In the Doghouse - Chapter 169
She fanned her flushed face with the empty envelope. Was this Richard’s attempt to reconcile in a novel way? Perhaps, sometimes words on a page could convey sincerity more effectively than spoken ones. But from the first line, she had a feeling it was just like the letters he’d written in the past—overflowing with apologies and mischief.
Huuu.
With a long exhale, Courtney resumed reading. As she expected, the letter was packed with lewd phrases from top to bottom.
「 I thought of my beautiful Master’s face today and ended up relentlessly pleasuring myself. Without even touching the front, I spilled so much that it soaked the sheets. My dear Master, if you had seen me, you’d have scolded your disobedient dog. I find it truly to be a shame that you were not there. 」
That the Crown Prince would send such a letter—he must be mad. Courtney grimaced but didn’t tear it to pieces. After all, it did stir memories of past pleasure she’d tried to suppress.
The letter continued, filled with similarly explicit content—claims of arousal, descriptions of his desire. Consistent, as always.
「 Just writing this has made me hard again. Master, please discipline this pathetic dog of yours. 」
Courtney couldn’t suppress a chuckle. Despite their recent distance, Richard hadn’t changed. It was both exasperating and strangely comforting. He was, if nothing else, steadfast in his devotion.
With a relaxed mind, she continued reading until she reached a line that puzzled her.
「 You have shown me a new world, my Master. You made me realize how dull and ordinary the pleasure I knew before was. 」
What was that supposed to mean? She quickly moved to the next line.
「 I long to see you, Master. To overcome the high wall that separates us. 」
A wall separating them? The only thing that came to mind was the high walls of the imperial palace visible from her window.
A sense of unease washed over her. She began to scan the letter more quickly.
「 Every night, I dream of running to you, even if you’d slap me for coming uninvited.
Do you think of it often too, that perfect night we shared?
Forever your loyal dog,
—R 」
From beginning to end, the letter never mentioned her name explicitly—only “master”. So, there was a chance that her assumption that the letter was for her might have been a complete misunderstanding.
She recalled Anton’s face as he’d handed her the letter. The apologies, his hesitant explanations, which she’d initially brushed off, suddenly took on a new meaning.
This letter might not have been meant for her, and perhaps Anton had known that all along.
Courtney’s face hardened. The thought that Richard might have a new ‘master’ somewhere outside the palace made her mind go blank.
If that were the case, it meant she was the dull and ordinary one, while this other person had ‘opened a new world’ for him.
An unspeakable sense of betrayal tightened her chest, and the letter crumpled in her trembling hands.
To think he’d sworn his loyalty to her, even proposed, and now she was even carrying his child—yet he dared to stray?
Her hands shook with rage. No one had ever angered her this much, not since Frederick. In fact, Frederick was easier to bear. She’d never expected much from him, so he couldn’t disappoint her.
Courtney wanted to leave Richard half-alive, to hurt him as deeply as he’d hurt her. His title of Crown Prince was irrelevant. Being the Crown Prince didn’t entitle him to do as he pleased.
As she prepared to storm out, the door opened a crack. Isabella poked her head in.
“Is the aide gone?”
“Oh, yes… he left.”
Courtney quickly shoved the letter into a drawer. Even in her rage, her first thought was to keep this embarrassment hidden. Having a husband who strayed was a disgrace for any noblewoman.
Unaware of the situation, Isabella entered the room with a large plate. On it was a delicious-looking cherry pie. She offered a shy smile as she spoke.
“I noticed you hadn’t had much appetite lately… so I tried making something myself. Would you like to try?”
“Oh… sure.”
Courtney sank back into her seat, her anger momentarily interrupted. Though she had no appetite and a burning fire in her stomach, the brief pause kept her from immediately exploding.
Isabella set the pie and a cup of tea before her. In a daze, Courtney took the fork. Seeing her stare blankly at the plate, Isabella encouraged her.
“Just try one bite.”
Urged on, Courtney cut a small piece of the pie and placed it in her mouth. The sweetness of the fruit filled her senses.
For the first time in a while, she could taste something properly.
As the rich sweetness spread across her palate, Courtney suddenly felt a wave of emotion.
While she’d been caught up in her own turmoil and delays, she was carrying not just her feelings but a child—an innocent life—inside her.
