Chapter 341: The Master

"No, have you ever heard of a noble lady named Gervas?"

As the young men sought a plausible explanation for Catherine's transformation, another youth raised a doubt.

And everyone knew this name could never belong to a noble lady.

Instantly, several of the young men's hearts sank to their lowest point.

"Gervas? Stormhold? Why does that sound familiar! Cousin Doyle, have you heard of him?" Scarlett seemed to recall something.

With her reminder, Doyle finally remembered.

"Him! That minor noble who partnered with Catherine—Uncle Phinir mentioned him when he returned. The fellow trying to cling to our family…"

"Him?" Scarlett instantly recalled as well.

"Scarlett, Doyle—who exactly is it?" the young men asked anxiously.

Doyle and Scarlett exchanged a glance, then chose not to hide the truth.

"Gentlemen, you know the telescope, right?"

"Of course we do—it's all the rage in the capital, and you said earlier this was Catherine's business, wasn't it?"

The reason these men adored Catherine so much

wasn't just her beauty—it was also her family's business and that single-tube telescope.

Especially the single-tube telescope, which had become a sensation among the nobility in the capital.

It brought not only financial gain but also prestige.

Thus, marrying Catherine meant securing both wealth and status.

"Gentlemen, the single-tube telescope is indeed Catherine's business, but you know she only owns half the shares."

"The other half belongs to this minor noble named Gervas!"

"After we confirmed Catherine's bloodline as part of the Hernade family, my uncle Phinir went to negotiate with this minor noble, offering to buy back his half-share."

"We also asked him to stay away from Catherine!"

"But this minor noble, I suspect, wanted to use Catherine to climb into our Hernade family, so he refused."

"And as you've just seen, Cousin Catherine's nature is kind—so she's been misled by this fellow…"

Doyle gave the group a detailed explanation.

Of course, he skillfully omitted certain details—like whether the single-tube telescope was invented by the Violet family or by Gervas.

And the young men didn't care about those details.

They only heard that the minor noble shamelessly kept pursuing Catherine, trying to use her to climb into their noble family.

This perfectly matched their usual perception of minor nobles.

"So that's how it is! This damn pretty boy is so brazen!"

"Yeah! Trying to use Catherine to cling to a great family—what a shameless bastard!"

"Gentlemen, let's go see him!" Doyle, seeing their outrage, led the noble youths out of the dining hall.

…

"Gervas!"

"Forgive the sudden visit, Catherine—have I disturbed you?"

"No, but why did you come all of a sudden?" Catherine smiled.

Thinking of the Hernade family, Gervas decided to say something flirtatious.

In the past, he would never have been so forward—he knew Catherine's nature well.

A cold goddess.

She hated nothing more than smooth-talking aristocratic playboys.

But he felt he needed to be more proactive now.

First, their relationship could move to the next level.

Though with his current abilities, he had no shortage of women.

But Catherine was truly exceptional, especially her character.

She was nothing like those frivolous noble ladies.

So if possible, he wouldn't let her slip through his fingers.

Catherine paused, then her cheeks flushed slightly.

In the past, she would have asked Gervas when he'd learned those playboy tricks.

But remembering the disgusting men in the dining hall, even his flirtatious words now seemed more tolerable than theirs.

"If you want to come, then come," Catherine feigned annoyance, but her reply said it all.

Gervas smiled faintly—he now understood.

Yet he pretended to be modest, adding: "Actually, I was just joking. Today I went to Ironwolf City on business, and when I saw the hour was late, I decided to visit you, Catherine."

Catherine's breath caught; she clenched her teeth.

You'd have been better off not explaining!

Just then, a sound came from behind Catherine.

She suddenly remembered, "Gervas, come inside the castle! But tonight, there are a few guests—members of the Hernade family and… their allies. I hope you don't mind!"

"Oh? I don't mind at all!"

Immediately, Gervas entered the castle gates at Catherine's invitation.

At that exact moment, Scarlett and Doyle and the others stepped out of the inner castle gate into the front courtyard.

The instant they met, Gervas felt a wave of hostile glares.

Whether from the young men or from Scarlett and Doyle, every gaze toward Gervas carried hostility.

But Gervas paid it no mind—he already knew everything from his intelligence reports.

Before Catherine could introduce anyone, he took on the air of a host: "Catherine, these are your distant cousins and their friends, right?"

"Have you treated them properly? They've traveled far—if you neglect them, it would be impolite."

Catherine froze.

The others froze too.

What kind of status would allow someone to speak like that?

Not necessarily husband and wife—surely only someone extremely close?

Seeing their expressions, Catherine suddenly understood.

She realized what Gervas intended to do.

She gritted her teeth and flashed a brilliant smile.

"Gervas, don't worry—I know proper hospitality!"

"By the way, Cousin Scarlett, Cousin Doyle, everyone—this is Gervas, my… well, good friend!"

Hearing Catherine's reply, Scarlett and the others finally showed a change in expression.

After all, Catherine and Gervas's exchange was enough to spark wild speculation.

A man from another family, how Catherine treated her guests—

And yet Catherine, the hostess, showed no displeasure; she even tacitly accepted it. Their relationship was obvious.

"Catherine, you just said you were dining? Send the guests back!"

"Also, I've been traveling all day—I'm hungry!" Gervas added the final blow.

"Of course, Gervas!" Catherine nodded gently, then swiftly instructed the servants: "Bring new tableware immediately. Tell the kitchen to keep cooking—Gervas has arrived!"

"Yes, my lord!"

The servant hurried toward the kitchen.

Catherine then led the pale-faced group back into the dining hall.