In the Doghouse - Chapter 194
Though they called it a picnic, it wasn’t anything grand.
It was merely a visit to a nearby lakeside from the imperial palace—something that might even seem trivial.
But this simplicity was entirely Courtney’s intention.
While she might indulge in an elaborate outing on her own, moving together with Richard and the children required a great deal of effort.
And she still didn’t enjoy unnecessary waste, whether material or manpower.
Even so, nothing was lacking.
Children and nature—a perfect combination.
Even Larissa, who was usually composed, ran around the grassy fields, brimming with excitement.
Her picnic dress rode up past her calves and was stained green with grass, her beautiful golden hair in wild disarray.
Isabella Millen, who had practically become the twins’ nanny, stomped her feet and raised her voice.
“Your Highness, be careful!”
“I know!”
But Larissa’s running pace didn’t slow down in the slightest.
Lyle, who had been crouched and absorbed in observing insects, soon joined her.
“Larissa, wait for me!”
“Hurry up, dummy!”
The maids chased after the prince and princess, looking like they were playing a game of tag as they ran along the lakeside.
But it wasn’t long before they became exhausted by the boundless energy of the children.
The guards standing at a distance, watching over the scene, didn’t have the heart to restrain the little prince and princess and simply stood by, watching helplessly.
Underneath a canopy set up on the side, Courtney sat at the tea table and grumbled softly.
“Just let them play.”
“How could we? Just leave them be. Everyone seems to be having fun.”
Viscountess Berricker, who was refilling Courtney’s teacup, responded.
Courtney’s gaze returned to the lakeside.
Indeed, the maids chasing after the prince and princess wore bright expressions despite their complaints.
The knights watching them couldn’t help but smile as well.
With such beautiful weather, everyone seemed in high spirits just from being outdoors.
Courtney took a sip of her tea instead of arguing further.
Sitting with her back straight, she held the trailing hem of her dress neatly in one hand, sipping gracefully—like a picture of elegance.
There was no trace of the former Courtney who used to worry over whether her actions violated imperial etiquette.
Viscountess Berricker looked at the empress with satisfaction.
Richard might leave much to be desired in many areas, but he had an innate refinement.
His gestures, tone, and the way he adjusted the strength of his words—all were naturally graceful, as if he were breathing.
But for Courtney, who had less formal education than most noblewomen, the overly intricate rules of imperial etiquette had always felt burdensome.
The more she learned, the more rules there seemed to be, and at times they felt like hollow formalities.
Nevertheless, she had eventually mastered the etiquette befitting the ‘most noble woman in the empire’.
The position shaped her, as the saying goes, but more than anything, she wanted to set an example for her children.
She wanted the twins to grow up with the grace expected of royalty.
Though perhaps she had influenced Larissa a bit too much in that regard.
Of course, the man sitting across from her had likely never given such deep matters a moment’s thought.
Richard, whose eyes had been fixed solely on Courtney, murmured in an enraptured voice.
“Courtney, you’re even more beautiful in the sunlight.”
Though he spoke softly, it was not so quiet that Viscountess Berricker couldn’t hear.
Courtney gave him a subtle glance.
The experienced lady-in-waiting tactfully excused herself.
Now alone in the shaded canopy, Richard continued to gaze at Courtney with a dazed expression, as if nothing else existed in the world.
Or perhaps he had noticed the lady-in-waiting’s departure—given what he said next, it seemed so.
“Especially your hand holding the teacup… it’s exquisite. Of course, it’d be even better if you poured that tea over me.”
Courtney quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching.
Everyone seemed preoccupied with the children running in every direction.
Satisfied, she lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and, without hesitation, kicked Richard hard in the shin.
“Ouch!”
The pointed toe of her sturdy picnic shoe hit its mark, and Richard’s face contorted in pain.
Though he didn’t cry out, he flinched noticeably, confirming the blow had landed.
Courtney snorted loudly in satisfaction.
“Get a hold of yourself, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Courtney.”
Richard quickly composed his expression and posture before anyone could see.
It wasn’t about preserving his own dignity—he didn’t mind showing his pathetic side to Courtney alone.
But he knew she disliked it when he behaved disgracefully in front of others, so he made the effort for her sake.
Still, there were things he couldn’t completely hide—like the fiery gaze he directed at her, or the slight mist in his eyes.
Beneath the gentle spring sunlight, the man, still tall and handsome despite the passage of time, looked at Courtney with the fervor of a blazing fire.
But there was no room for fluttering hearts.
He immediately shattered the visual charm with another shameless remark.
“It’s been so long since I’ve gone for a walk—no, a picnic—with my master, er, I mean, Courtney. I’m so… overwhelmed, so happy…”
The auditory assault completely demolished the pleasant visual effect.
Courtney shook her head in disbelief.
How could he be so childish?
Still, she couldn’t deny he had a slight excuse.
With the palace undergoing renovations for spring and preparations for the upcoming Founding Festival, she had admittedly neglected her unruly husband for a while.
She absently rubbed her chin with her thumb as a memory from last winter came to mind.
The wind had been unusually fierce that day.
Fearing a winter storm, she had bolted the shutters tightly, making the palace dim as night.
In her bedroom, lit by candlelight instead of magical lamps, the atmosphere had been particularly eerie.
