In the Doghouse - Chapter 173
The way Richard manipulated her was truly despicable. Initially, he simply asked the maid Anton brought, Rebecca, about Courtney’s recent state and thoughts. But Rebecca, knowing little, couldn’t give him any meaningful answers.
That was when Richard noticed the subtle feelings of alienation she held. Even as someone close to Courtney, she felt a distance, a jealousy, and a desire for more. These were feelings Richard understood all too well.
“It’s no big deal. Think of it as a little surprise.”
“Still, I don’t think I should…”
“If you truly want to support her, wouldn’t you know best how to go about it?”
Wanting to become more important to Courtney, Rebecca fell for his persuasion. She believed that if she could somehow help mend things between them, Courtney might rely on her even more and share her inner thoughts.
Rebecca diligently went back and forth between them, reporting Courtney’s reactions while cooperating with Richard’s charade. Of course, there was little progress—Courtney wasn’t letting her true feelings show. Ironically, Rebecca’s lack of success only led Richard to underestimate the severity of the situation further.
“I really just wanted to help you both. Since you don’t seem to believe much of what I say, I thought it wasn’t a big deal… I didn’t even know about the pregnancy…”
Rebecca trailed off, breaking down into tears again. With a sigh, Courtney responded gently.
“I must have been too neglectful. I wasn’t trying to single you out, you know.”
“No, Your Highness… it’s my fault for overstepping…”
“Don’t say that. You’re someone I chose myself.”
Courtney placed a reassuring hand on Rebecca’s shoulder. Isabella, like a more experienced elder sister, was naturally a more comfortable confidant—especially with her intuitiveness, which had allowed her to notice the pregnancy even before Courtney herself. But Courtney had never realized that this had left Rebecca feeling excluded.
The realization softened her heart even more. Above all,
“I don’t want you suffering for something that wasn’t your fault. Just stay here at the palace. For as long as I’m around…”
“Are you really going to leave, Your Highness?”
Rebecca’s face crumpled in distress at this. Isabella had already mentioned that Courtney had gone to the Emperor with plans to leave the palace. Could she truly be thinking of divorce?
With a complicated smile, Courtney replied.
“Most likely.”
“Oh, Your Highness!”
Rebecca began to sob again, and Courtney gave a nod to Isabella, who quickly helped the weeping maid to her feet. Even in Isabella’s arms, Rebecca continued to cry.
There never seemed to be a quiet day. Gently, Courtney ran a hand over her stomach. Confirming the pregnancy had brought on a new sense of responsibility and love for the child growing within her.
But she resolved that the baby’s existence wouldn’t be reason enough to forgive Richard.
* * *
Rebecca wasn’t the only one who owed Courtney an apology. The next day, after Hanson had left, the chief aide himself appeared before her, looking thoroughly miserable.
“Please, Your Highness… end my life.”
“For the last time, it’s fine…”
End his life, honestly. They were all so melodramatic. Though he wasn’t on his knees, his demeanor was hardly different from Rebecca’s yesterday.
Courtney glanced over at Rebecca, whose eyes, red and swollen from crying, grew teary again at the sight of Anton.
Courtney massaged her temples, feeling a growing headache. Anton, mistaking her grimace, stammered on with more excuses.
“I… really didn’t want to help, but His Highness the Crown Prince…”
“I know, I know.”
Courtney’s expression was weary. She finally understood the strange things he’d said when delivering the letter. He hadn’t been trying to alert her to Richard’s wrongdoings out of loyalty to her—he’d simply been reluctant to act as Richard’s errand boy. At the time, she had interpreted it very differently.
With a look of frustration, Anton continued.
“Your Highness is far too good for someone like… that. I gave in to power, and I was forced to do what I never should have done.”
Courtney eyed the closed door. While she appreciated his sentiment, she worried that the person they were discussing might hear every word. She found herself, oddly enough, fretting over Anton’s future even in the midst of her own predicament.
If even his accomplices were apologizing one by one, Richard himself was unlikely to stay quiet.
And indeed, he’d been relentlessly trying to see her day and night. Every time, he’d waited outside her door until, after hours, he finally left without seeing her.
Turning her attention back to Anton, Courtney found he was still muttering apologies and self-recriminations. He’d served the prince for over ten years, and she could only imagine the weariness that weighed on him.
In a resigned tone, she said,
“Just stop. If you keep going, I might actually get angry again.”
Anton fell silent, his eyes darting as if he still had more to say. But she could already guess what he was thinking—he was undoubtedly hoping she’d agree to meet with the Crown Prince.
