In the Doghouse - Chapter 179
The person most thrilled by their reconciliation was the Emperor. Always partial to his daughter-in-law over his own son, he presented Courtney with a secluded estate on the northernmost reaches of the empire as a congratulatory gift for her pregnancy.
The estate, perched high in the mountains and more fortress than manor, carried a clear message: permission to retreat whenever she wished. Courtney gratefully accepted the Emperor’s overly generous gift.
Richard, having caught wind of this, now pestered her daily.
“Courtney, promise me.”
“Promise you what?”
“That if you go to the North, you’ll take me with you.”
“We’ll see.”
Every time she tried to enjoy a peaceful walk, he would insist on following, trailing behind with a pout when she refused to guarantee his presence on her future retreat. Courtney ignored his sulking and resumed her walk.
“Your Highness—!”
The call from across the garden made her pause. Rebecca, who had been running toward her, stopped dead upon seeing the Crown Prince by Courtney’s side, her expression quickly turning sour.
Rebecca had rushed out, intending only to bring a blanket on Isabella’s behalf. But Isabella hadn’t mentioned the Crown Prince was there. She glared back toward the palace, annoyed at her friend’s oversight.
With a stiff posture, Rebecca approached and offered a formal greeting, though her smile was clearly forced.
“Good day, Your Highness.”
Richard’s expression mirrored her discomfort, and he didn’t even bother acknowledging her greeting at first.
Why are they acting like children? Courtney rolled her eyes at him, prompting him to finally offer a begrudging reply.
“Yes.”
“W-Well then, I’ll be on my way. Enjoy your time together.”
Rebecca stammered, draping the blanket over Courtney’s shoulders before quickly hurrying back to the palace.
Richard feigned nonchalance, while Courtney stood there, mildly baffled. Just a short while ago, they’d been thick as thieves, conspiring against her together. She asked in an exasperated tone.
“Why are you two acting like that?”
“Acting like what?”
“Like a couple of squabbling children.”
Richard clammed up, knowing exactly what she was referring to. Before Courtney had forgiven him, while he was still loitering outside her room, he’d had a small spat with Rebecca. She’d cried out of frustration that Courtney might leave the palace forever, and he’d felt the sting of her words himself.
Unaware of any of this, Courtney continued walking and added,
“Don’t be so harsh on Rebecca. She feels awful about the whole thing as it is.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Courtney continued along the winding garden path, with Richard trailing closely behind her like a loyal knight—or perhaps like a dog, faithfully following its master.
The winter landscape was stark, but the walk itself was refreshing. She casually floated the idea of matching Rebecca with Anton, to which Richard grimaced but, knowing it wasn’t his place, readily agreed it was a good idea.
However, as they passed the familiar glass greenhouse, both fell silent. Richard tried to speed past, but Courtney’s voice halted him.
“Do you think there are still flowers inside?”
“Yes, I believe so.”
“Let’s stop and take a look.”
Though Richard sighed internally, he didn’t dare refuse her. With a resigned expression, he opened the door to the greenhouse.
Inside, the air was warm, a sharp contrast to the chill outside. Courtney slowly strolled through the rows of greenery, moving toward the seating area in the greenhouse’s center.
So much had happened here. As Courtney took in the nostalgic atmosphere, Richard also recalled the memories, feeling a bittersweet pang as he remembered the happy, and somewhat wild, times they’d shared here.
Courtney walked directly over to the sofa.
“I think I’ll rest for a moment.”
“I’ll have some tea brought in, then.”
“No, that’s all right.”
Courtney settled herself comfortably on the sofa, while Richard hovered nearby, unable to sit down, nervously glancing around. Feigning ignorance, Courtney asked with an innocent expression.
“What’s the matter? Something on your mind?”
“No, nothing.”
“Then sit down.”
At her invitation, Richard looked almost pained. She knew exactly why he was reluctant, but she wasn’t about to show him any mercy.
With a resigned sigh, he approached the sofa, but before he could sit, Courtney used her foot to slide the small table forward.
“Sit here instead.”
She pointed at the table, instructing him to sit directly in front of her.
Richard looked at her, a desperate plea in his eyes.
“Courtney, please…”
“What’s the problem?”
She blinked at him sweetly, showing no signs of backing down. Richard, looking utterly defeated, mumbled his reply.
“…Nothing.”
He reluctantly perched on the edge of the table, his knees pressed together tightly in an attempt to hide his predicament.
However, Courtney wasted no time in pulling his knees apart, her gaze falling to the space between his legs.
Rather than looking pleased, Richard looked entirely miserable, his body tense with dread.
“Why so tense?”
She asked with a smirk, running her hand lightly over the area. But what she felt wasn’t soft or hardened flesh.
It was the cold, unyielding touch of metal.
