Chapter 340: The Violet Family

"Cousin Catherine, this is Maurice, the eldest son of Marquis Price; the Price family has always been on excellent terms with our Hernade family."

"This is Liam, the eighth son of Marquis Boone; Boone's domain is rich in iron ore and timber, and has long been a cooperative ally of our Hernade family! By the way, Cousin Menia married Liam's older brother!"

"And this is Dant, the second son of the Grand Commander of the Eastern Legion…"

"This one is…"

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

A few days ago, the Hernade family sent a messenger, saying her cousins would come to visit.

Though she was surprised that these cousins—whom she'd only met once—had traveled such a great distance to see her.

But since they were blood relatives, and her grandfather had always treated her kindly, Catherine did not refuse; she even prepared a welcoming ceremony in advance.

She never expected that not only her cousins would come, but also five noble youths she knew nothing about.

This made Catherine sense something was amiss.

"Beautiful Miss Catherine, it is an honor to meet you!"

"Yes! Miss Catherine, allow me to offer my praise for your beauty…"

After the cousins finished their introductions, the several elaborately dressed youths began speaking one after another.

Yet Catherine disliked them, for the moment they saw her, she clearly felt the shift in their gazes.

That look—like they wanted to swallow her whole.

Though fleeting, they masked it well afterward—but not well enough to escape Catherine's notice.

She had encountered far too many such looks before.

Catherine completely dropped her smile. "Cousin Scarlett, Cousin Doyle, weren't you two the only ones coming to visit me? Why bring so many strangers I don't know?"

Catherine emphasized the word "strangers."

The noble youths caught her tone and instantly grew awkward.

Seeing this, the cousins quickly put on smiles. "Cousin Catherine, originally it was only myself and your cousin coming to visit."

"But along the way, we happened to visit the families of Maurice and the others, and thought—since these friends had never been to the Southern Region—we simply invited them!"

"It's all our fault, Catherine; don't take offense. Besides, their families are among our Hernade family's closest cooperative allies."

"As a Hernade heir, you'll eventually interact with them. Bringing them here now is just helping you get familiar ahead of time!"

"Exactly! Cousin Catherine, they've come a long way. For my sake and your cousin's, let them enter the castle with us!"

Catherine frowned again and again, but ultimately could not refuse outright.

After all, even if not for these unfamiliar cousins, she had to consider the Hernade family's interests.

She already knew the identities of these youths; no need to guess—they were undoubtedly vital to the Hernade family.

"Then, please, come in."

"Hah! Thank you, Cousin Catherine!" Scarlett and Doyle exchanged a glance, clearly pleased with their scheme.

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

The castle had already prepared the reception.

First, servants led them to their guest chambers to freshen up, then brought them to the banquet hall.

Though five extra guests had arrived, the dinner's abundance remained unchanged.

"These pastries are delicious! Miss Catherine, I'm honored to taste such delicacies at your home!"

"Yes! Miss Catherine, how are these pastries made? Could your head chef teach our servants?"

"I'm sorry, I learned this recipe from another noble family, and promised not to reveal it."

During the meal, the youths kept finding topics to flirt with Catherine.

As hostess, Catherine had no choice but to respond.

Though her tone was extremely cold, they still didn't take the hint and stop—making her deeply annoyed.

"Learned from another family? Cousin Catherine, which one? Could you tell me?" Scarlett suddenly asked, curious.

First, because this pastry was soft, chewy, sweet, and fragrant with milk—she liked it too.

Second, she wanted to ease the youths' awkwardness.

"Cousin Scarlett, it's just a viscount's family; even if I told you, you wouldn't know them!" Catherine intended to brush her off.

But she forgot—being born into a viscount's family herself—she overlooked how great nobles viewed even nobility in strict hierarchies.

The moment she spoke, the youths who had asked before immediately replied, "A viscount's family? Miss Catherine, we thought it was some earl's—or even a marquis's or duke's family!"

"Yes, Miss Catherine, just a viscount. Tell us outright; no need to fear them!"

"Exactly! Just mention our families' names, and the viscount might even be delighted to hand over the recipe!"

The more they spoke, the more absurd it became—far beyond Catherine's expectations.

"You…"

"Cousin Catherine, Maurice and the others spoke bluntly, but they're telling the truth!"

"Just name their families, and the viscount might even thank you!"

"So why not tell them?" Doyle smiled as he urged Catherine.

Catherine was speechless; her expression turned icy, the last trace of polite demeanor gone.

She returned to her true self. "Forgive me, Cousin Scarlett, Cousin Doyle. To you, a viscount may mean nothing—but to the Violet Family and to me, Catherine, he deserves equal respect."

"So I will not break my promise."

Doyle, Scarlett, and the noble youths froze.

Catherine couldn't understand their snobbery; likewise, they couldn't comprehend Catherine's refusal to look down on minor nobles.

"Lord Earl, a delegation has arrived at the castle gate—Viscount Gervas from Stormhold!"

As the atmosphere grew awkward, the steward approached Catherine cautiously to report.

Catherine's previously cold expression instantly softened, as if winter had turned to spring.

"Gervas? Why is he here?" Catherine was both startled and delighted.

She immediately rose, lifting her skirt to run outside the dining hall.

But then she remembered the other guests still inside.

She suppressed her sudden joy. "Excuse me, Cousin Scarlett, Cousin Doyle—I have another visitor. I must take my leave."

Saying this, Catherine forced herself to walk calmly, chin held high, out of the hall.

After Catherine left, the diners exchanged glances—especially the noble youths.

"Could she be Catherine's close friend?"

"Maybe? Otherwise why was she so happy just now?"

Everyone had seen Catherine's sudden change in expression.

It was someone of immense importance to her.