Chapter 5

There was only one thing Catherine liked in this unfamiliar place.

“Venison with garlic and onions.”

One by one, dishes were placed on the black oak table. As the freshly roasted vegetables gave off a delicious aroma, Catherine closed her eyes slowly and savored the scent.

Having an especially sensitive sense of smell and taste, she never touched food made with stale ingredients or poorly prepared dishes. Even in her family, the Duke’s household, Catherine was notoriously picky about her meals, often rejecting dishes during mealtime. It was rare for a dish to satisfy her completely.

Surprisingly, the food at Leonard Castle was excellent. Observing Marina’s culinary skills, Catherine began to understand why Henry valued her so much. In a place where there was little to enjoy, having exceptional food was a small blessing.

Before beginning her meal, Catherine always took a moment to admire the food, ensuring it was properly cooked. She checked if the meat was undercooked or overcooked and whether the vegetables were fresh. This routine naturally whetted her appetite.

Catherine opened her eyes and looked up at Marina, who was placing a plate in front of her. Perhaps the humiliation of having a dish broken before her had taken effect; Marina’s attitude seemed much more polite than before.

Or maybe she was simply pretending to be courteous because Henry was present.

Either way, it didn’t matter. At least for now, Marina was fulfilling her role and treating Catherine with the respect she deserved.

“It smells delightful.”

“Thank you, Madame.”

Catherine addressed Marina with formal courtesy out of respect for her role in raising Henry since childhood. By showing deference to someone of much lower status, Catherine played the part of a magnanimous noblewoman. And she quite enjoyed this charade.

‘I’m so superior, yet I’m generous enough to treat you well.’

Marina might have sensed Catherine’s true intentions. Perhaps she realized that Catherine’s outward respect masked an inner disdain, which might explain her lack of genuine loyalty toward Catherine. While it could be considered problematic that her courtesy was superficial, it was unlikely that any noble in the kingdom truly treated their servants with heartfelt respect.

After watching Marina step back after serving the main course, Catherine picked up her knife and cut into the meat. The tender venison sliced easily, releasing mouthwatering juices.

In her family, located near the coast, fish was more commonly served than meat. While it was slightly disappointing that Leonard Castle, surrounded by mountains, rarely offered seafood, the abundance of venison, rabbit, and reindeer more than made up for it.

“The garlic flavor is a bit strong.”

Henry, who had silently cut a piece of meat and brought it to his mouth, murmured. It was hard to believe he was the same passionate man from the bed; Henry didn’t even glance at Catherine. Seemingly more interested in the dish before him than his wife sitting across from him, he continued to comment on the food.

“And it seems there’s more seasoning than usual.”

His cold voice made it unclear whether he liked or disliked the dish. Though it wasn’t the first time she had seen him act so differently, Catherine found herself unusually annoyed today.

Perhaps it was because of Marina.

Catherine couldn’t stand how Marina, who seemed to disapprove of her every action, now smiled and fawned over Henry’s words.

“I’ll pay more attention next time.”

Interpreting Henry’s murmurs as criticism, Marina bowed her head and apologized. Watching them silently, Catherine cut another piece of meat.

Though they were in the same space, she felt as though they weren’t truly together. It was as if an invisible wall separated her from Henry. Feeling a sense of isolation, Catherine averted her gaze.

Once Henry and Marina’s brief exchange ended, the room fell quiet. Occasionally, the clinking of silverware broke the silence, but it wasn’t disruptive. Still, the suffocating stillness made the meal feel like the perfect recipe for indigestion.

As if the corset wasn’t constricting her breathing enough, the piece of meat she swallowed felt stuck in her throat. Raising her wine glass, she let the bitter yet sweet liquid flow down her throat, the heat of the wine scratching her insides. Marina, always eager to please Henry, ensured the best wines were served. Thanks to her, Catherine could indulge in wines she wouldn’t have been allowed to even glimpse at without the Duke’s permission.

With her plate half-empty, Catherine set down her fork and focused solely on her wine. The liquid, which had warmed her chest, now flushed her face.

“Marquis.”

Startled by the sudden appearance of Shel, the butler, Catherine nearly dropped her glass. With his graying hair, Shel bore a striking resemblance to her grandfather. The thought of her grandfather, despite having fled so far to escape him, made Catherine feel even gloomier.

She wished someone could tell her when she would finally be free of the Duke. Setting down her glass, she sighed inwardly.

Henry’s expression wasn’t particularly bright either, likely annoyed at having his meal interrupted.

“A letter has arrived from the Duke of Orleans.”

The mention of the Duke of Orleans made Henry, like Catherine, quietly set his utensils down on the table.

“The Duke of Orleans?”

Shel nodded, holding a white card in his hand. Noticing the Duke’s family crest likely embossed on the card, Catherine’s lips grew dry. She wanted to believe her racing heart was due to the alcohol, but she knew it was because of the unexpected mention of her grandfather’s name.

Henry, still wearing a displeased expression, accepted the card. When Catherine had defied the Duke’s wishes to marry Henry, the Duke had disowned her.

Though he hadn’t explicitly used the word “disown,” their familial bond had been effectively severed.

And now, an invitation?

The envelope was ornate, bearing the seal used for major family events. Henry’s pupils trembled slightly as he recognized it.

The contents of the invitation were shocking. Henry quickly scanned the rest of the letter.

“…It seems there’s to be a wedding in your family.”

Catherine frowned. Her mother had been the Duke’s only child. Having lost her mother to a tragic accident when she was very young, Catherine was the last remaining descendant of the Duke of Orleans.

“There must be some mistake. There’s no one in my family who could be getting married.”

She suspected it was some cruel joke. Everyone in the castle, except Henry, disliked her, so it wasn’t unthinkable. Then again, perhaps Henry disliked her just as much as the others.

Catherine glanced at Marina, who stood idly by Henry’s side. 

Could she have gone to such lengths to torment me after being humiliated that morning?

It didn’t seem likely. Such a prank would insult Henry as well, and Marina, who adored him, wouldn’t dare.

Then who could have done this?

“No. It doesn’t seem to be a mistake.”

Henry shook his head firmly. Catherine resisted the urge to snatch the invitation from his hands.

“The one who will be getting married is…”

Why was he dragging this out?

She nearly shouted at him to hurry up and read the rest of the letter. Wiping her sweaty palms discreetly on her sleeve, she waited for his next words.

“Your grandfather. The Duke of Orleans.”

This must be a cruel joke.

Catherine shot up from her seat, her expression blank with disbelief. She was so disoriented that she didn’t notice her voluminous skirt brushing against the table, knocking over a wine glass. The spilled wine soaked the tablecloth and dripped onto the floor. The rich golden dress now bore a deep purple stain, but no one in the room seemed to care.

“What did you just say?”

The spilled wine continued to stain the tablecloth and drip onto the floor. Catherine’s golden dress now bore a deep purple stain, but no one seemed to care.

“The Duke of Orleans is getting married. In two weeks.”

She suddenly recalled the Duke’s words, warning her that she would regret defying his wishes and joining the Leonard family.

She had dismissed it as an empty threat. But now, her lips trembled uncontrollably.

“His bride is Rowena of the Elowen family. Do you know her?”

At an age where he should have been doting on his grandchildren, the Duke was marrying a woman younger than his own daughter. 

Was he trying to have another child after failing to use his only granddaughter for his ambitions?

Henry stopped mid-sentence. Catherine, who had been frozen in shock since hearing the Duke’s name, looked pale enough to faint.