hotmtlnovel Chapter 119
Chapter 119
“I, uh... I’ll just head home now. If there’s anything you don’t like about the outfits, let Giselle know,” Lucas said, hastily preparing to leave.
“Will do.”
Quick-witted as ever, Lucas wasted no time. These days, he commuted to and from his home in the capital, clearly relishing the chance to see his wife and daughter every evening.
Ahwin turned to Penelope.
“Let’s head home too.”
“...Alright.”
***
On the way home, Ahwin remained silent, arms crossed, his expression tightly drawn. He looked as though he was staging some kind of protest, clearly biting back complaints.
With that attitude, he’ll never shake the reputation of being a cat, Penelope thought, suppressing a smirk.
“What’s your plan for the weekend?”
“What’s wrong with cats? Are you looking down on them?”
“...I just asked about your weekend plans,” Ahwin replied flatly.
Penelope coughed awkwardly, caught off guard. She had assumed he was still sulking about the cat comment, but it seemed he had other concerns on his mind.
The weekend.
“I’ll be going to the palace.”
At noon on Sunday, there would be a ceremony in the imperial palace to officially bestow her baronial title, followed by an evening banquet.
In other words, the entire weekend was dedicated to Penelope. She would be busy from morning until night, with no time to rest.
“How annoying. I already don’t want to go.”
Wealth and honor always seemed to come with endless obligations.
Penelope sighed internally, letting out a quiet groan of frustration.
Noticing her lack of enthusiasm, Ahwin clarified his question.
“What I mean is, have you found someone to accompany you to the banquet?”
“Hmm, if nothing else comes up, I’ll probably go with Lucas,” Penelope replied casually. Having her secretary accompany her seemed the most straightforward option.
Ahwin pursed his lips as if making a decision, then said,
“Remember how I asked what gift you wanted? I’ve decided what I’ll take instead. Be my partner for the banquet.”
“....”
Penelope froze. He wants to be my partner for the imperial banquet?
She couldn’t bring herself to answer immediately.
She was already drawing intense scrutiny from the nobles due to the various scandals swirling around her. If Ahwin were to attend as her banquet partner, it would be like pouring oil on a fire.
“Do we really have to go together that day?”
“Are there other banquets that day?”
“Well, not that I know of,” Penelope admitted, stealing a glance at him.
The idea of bringing Ahwin as her partner was... complicated, to say the least.
And yet, if she refused, she could already imagine the disappointed look he’d give her—ears drooping, tail dragging, lips pouting.
Swallowing hard, Penelope approached and knelt on one knee before the emperor. Her legs trembled beneath her.
The emperor’s gleaming ceremonial sword lightly touched her shoulder before lifting away.
“Today, Penelope Ash Halo stands before us for her accomplishments...”
The emperor’s authoritative voice flowed in one ear and out the other as Penelope found herself in a slight daze. The aftermath of her early morning preparations was finally catching up to her.
“...And so, I hereby grant Penelope Ash Halo the baronial title of Halo.”
Clap, clap, clap!
Thunderous applause erupted throughout the chamber.
Penelope snapped out of her stupor and rose to her feet, bowing respectfully to the emperor.
“This is an unparalleled honor.”
Halo’s retainers beamed with pride, their faces alight with emotion. Penelope had clearly performed her role flawlessly.
Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, she reminded herself,
“It’s not over yet.”
The imperial banquet awaited.
***
The grand banquet hall, resplendent with opulent decorations, was teeming with nobles by early afternoon. All had gathered to celebrate Penelope’s elevation to baroness.
Now dressed in a pristine white gown, Penelope walked through the palace corridors with Ahwin escorting her.
Her expression made it clear she wasn’t pleased.
“Seriously, showing up this late to the palace? That’s too much.”
“...I’m sorry,” Ahwin muttered, looking genuinely contrite. His face still bore traces of fatigue, as if he hadn’t been awake for long.
Annoyed from the day’s events, Penelope pressed him further.
“What exactly made you so late?”
“I was working on the schematic for the magical device you drew. Lost track of time and ended up oversleeping.”
“....”
Penelope was momentarily speechless. Of all excuses, his was working on the curling iron design. There was no way she could argue against that.
“Well, the curling iron is important.”
Clearing her throat, Penelope tightened her grip on his arm. Ahwin flinched slightly.
But Penelope had little time to dwell on his reactions. They were nearing the grand banquet hall. The thought of the incoming wave of nobles made her want to turn around and flee back home.
“Since you’re my partner, stick close to me,” she said firmly.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go. I’ll be glued to your side,” Ahwin replied without hesitation, as if he’d already decided this.
He had his own plan for the evening. Today, he resolved to approach Penelope not just as a companion but as a man.
“I am absolutely not a cat.”
Ever since learning how Penelope saw him, Ahwin had been quietly reeling. A cat? Of all things, a cat? Not a tiger, not a lion, but a cat.
The blow to his pride had been immense, though he’d worked hard not to show it. Adding insult to injury, Penelope had even asked him mockingly if he looked down on cats.
“Tonight, I’ll make sure to dance with her.”
As he made this internal vow, the two arrived at the banquet hall.
“Baroness! You’ve finally arrived!”