Chapter 34

At Hugo’s question about his whereabouts, Catherine tilted her head in confusion.

Realizing that Catherine didn’t fully understand his question, Hugo asked again, clearly and slowly.

“What should I do while you, as their patron, are in the drawing room?”

“You have something to say to me, right? If it’s not urgent, let’s do it later.”

Hugo didn’t really have anything to say. He had just come because he wanted to see Catherine while working.

And he also wanted to properly follow the steps they had skipped by visiting Catherine’s house with flowers the day after the banquet, even though it felt a bit embarrassing.

Hugo didn’t want to be evaluated by the ladies among those gentlemen, but he wanted to be with Catherine.

However, Catherine just said what she had to say and went up quickly.

At times like this, Hugo remembered the day they divorced. Catherine, who packed her things as soon as they signed the divorce papers.

Hugo, who had never felt truly lonely even after losing his parents early and being left alone, felt an overwhelming loneliness for the first time then.

And even now.

But now is different from then. Back then, he let Catherine go as she wished, but now he had the right to follow her.

So Hugo followed Catherine closely, like a puppy chasing its owner.

***

“This is butter imported from the Riverboot region, have you tried it?”

As usual, gentlemen came to visit today.

Most gentlemen brought flowers and items to appeal to themselves.

Today, Kapam, the son of the lord who owned the Riverboot area, brought local specialties.

‘What did they say about the atmosphere in Kapam’s household?’

Catherine recalled the information she had investigated beforehand.

At Catherine House, there were records of groom candidates’ personal information and rumors that Catherine had investigated over the past four years.

For those who succeeded in getting married, the records for that year were discarded, and new gentlemen who appeared in the social season were investigated and added.

Catherine knew all of that vast information by heart.

So, Kapam was average in appearance, decent in wealth, excellent in education, and clean in rumors, fitting Catherine’s passing criteria.

“I’ve heard a lot about the Riverboot ranch. Ah, Brooke! Didn’t you say you raise several cows at home? I heard the maid milks them every morning, is that right?”

“Yes.”

“Do you make butter yourself too?”

“Yes, well.”

Brooke seemed uninterested, but Kapam, who was well-educated, was a perfect match for her.

Moreover, since Kapam entered the drawing room, he hadn’t been able to take his eyes off Brooke.

“Can you compare it with the butter from the Riverboot ranch, Brooke?”

Catherine handed the gift Kapam brought to Brooke.

“Yuri, prepare some warm bread.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Sending Brooke and Kapam along with Yuri, Catherine took a breath.

The greetings were all done now.

The gentlemen who came early were engrossed in conversation around Riena and Lillie.

Riena seemed busy responding to everything the gentlemen said, while Lillie was listening half-heartedly.

“Catherine, this place is lively as always.”

Hugo appeared with a frown. He sat next to Catherine.

For several days now, Hugo had been coming to Catherine House as if to work.

“You don’t look very happy. What’s the matter, Hugo?”

Catherine’s words lacked the word ‘today,’ but Hugo understood.

“A man can judge another man accurately, can’t he?”

“Are you saying you want to help me with my work?”

“If you want, I can.”

Catherine chuckled.

Hugo himself had failed in marriage.

Moreover, Catherine didn’t judge people by appearances alone. She judged people objectively based on various information.

“Catherine, tell me. I’ll judge for you.”

Hugo’s confidence was amusing, and since the gentlemen didn’t seem to be leaving soon, Catherine randomly pointed at someone.

It was Pax, who had neatly pushed back his silver hair.

“Hmm, not bad. Good body, tall. Thick hands can protect at least one lady.”

“Pfft.”

Catherine finally laughed.

“Hugo. What if those thick hands are directed at a lady?”

“A scumbag. Then why don’t you kick him out?”

“He’ll behave in a crowded place. Moreover, a rumor needs to spread that Catherine House is bustling with gentlemen. I’ll just keep an eye on him so he doesn’t mingle with our young ladies.”

Hugo pondered Catherine’s words. She was saying she was monitoring those who might be a threat.

Is it possible to do that all morning or even until the afternoon?

Come to think of it, he had never seen Catherine leisurely drinking tea while dealing with the gentlemen.

“Catherine, are there many men here that you need to be cautious of besides that man?”

Hugo asked.

“About four more?”

“Are you controlling all of them? How?”

“Hugo, just a moment.”

Catherine stood up. Without giving Hugo a chance to respond, she approached a man.

“Sir Wexler, I’ve heard your piano playing is excellent. Could you play a piece for us?”

Blocking the man who was approaching Brooke, Catherine made a request.

Wexler, who was about to ask Brooke out, was annoyed at missing the opportunity.

He saw Catherine as an obstacle. Naturally, kind words didn’t come out.

Does she think she’s all that because she’s a patron?

“My fingers are a bit sore.”

“Did you get hurt?”

Catherine kindly asked, knowing his change of heart.

“Yes. Somehow. Then, I’ll play for you next time. Br…”

“It’s boring without music. Was it Wexler, right?”

“Ah, Duke.”

Wexler politely greeted the young Duke Hugo, who was making waves in the capital these days.

Hugo had a presence that made Wexler feel small just by standing there.

“Catherine praised your playing highly. I’d like to hear it too. If your fingers aren’t too uncomfortable, could you play a piece?”

How many men would refuse a Duke’s request? Especially when the reason for refusal was a lie.

“I don’t play very well.”

“Of course, since your fingers are sore. I understand, but please.”

Hugo looked intently at Wexler. Overwhelmed by Hugo’s gaze, Wexler sat at the piano like a creaky, broken wooden puppet.

Soon, his performance began.

“Catherine, isn’t this good enough?”

“The performance? It’s terrible.”

Catherine’s evaluation was sharp, as she was upset with Wexler’s attitude.

“Not that, me.”

Ah, Catherine’s mouth opened late. So Hugo didn’t really want to hear music.

He wasn’t someone who enjoyed listening to music. It was strange that he suddenly came out and requested a performance.

He was helping me, wasn’t he?

One should be grateful for help.

Catherine spoke cheerfully.

“Thank you, Hugo.”

Hugo’s lips curved into a big smile.

***

Three days had passed since the banquet.

“I’m exhausted.”

The ladies, who had spent a productive time with the gentlemen, sprawled on the sofa.

The one who looked the most exhausted was Catherine.

Today, too, she successfully protected the residents of Catherine House from unqualified gentlemen.

With Hugo’s help.

The ladies, who had become close to Hugo, seemed to have forgotten his presence.

Anyway, Hugo only had eyes for Catherine, so even if they remembered his presence, they would have acted the same.

“Do they go to some academy?”

Riena’s face showed no vitality as she spoke.

“Why, Riena?”

Lillie asked.

“Were all the gentlemen not to your liking?”

Lillie asked again, sitting next to Brooke.

“They were all good people. But listening to the same poems for several days is tiring.”

“Pfft, Laga’s poems are trending these days. Riena, did you expect original poems?”

At Lillie’s words, Riena blushed. Lillie gaped.

“Riena! You’re a romantic. In today’s world, where can you find a man who writes and recites original poems?”

Riena didn’t want to listen to Lillie’s teasing.

As she turned away, Catherine lightly tapped Lillie’s arm.

Stop it, her mouth formed the words, and Lillie closed her mouth.

The atmosphere turned chilly. Catherine knew exactly why.

Lillie was upset because Brian hadn’t shown up, Brooke wasn’t satisfied with the men, and Riena was waiting for a destined man.

‘That would be Baron Dictron.’

It was a situation where there was nothing to eat at a well-prepared feast.

Catherine looked at Brooke, Lillie, and Riena in turn.

She needed to solve the easy problems first. To Catherine, Riena seemed like the easiest problem.

But the problem was Baron Dictron.

After finding out that he hadn’t attended Countess Napolli’s banquet, Catherine ordered an investigation into Baron Dictron.

And according to the information received, Baron Dictron, who had been showing up at banquets regularly until last year, suddenly said he wanted to rest this year!

Since he couldn’t be met at the banquet, another method was needed. Of course, Catherine had already found that method.

“Everyone needs a change of mood, right?”

Catherine clapped her hands and stood up. While everyone was looking at her, Hugo was the only one busy moving his hands.

“Your Grace, what are you doing?”

Brooke asked Hugo. Hugo finally put down his pen and lifted a piece of paper.

“I was writing a poem. Catherine, would you like to hear it?”

Brooke, Riena, and Lillie burst into laughter, and Catherine made a strange face.

Hugo, undeterred, began to recite the poem.