Chapter 340: The Violet Family's Visitor!

"Cousin Catherine, this is Mo Lisi, the eldest son of Hou Jue Morris; the Hou Jue Morris family has always maintained a very friendly relationship with our Hernand family."

"This is Liam, the eighth son of Hou Jue Boone; the Hou Jue Boone fief is rich in iron ore and timber and has always been a cooperative ally of our Hernand family! By the way, Cousin Menia married Liam's older brother!"

"And this is Dante, the second son of the Supreme Commander of the Eastern Legion..."

"And this is..."

As her nominal cousins introduced each one by one, Catherine's already polite smile gradually vanished.

A few days ago, the Hernand family received a messenger saying that her cousins would come to visit.

Although it was quite unexpected that cousins she had only seen once before would travel such a long distance to visit.

But since there was a blood relationship, and her maternal grandfather had always been very kind to her, Catherine did not refuse and even arranged a welcome ceremony in advance.

She just did not expect that this time, not only cousins but also five noble youths she was completely unfamiliar with had come.

This made Catherine vaguely sense something.

"Beautiful Young Lady Catherine, it is a great honor to meet you!"

"Yes! Young Lady Catherine, allow me to offer praise for your beauty..."

After the cousins finished their introductions, these several youths dressed in luxurious attire began to speak one after another.

However, Catherine did not like them, because the moment they saw her, she could clearly feel the change in their eyes.

It was that kind of gaze that seemed to want to swallow her whole.

Although it flashed by and was then concealed very well, it could not escape Catherine's observation.

Because in the past, she had encountered many such gazes.

Catherine simply completely restrained her smile and said, "Cousin Scarlett, Cousin Doyle, didn't you say only the two of you were coming to visit me? Why have you brought along so many strangers I do not know?"

Catherine deliberately emphasized the word "strangers."

The several noble youths heard the tone and their expressions instantly became awkward.

Seeing this, the cousins immediately put on smiles and said, "Cousin Catherine, originally indeed only your cousin and I were coming to visit."

"However, while traveling along the way, we happened to visit the families of Mo Lisi and the others, and then thought that these friends had never been to the Southern Region, so we simply extended an invitation to them!"

"This is all our fault, Catherine, do not mind; moreover, their families are our Hernand family's most intimate cooperative allies."

"As a scion of the Hernand family, sooner or later you will have contact with them; bringing them here now is also to let you get familiar with them in advance!"

"Yes! Cousin Catherine, they have also come from afar; in consideration of your cousin and me, please let them enter the castle together!"

Catherine frowned repeatedly and ultimately could not directly refuse.

After all, even if not for the unfamiliar cousins before her eyes, she also had to consider the Hernand family to some extent.

She already knew the identities of these youths; without needing to think, she knew they must be very important to the Hernand family.

"Since that is the case, then please come in!"

"Haha! Thank you, Cousin Catherine!" Scarlett and Doyle exchanged a glance, looking as if their scheme had succeeded.

Immediately, the two quickly signaled to the several youths, and under the servants' guidance, they entered the castle.

Preparations for hospitality had long been made inside the castle.

First, servants were sent to take the group to the guest rooms to wash up, and then they were brought to the banquet scene.

Although the number of people was five more than expected, this did not affect the richness of the dinner.

"This pastry is truly delicious; Young Lady Catherine, it is a great honor to taste such delicacies here at your place!"

"Yes! Young Lady Catherine, I wonder how such delicious pastries are made; may I ask if your head chef could teach our servants?"

"I apologize; I learned this pastry from another noble family and promised not to reveal it!"

During the meal, the several youths constantly found topics to chat with Catherine.

As the host, Catherine had no choice but to answer.

Although her tone was extremely unpleasant when answering, even so, the several of them did not tactfully shut up, which made Catherine thoroughly annoyed.

"Learned from another family? Cousin Catherine, I wonder which family it is; could you tell me?" At this moment, the curious Scarlett suddenly spoke up.

First, because this thing called a patch was soft, very bouncy, sweet, and had a milky scent, and she also liked it very much.

Second, she was also trying to ease the awkwardness for the several youths.

"Cousin Scarlett, it is just a Viscount family; even if I say it, you would not know!" Catherine's original intention was to brush it off.

But since she was from a Viscount family, she overlooked that in the concept of the great nobles, there was also a distinction of three, six, and nine grades among nobles.

As soon as her words fell, the several noble youths who had just asked immediately spoke up, "A Viscount family? Young Lady Catherine, we thought it was some Count or even a Hou Jue or Duke family!"

"Yes, Young Lady Catherine, a mere Viscount; you can just tell us directly, there is no need to fear them at all!"

"That's right; at that time, you only need to tell them our names; perhaps that Viscount will even be happy to be able to tell us the recipe!!"

The more they spoke, the more outrageous they became, which completely exceeded Catherine's expectations.

"You..."

"Cousin Catherine, although what Mo Lisi and the others said was a bit impolite, this is indeed the truth!"

"At that time, you only need to mention the families of Mo Lisi and the others; that Viscount might even thank you!"

"So, why not just tell them?" Doyle smiled and spoke persuasively to Catherine.

Catherine was directly choked up; her expression turned completely cold, and even that last trace of polite attitude vanished.

She completely returned to her true nature and said, "I apologize, cousins; although a Viscount may mean nothing in your eyes, in the eyes of the Violet Family and me, Catherine, he must be treated equally."

"Therefore, what I have promised will not be leaked in any way!"

Doyle, Scarlett, and the several noble youths were stunned.

Catherine could not understand their snobbery; similarly, they could not understand Catherine's mindset of not discriminating against minor nobles.

"My Lord Count, a group has arrived outside the castle; it is Viscount Gervas from Storm Fief!"

Just as the atmosphere was slightly awkward, the butler cautiously approached Catherine to report.

Catherine's originally cold expression instantly softened, as if winter had given way to a warm spring.

"Gervas? Why has he come?" Catherine was both surprised and delighted.

She immediately rose to her feet, lifted her skirt, and prepared to run out of the dining hall.

But quickly, she remembered there were other guests in the main hall.

She reined in her sudden look of joy. "Apologies, Cousin Scarlett, Cousin Doyle. I have a visitor; please excuse me for a moment!"

Having spoken, Catherine suppressed her urge to run, lifted her delicate chin slightly, and walked out of the main hall.

After Catherine left, everyone in the dining hall exchanged glances, especially those noble youths.

"Could it be Catherine's close friend?"

"Perhaps? Otherwise, why was she so happy just now?"

Everyone had clearly seen the change in Catherine's expression just now.

It was absolutely someone very important to her.