I’m Just a Counselor

“They have a child, so what can I do? We just broke up.” “I remember you cried a lot when you saw them…” “…Don’t say that because it’s embarrassing.” 

Sherry scratched her neck, blushing slightly with embarrassment.

 “I don’t know why I’m stuck with someone who’s so hard on me when I have someone as pretty and sweet as you right next to me.” “Haha. Thanks for the compliment.” “Vanessa, would you like to go out?” 

Sherry’s sudden question made Vanessa’s eyes widen and she looked at her. Her dark eyes sparkled seductively.

 

Sometimes, listening to her talk about her exes, it seemed like some of the people she’d dated were women, not men.

 

Well, not that she’s biased in that regard, since she doesn’t think Sherry’s unisex, but…

 “There you go again! I told you not to manipulate people like that.” “My Vanessa is strict.” 

Sherry chuckled and stroked Vanessa’s hair as she rolled her eyes and made a gesture. It was a common joke between Vanessa and Sherry, so she let it go and laughed.

 

She looked down at Vanessa and asked her something different this time.

 “What about the Duke?” “The Duke?” “Well, if you’re employed by the Duke of Oppenheim, then your employer is a duke.” “Uhm…” 

As for Jeremiah, she doesn’t know if she should mention him out here, but Vanessa is sure it’s okay with Sherry.

 

She scratches her cheek, then opens my mouth.

 “The Duke… seems like a man of many secrets.” “Hmm.” “But I’m sure he’s a sweetheart.” 

Of course, that was only supposed to be Estella.

 

As Vanessa silently swallowed the last comment, she heard Sherry’s voice.

 “…Him? Sweet?” “What? Sherry, do you know the Duke?” “Oh, no.” 

Vanessa asked, suspicious of her shaky mumbling, and she quickly denied it.

 “Well, the Duke of Oppenheim has a reputation for being, well… cold. That’s why I find your words surprising.” “Well, he certainly has that side, but he also seems to have a sweet side.” “Yeah, I guess you’re right, if that’s what you mean.” 

Sherry frowned slightly as she spoke. For some reason, she seemed to resent her speaking fondly of Jeremiah.

 “What about Princess Estella?” “Huh? You mean Princess Estella…?” “I hear the Duke is very easy on her. I don’t know much about her.” 

Vanessa couldn’t help but smile at Sherry’s mention of Estella.

 “Princess Estella is a very beautiful woman.” 

Not just because of her looks, but because she was a person that everyone would love.

 

Estella was loved because she was the heroine, but to her she was just as lovely without being the heroine.

 

Her happiness and cheerfulness could make her laugh and feel warm, and that’s definitely what she has now.

 “I hope she realizes this.” 

It’s okay that she’s not the main character, that Jeremiah still cares about her, and so dois she.

 

Maybe it’s her job to help Estella realize that now.

 “I want to be there for her, with all my heart.” “I’m glad. You look good.” 

Sherry leaned in to rest her forehead on Vanessa.

 “I still have my place, don’t I?” “Of course! You’re my best friend and benefactor.” “Keep warm, it’s almost winter. And if the Duke bullies you, tell me.” 

Vanessa laughed as she and Sherry locked their foreheads. Sherry’s eyes narrowed slightly.

 

Just then, the knight, who must have finished loading, approached me.

 “Miss Vanessa, shall we return to the castle now?” 

She pulled away from Sherry and turned to him.

 “Yes, thank you for your help.” “By the way, what were you doing?” “Oh, this is a friend of mine… Oh?” 

She held out her hand to introduce Sherry, and her eyes widened when she didn’t get a grip.

 

Sherry had vanished from the scene.

 

* * *

 

Estella, who was fidgeting nervously, hugged Vanessa as soon as she returned to the castle.

 “Sis, why are you going alone…” 

She soothed Estella’s sobs.

 “I thought Estella was busy. I told someone else, didn’t you hear?” “No, I didn’t, but when you go later, take me with you! Okay?” 

Estella said with a whimper. Vanessa nodded.

 “But Estella, you’re here to see the Duke, aren’t you? Did you talk to him about anything in particular?” “With my brother… No, I’ll tell you about that later!” 

With a quick laugh, Estella grabbed her hand and they ran up the stairs with excited steps, finally opening the door to a room.

 “Sis, do you like it?” 

Estella said excitedly, spreading her arms wide. She made a popping sound with her mouth.

 “Oh, did I tell you about the room my brother and I are going to give you?” 

Vanessa looked between Estella’s face and the room in surprise.

 

It doesn’t have to be this luxurious.

 

Even as she thought that, she couldn’t say anything to her, who seemed happy.

 

She’s never had a room like this before, but she’ll get used to it.

 “Wow! I’ve never had anything like this before. Estella, thank you so much.” 

Vanessa deliberately sounded more impressed, and Estella giggled and hugged her around the waist.

 

It was adorable.

 “How much is all this?” 

A large bed with a canopy. A table that looks as luxurious as it feels. Even the ink and pens are expensive.

 

Vanessa tried to calculate how much this room would have cost, but stopped when she was hit with a sharp string.

 

This is the Duke of Oppenheim. The richest man in the empire, worth more than the imperial family.

 

‘I guess I’ll just have to live with it…’

 “There are some things that aren’t ready yet, and they’ll arrive tomorrow!” “Hey, isn’t that all?” “Of course! I’ll do everything I can for you, so you can look forward to it.” 

Estella smiled brightly.

 

She supposed she could call that a nice, pretty thing to say, but it sounded different to her, like,

“Because if I don’t do this much for you, you won’t stay with me,”

or something like that.

 

Vanessa rolled her eyes for a moment, then patted Estella on the shoulder.

 “That’s very sweet of you, Estella. You don’t have to push yourself.” “But Vanessa…” “I don’t need anything in return. You don’t have to do anything for me. I’m just here for you, Estella, because I like you.” 

Estella was silent for a moment as Vanessa spoke the words carefully to calm her fears.

 

Only after a while, as Estella’s arms tightened around her , did she whimper.

 “I was very poor in my former life.” “…….” “When everyone realized that I had nothing to gain, they left me alone.” “…….” “Not you, not my sister, when they realized I had nothing to give…. Because I have so much now… So I can hold on to you…” “That’s not the only problem.” 

There was something wrong with her before she possessed Estella, and that’s why she feels so much more disconnected from who she is now.

 

Vanessa sighed, trying to figure out how to make sense of this.

 “It’s okay, you don’t have to think about it.” “…….” “And I’m employed by the Duke as of today, so if you leave without telling me, you’ll have to pay a hefty penalty for breach of contract.” 

She said in a deliberately bossy tone, and Estella looked up and grinned. Fortunately, she didn’t set off any more alarm bells this time.

 

When Vanessa was relieved, Estella asked me a question out of the blue.

 “What were you doing before you possessed Vanessa?” “Um…” “Were you a doctor or a counselor before you were possessed?” 

Estella’s question sounded expectant and she racked her brain for answers.