12.
A shabby two-story wooden building.
As always, my day began here.
I washed up and munched away on the leftover cookies like usual.
After getting ready, I headed downstairs and opened the counseling office door.
A mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces were clumped together in front of the shop.
The line wasn't long, but it was definitely stretched out.
Seven maids... no, eight?
By now, it was a sight so familiar it felt natural.
But among them, I spotted something strange.
'Who is that?'
A woman wedged between the maids.
From the quality of her fabric alone, she clearly gave off an air of high status.
'...A noble?'
A luxurious green dress.
I'd never seen anyone besides a noble wearing something like that, so she probably was one.
'Isn't this the first noble since Chloe?'
I only now realized the unexpected truth.
Though maids are inherently connected to nobles.
Despite the maids coming and going, my counseling office had suspiciously few noble visitors.
'As if someone had cut off the rumors midway.'
Well, it's not like anyone would do that for a shabby counseling office like this, so it must be a coincidence.
Finished with my musings, I picked three as usual.
Two maids, and an unidentified woman in a dress presumed to be a noble.
I handled the first two maids like I always did.
Hypnosis, click—.
Knead, knead.
Done.
I called the last person waiting.
She slowly stepped into the counseling office.
Fanning herself to cover her mouth, she looked around.
A shabby desk.
A shabby sofa.
And finally, her gaze landed on the heart-patterned cushion Chloe had gifted me.
"Eek..."
She let out a small, strange sound.
Wait, hold on.
The desk and sofa were indeed my choices.
But that cushion wasn't chosen by me.
While I was feeling indignant inside, she already seemed done with her assessment.
Perhaps because it fell short of her expectations, her face was slightly scrunched up.
...Take out the cushion and reassess.
"It's a rather... no, quite shabby place."
"......"
Ah, so it wasn't a cushion issue after all.
I had thought I'd decorated the first floor with decent items, even if they were cheap.
But to someone refined, it clearly fell short.
Since my income had improved, maybe I could move places someday?
"I'm ashamed to say, but I haven't been open for very long."
"Ah, I see."
I replied by recycling some lines I'd used before.
In response, she showed an attitude that matched—utterly lacking manners.
A somewhat irritating attitude.
But I couldn't call her out on it.
First, because I still had no idea how to deal with nobles.
And second, well.
'Because once the hypnosis wears off, no one ever harbors ill feelings.'
It certainly is convenient.
Though using it often seems to make people a bit strange, but anyway.
***
When she sat down before me, I began the usual procedure for a consultation.
"I'm the counselor, Isaac."
"I'm from House Viscount Fleur... that should be all you need to know."
Self-introduction time before the consultation.
Nothing more than that came from her.
Was this just how nobles were?
Or was this woman simply ill-mannered?
While I agonized over what I did and didn't know, she folded her fan and continued.
"I heard this is a place Lady Levantia frequents. I've had terrible headaches lately."
"She does... stop by from time to time."
So rumors had spread that Chloe came here.
I didn't know how it happened, but having more noble customers wasn't a bad thing.
Since they'd probably pay more than the maids, after all.
But seeing her attitude, exhaustion came to mind before money.
If only customers like this kept coming, even with hypnosis, it'd be annoying.
"Headaches, you say. Have you had a strenuous schedule lately?"
"Who knows. Even before that, the other young ladies have been the same. Especially Lady Sinclair..."
Then she covered her mouth.
The slight side-eye gave off a feeling of 'You wouldn't understand even if I told you.'
I already know everything, though.
At least better than you, probably.
For now, I nodded along, pretending not to know.
"I see. Every day must be difficult."
"Well, yes."
Her shoulders lowered slightly.
Her voice loosened a bit at the end.
A layer of tension had peeled away compared to before.
Thinking now was the time, I cast hypnosis.
[Exclusive: Hypnosis activated.]
After confirming she'd fallen asleep, I went around behind her.
I pressed down firmly on her shoulders.
The same way I always did.
Whether maid or noble, no one who came here was completely normal.
And since she'd complained of a headache, this time I lightly touched her head as well.
But.
'Hm?'
It was hot.
A faint warmth felt from within.
The body heat felt through my palm was clearly different from the maids'.
'What is this?'
When maids had headaches, the cause was usually clear.
Overwork and lack of sleep.
So putting them to sleep and rubbing their bodies yielded results, but...
'This doesn't feel like that at all.'
Should I say it feels like heat seeping out from the inside?
Then a cold?
No, it's a bit strange for a cold.
Something I don't quite understand, but a strange feeling.
I pondered, but no answer came.
No answer meant I should just do what I always do.
"Mmgh...."
From her temples to the crown of her head.
I pressed firmly with a strength that wouldn't hurt.
"Hyaah...."
A strange moan escaped each time I pressed her scalp.
'......'
To let out such a moan even while asleep?
What an impressive talent.
I kept moving my hands for a while, and when it felt about right, I slowly withdrew them.
The young lady of House Viscount Fleur slowly woke from her slumber.
Dazed eyes.
Pupils slowly regaining focus.
And a moment later, as if recognizing where she was, she straightened her back lightly and covered her mouth with her hand.
She stood up quietly.
After a small cough, she pulled coins from her pocket.
Tap, tap, tap onto the table.
Three silver coins.
...It's not a small amount.
It's definitely not small.
The problem was my senses.
Chloe had tipped so generously that three coins didn't feel like much.
A bit disappointing for a noble young lady.
Not that I worship House Fleur, mind you.
***
After the young lady of Viscount Fleur left.
The situation changed drastically over the next few days.
Noble young ladies started mixing into the line.
At first, one.
The next day, two.
Then three.
Up to this point, I just accepted it.
Even if they were haughty, having more paying customers wasn't bad.
But there was something that nagged at me.
'My headaches are severe—'
'My head hurts—'
'I can still endure it, but—'
The symptom everyone mentioned without exception.
Headaches.
'Why is it only the noble young ladies?'
The maids hadn't been like this.
What was the difference?
Status? Living environment? Diet?
Questions piled up, but answers were nowhere to be found.
I'm not a doctor, after all.
Since this is a fantasy world, it might not even be an illness.
Still, it was a relief that they said they felt better after the hypnosis.
But the real problem came next.
"I didn't get a turn yesterday either?"
A young lady waiting in line.
A cold voice.
Sharply upturned eyes.
She was clearly in a foul mood.
Noble young ladies were not used to waiting.
Even less so when they couldn't get what they wanted after waiting.
Those who lined up but couldn't get in were prioritized next time, but.
She didn't seem satisfied even with that.
"Even if you say I'll be prioritized next time, I'll just have to stand in line again anyway."
The other young ladies chimed in as if they'd been waiting.
"Lady Levantia gets treated every time, yet we..."
"Only three people a day. Are you running a business or not?"
Irritated voices overlapped.
The maids were slowly slipping to the back.
They seemed to instinctively know that interfering in a clash between nobles would only make things harder for themselves.
Wise of them.
I wish I could do the same.
Unfortunately, the end of this line was my counseling office.
Just then.
Clip-clop—
The sound of a carriage came from the end of the alley.
A luxurious carriage came to a halt.
The door opened.
Dazzling blonde hair.
Turquoise eyes.
An upright posture.
Chloe Levantia.
She looked exactly the same as the first day she'd come here.
As soon as she appeared, the raised voices of the young ladies died down as if by a lie.
Chloe swept her gaze down the line once.
I didn't miss that brief moment.
An expression that stiffened for an instant right before smiling.
That expression disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Then, as if she'd been in a good mood from the start, a bright smile.
"Oh my, did everyone come here?"
Her tone was soft.
But her next words were not.
"The counselor's sessions are indeed good, but shouldn't you all keep the line in order?"
A smiling face.
"I wait my turn every time, too."
Yet eyes glaring fiercely.
Scary. For real.
The young ladies who had been raising their voices quickly sorted themselves out.
"Ah, no. We know the rules."
"Of course we must wait."
The situation settled.
I didn't miss the gap and immediately called out three names.
One maid.
One young lady.
And Chloe.
I finished the first two quickly.
The other young lady had simply complained of a headache just like the Fleur girl.
Hypnosis.
Massage.
Done.
After sending the young lady off, I finally brought Chloe in.
She entered with a dignified smile, having waited.
But the moment the door closed.
Her expression changed.
The perfect smile from moments ago vanished.
What remained instead was a sulky yet apologetic face.
Slightly drooping outer corners of her eyes.
Fingertips fiddling with the hem of her dress.
Ah, this was obvious.
She must be thinking the commotion outside was her fault.
"Is it because of me?"
A small asking voice.
Her pupils trembled.
She couldn't meet my eyes right away, her gaze dropping below for a moment before returning.
As if afraid of what might come out of my mouth.
"No."
I cut in immediately.
Hesitation itself was poison to this person.
If I dragged it out needlessly, she'd obviously conclude 'I knew it was my fault.'
"If you hadn't come, Miss Chloe, it would have gotten more complicated."
"......."
"Rather, I'm grateful."
When I spoke with that in mind, Chloe's eyes trembled softly.
"...It wasn't anything hard."
Her voice softened slightly.
"It's what I always do."
What she always does.
Handling people in high society, clearing the atmosphere, leading the flow.
It must be familiar to her.
But just because it's familiar doesn't mean it's easy.
The moment we were alone, a sulky expression came right out.
Well, being good at something and liking it are two different things.
"I didn't want to see you troubled, Counselor."
Even as she said that, her gaze slid slightly away from me.
Eyes sneakily checking the table.
Specifically, the teacups and the box of tea leaves.
'Ah, she's checking.'
I was dumbfounded.
She stands up for me, and then behind my back she gloomily checks something like this?
And then she'll smile brightly because it looks like I didn't use 'our exclusive teacups and tea leaves'?
Okay, analysis complete.
As expected, dangerous.
Anyway, thanks to her, today passed without issue.
Of course, I didn't think this method would work every time.
There's no way Chloe could always come here and block them for me.
She must have her social schedule too.
The image of a count's daughter organizing lines in front of a counseling office every day was strange no matter how I thought about it.
Today was simply a lucky situation.
But.
'Still, it'll be fine.'
I thought as I watched Chloe steep the tea leaves.
'Even alone, it's not like I have no options at all.'