In the Doghouse - Chapter 192
Courtney entered the office with elegant steps. With the ascension of the new emperor, she too had risen to the position of empress.
Of course, anyone who frequented the imperial palace knew the truth. It was because of her that the former emperor made the significant decision to abdicate, and the current emperor, even when described charitably, was merely the empress’s puppet—or to put it bluntly, her lapdog.
Look at him now. At the sight of the empress, it was as if an invisible tail had sprouted from the emperor’s backside.
Richard scurried over to Courtney’s side, flustering about.
“Courtney, I was just about to come see you.”
“Stop fussing. It’s distracting.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Richard obediently tucked his imaginary tail between his legs.
It was a ridiculous sight, but no one laughed.
The aides lined up nervously, and Anton, who was an expert at instigating marital squabbles, stepped forward and bowed his head.
“You’ve arrived.”
Courtney gave a slight nod.
Her hair was styled simply, braided and pinned without any excessive embellishments.
Her dress, focused on practicality and ease of movement, was similarly minimalistic.
At one point, her refusal of extravagance had upset Richard, but now this was undoubtedly the look that suited her best.
Though she addressed him casually now, in the past she had always raised Richard up in front of others, even with those closest to them.
Regardless of what happened in the privacy of their bedroom, she believed the emperor’s dignity should never be undermined.
But now, she was in her sixth year in the imperial palace.
Her efforts had been in vain, as Richard had eroded his own authority day by day.
Frankly, he was less competent than a five-year-old under a regent.
The aides present had witnessed Richard crying, begging, and pleading with an angry empress more than a few times.
Maintaining pretenses was pointless by now.
Courtney was not alone as she entered the office.
Anton, seeing the imperial family he encountered daily with fresh eyes, observed them closely.
In one arm, Courtney carried a little blond gentleman, while holding the hand of a golden-haired princess with her other.
Their bright blond hair, vivid blue eyes, and finely chiseled features were striking.
They were like porcelain dolls crafted by the gods—adorable little angels.
Yet no matter how many times Anton looked at them, he found it chilling how much the prince and princess resembled Richard.
Anton shuddered slightly.
Richard’s face was brimming with a smile as he gazed at the empress, whom he loved so much it made his own life feel insignificant, and the miniature versions of her.
“Lyle, Larissa.”
The emperor spread his arms wide, grinning brightly, but the empress’s face remained as cold as winter.
The prince and princess clung even closer to Courtney, and neither of them moved toward him.
Larissa, the princess—who could have been Richard’s mirror image had he been a girl—resembled her father in appearance alone.
In spirit, she was entirely her mother’s daughter.
She avoided childish antics or displays of affection, maintaining a cold and composed demeanor toward Richard.
Lyle, the prince, was another matter.
Both in body and spirit, he was his father’s duplicate.
Unfortunately, he was entirely fixated on his mother, to the point of viewing even his father as a rival trying to take her away.
As a result, it was commonplace for Richard to be ignored.
Not that it affected his happiness.
Richard showed no sign of being embarrassed, but Anton never tired of the satisfaction he felt.
Yes, please, Your Majesty the Empress, treat him even more harshly.
Perhaps Anton’s prayers were heard, for Courtney spoke in a voice as cold as the winter wind.
“Did you finish your work?”
“Of course,” Richard replied, his earlier nervousness gone as he answered nonchalantly.
On the surface, he still appeared to be the handsome and considerate ideal husband, but Courtney gave him a skeptical glance.
A man born into second-to-none power had now become the undisputed ruler of the empire and a father of two.
But Courtney no longer fell for his handsome face.
In her eyes, Richard was nothing but an unreliable puppy who caused trouble the moment her attention wavered.
Fortunately, she had someone else to act as her eyes and ears.
Courtney glanced at Anton for confirmation.
Though it was humiliating, the work had indeed been completed.
Anton nodded slightly in affirmation.
Courtney bent down, attempting to set her clingy son down for a moment, but Lyle, sensing her intention, tightened his hold around her neck instead of letting go.
“Lyle, just for a moment. Richard, watch the kids.”
“Lyle, come here.”
Richard held out his hand, but Lyle only glared at him with jealous eyes, refusing to move.
With his puffed-up cheeks, he looked like he was confronting a competitor.
Whenever Anton saw Lyle’s wariness toward Richard for no apparent reason, he always thought the same thing: perhaps it was a form of self-loathing.
In contrast, Larissa, standing upright, spoke in a firm voice.
“Get down, dummy.”
“Larissa,” Courtney scolded her sternly.
But Larissa’s approach seemed to work.
The stubborn prince, as if he had never been difficult, leapt down onto the carpet.
It seemed his willingness to listen to his twin sister had something to do with their shared love for their mother and their kindred nature.
This was the moment for him to step in.
Anton, who had been quietly observing, took the opportunity to intervene.
“Would Your Highnesses like some refreshments?”
“Yes!”
“I wouldn’t decline a polite offer.”
Lyle, excited like any child at the mention of snacks, and Larissa, pretending to be mature while secretly wanting the treats, were both utterly adorable in the eyes of the adults.
