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~Chapter 56~
The scandal had unexpected effects.
Because rumors spread that Richard and I were “quite close,” strangely enough, the number of young noble ladies visiting my counseling office suddenly increased.
And every single one of them had a crush on Richard.
“People say he’s usually cold, but he’s actually kind, isn’t he?”
“Do you know what color he likes?”
“Then… could you maybe arrange it so I can talk to him at the ball…?”
I smiled at them each time, but inside, I was thinking something else.
“Sorry, but the male lead already belongs to someone.”
So my mission became gently changing the subject and redirecting their feelings toward other men.
And today was no different.
“Amelie!”
I looked up at a familiar voice. Lillian had come in, and beside her stood a young lady dressed elegantly, fidgeting nervously.
Her sharp eyes and sparkling dress stood out, but her stiff shoulders showed her tension. She reminded me of Lillian when she had first come here.
“This is Karen, daughter of Viscount Silone. She’s liked Prince Richard for a long time.”
Lillian whispered playfully in my ear. Karen lowered her head shyly, avoiding my gaze.
“I heard you’re close with His Highness Richard, so… um…”
Her voice grew smaller and smaller.
“…Could you help me dance with him at the masquerade?”
“Hmm, dance, is it? Why don’t we sit and talk first? Over some coffee.”
I guided them to the table, but when I opened the coffee jar, I froze.
When did I run out?
It was my fault—I hadn’t noticed how many guests I’d had lately.
Sighing, I took out some tea leaves instead.
“Sorry, the coffee’s all gone. Is tea alright? Last time I brewed it too strong, so it was a bit bitter…”
“Oh, tea is fine, Amelie,” Lillian quickly answered.
Determined not to fail again, I opened a tin case of fresh leaves Father had recently bought.
But the leaves looked like they were clumping together strangely.
“Are they supposed to be stuck like this?”
The smell and color seemed fine, so I thought nothing of it. I put a little less than usual in the pot and poured boiling water carefully, then served the cups.
“Thank you, Amelie. You always help us and even—hmm?”
As Karen lifted her cup, steam brushed her face. Her brows furrowed.
“Wait… the leaves you used—weren’t they damp?”
“Huh? Damp?”
Karen stared into the cup sharply.
“These are imported from the West, aren’t they? This type is very sensitive to moisture. If stored wrong, the fragrance changes completely.”
She hadn’t even drunk it, yet she guessed the type of tea and explained exactly how to store it.
Her precise voice and confident tone drew me in.
“And the water temperature is too high. Around 80 degrees is best for this tea. Pouring boiling water directly… it burns the leaves. Or you could say you’re steaming them. That’s why it turns bitter.”
Her timid expression vanished—now she looked strong and sharp, completely absorbed in her passion.
“How could you treat such fine tea so carelessly…?”
“S-Sorry?”
She sighed like a master scolding a careless apprentice. I felt like I’d done something terribly wrong.
“Miss Karen, you really know a lot about tea?”
“Yes. Tea is my only hobby.”
When Lillian praised her, Karen suddenly smiled gently again. But that smile carried a hint of sadness.
We chatted more about tea until Lillian left for another appointment, leaving only Karen and me in the tea-scented room.
I hesitated to sip my own cup, afraid of being scolded again, and decided to steer the conversation back.
“So, Miss Karen, you like Richard?”
“…Yes, I do.”
Her answer was firm, but her eyes and tone were strangely flat.
If it were true, shouldn’t her voice tremble a little? Shouldn’t her eyes shine?
Something felt off.
Luckily, I had a way to confirm it.
If she truly loved him, a heart emoji should appear above her head.
But when I secretly activated my “counseling symbols,” what appeared was a person-shaped emoji.
“…Why is it a person?”
It was the first time a guest had shown that symbol.
That meant her problem was about relationships—ordinary ones, like family or friends—not romance.
“You’ve liked him for a long time, right? Not just recently?”
She kept avoiding my gaze.
“Do you really like Richard?”
“Well…”
“Truly, honestly, from the bottom of your heart?”
She stayed silent. But I was already certain.
When she talked about tea, her eyes sparkled with joy. But when she spoke of Richard, there was nothing at all.
“Please be honest, Miss Karen. Do you really like Richard?”
Her shoulders trembled. She bit her lip, then lowered her head.
“…Actually, it’s not my choice. My father… he wants me to marry the Prince.”
“Your father?”
“Yes. He says there’s no better man. And of course, His Highness is perfect, but… I’m not interested in men at all.”
She held her teacup with both hands.
“I love tea. Rather than marrying someone I don’t know, I want to open a teahouse someday. A place where I can choose the perfect tea for each guest.”
Her eyes shone as she spoke of her dream—but then dimmed.
“But I don’t have the money. To defy my father and leave my family, I’d need capital. And I have no way to get it. So… maybe my dream will just stay a dream.”
I felt bad for her—but inside, I cheered.
Her sharp eyes could spot the smallest flaw in tea leaves, her hands could sense the perfect water temperature. And best of all, she had no interest in Richard at all.
That meant she wouldn’t get in the way of the male and female leads.
Quickly, I made a proposal that could benefit us both.
“Miss Karen.”
“Yes?”
“How about working with me?”
I was certain—we could be great partners.
