Chapter 24

Catherine stared at Hugo without answering his question.

Hugo quickly withdrew his question, fearing she might say, ‘I think I came to the wrong place.’

“Tea! Let’s have some tea first and then talk.”

At that moment, a maid returned with a tea tray. The maid placed the teacups, teapot, milk, and sugar on the table.

This time too, the maid closed the door tightly without saying anything.

When an unmarried man and woman are in a room together, the door should remain open unless they are engaged.

As Catherine’s eyes lingered on the door, Hugo called her.

“Catherine, would you like some milk?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Sugar?”

“No, thank you, Hugo.”

“Just like me.”

The words “just like me” made her heart tingle. Only now was she discovering their commonalities.

Catherine was perplexed.

“I hope we can often enjoy tea together in this room.”

Hugo said as he lifted his teacup.

“Hugo, I haven’t said I would marry you yet.”

Catherine drew a clear line.

“But you’re considering it positively, aren’t you?”

Catherine sighed.

“Yes, and that’s why I want to discuss it with you.”

“Let’s drink tea first, Catherine. There’s no rush.”

Today, Catherine seemed particularly anxious.

Hugo wanted her to marry him, even if it meant pushing her, but he remembered his past mistakes and gave her some breathing space.

He remembered how she had reacted when she was pushed into their first marriage.

She regretted it and immediately declared a divorce.

He couldn’t let it go that way again.

Hugo intended to let her choose marriage.

When she genuinely wanted him, whether it was his heart, wealth, or power, he was ready to give it all.

In truth, Hugo was just as anxious, but he didn’t want to show his feelings and make her feel pressured.

So he tried his best to maintain a relaxed expression.

Catherine’s face looked much more at ease after drinking the warm tea.

She put down her teacup and straightened her posture.

“Hugo, I need money.”

Catherine didn’t beat around the bush.

“Are you asking to borrow money?”

“No, Hugo. Knowing your situation, I can’t ask you to lend me money.”

Catherine still seemed to think of Hugo as a poor lord, not realizing he had become a Duke.

Hugo wondered if he should tell her about the surplus gold mine profits he had just been discussing with John.

“I have enough money too. I just can’t use it right now.”

Before Hugo could finish his thoughts, Catherine explained what she had been through in the past two days without any unnecessary details.

“What a horrible person. Oh, I’m sorry. But she is your legal guardian.”

Hugo couldn’t hide his anger towards Countess Bedwig.

“Feel free to curse her. I want to say even worse things.”

“Worse things like?”

“A person who wouldn’t be missed even if they starved for days.”

“That’s it?”

“A person who wouldn’t be pitied even if they had a thorn stuck under their nail.”

“You’re too lenient.”

“Alright. A person who deserves to break their nose if they fall backward.”

“Let’s call her a wicked witch.”

Catherine smiled faintly. Her heavy heart felt lighter thanks to Hugo’s joke.

“Catherine, let’s sum this up. If you don’t get married right away, your property will go to Earl Bedwig and his wife, right?”

Catherine nodded.

“Then you should marry me. I have no interest in your property.”

“I know, Hugo. But I can’t marry you.”

Hugo’s hopeful heart sank instantly.

“Why not?”

Hugo lowered his gaze.

“Because I’m poor?”

“No, Hugo.”

“Because I’m lacking?”

“Hugo, don’t say that. The reason I’m refusing you is…”

Catherine sighed.

“Because we were once divorced. The first time is hard, but the second is easy, Hugo. For anything. That’s why I’m negative about marrying you.”

“Catherine, that was, back then…”

If the past divorce was the problem, Hugo had a lot to say.

“No, Hugo. We can’t get married. But there’s another way. A way you can help me, and I can receive your help.”

Catherine cut off Hugo’s words.

“What on earth is that way?”

Hugo asked, barely suppressing his turbulent emotions.

“The tea is getting cold, Hugo.”

This time, Catherine gave Hugo time to calm down.

Catherine couldn’t understand why Hugo was so shaken by her refusal.

Did he not expect to be refused?

If that was the case, Hugo still didn’t know her well.

‘And yet he decorated the room perfectly to my taste.’

Hugo drank the tea as Catherine suggested. It took less than a second to gulp down the now-cold tea.

It was impolite, but he couldn’t drink it slowly.

Marriage was out of the question. But he had to help her.

He couldn’t bear the curiosity about what her method was.

The proposal was indeed selfish. It was a greedy desire to keep Catherine by his side.

Even if he had to suffer losses, Hugo was ready to help her if it benefited her.

Even if it meant a loss for him, Hugo was ready to help her.

“Now tell me, Catherine.”

“Hugo. Marriage is difficult, but engagement is possible.”

However, Hugo felt deflated hearing Catherine’s answer.

“Catherine, is that the best solution you came up with?”

He had no intention of belittling her. But the method Catherine suggested was very flimsy.

To protect her property, her legal guardian needed to change. But engagement wouldn’t suffice.

“Yes, it’s possible. You’re not a Viscount anymore; you’re a Duke.”

Hugo tilted his head.

Catherine recalled her consultation with the lawyer that morning.

– Is there no way to reclaim my money?

– There is. If someone very high up guarantees it.

– For example?

– It would have to be someone who can replace the Earl, like a prince or a duke.

“So, you mean I should guarantee you.”

“That’s right. You would guarantee that what I’m claiming isn’t false and, if it is, you would compensate for it. There’s one more condition.”

“What condition?”

“We need to prove that we are quite close.”

Hugo understood how Catherine came up with the idea of engagement.

The situation was working in his favor.

She couldn’t marry him, but engagement was possible.

If they were engaged, no one would bother Catherine, and Countess Bedwig would keep her mouth shut.

“And it solves the part you’re worried about too. Since you’ve announced our engagement, other ladies won’t bother you.”

Except for someone like Madame Smith, who had no conscience. But such people are rare.

“I think it will also help Brian.”

Hugo quietly listened to Catherine.

“If I get engaged to you and you guarantee me, all problems will be solved? What happens next? Let’s be clear, Catherine.”

“Once this social season is over, the urgent issues will be resolved. After that, you can do as you wish, Hugo.

Catherine planned to collect all the essence of love this year.

Once she filled the pendant and obtained the holy relic, she didn’t mind becoming a beggar as long as she could sincerely wish for Hugo’s happiness.

“You still don’t want to marry me?”

Hugo said, as if he could see right through Catherine.

“That’s how it should be, Hugo.”

“Catherine, I don’t want to do something with a predetermined end.”

“Hugo…”

Catherine was quite taken aback, not having anticipated Hugo’s refusal.

She wanted to persuade him with appropriate words but couldn’t think of anything suitable.

“Catherine, your proposal is attractive. But.”

Hugo stood up. With a very tired expression, he dismissed Catherine.

“It doesn’t sit well with me. I’ll think about it and get back to you.”