I’m Just a Counselor

After an eventful day in the kitchen, it was finally time for dinner.

 

Jeremiah, who had been out inspecting the castle all day, sat down as if he would not miss this time.

 

I smiled wryly, sensing his determination to see his sister’s face at least once a day. I decided to put my nervousness aside and…

 “Hey, Esti, how’s your day going?” “Why don’t you ask my sister Vanessa?” “…Did Miss Vanessa have a good day?” 

Jeremiah said shakily in response to Estella’s sarcastic retort.

 

You know, it hurts me when he says that with a face that says he’s not curious at all.

 

I nodded, carefully avoiding his gaze. I’d rather not make eye contact.

 “Excuse me, Your Excellency.” 

With that brief reminder, the food began to be served on the empty table.

 

I looked at Jeremiah again, a little nervously.

 

He was sipping his aperitif, waiting for the food to be served, and he raised his eyebrows at the succession of plates of food on the table.

 

I watched his eyebrows rise higher and higher, and this time I saw Estella.

 

In contrast to Jeremiah, Estella was looking at the food with eyes full of anticipation, and my heart began to pound in my chest.

 “…What is this, Miss Vanessa?” 

Jeremiah’s voice rang out as I waited for the main event of the day.

 

I turned my head again and shifted my gaze to him.

 

Jeremiah’s subtle expression was unsurprising. These foods were new to him.

 

I replied, a little embarrassed.

“I made it for Estella and I.” “…….” 

I blurted out Estella’s name, expecting Jeremiah to be angry at me for this foolishness.

 

Once again, Mr. Siscom shrank before his sister’s name.

 “…Esti, did you like this?” “Yep. I asked my sister to make it.” “…….” 

If Estella had said no, he would probably have pulled me aside after dinner.

 

‘Estella saves me again today.’

 

I rubbed my chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

 

At that moment, a steaming bowl of rice was placed in front of her. It was the hot pot rice that I had barely succeeded in making after three failed attempts.

 

The rice in this world cooked differently than the rice on Earth, requiring a whole new set of water and fire controls. No rice, no mochi.

 

‘I’m almost in tears to see it come out like this.’

 

I gave a small snort. Anyway, there was only one thing left. Estella eating it!

 “Wow. I’ll eat it, sis!” 

Estella picked up her spoon and scooped up the rice. I watched her mouth nervously.

 

Of course, I had checked the rice earlier, but Estella’s opinion was the most important thing.

 

I wanted so badly to fulfill her expectations that my heart felt like it was squeezing.

 “…….” 

After stuffing her mouth full of rice, Estella reached for the kimchi.

 

It was kimchi made with cabbage instead of napa cabbage. It was much less finished than I expected because it didn’t have any liquid seasoning, but… it was still pretty good.

 

She took a piece of cabbage kimchi with the fork in her hand and popped it into her mouth.

 

I swallowed nervously and gulped. Jeremiah was also curious about Estella’s assessment.

 

Everyone at the table was waiting for her to speak.

 “Eh, Estella?!” 

Estella suddenly burst into tears.

 “Esti!” 

Jeremiah, who had jumped to his feet as soon as he saw Estella’s tears falling, turned to me.

 “Miss Vanessa, what have you done to the food!” “No, I didn’t, nothing…” 

Jeremiah’s expression hardened as I stuttered in embarrassment.

 

For a moment, I couldn’t help but cringe, as if he was about to explode with or without Estella here.

 

But I was more worried about Estella. Had the food really turned weird without my knowledge?

 “Is she okay?” 

Shuffling my feet, I got up to call for the doctor.

 

Just then, Estella casually wiped away a tear. Then she turned to Jeremiah, who was furious with me.

 “Why are you yelling at my sister, are you really going to do that?!” “Esti, you…!” “It was so delicious that I couldn’t help but cry, it was so delicious…!” 

Estella covered her mouth with her hand to prevent herself from sobbing again. I stopped myself and looked at her.

 

She sobbed and seemed to collect herself, then spoke again in a calmer voice.

 “She did something for me that no one else has ever done before…” “…….” “You can’t tell my brother, he doesn’t know, but I do…” 

Jeremiah sat down quietly. I followed suit and sat down, the only sound falling on the table for a moment being Estella’s sobs.

 

Soon, Estella began eating again.

 

She shoveled kimchi on top of her rice, shoveled it into her mouth, and munched eagerly, looking like a two-cheeked squirrel.

 

I watched her with the heart of a grandmother feeding her granddaughter.

 

‘Isn’t my little Estella so beautiful eating like that?’

 

A warm smile appeared on my face.

 

I forgot to eat the food in front of me and watched her, and she smiled brightly at me.

 “Sis, this is really good, I love it!” “Really?” “Yes! Sis, can you put some more tteokbokki on there?” “Sure.” 

I scooped some tteokbokki onto an empty plate and handed it to Estella.

 

After making the rice cakes, it was relatively easy to make the seasoning. Although I didn’t have fish cakes or ramen noodles, the tteokbokki was my own creation, with cabbage and sausage instead.

 

Estella also enjoyed the tteokbokki. Looking at her, I also took a bite of Tteokbokki.

 

‘Wow, this is good. I can’t eat it anymore.’

 

I also remembered the memories of writing a report while eating tteokbokki with tears in my eyes, and I wanted to die.

 

But! I got a good job in another world, and I have the prettiest, cutest, most adorable boss in the world, so it’s a happy ending for a successful graduate student. You should have seen this, professor.

 “…Miss Vanessa.” 

As I was slowly chewing on my rice cake, a calm voice called out to me.

 

My eyes widened in surprise. Jeremiah stared at me, then frowned as if to ask why I was so surprised.

 

‘Why wouldn’t I be surprised?’

 

The man who was angry with me a moment ago is suddenly calm and calling out to me.

 

I shake my head, wondering what else I’ve done wrong. First, Estella. Let’s see Estella and calm down.

 

I took a few deep breaths before I answered his call.

 “Yes, Duke.” “Well, may I have a taste of that?” “You mean…?” “Yes. I’ve been wondering what Esti’s favorite food tastes like.” “…….” 

‘You just made me wonder what I did to my food.’

 

I narrowed my eyes and stared at Jeremiah.

 “Okay, okay.” 

I didn’t expect any reaction from this guy…

 

In fact, I think Jeremiah’s first reaction would be to suspect me. So I didn’t need to be hurt or disappointed to see him again.

 

Still, I wondered if Jeremiah’s initial reaction was a sign that he didn’t want to continue the cold war with me. I decided to hope for the best.

 “But is it okay if I give it to you?” 

It’s got a lot of chili powder in it… and I don’t think Jeremiah can eat it if the guys in the kitchen can’t.

 

I looked back and forth between his face and the soggy tteokbokki and decided to give it to him. He asked for it first, after all.

 “Here.” 

I held out the plate of tteokbokki, and Jeremiah dug in with his fork.

 

I laughed at the sight of an elegant, cool man eating tteokbokki with a fork, but I stifled my giggles, thinking of Jeremiah’s dignity.

 

I wondered how Jeremiah would react to the spicy food. I stared at his mouth.

 

It seemed I wasn’t the only one wondering.

 “I don’t think he can eat that…” 

Estella was staring at Jeremiah, too, and her muttering seemed to stir up his competitive spirit.

 

Jeremiah gave her a

“Can I?”

look and popped the heavily seasoned rice cake into his mouth.