duke?!” “No!” 

That would be rude to Jeremiah!

 

I snapped at Kianton, who was simultaneously ruining both my and Jeremiah’s futures. Whoa, didn’t anyone hear me?

 “I just had to discuss something with the Duke about Estella!” “No!” “Uh-uh-uh!” “Miss Vanessa, are you trying to assassinate me, and why did you put your hand over my mouth and nose at the same time?” 

Kianton shouted in exasperation, but I brushed his words aside and wiped my hand on the hem of his robe.

 

Kianton continued his suspicions.

 “Why are we discussing the Princess in the Duke’s bedchamber?” “Because the Duke has important business to attend to tomorrow, and he must be asleep at once.” “That’s what I’ve heard, but…” “My lord, while we’re at it, please show me to my room.” 

I interrupted Kianton as he tried to get some information, but he squirmed and refused to let me drag him away.

 

Eventually, I made him a proposition.

 “I’ll tell the princess that you’ve been so kind to me.” “…You promised.” 

Kianton followed me. In my mind, I added one more reason to block Kianton’s access to Estella.

 

‘Do you think I’m going to send our Estella to a spy?’