I’m Just a Counselor

“Achoo!” 

The sound of someone sneezing loudly echoed through the room, and the knight standing nearby flinched. He had a strong premonition that his boss was about to yell at him.

 

Sure enough, a gruff voice spoke up.

 “Did you curse at me?” “No, sir.” “Then what is that tickling sensation in my ear, huh?” 

His younger boss, the crown prince, who had been scratching at his earlobe, snapped.

 “Is it because of me that your ears are tickling?” 

The knight replied bitterly, but he had no choice but to tolerate the crown prince’s temper. A mere knight could not argue with the crown prince’s every word.

 

All he could do was bemoan the fact that the ill-tempered bastard had been born with diamond cutlery.

 “Did you hear anything strange about tonight’s feast, and your stomach seems to be rumbling.” 

His red hair tumbled down his chair. 

 

The crown prince, who had been lying back in the chair and staring at the ceiling, pushed himself upright. He shook his head, and his frizzy hair settled, revealing the golden eyes between them.

 

The knight sighed inwardly. The crown prince had too much of a princely appearance to deny his birth, and his golden eyes, as if he’d never stood beneath anyone before, exuded an arrogant presence.

 “And what is the Empress doing now?” “I wonder if she hasn’t returned with the Emperor after the… dinner?” “Did she leave any words for me?” “I do not know.” “What do you know?” “You ask but I don’t know, that means I really don’t know.” 

The knight slapped himself on the forehead. God must have made a mistake when he created him. What is this Carte Empire coming to…

 “It’s about time my mother let me off probation… Did you tell the Empress’s palace that I’m repenting?” “Yes. The guards did a good job, just as you said.” “Hmm.” 

The crown prince was currently on probation at the crown prince’s palace for ruining the empress’s tea party.

 “It’s not like breaking a few teacups is a big deal.” 

Of course, the teacups weren’t the only thing he broke, and the incident had embarrassed a certain lady of the house, but in the crown prince’s mind, it wasn’t a big deal.

 “I wonder what happened to my mother?” 

He’d gotten into trouble before, and his mother, the Empress, had always let him off the hook, so he’d assumed it would be the same this time.

 

After the accident, the empress went out for a walk and ordered him to be put on probation. 

 

It’s been a week today. All the crown prince has been able to see is the bored face of his escort knight.

 “Something has changed since you returned from the north. Has the Duke pulled some trick on you?” 

It’s not just that he’s taking such a hard line, it’s that he’s stopped pretending he can’t stand his mother. No matter what he thinks about it, her mother’s behavior is suspicious.

 

The crown prince narrowed his eyes. This was a matter of great importance, and if he let it slide, it might come back to haunt him. So he said.

 “Have you learned what the Empress has been doing in the north?” “Yes, Your Majesty. Here.” 

At the crown prince’s distressed tone, the knight quickly retrieved the report and handed it over. Fortunately, the Duke of Oppenheim’s castle was not on the Empress’s route.

 

Gritting his teeth, the crown prince calmed down a bit. Then, the name of a village caught his eye.

 

“…Hazel?”

 

The name sounded eerily familiar. He checked the map and realized that Hazel was a small village close to Loasen, where the duke’s castle was located.

 

‘Why would the Empress bother to visit such an uninspiring country town, three times?’

 “Is there anything here?” 

The crown prince asked, pointing to Hazel, and the knight shook his head.

 “Other than being close to Loasen, there’s not much…” “You don’t mean your mother had a private meeting with the Duke of Oppenheim here or something?” “Nay. We have already confirmed that Her Majesty has not met with the Duke.” “Hmph.” 

The Crown Prince let out a long snort and tapped the map; he always trusted his instincts, and this time was no different.

 “There’s definitely something here.” 

After a short pause, he finally ordered the knight.

 “Hey, you. Get over here and find out what my mother was doing.” “What? Me? Your Majesty, it’s almost winter!” “What are you going to do? Do you want to get fired?” 

The knight sulked.

 “Ha, you goal-scoring bastard.” 

The knight wished he could erase the days when everyone in his family was happy to see him become the crown prince’s bodyguard. He should have realized why his predecessor left the crown prince’s palace with a smile on his face.

 

The sobbing knight finally gave in to his boss’s demands.

 “Yes, Your Majesty, I’ll be back…” “If you don’t get it right. You understand?” “Yes…” 

The knight barely resisted the urge to bash his boss’s head in again today.

 

* * *

 

A few days later, when the effect of the tteokbokki seemed to be wearing off, I hesitated and suggested to Estella.

 “How about we make chicken stir-fry tonight? Estella, how do you like chicken stir-fry?” “Perfect!” 

Estella immediately brightened up and gave me a thumbs up.

 

It was fun to cook with someone so supportive. I happily prepared the ingredients.

 

I had chicken, potatoes, cabbage, and onions… I knew that with the right amount of chili oil, I could make Estella a decent chicken stir-fry.

 

As I poured oil into the skillet and poured in the chili powder, the chef looked at me in disbelief.

 “I think what you’re making is chicken soup, but Miss Vanessa has an unusual way of cooking, doesn’t she?” 

Well, it’s chicken stir-fry, but it’s also called K-chicken soup. I nodded, closing the lid of the pot.

 “I’ve never seen this recipe before, where did you learn it?” “I didn’t really learn it formally, I just kind of stumbled upon it…” 

I looked at him apologetically, as I had with Jeremiah.

 

This kitchen was supposed to be his space.

 

Ever since I showed up, he’d been letting me use it. Somehow, I had taken away his work.

 

Still, he hadn’t complained to me.

 

I finally apologized first.

 “I’m sorry, cooking is supposed to be your job, but I stepped in and…” “No, no, no.” 

The chef threw up his hands in the air, looking helpless.

 “Lady Estella eats Miss Vanessa’s food very well, and that’s enough for me.” “But…” “It’s my own fault for not realizing Lady Estella’s dietary preferences all these years, and I’m grateful to Miss Vanessa for that.” 

Something similar to what Jeremiah had said. I smiled wryly, unable to find a suitable response.

 

He continued in a cheerful tone.

 “Besides, Miss Vanessa is a member of the ducal family now, and I think you have any business interfering with the family.” “Is there?” 

Northerners have a strong bond with each other. Perhaps that’s to be expected in a cold, barren land like this.

 “That’s why it was harder to settle in the beginning.” 

I shake my head, briefly recalling the days when I was ostracized as an outsider.

 

‘Anyway, what I’m saying is that the ducal ties seem to be particularly strong.’

 

But I didn’t expect to hear the word ‘family’ used among users who work together, if not by blood.

 

‘This must be Jeremiah’s influence, right?’

 

After all, it’s the employer who determines the attitude of the employee.

 

Suddenly curious, I asked him.

 “Chef, what kind of duke do you think he is?” “His Highness the Duke? Hmm.” 

The chef thought for a moment before answering.

 “He’s impeccable. Not to mention on the outside, he’s perfect on the inside.” “Mmm…” “He’s generous and very fair, even to the likes of us. He had a rough childhood, but he grew up strong. Anyone in the North would honor him.” “I see.” 

The chef said excitedly. I scratched my chin thoughtfully as I listened to him.

 

I’ve heard enough good things about Jeremiah, I don’t think I need to hear more.

 

‘Still, according to Sherry, there’s a widespread reputation that he’s a cold-hearted man.’

 

The chef said nothing of the sort.

 

‘Well, maybe I’m leaving him out on purpose, in case he thinks I don’t like Jeremiah.’

 

Nodding, I softened my tone.

 “I’ll give you the recipes for the things I made last time later, and I’m sure you’ll be able to adapt them.” “Oh, thank you, I will try to make them, I hope Lady Estella will like my food as well.” 

Just then, the chicken was finished cooking and smelled delicious.

 

I turned my attention back to finishing the chicken stir-fry, and the chef looked at it and asked me questions.

 

And just like that, the dish that would make Estella happy again today was ready.