I think the referral link is a great idea - both from a discount perspective and because you are referring us.
I'd propose just disclosing exactly that: "here's a referral link, and you get 50% off the first month by using it." If folks are uncomfortable with using it, they presumably can find Fancy Hands' website on their own. Or offer both direct & referral links.
The people taking issue witg using referral links for something when they are actually being referred should just type it into google themselves. There is nothing malicious about it.
I'd propose just disclosing exactly that: "here's a referral link, and you get 50% off the first month by using it." If folks are uncomfortable with using it, they presumably can find Fancy Hands' website on their own. Or offer both direct & referral links.