Chapter 31

Catherine and Hugo did not say a word while dancing. To be precise, they couldn’t speak.

Hugo was overwhelmed by the fact that, although not married, he had become an official couple with Catherine.

When he met her again, he never imagined he would be dancing with her so soon.

It felt like a dream that she was in his arms, dancing to his lead.

Hugo kept his mouth shut, afraid that the dream would shatter.

Catherine’s feelings were not much different from Hugo’s. The reason was just a bit different.

When she met him again, Catherine intended to draw a clear line with him. She had no intention of giving Hugo any title other than her ex-husband.

However, Hugo became Catherine’s fiancé. Catherine was confused, wondering if this was right.

Still, she had no intention of undoing it. There were various reasons.

Among them, there was one reason that Catherine wanted to deny desperately.

The emotion that made her heart race.

As one wished for this moment to last forever, and the other wished for it to pass quickly, the music ended.

“Hugo, that’s enough.”

Catherine spoke to Hugo, who couldn’t take his hand off her waist even after the music ended.

“One more song…….”

“We can’t keep the residents of Catherine House waiting any longer.”

Catherine pushed Hugo away. Hugo, who had grabbed her hand tightly once, obediently let her go.

If he kept holding on, he felt he might drag her out to the balcony regardless of who was present.

Knowing this wasn’t what Catherine wanted, he strongly suppressed the impulse.

Hugo just watched as the flower-like beautiful Catherine walked away to meet the residents of Catherine House.

***

“Catherineeeeeee!”

Waiting for Catherine, who had escaped from Hugo, was Lillie’s interrogation.

“When did you become so close with the Duke?”

Catherine wanted to deny that they were close, but it might seem like an obvious lie given the circumstances, so she avoided answering.

Catherine quickly turned towards Brooke and Riena.

“Sorry, did you wait long?”

As a patron, Catherine had a duty to introduce them here and there.

Attending Countess Napolli’s party was for their sake. She felt very sorry for inadvertently delaying an important matter.

“We’re fine! We got to see something amazing. I thought you two were getting married!”

“That’s not possible. We’re engaged.”

Catherine firmly cut off Riena’s fuss to prevent it from spreading further.

“Engagement leads to marriage.”

However, she was attacked from an unexpected place. It was Brooke.

Catherine, not wanting to continue the conversation on this topic, just smiled once.

Then she led the three of them towards Countess Napolli.

Countess Napolli was with Queen Regencia and Hugo. Catherine didn’t want to face Hugo again, but she had no choice.

“Are we greeting Her Majesty?”

Riena’s eyes widened.

“We were going to greet the host of the party, but since Her Majesty is there, we should greet her as well.”

“Ha, I’m so nervous! Will I be able to speak properly?”

“You’re doing great now.”

Catherine encouraged the trembling Riena and Brooke, and looked at Lillie.

“Are you okay?”

“If you’re asking if I’m not nervous, I’m nervous, Catherine.”

Catherine tilted her head at Lillie’s unexpected words.

According to her memory, Lillie had met Queen Regencia before.

And it wasn’t her first banquet.

There was no reason for her to be nervous.

“Sir Brian is here.”

Lillie whispered to Catherine, sticking close to her. She subtly pointed with her hand in front of Catherine’s belly.

Catherine turned her head as if fixing her hair.

She hadn’t noticed because she was focused on Hugo, but as Lillie said, Brian was attending the banquet.

Now she understood why Lillie was nervous.

“Catherine, keep your promise.”

“The promise you made was with Lord Hugo.”

Catherine’s playful side emerged. Lillie made a strange sound and trembled.

“So stop teasing me about my engagement with Lord Hugo.”

Lillie, who was excited to question Catherine when they got home, made a sullen face, but she could give up a little fun to dance with Brian.

Lillie extended her hand. Negotiation settled, Catherine lightly touched and released Lillie’s fingertips.

“The star of the day is coming.”

Queen Regencia greeted first. Catherine and her party bowed respectfully in front of the Queen.

Catherine introduced Lillie, Brooke, and Riena one by one.

“They are healthy young ladies, Catherine. They will shine this social season. Isn’t that right, Napolli?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

Countess Napolli quickly agreed with Queen Regencia. The Queen looked at Hugo.

With a glance that said she had done her part and would leave now, Hugo sought Catherine’s permission.

“Catherine, I’ll escort Her Majesty.”

“Of course, Hugo. Have a comfortable trip.”

Catherine was eager to send Hugo away. Things had become more awkward between them since the engagement ceremony.

“See you next time, Catherine.”

People were surprised when the Queen promised to meet again, but Catherine didn’t put much significance into it and let it pass.

Hugo and Queen Regencia left the banquet hall side by side. People started talking about them again.

They said the future of the country was bright, that it was time for the Queen to find a partner……

Catherine, predicting what might follow, quickly took the residents of Catherine House to a visible spot.

Catherine had done everything she could. Now, she just had to wait for the gentlemen’s choices.

“What if no one asks us to dance?”

Riena was anxious.

“That won’t happen, Riena. Soon, gentlemen will line up. Straighten your back. If you look like a wet chicken, people might think you’re sick and run away.”

Brooke comforted her, but Riena’s eyebrows drooped even more.

“Brooke, you can be confident because you’re pretty. I’m shorter than you, and my figure isn’t as good.”

Riena had a bright personality but sometimes fell into deep melancholy.

“Riena, that’s enough. You look beautiful today. If I were a man, I’d ask you to dance right away. Well, even if it’s not me, there are already gentlemen coming to ask you to dance.”

Catherine gently stroked Riena’s waist.

As her touch moved, Riena’s bent waist straightened.

Though shorter than Brooke, she didn’t look petite when she stood properly.

“Good evening, Lady Catherine.”

The approaching gentleman spoke to Catherine first.

“Long time no see, Sir Peter.”

Peter, who had shown great interest in the residents of Catherine House last year, was eyeing them again this year.

Catherine didn’t like Peter.

He was an opportunist. Last year, he met each resident of Catherine House, evaluated them, and eventually chose no one.

While men and women evaluating each other is natural, Catherine couldn’t tolerate him openly comparing her residents.

She had a feeling he would do the same this year.

Of all people, he was the first to approach her.

Catherine didn’t want to give him the honor of the first dance, even if it meant her ladies wouldn’t dance at all.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me, Lady Catherine?”

Peter flared his nostrils as he looked over the residents of Catherine House.

In that brief moment, he evaluated Brooke as pretty but strong-willed, Riena as short but easy to control, and Lillie as too beautiful and likely arrogant.

He turned his body towards Riena, who seemed the most manageable.

“Ah, an introduction! Of course, I’ll introduce you to someone special, Sir Peter.”

Peter slightly raised his nose. Thinking he seemed very greedy, Catherine raised her hand high.

“Your Grace, over here! Sir Peter, His Grace wanted to have a chat with you. Enjoy your conversation.”

Catherine passed Peter to Hugo and disappeared with the ladies.

Hugo, suddenly spending time with a stranger, let out a helpless laugh, but seeing Catherine sending an apologetic signal behind Peter’s back, he composed his expression gracefully.

“I’ve been wanting to meet you, Sir Peter.”

And he spoke friendly words to someone he had never seen or known before.

***

Catherine had chased away the fourth man. Riena couldn’t hide her disappointment.

“Lady Catherine, will I be able to dance today?”

“Of course, Riena! You’ll dance with a very fine gentleman.”

Catherine kept chasing away every man who approached, making Riena wonder when she would get to dance.

“Lady Catherine, were those four men we shouldn’t meet?”

Brooke, quick-witted, asked.

Not wanting to badmouth gentlemen in a place where someone might hear, Catherine just smiled.

Brooke wasn’t one to miss the meaning of that smile.

Brooke grabbed Riena’s arm and shook it. When Riena looked at Brooke, she lifted her lips.