In the Doghouse - Chapter 121
With a pouty voice, she replied.
“No.”
“Courtney, I’m sorry… I really am…”
Richard’s face fell into a sullen expression again. Courtney suddenly felt the urge to torment him further but restrained herself. She didn’t want to imagine what kind of fantasies he might conjure up in his mind if she indulged him too much. Pouting, she added.
“Forget it. We can talk later. We’ve been outside for too long.”
“Yes, let’s go back in.”
Richard didn’t really mind, but he did want the banquet she had prepared so carefully to end on a good note. With hands that had barely just stopped trembling, he straightened his appearance. With a few deft motions, his hair and outfit were neatly restored, and he once again looked the part of the immaculate Crown Prince.
To Courtney, it was a fascinating transformation. Was this what natural elegance looked like? Or maybe it was just the power of being incredibly handsome.
She glanced nervously at the curtain-covered door, anxious. Now that she was more composed, she realized that Richard’s moaning earlier had been excessively loud.
“Um… do you think it’s okay?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“I mean, we were gone for too long… and the noise, it was kind of… loud.”
Richard chuckled at her belated concern. He, too, had lost track of things in the heat of the moment, but he wasn’t worried at all.
“Why are you laughing?”
“There’s no need to worry.”
He replied calmly. After all, it would have been taken care of somehow—either by turning up the music or putting on a magical performance. The people around Richard were used to covering up his peculiar preferences since he himself made little effort to hide them.
“Shall we go back in?”
Richard offered his arm. Despite the chaos of earlier, there was no trace of his disheveled state now. Though the evidence of their secret play was still concealed within him, Courtney gave him a sideways glance before coolly linking arms.
When the Crown Prince and his consort returned to the ballroom, no one mentioned the earlier altercation. All anyone spoke of was the splendor of the harvest festival and the evening’s success. It made Courtney wonder if her confrontation with Frederick had even happened.
The two shared one more dance, greeted the emperor, and then left the banquet.
The festival was over, but the night had only just begun.
* * *
On their way back from the castle, Courtney felt rather pleased. Despite the earlier incident, the banquet had gone well, and her steps felt lighter.
However, Richard remained anxious. He wasn’t sure if she had truly forgiven him for his mistake. Following her closely, he continued trying to explain himself.
“As I was saying, Lady Herbert is only fourteen. That so-called engagement… it wasn’t anything you need to worry about.”
“I get it already.”
But Courtney’s response was indifferent. She didn’t seem to care, walking briskly ahead without giving him a second thought. Isabella and Rebecca followed them, accustomed to the Crown Prince’s behavior by now and discreetly averting their eyes.
Richard, not wanting to give up, hurried after her.
“Do you believe me? I swear, you’re the only one for me, Courtney….”
“I said I get it. Enough.”
Slightly irritated, Courtney waved her hand dismissively.
All she wanted was to take off her heavy dress and reward her maids with a bonus and some time off. She wasn’t thinking about past events anymore.
Why was he being so clueless today? Seeing Richard trailing behind her, she snapped at him.
“More importantly, I just want to wash up and rest for a bit.”
“Oh, of course…”
His dejected expression made Richard’s insecurities even more obvious. Her blasé attitude only fueled his anxiety. It was clear to him now that tonight was probably a lost cause. His disappointment was written all over his face.
Courtney glanced at her sulking puppy of a husband. She had intended to let it go after all the teasing, but his unnecessary whining had reignited her mischievous streak. Well, since it had come to this, why not toy with him a little more?
“After I wash up… how about we have a drink together?”
“W, What? A drink?”
“Tonight is the last night of the festival, after all. We should celebrate successfully hosting such a big event.”
Richard’s face immediately lit up, and he nodded eagerly.
“Of course, I’ll prepare the best wine we have.”
“See you soon.”
Courtney waved her hand casually and headed for her chambers. Once Richard was out of sight, she let out a hearty laugh. He had no idea it was a trap. Well, let’s see how long he keeps smiling.
Isabella and Rebecca stared at her wide-eyed as she laughed. Courtney quickly cleared her throat and hurried on with a brisk step.
* * *
Richard, freshly cleaned and neatly dressed, arrived at Courtney’s chambers with the finest wine available. His handsome face beamed with joy. It seemed like her anger had finally subsided, and the thought of sharing a drink with her filled him with eager anticipation for the intimate moments to follow.
“Come in. Everything’s ready.”
Courtney greeted him with a warm smile, all traces of earlier tension gone. Richard had no idea this was all part of her plan, setting him up for the trap she had in store.
And as a result, he would soon find himself falling deep into a very unexpected pitfall.
