Chapter 57

Catherine, despite wielding considerable influence in social circles—though many refused to acknowledge her—did not host official balls or tea parties.

This was because she was a divorcee.

She doubted whether people would want to attend a divorcee’s banquet, and she had many concerns about whether she, without a title, had the right to host a banquet.

Well, the issue of qualifications wasn’t strictly something to be concerned about, but the biggest problem was still the people.

How many would respond to her invitation? Would anyone be pleased?

What if she held a banquet and no one came?

Catherine didn’t want a banquet she worked hard to prepare to end without anyone enjoying it.

Above all, she was worried about the people of Catherine House who would be hurt in the process.

So, she hadn’t held a banquet until now.

“Have you had a change of heart? May I ask what it is?”

“You’ve already asked, Elbert.”

“I didn’t say I wanted to hear the answer.”

Catherine put down the documents she was organizing and fell into thought.

The reason she decided to hold a banquet was ostensibly for Brooke, Lillie, and Riena.

This year, the love lives of the residents of Catherine House were unusually unsuccessful.

Perhaps because of that, they were unknowingly shrinking back.

Catherine wanted to boost their spirits.

If the banquet for them succeeded, they might regain their confidence.

It was about time to show that their patron was impressive.

If their popularity soared, the lukewarm Baron Dictron, Brian, and Calvino might become anxious.

And secondly, Hugo.

When Catherine heard that Countess Bedwig had met Hugo recently, she was very angry.

Countess Bedwig was interfering in the relationship between her and Hugo.

She didn’t expect things to go well with Hugo, but she didn’t want them to be ruined because of Countess Bedwig.

Moreover, because she opposed it, there was a surge of wanting to get along better.

Although Catherine had handled it well, the rumors about Rael and Catherine circulating quietly in social circles also influenced her decision.

The rumor that Rael and Catherine had been very close since childhood was circulating along with rumors of discord between Hugo and Catherine.

Catherine could bet her entire fortune that the source of those rumors was Countess Bedwig.

For such reasons, Catherine wanted to show that her relationship with Hugo was very close and that their engagement was without problems.

The easiest way was to meet Hugo often and show others that sight, but that method was pushed aside for Catherine’s mental health.

Every time she met Hugo, her heart pounded to the point of a heart attack.

So Catherine had to find the next method, which was to host a banquet as Hugo’s fiancée and the future Duchess.

Catherine also informed Hugo of this plan.

Hugo agreed readily, asking enthusiastically if there was anything he could help with.

She should explain this long story to Elbert, but Catherine just smiled instead.

She hoped no one would know that Hugo had a significant influence on her decision.

She wanted everyone to think it was just her whim.

That way, when she and Hugo returned to their original positions in the future, Elbert, Yuri, Joanna, and the people of Catherine House wouldn’t worry about her.

“You don’t want to answer.”

“Do you want to hear it by force?”

“No.”

“Thank you, Elbert. Now, shall we get busy?”

Catherine started to immerse herself in work.

Running Catherine House, which was on the larger side, required a lot of time and effort.

During the social season, there wasn’t enough time because she had to take care of the young ladies.

So she had to do her best when she could focus.

During that time, not even Elbert, Joanna, Yuri, or anyone else could disturb her.

“Catherine, are you busy?”

But there are always exceptions in the world.

Catherine’s exception was Hugo.

After a short knock, Hugo opened the door to Catherine’s study.

Elbert, who must have gone out to greet the guest at some point, had guided him this way.

Catherine put down her pen and placed both hands on the desk.

“I’m busy, but I’ll pretend I’m not, Hugo. I can’t neglect someone who lends me their name.”

“I didn’t know my name was so valuable. Please borrow it often, Catherine.”

Hugo had his hands behind his back. 

What did he bring this time?

“What did I leave at your house?”

“You didn’t leave anything today.”

Hugo brought forward what he had hidden behind him.

It was a large bouquet. A bouquet of pale purple hydrangeas.

“Didn’t a mysterious gentleman say he gives flowers around this time, Elbert?”

Hugo handed the flowers to the bewildered Catherine and asked Elbert.

“Yes, he usually sends them at the end of the month.”

“I see.”

The conversation ended too blandly. Elbert narrowed his eyes and looked at Hugo’s back for a moment.

“What brings you here, Hugo?”

Catherine set the bouquet aside.

The enormous hydrangea bouquet took up half of Catherine’s desk.

“I should have prepared a bigger bouquet.”

“The desk would have been completely covered then.”

“If that happened, you wouldn’t be able to work, and you’d have time to stroll with me.”

“Alright, Hugo. I’ll get up.”

Catherine shook her head and stood up.

As she walked around the desk to stand by Hugo’s side, he held out his hand.

She had been planning to take a break after working for too long anyway. Having sat at the desk all day, she needed a walk.

‘It’s not because Hugo asked me to walk.’

Catherine rationalized as she took his hand.

Then she chuckled.

‘Why am I trying to deceive myself?’

As she thought about whom she was making excuses to, she realized it was to herself, and she found it absurd.

It was quite amusing to be in a situation where she had to restrain her flowing emotions.

“Catherine, are you thinking about work while walking? The garden is so beautiful.”

“What’s different about a garden you see every day…? Oh my, Hugo!”

As she opened the front door wide and went out, the changed garden came into view.

Catherine alternated her gaze between Hugo and the light bulbs installed along the walking path.

It was a dim afternoon, so the light wasn’t clear, but she could imagine how the garden would change when the light became clear late at night.

It would be incredibly beautiful!

The utility of magnetic charge bulbs, created by the fusion of technology and magic, was well-known.

Moreover, the soft yellow light was beautiful, so nobles with some money were in the trend of removing all lamps and replacing them with bulbs.

Thanks to this, it was heard that candle makers and kerosene merchants were in tears.

Instead, the company that invented and sold the bulbs was sitting on a pile of money.

Nobles seeking bulbs increased, seemingly mocking the soaring prices.

Catherine was interested in bulbs, but not desperate enough to buy them at a high premium.

So there were no bulbs yet in Catherine House. But now there were bulbs.

Enough bulbs to brightly light up the garden at night!

“The garden has changed, hasn’t it? So, Catherine, you shouldn’t just pass by because it’s familiar.”

Hugo’s words were puzzling. 

Was he talking about the changed garden now?

***

That night, without understanding each other’s thoughts, the two parted ways.

If they had talked more, they could have fully understood what each other was thinking, but there wasn’t enough time.

Many issues were waiting for Catherine’s decision.

Catherine returned to the mansion at Elbert’s call, and Hugo, satisfied that his gift wasn’t rejected, headed home.

It wasn’t just satisfaction. Hugo was very happy.

For him, Catherine’s surprised expression at his gift was a present.

And a few days passed.

“These are the invitations and letters you need to respond to today.”

John placed a stack of mail on Hugo’s desk.

Hugo looked at the pile of letters and pushed it away.

“You said you’d filter them. You shouldn’t slack off.”

“I’m sorry, but these are the letters I’ve filtered two or three times.”

John untied the mail bundle. With a rustle, the letters spilled onto the desk.

“Being a Duke isn’t all good.”

Hugo muttered as he picked up the top letter.

Since becoming a Duke, various invitations and contacts had been pouring in.

He was continuously declining invitations day after day. He thought that if refusals became frequent, the invitations would quiet down.

However, contrary to expectations, people became more eager and contacted him more frequently.

Seeing that the number of people wanting to attend Countess Napolli’s banquet increased after Hugo attended, it seemed they were aiming for the halo effect of the rare Duke’s attendance.

Hugo only checked the names on the letter’s surface and flipped them quickly.

“You have to look at them all!”

“What will I do knowing these people? They’re all politicians. Align with them? I’m not going to do politics. So there’s no need to see them.”

The unopened letters were neatly placed to Hugo’s left. They were letters he wouldn’t look at again.

While moving the letters, Hugo’s hand stopped.

A letter had arrived from someone Hugo could never ignore.

It was a letter from Countess Bedwig.

A woman who had come directly to threaten him was calmly sending a letter.

He couldn’t help but be curious about her intentions.