In the Doghouse - Chapter 144
She knelt down and pulled her nephew into a tight hug, pouring all her remorse and affection into the embrace.
Unexpectedly, it was Edvard who offered her comfort. With a gentle touch, the young boy patted her back and whispered softly.
“Auntie, be strong. It’s gonna be okay, gonna be okay.”
Could this young child truly understand all that had transpired today? Perhaps, in time, he would come to resent her for separating him from his father. But for now, she had to trust that this was the best decision for Edvard’s future.
As her family boarded the carriage, Edvard climbed in bravely after giving her one last cheerful look.
“Auntie, take care.”
“Yes. Next time, I’ll bake you cookies.”
“Okay!”
Courtney stood there, watching as the carriage passed through the castle gates. She felt a strange sense of emptiness, much like the feeling of losing a troublesome tooth that had long caused pain.
Back in her bedroom, the hollow feeling lingered. She dismissed the maids and sat at the edge of her bed for a long while, letting a flood of thoughts swirl in her mind.
Frederick had only one week left. After that, he would embark on a journey with no certain return date. While Frederick himself didn’t know it, Richard had already explained the details to her. There was little chance of actual warfare at the western border, and if he adapted, he could return in as soon as three years. But if he didn’t adjust, he might not set foot in the capital until Edvard came of age.
By sending Frederick away, perhaps the rest of her family might change as well. It didn’t have to be anything significant—just enough to avoid becoming a source of shame. That was all she hoped for.
As Courtney sank further into her thoughts, the door opened quietly. Richard, having wrapped up the situation, returned to find her sitting dazedly by the bed. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice his arrival.
“Courtney.”
“Yes…?”
Only then did she turn her head. Although everything had been handled, her face didn’t reflect the relief it should have. After everything that had happened in the past few days, it made sense that she still felt unsettled.
Richard approached her silently. Rather than speaking words of comfort, he lowered himself and embraced her. He wanted her to lean on him rather than carrying her burdens alone.
His genuine concern came through, and Courtney relaxed in his arms, her frazzled mind slowly calming in the warmth of his embrace.
There was no need to overthink things or let herself feel weighed down. Her family might hold some resentment over what had happened with Frederick, but it had been necessary. There was no better solution to be found, no matter how long she thought on it.
More importantly, she had someone so steadfastly by her side. Though it had been emotionally exhausting, this experience made her realize how much she relied on Richard—and he had proven himself worthy of her trust.
After hugging him tightly, she pulled back and looked into his eyes.
“Richard.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
She offered a shy smile. Richard, feeling a pang of guilt, averted his gaze slightly. She had no idea that his intentions in banishing Frederick from the capital also harbored a hidden motive.
“It was nothing. I was only doing my duty…”
“Do you really think that?”
With a playful squint, she tugged on his sleeve. He immediately guessed where she was going with this.
“Are you thinking of rewarding me?”
Seeing that he had preempted her, Courtney pouted slightly. Maybe she’d used this excuse too many times, but this time, her offer wasn’t entirely lighthearted.
“Yes, I am.”
“Well then…”
“No, don’t tell me what you want yet. Think it over slowly.”
She pressed her finger gently against his lips. The mischievous glint in her eyes made him narrow his in suspicion, but she only smiled enigmatically without revealing her intentions.
Though recent events had delayed it, Courtney had already decided to explore Richard’s desires further. The nagging sense of unease from before still lingered. She believed that his growing pursuit of intense experiences stemmed from some unmet, perhaps even unknown, desire.
She genuinely wanted to fulfill his true desires—not the surface-level ones, but the deeper ones he might not even recognize himself. Only by confronting these could she become his true master.
“Take some time to really think about what you want most as a reward.”
“Understood.”
Once she heard his response, she withdrew her hand. But Richard quickly took her hand again, bringing it to his lips.
He placed a gentle kiss on her palm, making her fingers curl in response to the tickling sensation. When he pressed his lips to the center of her palm again, she pulled back with a small laugh.
“That tickles.”
“Do you feel better now?”
“Yes. I’m fine now.”
Her once-clouded eyes regained their usual brightness, as fresh and green as new leaves in spring. Moved, Richard pressed his cheek into her open palm, savoring the connection.
Beli
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