I’m Just a Counselor

The man’s face hardened as he spotted Estella.

 

He switched between Estella and her with a fierce gaze, then held out his hand to her and said,

 “Esti, let’s go home.” “How did you get here? Did you sneak up behind me?!” “I was just worried about you…” “How could you do that to me! I’m staying here with Vanessa today!” 

Vanessa glared at the two of them as they started to argue, and then gently put down the weapon she was holding.

 

Silver hair that sparkled like stars, light green eyes. The color combination looked vaguely familiar, and today’s visitor was Estella’s brother.

 “I feel guilty and I apologize.” 

She shook her head, remembering what Estella had said on their first day.

 

From the way they were talking now, it didn’t sound like there was any discord between them, so why would she say that?

 

It wasn’t like Estella’s brother was being mean to her; they were still fighting, but the tone hadn’t escalated at all.

 

Vanessa could tell from the first glance. That’s a brother who cares and loves his sister.

 

‘Calling her by her nickname.’

 

‘Oh, is that just making me feel more uncomfortable?’

 “You almost got kidnapped last time you were out on your own like this, so…” “Is that my fault or that psycho’s?” “…….” 

After listening to the whole story, it seems like a lot of things happened to Estella after the possession.

 

‘Well, Estella is the main character.’

 

Although she hasn’t read this novel, she’s read quite a few other novels, so she knows that the main character in a novel gets involved in various incidents.

 

‘It’s the protagonist’s fate.’

 

She glared at Estella and felt the need to put an end to this sibling squabble, because if this continued, there would be no house left.

 “Look, you two. Why don’t we sit down and calm down and talk?” “But sister!” “Estella, you broke the plate, it’s not safe to stand there, and if you keep fighting, you’ll break the flowerpot….” “Hmph, I’m sorry!” 

At her words, Estella cried and quickly sat down.

 

After calming her down, Vanessa turned to Estella’s brother next.

 “Hey… brother, I think you should sit down too, because I don’t think Estella will feel comfortable talking to you if you stay like that…” “…….” 

The man gave her a quizzical look at her casual handling of Estella, then obediently sat down.

 

Vanessa breathed a sigh of relief and wrapped the broken plate in paper and set it aside. Then she sat down across from Estella, next to the man.

 

Immediately, Estella said,

 “Sister, why are you sitting there? Come and sit with me!” “Uhhh… Okay, okay.” 

She looked at Estella’s expression and realized that she was probably very excited right now, so she should do as she said.

 

After making her decision, she moved over and sat down next to Estella, and the face of the man she hadn’t really seen before came into focus.

‘Wow, he’s handsome.’

 

Just as Estella was a radiant beauty, he was also a very good-looking man.

 

However, his features were more masculine than clean-cut, with bold, defined lines. His broad shoulders and tall stature gave him a sense of strength.

 

‘Brother and sister have a completely different vibe.’

 

She couldn’t see the resemblance, except for the silver hair, light green eyes, and good looks.

 

Vanessa swallowed hard, glancing back and forth between him and Estella.

 

After a moment of silence, it was the man who spoke first.

 “Esti. Are you sure you’re not going home?” “No, I’m not. I’m staying with Vanessa tonight.” “…….” “I don’t care what you say, I’m not staying with you!” 

Somehow, Estella seemed to feel closer to her after realizing that they were the same.

 

She smirked as she obediently hugged her back, her arms around her shoulders.

 “Well, big brother. I’ll take good care of Estella, and you can go back today.” “I can’t.” “What?” “I’m afraid that such a poorly guarded and shabby… Oh, excuse me. Anyway, I’m not comfortable leaving Esti in a house like this, and your identity hasn’t been vouched for yet.” “…….” 

It’s true that her house is poorly guarded and shabby, but to say that in front of the party.

 

Vanessa shut her mouth, somewhat disheartened by the man’s factual assault.

 

Instead, Estella spoke up pointedly.

 “I like it here, and who are you to talk to my sister like that, I vouched for her identity!” “Esti, you don’t know how to recognize people yet, and if there’s a robbery here…” “You’re not going to drag me away by force, are you? If you do, I’ll never forgive you.” 

Estella’s strong words left the man speechless.

 

Estella gripped her shoulders tightly, as if she would never let him get away with anything.

 

The man looked troubled as he looked at her, and after a few moments, he spoke again.

 “Then let’s do this.” “Do what?” “We’ll invite her to our home.” “Great! That’ll work!” “Is that… Estella?” 

Vanessa called out to Estella, dumbfounded by the out-of-the-blue invitation.

 

Estella turned around and squeezed her hand.

 “Sis, are you okay?” “Awww, how can I say no when you ask like that?” 

It was too hard for her to look into those adorable eyes and tell her she wasn’t okay.

 

She nodded reflexively, and this time the man spoke.

 “You are formally introduced to the Duke of Oppenheim and your… name is Vanessa? I would like to invite Miss Vanessa, would you please accept this invitation?” “Oh, the Duke of Oppenheim?!” 

Vanessa asked back, stunned.

 

She lives in the

“Carte Empire”

.

 

The Duke of Oppenheim, the man said, was the sole Duke of the Carte Empire.

 

He ruled the entire northern part of the empire, where she lived, and was known for his military might and wealth.

 “Ah, my name is Jeremiah Eldrik Oppenheim, lord of the House of Oppenheim.” “And this is…” “And this is my sister, Estella Delphine Oppenheim, the only princess of the Duchy of Oppenheim.” “…….” 

Right… would have to be a princess to play the heroine of Rofan.

 

Well, she recognized Estella’s nobility at a glance, and her unusual beauty was enough to give it away.

 

‘Then Estella’s home must be the Duke of Oppenheim’s castle, no wonder ours looks so shabby.’

 

It’s a novel, so there’s enough unrealistic worldbuilding to go around. Hahaha!

 

Vanessa decided to accept Jeremiah’s invitation because she felt that if she didn’t go, not only Estella but also Jeremiah would stay at her house.

 

But as soon as she accepted the invitation, she was horrified again by the articles that began to appear around the house.

 

‘If I had refused the invitation, would they have tried to take me away by force?’

she thought to herself.

 

Only Estella, who was oblivious to her nervousness, was cheerful.

 “I’m excited! Sis, I have so many things I want to show you!” 

She climbed into the carriage with Estella, and they were escorted by knights to the Duke of Oppenheim’s residence.

 

After about half an hour, the carriage stopped and she heard Jeremiah’s voice.

 “We have arrived at the Duke’s castle, may I open the gates?” “You may open it, brother.” 

Estella replied, and the carriage door slowly opened.

 

After Estella was escorted out by Jeremiah, Vanessa cautiously took Jeremiah’s hand. She hadn’t had a formal escort since she was possessed, and her heart was pounding.

 “Ouch!” “Careful, Miss Vanessa.” 

Jeremiah said with a slight frown as he caught her from nearly tripping over her twisted ankle.

 

She struggled to control her still pounding heart.

 “Go, thank you, so… Your Excellency the Duke?” “You don’t have to address me as His Excellency.” “Yes. Then, Duke.” 

Her heart is pounding in her chest, a natural reaction to being in the presence of someone so handsome.

 

Vanessa stammered, covering her increasingly red face with her hands.

 

Barely able to calm her racing heart, she looked straight ahead.

 “Wow…!”