In the Doghouse - Chapter 129
“Hnnngh…!”
Courtney’s mind went blank as a soft, involuntary moan escaped her. She forgot all worries about being seen, her voice rising in pleasure. Richard, too, buried under her skirts, let out a quiet, muffled groan.
Outside, two gardeners, one with a hoe slung over his shoulder and the other carrying water pails, chatted as they strolled. They were both covered in dirt, a testament to their usual duties tending to the palace’s rare plants. The gardener with the hoe was talking loudly about trivial things.
“How about a drink tonight? I heard there’s a new spot that’s supposed to be fantastic.”
“Don’t push your luck. How long has it been since you got married? Keep it up, and you might find yourself sleeping in the stables.”
“Hah! Well, then I’d better start looking for a second wife.”
His hearty laugh was short-lived, though. Standing in front of the greenhouse, arms crossed, was a familiar figure—the Head Maid of the Crown Princess, Madam Berricker. The gardeners quickly bowed, showing respect.
“Good afternoon, Lady—”
She raised a finger to her lips, silencing them with a stern look. Confused, the gardeners exchanged glances before she motioned them away with a brisk wave.
A little while later, another group of maids arrived to clear the tea service, only to be met with the same warning look from Madam Berricker, who sent them away with a quick gesture.
She then glanced up at the crimson-tinged sky, sighing in exasperation. She had hoped that the Crown Prince’s marriage to a sensible wife would instill some propriety in him. But, much to her surprise, the once-sane-looking Crown Princess was beginning to seem just as eccentric.
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince’s vacant office, Anton sighed as he looked out the window. It had been hours since the Crown Prince had left to meet his wife right after lunch, with no sign of his return.
“This eternal job…”
Anton regretted the choices that had landed him in this position, where he would be bound to the Crown Prince until the end of his days, unless he committed treason. His dismal future weighed on him, and he struggled to hold back tears.
And so, another peaceful day at the palace, where only the Crown Prince seemed truly happy, was drawing to a close.
* * *
In a beautifully furnished parlor, a young boy sat alone, looking rather lost. With his golden hair and cherubic, rounded face, he was charming to behold.
The well-dressed ladies who had greeted him had all treated him kindly, offering him a variety of colorful sweets.
“She’ll be here soon,” they assured him.
He nodded awkwardly, though he hadn’t touched the sweets, which were practically radiating their sugary scent. After they left, he continued to stare expectantly at the door.
Finally, the door opened, and the person he had been waiting for appeared.
“Auntie!”
“Eddy!”
Edvard leapt from his seat, bounding towards her. But he stopped short when he saw the unfamiliar man standing behind his beloved aunt—the Crown Prince.
Even as young as he was, Edvard knew better than to dislike the Crown Prince. He understood from the adults around him that the Crown Prince was a very important person and that everything he enjoyed now was because of him.
Most importantly, he wanted his aunt to be happy. And if her marriage to the Crown Prince meant she could wear beautiful clothes and live in this magnificent palace, he knew he should be on his best behavior.
However, having been raised mostly indoors, Edvard was quite shy around strangers, especially the man who had, in a way, taken his aunt away. He had only briefly glimpsed the Crown Prince at the wedding, and now he felt awkward and tense. The bright smile he’d had just moments before vanished.
Richard noticed the child’s tension and gave a gentle smile.
“Hello there.”
“H-Hello…”
Nervously, Edvard stammered out a greeting, and Courtney quickly swept him up into her arms. Though he was a bit too big to be carried now, she still saw him as her little one. Her voice was warm and cheerful as she asked,
“Did you miss me, Eddy?”
“I missed Auntie soooo much!”
“I missed you too.”
Edvard’s face lit up, and Courtney brushed her cheek against his chubby one, savoring the closeness. He clung to her neck, hugging her tightly.
Holding him, Courtney led him to the sofa, settling him beside her. As she took in his familiar, comforting scent, she felt a warmth spreading in her chest. It seemed the maids had done an excellent job preparing for his arrival, with a table laden with colorful treats designed to capture any child’s heart. But not a single sweet had been touched.
“Eddy, you haven’t tried the treats yet?”
“No. I wanted to wait for you, Auntie.”
“Oh, my Eddy is so thoughtful.”
She kissed his cheek and offered him a chocolate cookie, which he eagerly accepted.
Meanwhile, Richard took a seat across from them, observing the scene with mild amusement.
Seeing Courtney so affectionate with her nephew was an unusual sight. This soft, caring side was one he hadn’t seen when she dealt with her family or even with him.
She often looked troubled when talking about her family, and whenever she saw them, it usually ended in anger. Yet here, she was warmer, gentler.
