Chapter 26

Hearing that it was a welcome guest, Catherine’s heart quickened.

Catherine asked Maid Yuri to clean up and bid farewell to Brooke, Riena, and Lillie.

“By the way, don’t forget to take the reading list I made!”

Even in a hurry, she didn’t forget what needed to be done.

Catherine didn’t forget to give assignments to the three.

Catherine House had a total of 3 reception rooms. There was a very private reception room attached to Catherine’s bedroom, and there was one reception room each on the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Usually, Catherine met close friends on the 3rd floor. She had met Hugo in the 2nd-floor reception room until now.

Elbert’s steps headed toward the 3rd-floor reception room.

And when they arrived at the reception room, Catherine smiled like a fully bloomed yellow tulip.

The guest inside the reception room stood up at the brightening smile.

“Catherine! How have you been?”

“Charlie!”

Catherine and Charlie embraced each other.

Unable to contain their joy, they stomped their feet like little girls and spun around once.

“Let me see, Charlie. I need to check with my own eyes if Viscount Beltis has treated you well.”

Catherine pulled back from Charlie and looked into her face.

Charlie’ face was shining.

It seemed she had not been under much stress.

“Oh, Charlie! I’m so glad to see you. You said you wouldn’t come up to the capital this social season.”

“Catherine, I intended not to. But what can I do when I miss you? I’ve adapted enough to the Beltis estate and thought it was time to come out this year. And.”

Charlie stepped back and patted her belly.

Seeing the tender gesture, the shy smile, and the blush on her face, Catherine understood.

“You’re pregnant!”

“It’s a blessing.”

“Good news from a good person! Should I buy a lottery ticket today?”

“Thank you for welcoming me, Catherine.”

“You’re always welcome, Charlie.”

Charlie was a former resident of Catherine House who had been paired with Viscount Beltis by Catherine two years ago.

The love story of Charlie and Viscount Beltis was long, so Catherine focused on their present instead of reminiscing.

“I plan to stay at my parents’ house for a while, Catherine.”

Charlie was from a noble family in the capital, while Viscount Beltis was a local noble.

Charlie was a somewhat unique case among the residents of Catherine House.

Two years ago, after the social season began, she fell for Viscount Beltis and came to Catherine directly.

She asked for help because it was obvious her family would strongly oppose it.

‘Come to think of it, she’s like Lillie.’

Charlie, who was bold in love, and Viscount Beltis, who liked her but was willing to leave for her sake, were difficult to persuade.

‘Telling someone you love to leave for their sake is so selfish.’

Catherine had a hard time with Viscount Beltis back then.

As much as he loved, he was also stubborn.

‘He was as stubborn as Hugo.’

Catherine’s thoughts naturally flowed to Hugo.

“Catherine, what are you thinking?”

“Oh, I was lost in thought even though a guest is here. I’m sorry. By the way, is it okay to drink anything?”

“There’s something you don’t know, Catherine. Anything but coffee or tea is fine. If you’re going to serve me something, could I have some warm milk, Elbert?”

Charlie naturally ordered from Elbert, who was still in the reception room.

“Of course, Miss. No, I should call you Madame now. Madame Beltis.”

Even after hearing “Madame Beltis” countless times over the past two years, Charlie still liked it.

Soon, coffee for Catherine and milk for Charlie were brought out.

“Catherine, I heard the news.”

After chatting happily for a while, Charlie’ expression hardened, and she spoke. Catherine widened her eyes.

“I was on my way back from Ermei’s dress shop. I went to get maternity clothes fitted in advance.”

Matching Charlie’ hardened expression with Ermei’s dress shop, Catherine could easily guess what she had heard.

Ermei wasn’t a person with a loose tongue, so she must have overheard it by chance.

“I want to help, Catherine.”

While hesitating on how to respond, Charlie made a proposal.

“Catherine, I became happy thanks to you. While living happily at the Beltis estate, I thought about you a lot. I always felt sad thinking about you being left alone after the social season ended and all the happy residents of Catherine House left.”

“Charlie, I did my job in exchange for a fee. And Charlie, I’m not lonely.”

“I know, Catherine. I know everything, but you always gave us much more than we paid for. Ermei’s dresses… they’re not cheap.”

“They were cheap back then.”

“But not compared to what I paid. I even came here with just the pocket money I had saved up, hiding it from my parents!”

Charlie blushed, recalling those memories.

Thinking back, she had come to Catherine with a childish amount of money, asking for help.

“Charlie, I really appreciate your kindness. But I can’t accept your help.”

“No, you will.”

Charlie insisted.

Her gaze was similar to when she had come determined to marry Viscount Beltis.

Catherine sensed her defeat.

“If you refuse my help, I’ll contact all the former residents of Catherine House.”

“Please, Charlie, not that…”

Catherine’s eyebrows drooped.

She had never considered the former residents as people to ask for help.

What she had done for them was solely to gather the essence of love.

It was an act of selfishness, even if the process and result seemed altruistic.

‘I’m not a good person.’

“Catherine, please. Let me help you. Consider it a gift for my pregnancy.”

With her saying that, Catherine couldn’t refuse any longer.

Charlie was like a bull charging at a matador. Once she had a goal, she pursued it.

Unfortunately, Catherine wasn’t a matador who could control the bull.

“Alright, Charlie. I’ll accept your help. Thank you so much. But let me repay you.”

“That…”

“Wait, Charlie. You need to hear how desperately I needed the hand you extended.”

Catherine took a moment to catch her breath.

“I’m in a situation where I can’t even borrow money from the bank. The debt to Ermei’s dress shop and the shoe store is piling up. The ladies of Catherine House might be ridiculed for being shabby this season.”

Charlie let out a sympathetic sigh. She kept quiet to let Catherine continue.

“And you offered to help me without even asking why my finances deteriorated. Is that a common thing?”

Of course, it’s a huge deal.

“So, Charlie, lend me the money. I’ll definitely repay you.”

Tears welled up in Charlie’ eyes at her request.

Charlie was genuinely happy to help her.

Of course, Catherine’s heart was not at ease.

The situation of Viscount Beltis’ family was obvious.

Charlie might have taken out a loan to lend her the money. So Catherine had to promise to repay it.

“I’ll do that, Catherine. I’ll help you and wait until you repay the money.”

Charlie left after saying that.

That afternoon, Catherine moved busily. She went to bed early. Although she had a lot to think about, she forced herself to sleep.

The next day, she had to attend a banquet with the residents of Catherine House.

***

With Charlie’ help, the preparations for the debut of the residents of Catherine House into society proceeded smoothly.

Although Catherine incurred unexpected debt, the immediate crisis was averted.

However, Catherine’s mind was still uneasy.

She had burdened Charlie, who was even pregnant.

Although Charlie didn’t show it, it was certain that she had borrowed money to lend it to Catherine.

And if she didn’t resolve that debt quickly, it would snowball.

‘I need to settle things with Hugo.’

Hugo was the only person Catherine could rely on.

‘If I cause him trouble and mess up his life…’

Catherine fiddled with the pendant containing the essence of love.

After all, she was gathering the essence for him.

‘So Hugo, please help me this time.’

Catherine thought that the engagement card she proposed was the most appropriate means to get out of this situation.

If their engagement was guaranteed, the financial problem would be neatly resolved, and Hugo wouldn’t have to worry about anything.

He wouldn’t be surrounded by multiple ladies and exhausted.

‘There would be a good reason to refuse the Queen’s help.’

The Queen’s offer was a command to Catherine. To refuse it, she needed a valid reason.

If she said she had someone to marry and could somewhat act as a sponsor, Queen Regencia might understand.

‘If the Queen becomes a sponsor, people might avoid the residents of Catherine House.’

Having a strong backer should be to a certain extent.

Catherine shook her head, imagining the situation if Queen Regencia became the sponsor.

So last night, Catherine sent a letter to Hugo, asking him to seriously consider her proposal.

She went to bed early, then got up late from bed.

After writing in detail about the benefits their engagement would bring, she read the letter out loud from the beginning.

Then Catherine burst into laughter.