Chapter 33

As Hugo said, things went smoothly for Catherine. When she went to the lawyer’s office, there was no need to mention that she was going to become a Duchess.

The lawyer’s office was also filled with gossip magazines and newspapers.

He already knew how her status had changed and treated her accordingly.

Though it made Catherine a bit sad, she tried to think positively.

“There won’t be any problems.”

Ermei, who received the check Catherine handed over, beamed with a broad smile.

“You didn’t have to give it right away.”

“I know the situation of the boutique well. Do you still make wedding dresses for commoner girls these days?”

“It’s something we’ve always been doing.”

“The problem is the increasing number.”

It was the dream of women in the Dalton Kingdom to get married in a beautiful dress.

However, wearing a dress made of good fabric that fits perfectly was a great luxury for commoners.

So most commoner girls gave up on it.

They either wore slightly cleaner clothes than usual or wore worn-out dresses passed down for generations for their wedding.

Knowing this situation well, Ermei had been secretly sponsoring wedding dresses for commoner girls for quite some time.

‘A person who makes dreams come true.’

Someone might call her an angel.

‘Come to think of it, Hugo also made Countess Napolli’s dream come true yesterday.’

These days, Catherine’s thoughts always ended with Hugo.

It was Countess Napolli’s dream to decorate a banquet hall full of fresh flowers, she was quite a girl at heart.

“By the way, Catherine, shouldn’t you be heading back soon? It’s about time for the gentlemen to visit.”

At Ermei’s words, Catherine checked the time.

She had visited the lawyer’s office and the bank in the morning, then came straight to Ermei’s boutique, and quite a bit of time had already passed.

“You’re right. I can’t turn away guests at the door. We’ll catch up later, Ermei. Thanks for everything this time!”

Although she told Ermei she was heading straight to the mansion, Catherine had one more place to visit.

It was the hotel where Charlie was staying.

“Catherine!”

Charlie greeted Catherine warmly, who had come early in the morning.

“How have you been, Charlie? How’s the baby?”

“Oh my, our child is already receiving greetings from Catherine. We’re doing very well. The food prepared by the chef at Catherine House suits our taste perfectly.”

Charlie had loved the chef’s food even when she stayed at Catherine House.

So Catherine made sure that Charlie could eat the food from Catherine House anytime while staying in the capital.

And whenever she had time, she sent desserts made by the chef to her hotel.

“It’s too much, Catherine.”

“Think of it as interest.”

“If you keep talking about calculations, I’ll be upset.”

Charlie really wanted to help Catherine and was happy to be able to help.

“You’re right. Calculations don’t suit our relationship, do they?”

“Now I feel comfortable hearing you say that.”

“Yes, let’s end this debtor relationship.”

“What?”

Charlie, who had been relieved, was startled.

She wondered if Catherine was going to refuse her help.

“I shouldn’t surprise a pregnant woman. Charlie, things went well for me.”

Catherine handed a bundle of checks to Charlie. Charlie was surprised again by the thickness of it.

“Even without counting, it’s more than what I lent you, Catherine.”

“It’s the interest.”

“Is there a case where the interest is more than the principal?”

“Let’s say there is. Here, take it. Honestly, I want to buy you a mansion in the capital.”

“Oh, thank you, Catherine. This is more than enough!”

Charlie knew from experience that Catherine was someone who would actually do it if she set her mind to it.

So she quickly took the pile of checks Catherine handed over.

“Aren’t you going to explain how things worked out?”

“Sorry, Charlie. You’ll understand if you read the newspaper. I don’t have time right now. Gentlemen are coming to the mansion.”

“Then I can’t hold you back. You must tell me the details next time!”

Charlie and Catherine hugged.

Catherine felt grateful and sorry to Charlie. Expressing that feeling with money was far from enough, but it was the best she could do at the moment.

“If you ever need help, I’ll be the first to run to you.”

“That sounds much better than a hefty interest.”

There was no more time to hesitate.

Catherine wished Charlie and her baby luck and hurriedly got into the carriage.

“Let’s go home right away.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The carriage started to move quickly.

‘Because of the engagement party yesterday, I didn’t check if Baron Dictron came.’

Catherine House and the hotel where Charlie was staying weren’t far apart.

The carriage soon entered Bianche Street, where Catherine House was located.

She saw a long line of gentlemen standing near Catherine House.

Determined to make Riena’s marriage to Baron Dictron happen this time, Catherine slightly opened the carriage window to check the faces of the men.

But unfortunately, Baron Dictron was not there.

‘Did he really not come to the banquet yesterday? That’s strange.’

Catherine had been looking for Baron Dictron yesterday. But until Hugo caught her, she couldn’t see him.

Was he in the lounge, or did he really not come?

‘He might have come but couldn’t meet Riena. There’s no reason for Baron Dictron not to come if they met.’

According to Catherine’s memory, though they parted due to circumstances, they fell in love at first sight.

‘Now that my urgent matters are settled, I need to solve the issue between Riena and Baron Dictron. Where could Baron Dictron be?’

Catherine pitied the line of gentlemen who would leave empty-handed after giving flowers and reciting poems.

And at the end of that line, in front of Catherine House’s entrance, someone who looked at the line of gentlemen with a very different meaning greeted Catherine.

“Hugo!”

When they parted yesterday, Hugo said he would do his best as a fiancé.

Seeing the large bouquet, Catherine understood what that best effort meant.

“Catherine, where have you been? I’ve been waiting for a long time.”

“Didn’t Elbert let you in?”

Catherine hurriedly got off the carriage and approached Hugo. Hugo naturally escorted Catherine as if breathing.

“There was no reason to enter a house without you.”

Riena, Brooke, and Lillie are in the house.

Catherine, who perfectly understood his intention to prevent any situation that might lead to misunderstandings, chuckled.

‘He really seems like a different person.’

The once indifferent Hugo had become someone who considered two or three steps ahead. It seemed he had experienced something significant on the battlefield.

“Let’s go in, Hugo. And how about informing me in advance next time?”

“Well, I never know when I’ll want to see you.”

“It sounds like you came because you wanted to see me.”

“You’re still as smart as ever, Catherine.”

Catherine didn’t expect Hugo to respond to her joke in such a manner.

When she blinked her big eyes, Hugo smiled handsomely and pulled the front door.

“It’s nice not to ring the doorbell when I’m with the landlord.”

After Catherine and Hugo entered, the door closed. The gentlemen looked at Hugo with great envy.

“Catherine! Did you see outside? There are so many people. Who did they come to see? Riena? Brooke? Or me?”

Lillie, who didn’t dislike the attention from gentlemen despite having someone she liked, was excited.

“Is Sir Brian here?”

“I’m sorry to say, Lady Lillie. Brian went to the horse races with his friends early this morning.”

Lillie’s expression crumpled instantly.

“Catherine, I’m going to rest inside.”

“Maybe there are gentlemen who came to see you?”

“Tell them I’m not feeling well. I have no gentleman other than Brian.”

Lillie, after making a passionate declaration about Hugo’s brother in front of him, really went back to her room.

Her actions were quite different from her earlier excitement about the many gentlemen.

“So it seems, Catherine. If you have no gentlemen to meet separately, how about we go to the bedroom……”

“Hugo! Watch your mouth.”

The bedroom!

When Catherine glared at him, Hugo put on an innocent expression as if he had no idea what he did wrong.

Catherine shook her head and called Elbert, Yuri, and Joanna.

“Where are Riena and Brooke?”

“They are both in the drawing room.”

“That’s good. Joanna, could you prepare tea and refreshments for the gentlemen? Yuri, inform Riena and Brooke to sit naturally. Elbert, guide the gentlemen to the drawing room when I give the signal.”

Catherine quickly gave instructions.

Hugo, who silently watched her, called out to Catherine, who was heading to the drawing room.

“Catherine.”

“Yes, Hugo?”

“What about me?”