In the Doghouse - Chapter 126
Courtney narrowed her eyes and glared at him.
“Is that what you want?”
“…No.”
He backed down as quickly as he’d started, just as groundless as his jealousy had been. Courtney couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
She thought back to Bassen’s appearance. Was he even good-looking? Honestly, she wasn’t sure. After all, seeing such a strikingly handsome man every day might dull one’s perception of other faces.
Why on earth would she want to keep some mere knight as a lover when she had a husband who was noble, wealthy, and incredibly handsome? Dealing with one peculiar man was already more than enough.
She considered voicing these thoughts but decided against it.
It wasn’t such a terrible feeling, actually. She was beginning to understand why Richard enjoyed her occasional jealousy so much.
“If you’re just going to talk nonsense, I’m leaving.”
“Understood. Now, about handling Count Devon—is there anything else you’d like to address with the Countess?”
“She hasn’t reached out to me yet. But…”
Courtney shared her worries, speaking freely about what she could do to keep family issues from causing more trouble and what would be best for her nephew’s future. Richard listened patiently, allowing her to express her concerns.
Once, she might have kept all these worries to herself, too embarrassed to share them. But now, she was comfortable enough to be honest and open.
“Thanks to my brother’s antics, the house repairs are on hold, but honestly, what kind of person throws social gatherings just to show off a renovated home? Compliments are only empty flattery anyway… Why would anyone want to hear that?”
Richard stroked his chin thoughtfully. He could see now why her family brought her so much stress. She was far too grounded, too sensible. That left him caught in the middle, unable to agree with them or ignore them.
If she could double down and act completely outrageous, her family might finally back off, much like his own father used to be when he threatened to renounce his birthright to the throne. Of course, that wasn’t advice he could share aloud.
Courtney continued her complaints, not expecting him to answer.
“I don’t want to keep supporting them. But I hate the idea of dragging you into this mess even more… I don’t know what to do.”
“Just use your share of the imperial budget as you see fit.”
“No, I’ll only use my own allowance.”
Courtney’s face crinkled into a stubborn frown as she countered.
She meticulously explained, counting on her fingers, how the funds she sent to her family were already more than fair. And as she explained, Richard realized the core issue—most of her allocated budget had been going to her family.
She’d spent almost nothing on herself, only on clothing and jewelry to the bare minimum required for her role as the Crown Princess. She hadn’t even used her allowance to treat herself.
Richard felt bitterly inadequate, like he hadn’t provided her with anything she could truly enjoy.
Courtney, oblivious to his darkening expression, continued to vent.
“I don’t know how much would satisfy them. And why does my mother need so many clothes? It’s not like she has twelve arms and legs.”
“Courtney.”
Richard’s serious tone made Courtney snap out of her rant. She realized, with some embarrassment, that she’d gotten carried away sharing her worries.
“Yes?”
“Have I given you reason to doubt me?”
“What?”
The topic had shifted from family to something else entirely, leaving her puzzled as he continued.
“We’re a team, you and I. I promised to devote everything to you, so please, don’t think of this as a burden.”
“That’s…”
‘Devote everything’—it was far heavier than a typical declaration of love. His devotion clearly wasn’t limited to the bedroom alone. Feeling her face flush, she avoided his gaze.
Seeing an opening, Richard brought up a subject he’d long kept close to his heart.
“Have you ever wondered why I proposed to you?”
“Well…”
She trailed off, but her thoughts were clear enough to him. Because of his peculiar tastes, perhaps? It wasn’t entirely wrong, and he chuckled before answering.
“The first time I saw you was during last year’s founding festival.”
“Oh.”
Courtney frowned. She’d made quite a scene during the festival last year because of Frederick. Perhaps Richard had noticed her then and thought she’d be the perfect match to, well, discipline him.
But she was only half right. Richard explained further, with a trace of amusement in his voice.
“I saw you in a gown, kneeing your brother squarely in the backside. I thought, ‘Now, there’s an unusual woman.’”
Had she really done that? Courtney felt her face heat up as she mumbled her defense.
“Seriously… That’s…”
“Yet, strangely, I kept thinking about it.”
“About… kicking my brother?”
