In the Doghouse - Chapter 139
At Frederick’s pitiful excuse, Richard openly scoffed. He had already heard the full story from the guards, who had spilled everything.
The ringleader was a conman from another city who had intentionally targeted Frederick Devon. With his noble title and the rumor that he flaunted his connections to the imperial family, Frederick had been an easy mark. Even calling him naive was putting it kindly.
Richard had instituted the new gambling laws primarily for Courtney’s sake, but he also disapproved of the rising number of gambling dens, which had begun to ruin the lives of commoners as well as nobles.
Punishing Frederick would send a strong message: even the in-laws of the imperial family weren’t above the law.
The only complication was Courtney.
Removing her brother could impact her standing as the Crown Princess, and with her soft heart, she’d likely worry about her nephew’s future.
Richard suppressed his irritation as he spoke.
“The last time, when you disrespected the Crown Princess, all you received was probation. Then you used your connections to gain a title you don’t deserve. How much longer do you expect me to tolerate your insolence?”
Frederick’s face flushed deep red with embarrassment, though remorse was absent. Instead, he seethed inwardly, blaming Courtney for supposedly filling the Crown Prince’s ears with grievances against him.
Richard saw through Frederick’s resentment immediately. He decided then and there: Frederick needed to be removed.
Crossing his legs with an air of indifference, he continued in an icy tone.
“Do you know why Marquis Mallon abandoned his lucrative gambling and loan operations to retire to the countryside?”
“W-What? I heard it was an accident…”
Richard fixed him with a piercing stare, offering no reply. Frederick’s mind raced, piecing together what he knew.
Accident. That’s what he’d heard—a freak accident that had left the Marquis with two broken legs, forcing him to withdraw for treatment, despite his power and wealth.
Shortly afterward, Richard had issued an imperial decree, as if he’d been waiting for the Marquis’s departure. As the implications sank in, a chill ran down Frederick’s spine.
“So… it wasn’t an accident…?”
Richard’s silent nod confirmed his suspicions. Frederick finally understood that now was not the time to speak. Whether the Crown Prince had acted directly or ordered someone else to, the outcome was the same: it was a warning. A question. Did he want to share the same fate?
The heavy silence between them was abruptly broken as the door swung open.
“You—!”
Courtney strode in, elegantly dressed in a gown, but holding an oversized gray duster, the kind used by maids to beat dust out of curtains. It was far from the delicate feathered dusters used by her attendants.
Frederick’s eyes widened in shock, and even Richard rose abruptly to stop her.
“Courtney, allow me to handle this—”
“Do you think a pig would understand if you spoke to it?”
“Please, calm down.”
Courtney shook off Richard’s hand and glanced at the door. Rebecca and Isabella, who were standing nearby with tense expressions, nodded quickly and closed the door tightly, ensuring that not even a mouse could slip out.
Countier that morning, Richard had informed Courtney about her brother’s latest scandal. Although anger had surged within her, she had initially held back, trusting that Richard would handle it. But the more she thought about it, the angrier she became, until she couldn’t help but storm over.
She poured all her pent-up fury into swinging the duster at her brother. Frederick raised his arms to shield his head, but he couldn’t fully avoid the blows.
“You worthless scum! Are you even human?”
“Hey, are you crazy? Calm down!”
She relentlessly struck his back and shoulders, treating him as if he were nothing more than a dirty curtain. Each blow landed with a harsh, resounding thud.
Richard hesitated to intervene. Courtney was so incensed that he found himself at a loss for words.
“Enough of this!”
Frederick, finally overwhelmed, grabbed the duster, causing Courtney to lose her grip and stumble. Richard quickly stepped forward to steady her.
“Courtney, you’ll hurt yourself at this rate.”
“Let go of me. I’m going to kill you! Today, right here and now! Why do you even bother living?!”
She rolled up her sleeves, preparing to strike him with her bare fists. Frederick swung the duster defensively through the air.
Richard was not about to let it go that far. He seized the duster from Frederick with one hand and spoke in a voice cold enough to make him shiver.
“It seems you didn’t understand my warning, Lord Devon.”
Even someone as dense as Frederick couldn’t mistake his meaning this time. Realizing the threat was genuine, he felt the strength leave his eyes and his grip.
Richard handed the duster back to Courtney with the elegance of a gentleman returning a lady’s fan. In a much softer tone, he addressed her, as if they were alone.
“Courtney, I understand that you’re angry, but be careful. If hitting him will ease your anger, I’ll have Lord Devon restrained.”
