Chapter 19

Hugo held out the cup to Catherine. Catherine took the cup that was brought right up to her nose in a daze.

“It means that you have shared blood with Her Majesty.”

Hugo explained the situation to Catherine without breaching etiquette.

Catherine wanted an explanation of why she had to drink this rather than the meaning of the wine.

However, Hugo pretended not to notice Catherine’s questioning gaze.

Everyone was watching Catherine. The only action Catherine could take was to drink the wine.

Somehow, she felt like she had been dragged around by Hugo all day.

Piare brought a silver tray. Catherine naturally placed the cup on the tray.

Then the knights began to stamp the floor with the tips of their swords. The nobles clapped in unison.

Catherine’s first participation in a title conferment ceremony was finally over.

***

She thought she could go home like that, but now Catherine found herself in a very awkward situation.

After the title conferment ceremony, Catherine moved to the king’s reception room.

Hugo, who had become a Duke, sat next to her, and Regencia sat in front of them.

Between Regencia and Catherine were desserts that looked sweet enough to melt the tongue, made with the utmost effort by the king’s chef, and bitter coffee and fragrant tea.

It was awkward enough to sit here, but the topic of conversation was even more awkward.

“Become a sponsor?”

Hugo brought up the sponsorship story when the Queen asked about recent events.

“Yes. Until now, you haven’t paid any attention to the social world. There are rumors that you only associate with male nobles. It’s the right time for you to take an interest in the social world.”

Catherine was shocked.

Only associating with male nobles.

That rumor could be interpreted as her playing around with male nobles.

The true intent of the rumor was to point out Regencia’s debauched private life.

Although it was different from reality.

“Ah, so it’s a suggestion purely for my benefit.”

Hugo answered without even raising an eyebrow.

“That’s right. It’s a suggestion solely for Your Majesty.”

“You’ve learned only the bad things since becoming a Duke. So, who is the young lady I should sponsor? Lady Catherine?”

Regencia was a straightforward person when working, but not so straightforward in personal matters.

She did not let Hugo’s mention of her rumors slide and retorted in this way.

Hinting that she could become a solid sponsor for the woman Hugo had his eye on.

Hugo couldn’t remain calm in the face of that provocation.

Regencia found it increasingly amusing to see his dark eyes shaking aimlessly.

“How about it, Lady Catherine? If you need a sponsor, I’m thinking of stepping in. Of course, the women of the Catherine House will be sponsored as well.”

Regencia made an attractive proposal to Catherine.

Bang.

Hugo put the water glass down. Catherine and Regencia turned to Hugo at the same time.

“It was a mistake. I apologize.”

He had put the glass down so hard that water splashed everywhere. It was the same on Hugo’s hand.

Catherine rummaged through her bag to give Hugo a handkerchief.

But the handkerchief she had just taken out became useless.

Regencia’s attendant had already handed a handkerchief to Hugo.

“Thank you.”

Hugo rubbed his hand vigorously with the handkerchief offered by the attendant.

Regencia alternated her gaze between Hugo, who was full of discontent, and Catherine, who couldn’t put away or hand over her handkerchief.

Soon, a curious smile appeared on her lips.

“It seems I made too big of a proposal. Think it over and let me know, Lady Catherine.”

Regencia, saying she was busy with state affairs, dismissed the two.

***

The inside of the carriage was unusually quiet.

The silence was broken when the carriage crossed the drawbridge of the royal palace and entered the city.

“There’s no need to think about it, Catherine.”

“What do you mean, Hugo?”

Catherine turned her head from looking out the window to look at Hugo.

Hugo stared stubbornly ahead, not meeting her gaze.

Today was a good day. No matter what anyone said, it was an honorable day for the Edward family.

But Hugo had been in a bad mood all day.

‘Maybe not all day. When did he start feeling bad?’

Catherine was so curious about his bad complexion during the title conferment ceremony that she couldn’t even ask him about it.

She couldn’t even question the process that led her to the title conferment ceremony.

Catherine stared at Hugo’s jaw, which tensed whenever he was stubborn.

“The matter that Her Majesty Regencia suggested.”

Catherine carefully recalled what Regencia had said.

She had said quite a lot during their short tea time.

As she retraced Regencia’s witty words, she remembered the sponsorship proposal.

That must be what Hugo was talking about.

“You’re right. I’m thinking of refusing.”

Hugo turned his head. But their gazes did not meet.

Catherine, while replying, had turned her head toward the window.

“Catherine, a better sponsor will appear. If not, I will do it. Now that I’m a Duke.”

“Pfft.”

A laugh escaped Catherine’s lips.

Hugo’s eyebrows shot up.

“Hugo, men can’t be sponsors for ladies.”

“Oh…”

In his attempt to prevent Regencia from becoming Catherine’s sponsor, he had forgotten the basics.

Hugo, embarrassed by his mistake, rubbed the back of his neck.

“But thank you for saying so.”

“Catherine, if there’s anything I can help with…”

“Hugo, you don’t have to be so desperate.”

Catherine finally met his gaze. The smile had disappeared from her face.

Hugo found that very unfortunate.

“I will take responsibility for finding a good match for Brian. So don’t worry.”

Hugo didn’t immediately respond and kept his mouth shut. And silence returned.

Catherine wasn’t unfamiliar with the silence between her and Hugo.

For the two of them, silence suited them better than chattering.

Lately, ordinary conversations like helping each other or what they had been up to felt more awkward.

Because during their past married life, the conversations they had were few and far between.

Hugo was taciturn, and Catherine didn’t know what to say in front of him.

So the familiar silence, strangely, felt uncomfortable.

Catherine turned her head and looked at Hugo, who was lost in thought.

His almond-shaped eyes were narrowed.

‘What is he thinking so deeply about?’

Even though he must have felt her gaze, Hugo didn’t turn his head.

As Hugo stared out the window and Catherine stared at Hugo, the carriage steadily rolled to a stop in front of the Catherine House.

“Hugo, we’ve arrived.”

Even after arriving, Hugo didn’t move for a while.

Since Hugo, who was sitting by the door, had to get out first, Catherine called out to him.

“Huh? Already?”

Hugo acted as if he had just woken up. A look of great regret flashed across his face.

“Time flew by.”

Hugo said as he opened the carriage door.

The coachman had already set up the steps.

Catherine took Hugo’s offered hand and stepped down from the carriage.

“I had a good time today, Hugo.”

“Really?”

Hugo asked back. Catherine smiled silently.

Honestly, she was quite flustered. It wasn’t because they were ex-spouses; anyone would be.

Catherine reflected on the day.

Hugo’s Duke title conferment, the private audience with the Queen, and the Queen’s sponsorship proposal.

If someone found all that simply enjoyable, they must be a great adventurer and explorer.

But Catherine wasn’t someone who enjoyed such adventures to that extent.

Though she was brave and resolute.

“It doesn’t seem like you enjoyed it.”

A shadow fell over Hugo’s face. Catherine instantly knew it was disappointment.

‘In the past, I could never tell what he was thinking.’

Meeting again, his thoughts were clearly reflected in his expressions and tone.

“It was intriguing, Hugo. It was sudden, but it was a unique experience. When else would I see a Duke title conferment? Come to think of it, I haven’t properly congratulated you. Congratulations, Hugo. Or should I call you ‘Your Grace’?”

Hugo chuckled.

He habitually brushed his forehead. Even though there was no hair to brush back as he had neatly styled it.

When his large hand brushed up his forehead, people’s gaze naturally lingered on his face.

And every single one of them was surprised.

By his handsome face. Catherine was no exception.

‘Come to think of it, I’m a hardcore lookist.’

Despite vividly remembering the hardships she faced after marrying him because of his looks, she was mesmerized by his face again.

“Catherine, call me comfortably. Our relationship doesn’t change just because I’ve become a Duke.”

What kind of relationship do we have? 

Catherine barely swallowed the question that almost slipped out.

“Okay, Hugo. But I’ll be careful in public. You might find it troublesome. Well then, goodbye.”

Catherine gave a graceful farewell. As she turned away, Hugo quickly followed and grabbed her.

“Catherine, won’t you offer me a cup of tea? To celebrate me becoming a Duke.”

It had been about a month since Hugo came to the capital, and he was beginning to understand how to treat Catherine.