In the Doghouse - Chapter 137
X.
It was early dawn, before the sun had risen. At the faint sound of someone pacing outside, Richard’s eyes opened wide.
In his own room, such familiar noises wouldn’t have been unusual. But this was Courtney’s room. Typically, he would catch a bit of sleep here and then leave before the maids arrived. A glance at the window confirmed that it was still pitch dark outside.
What could be so urgent to bring someone to him here, at this hour? If it wasn’t of consequence, he’d have their head for this. Silently, Richard sat up.
“Mmmh…”
Disturbed by the movement, Courtney’s brow furrowed, though her eyes remained closed. Richard gently smoothed out the crease on her forehead with his fingertip. The tension in her face gradually eased. He carefully gathered her long hair, which was splayed across the pillow, and pulled the blanket up to her chin, covering her completely. Soon, she drifted back into a peaceful sleep.
Only then did Richard quietly rise from the bed, stretching his stiff shoulders. His muscular body bore the marks from the previous night. He grabbed his night robe that had been tossed aside, loosely draping it over himself as he headed for the door. The figure outside, sharp as any good knight, sensed his approach and moved closer to the door.
Creeeak—
The door opened as quietly as possible, but in the stillness of dawn, the sound seemed loud. Richard glanced through the crack with a look of irritation. Just as he’d expected, it was Bassen, dressed in his formal attire, with an apologetic expression and a deep bow. Richard kept his voice low.
“What’s going on?”
His voice came out rougher than he anticipated. Without being able to properly clear it, he massaged his throat, wincing. Bassen looked around once before he replied just as quietly.
“It’s about Frederick Devon.”
Richard’s face contorted with displeasure. He turned to glance at the rounded shape of Courtney, still sleeping peacefully in bed. He had hoped she wouldn’t have to deal with her family’s troubles anymore, but it seemed unlikely.
“Let’s go.”
Richard sighed, stepping out of the room. With his robe barely draped over his body, he looked quite disheveled, yet he walked with complete confidence. Bassen, used to his manner, didn’t even blink.
It was going to be a long, difficult day, starting sooner than expected.
Considering the public opinion and how these matters could distress Courtney, it was no surprise that Richard didn’t like Frederick Devon.
It wasn’t merely that Frederick lacked the qualities one would want in someone who represented the Imperial Crown Princess’s family. Even if the world held him in high regard, Richard would have disliked him.
His problem with Frederick had always been straightforward: he held too much of Courtney’s attention—or rather, her contempt and resentment.
If not for that, he wouldn’t have cared about Frederick’s antics. He could’ve let him run wild under the imperial family’s protection, indulging his gluttony like a pig. That would’ve been fine, if it was what Courtney wanted.
“Unbelievable.”
When Bassen finished his report, Richard sighed deeply. The attendants summoned at this early hour dared not speak, only exchanging uneasy glances at the Crown Prince’s stern expression.
Thinking about the Empire’s future, he was grateful that Courtney judged her family so rationally and sensibly. It was thanks to her clear perspective that he could manage Frederick Devon—at least to the point where he didn’t act like a complete fool. He wanted to ensure that Courtney’s attention wasn’t wasted on him.
Yet he had hoped that Frederick would have been content with the scraps of goodwill thrown his way, settling down and staying out of sight.
“I apologize, Your Highness,” Bassen said, bowing deeply, clearly embarrassed.
It was a pressing matter—significant enough for Bassen to enter the palace at dawn, despite knowing the Crown Prince’s dislike for disturbances.
“So?”
“He’s detained by the security patrol. For now, we’ve made sure that word doesn’t get out.”
Richard’s expression remained grim. The fault didn’t lie solely with Bassen. Dealing with someone as foolish and unprincipled as Frederick Devon was no easy task. Yet Richard hadn’t expected trouble again so soon.
He sighed heavily, as though his frustration could sink through the floor.
“Bring him here.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Should we inform Her Highness?”
“I’ll tell her myself.”
Bassen gave a respectful nod before leaving the office.
Richard tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, imagining Courtney still peacefully asleep. She would be deeply upset upon hearing this news.
After deciding to propose to her, he had taken steps to monitor the Devon family, particularly Frederick. Upon learning that Frederick had been involved in incidents that had hurt her—often in connection with the Marquis Mallon—he had quietly stationed people to watch over him, preventing trouble from reaching her ears on several occasions.
Despite these unseen efforts, Frederick continued to provoke Courtney, and, in doing so, aggravated Richard. He had reluctantly assigned him a position, not because he was qualified, but to keep a closer watch and maintain control.
But now, that approach was no longer feasible.
Richard made up his mind.
Better late than never—he would remove Frederick Devon from Courtney’s sight.
For good.
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