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~Chapter 57~
Ring—.
The bell on the counseling office doorframe chimed several times a day.
Lately, that sound felt steadier—because someone now came here for three hours every day to stay by my side.
“Ma’am, today I’ll serve you a black tea with a gentle rose scent. It will help calm your nerves.”
Karen, like a veteran staff member, naturally set a teacup before the guest.
The lady across from her carefully lifted the cup and breathed in the aroma first.
After one sip, the stiffness in her tense face slowly relaxed.
“…My husband hardly comes home these days.”
At first, her lips were sealed like most guests. But once she started, she didn’t stop.
Common mother-in-law troubles, small marital spats, even stories about the neighbor’s child—all poured out.
Karen listened closely and, when needed—
“Oh my, what happened then? And after that?”
—she matched the rhythm of the story.
Watching her, I muttered inside.
‘Bringing Karen into the office was the best decision.’
People naturally lower their guard in front of warm tea.
I had thought her tea would fit the office’s mood, but the synergy was beyond what I imagined.
We were so busy greeting guests that before I knew it, it was closing time.
While I was finishing the dishes, Karen emptied the leftover tea and coffee, came back, sank into a chair, and let out a long sigh.
“Karen, how… did things go with your father?”
I wiped the cups with a dry cloth and asked carefully.
Karen stayed quiet for a moment, frowned slightly, and stared into the air.
“I don’t know.”
With that short answer, her fingers tapped the table’s edge.
The uneven, hurried rhythm hinted how uneasy she felt.
“My father is so frustrating. He doesn’t care what I like or what I want to do… none of that. He only says, ‘There’s no man like His Highness the Prince,’ and tells me to grab the chance while it’s there.”
I looked at her profile and closed my mouth again.
If I tried to comfort her carelessly, I might only hurt her more.
“So… I’m thinking of leaving home once I save some money by working here.”
Karen leaned forward and carefully aligned the cup with its saucer.
It felt like the word “freedom” was sitting inside the teacup she was staring at.
One day, freedom where she wouldn’t be bound by anything, and could do what she wanted.
“I’ll open my own teahouse and serve the teas I choose to my own customers. Then, no matter what anyone says, it’ll be my life.”
I smiled a little at that. I could see a bit of Lyssa in her.
Lyssa had seized what she wanted with her own strength. Karen could do the same.
But as I listened, one question arose.
Through Lillian, I’d heard that Karen’s father was a stubborn man who never backed down.
So why did he want Karen to marry Richard so badly?
Richard had many good qualities. But he avoided women, and marrying a viscount’s daughter was practically impossible.
‘A viscount’s daughter…’
The “Garnet” attached to my name also came from a viscount’s family.
A prince and a viscount’s daughter. Put side by side, the difference in status hit hard.
Maybe I should just be grateful to be Richard’s friend. I felt a little bitter.
Ring—.
Just then, the bell chimed softly, and a strong men’s cologne pricked my nose.
“Sorry, but we’re closed for—”
I looked up without thinking—and my neck went stiff.
Why is he here?
The Hutton young lord who had been turned down twice by me at the last party and had heard words close to an insult from Richard had come to find me.
“Long time no see, Lady Amelie.”
Like the first time we met, he greeted me shyly and stepped inside.
With each step, his shiny shoes thudded on the floor.
“Yes, it has been a while. I don’t know how you found this place, but we’re closed today, Young Lord Hutton.”
I hurried to speak before he could reach the table and sit facing me.
He stopped in the middle of the office and looked at me awkwardly.
Not knowing what was going on, Karen glanced at me, uneasy at the sudden chill in the air.
Sigh…
I couldn’t make Karen any more uncomfortable, so we had to move.
“We’re closing up here. Let’s talk outside.”
I passed him, opened the door, and went out. He followed without a word.
“I… I’m sorry for coming so suddenly. I heard this place is open to anyone, so I thought I could come without notice…”
He apologized, looking deflated.
I knew he didn’t come to make things hard for me. But if he kept expressing feelings I didn’t want in this way, in the end it was no different from troubling me.
He didn’t seem like a bad person, so if I spoke clearly, he should understand.
I decided to refuse him firmly so nothing awkward would happen again.
“It is open to anyone—with worries. So, what brings you here?”
“I regretted parting like that that day. A friend in the Order told me about this place.”
“I see.”
“I was worried because of all the fuss about what happened with His Highness. I wondered if the attention scared you…”
Too much.
His words were sincere concern, but I felt an inexplicable rejection.
Even if he was suffering a crush, this felt less like simple liking and more like blind obsession.
“I was fine. I figured a speculative article would die down quickly.”
“Yes, thank goodness it was only speculation! Honestly, I was startled because you and His Highness looked like lovers.”
“…Young Lord Hutton. Let me be clear. I have no feelings for you. So you coming like this is very uncomfortable.”
I spoke bluntly and firmly to the man whose eyes were those of someone in love.
He began to tremble slightly, shocked by my words.
“I—I only wanted to get closer to you, Lady Amelie. I hoped we could share tea and talk…”
“That’s impossible. You have no intention of hiding your feelings, and that makes me feel pressured. I don’t want to have this same conversation again.”
“T-Then! If I come as a customer, is that alright? You said it’s open to anyone with worries.”
“No. You’re the exception, Young Lord Hutton. I don’t accept guests with ulterior motives. So please don’t come again.”
I said that, then turned away from him.
I glimpsed his clenched, shaking fist and reddening eyes. He seemed to be crying.
I felt bad, but if I softened now, it would only come back later as a deeper wound. This way was better.
“Why have you become so cold? You weren’t like this before.”
But as my hand touched the doorknob, his trembling voice reached me.
I looked back. He was staggering, taking slow steps toward me.
A heavy, uneasy chill ran down my spine.
