Chapter 50

“Is there no way to make sure no one can touch Catherine’s assets?”

“No one can touch them even now.”

John, who was casually flipping through documents, looked up at Hugo’s question.

Hugo had been in a foul mood all afternoon.

It started after Countess Bedwig’s visit. John could easily deduce the cause of his low spirits.

Even though he knew everything, John chose to keep silent and focus on his work instead of pretending to know something.

John, who generally got along well with everyone, disliked Countess Bedwig so much that he hesitated to even mention her name.

If he ever overheard her conversation with Hugo, he felt he might unleash harsh words from his usually polite mouth, so he decided to feign ignorance.

Hugo seemed to appreciate John’s feigned ignorance.

However, John’s indifference did not last long. This was because Hugo suddenly asked an unexpected question.

Now, it was impossible for John to remain indifferent to the meeting between Hugo and Countess Bedwig.

“Did Countess Bedwig covet Catherine’s money? Is the Earl’s family in such dire straits?”

If they were in financial trouble and wanted Catherine’s money, it would be simple.

They could just hand over some money.

But it was a headache since they said they didn’t need the title or money, which were issues in the past.

‘In the past, they disliked me for having a low title and no money.’

Even after becoming a Duke and wealthy, they still refused, which must mean they disliked Hugo himself.

‘Maybe they dislike me because they don’t yet know I’m wealthy. Should I have flaunted my money in front of them?’

While Hugo was lost in such fruitless thoughts, John, having organized his thoughts, offered some advice.

“Just ignore it. Even if you ignore it, no one will point fingers at you, Your Grace. Besides, I noticed that her relationship with Lady Catherine isn’t good either. Moreover, she’s not even her biological mother, is she?”

“There’s still the affection from raising her.”

“Oh, come on! It doesn’t seem like there’s any affection from raising her.”

Hugo agreed with John’s words.

“Or did she ask for money, like before?”

John was the only one who knew about Hugo’s marriage contract.

Hugo acted like a guilty man whenever the contract was mentioned, so he didn’t want to bring it up, but he had somewhat expected it to be the topic of conversation when Countess Bedwig visited.

‘In the past, she presented an enormous contract, so she must have presented even more outrageous terms now that he’s a Duke.’

But John’s assumption was completely off the mark.

“She was adamant about not taking any money from me.”

John frowned.

“What does she want? Let’s just give it to her and be done with it, Your Grace.”

“If I could give it, I would want to give it and tell her to leave me alone.”

Hugo leaned his head against the back of the chair. His eyes, with his hands resting on his stomach, were deeply sunken.

“Did she ask for a dragon’s horn? Or to become a king?”

“If only it were that simple.”

“What?”

Bringing a horn from an already extinct dragon is simple?

Seizing the throne, fiercely guarded by Queen Regencia, is simple?

Has my master gone slightly mad after becoming a Duke?

“It’s not like that, so there’s no need to worry. Even if she demanded that, I wouldn’t take you with me, so calm down.”

“Are you joking? I’m dying of curiosity. What did she ask for? I’m surprisingly capable. Tell me, and I’ll help you.”

John rolled up his sleeves, showing his enthusiasm.

Hugo chuckled at John, who was getting excited as if it were his own business.

“You’re openly capable, so John, please be quiet. Let me think.”

John almost got excited at Hugo’s compliment but closed his mouth at the following words.

Although they were joking, there was no doubt that something serious had happened.

‘Should I inform Lady Catherine?’

But John held back, thinking he might feel embarrassed for jumping ahead again.

After the fracture scam incident with Hugo, he preferred not to receive another meaningful look from Catherine.

***

Even if John had sought Catherine’s help, she wasn’t in a position to immediately run to Hugo.

“Riena, welcome back!”

This was because Riena had returned to Catherine House.

She got off the Baron Dictron’s splendid carriage with the Baron’s escort.

“Lady Catherine, have you been well?”

“You talk as if you’ve been away for a long time. I’ve been well. Sorry to say, Riena, but we’ve been to two parties without you. More importantly, is your arm fully healed?”

Riena raised her arm and waved it. Her arm moved well, and her complexion was good.

“I’ve recovered completely.”

“Congratulations! But you should still be careful with your injured arm for a while.”

“I will, Catherine.”

Riena replied with determination. She was happy to be with him while at Baron Dictron’s place.

However, honestly, it was inconvenient to not be able to use one arm.

So she intended to be as careful as possible to avoid having to wrap her arm in bandages again.

“Brooke, Lillie!”

Riena ran inside, seeing Brooke and Lillie appearing behind Catherine.

Seeing her bouncing in front of Baron Dictron, they seemed to have grown quite close.

Catherine watched Riena’s back as she walked away and then faced Baron Dictron.

“Is your leg well, Baron?”

“Thanks to your concern, I’ve also recovered completely. I’ll have to be careful from now on.”

“Yes, you should. Thank you for taking care of Riena.”

“Don’t mention it. She saved me from a serious injury. Did you hear about the day Riena had the accident?”

I saw it, not just heard it.

But instead of saying that, Catherine smiled.

“It’s embarrassing to say, but if it weren’t for Riena, I would have been lying helpless on the dirt floor until people came.”

Catherine liked Baron Dictron’s way of lowering himself while praising the woman he loved.

‘He’s a good person.’

Catherine thought Baron Dictron and Riena were genuinely a good match.

A pure woman who believes in romantic love and a thoughtful man who can care for such a woman!

‘It might be a boring combination in a romance novel, but it’s comfortable to watch from the side.’

While cheering for their smooth and peaceful romance, Baron Dictron said his farewell.

“I must be going now, Lady Catherine.”

“What? Without having a cup of tea?”

Catherine, who had asked the cook for a nice snack upon hearing Riena was coming, widened her eyes.

“Yes. My mother is unwell.”

Catherine quickly abandoned her intention to keep Baron Dictron.

If a parent is sick, they should naturally be sent off.

But wasn’t she very lively just a few days ago? Could it be that she suddenly fell ill due to an accident?

“It’s not a serious illness.”

Seeing Catherine’s worried expression, Baron Dictron said.

“She often falls ill, it’s nervousness.”

“She must have had a lot on her mind lately. Would you wait a moment, Baron? We have a good medicine for nervous headaches or stomachaches.”

“You don’t need to worry that much. I really must be going now. Could you pass on my regards to Riena?”

“Riena will be upset if she finds out you left without saying goodbye.”

“We said our goodbyes thoroughly in the carriage.”

What kind of goodbye makes Baron Dictron’s pale face turn as red as a burnt sweet potato?

Catherine bid farewell to Baron Dictron with a smile that was both knowing and ambiguous.

After the splendid Baron’s carriage completely disappeared, Catherine headed straight to Riena’s bedroom, where the three women were gathered.

Their excited voices spilled out into the hallway.

When Catherine flung the door open, the three women sitting cozily on the bed turned to her simultaneously.

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they hadn’t even heard the knock.

“Catherine, you’re here?”

Riena craned her neck to acknowledge her.

Not wanting to interrupt their conversation, Catherine gestured for them to continue.

“So? What did Baron Dictron do?”

Brooke, who seemed uninterested in Riena and Baron Dictron’s romance, now had sparkling eyes.

Lillie was also hugging a pillow, holding her breath.

What kind of story was it that it created such tension? 

Catherine was also curious.

Lillie moved her bottom to the side to make room for Catherine. Catherine sat in the spot Lillie vacated.

“They say the bells ring.”

Once Catherine was seated, Riena began her story.

‘It’s a kiss story.’

Catherine quickly understood why the young ladies were so excited.

“Did angels fly around?”

Lillie couldn’t hold back and asked. Riena shook her head with an expression that said it was an understatement.

“Angels didn’t just fly around. They flew while blowing trumpets.”

“Pfft.”

Brooke couldn’t hold back her laughter. Riena shot her a disgruntled look.

“Oh, sorry. That’s not what I wanted to hear. Did Baron Dictron ask before kissing? He seems like the type to ask politely.”

“Of course!”

Riena said emphatically, then blushed with a shy smile.

“You don’t ask such things, Brooke.”

“Then how do you do it?”

Lillie asked, clasping her hands tightly.