In the Doghouse - Chapter 201
Courtney’s eyes widened in surprise as she asked,
“Larissa, what happened to you?”
“Mom, Mom! Guess what? Lyle ate a bug!”
Instead of answering Courtney’s question, Larissa pointed behind her.
Hiding behind Isabella’s skirt, Lyle looked slightly better than Larissa but still had bits of grass stuck all over his clothes.
The young prince, on the verge of tears, protested vehemently.
“I didn’t eat it!”
“You did!”
Ignoring their bickering, Courtney turned to Isabella for an explanation.
Looking troubled, Isabella hesitated before speaking.
“Well… A flying bug accidentally flew into the prince’s mouth…”
“Oh my.”
Courtney covered her lips in surprise. Isabella continued in a grave tone.
“…And he swallowed it.”
As soon as Isabella finished her explanation, Lyle burst into loud, wailing sobs.
The maids bowed repeatedly, apologizing as if they had committed an unforgivable sin.
Courtney let out a helpless chuckle.
“Well, children do these things when they’re playing…”
Even Courtney’s flustered demeanor made the whole scene feel like a comedic theater play.
Richard couldn’t hold back his laughter, chuckling under his breath.
When Courtney glanced at him disapprovingly, he tried to stifle his amusement.
It seemed Lyle was more upset about being teased by his sister than about swallowing the bug.
Who did he inherit his tearful, clingy nature from?
Courtney bent down and spread her arms open.
“Lyle, come here.”
Without hesitation, Lyle ran into his mother’s embrace.
Courtney picked him up, patting his back soothingly as he cried against her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Larissa sidled closer to the tea table, loitering nearby.
Courtney picked up a treat and handed it to her daughter before speaking again.
“We’ll continue this conversation later, Your Majesty.”
“Hm?”
Richard tilted his head, puzzled.
The topic of Frederick seemed concluded—was there more to discuss?
Courtney’s meaningful tone left no room for misunderstanding as she clarified,
“When we’re back, we’ll talk. Slowly. Just the two of us.”
Did I do something wrong? Richard gulped, his eyes darting nervously.
Judging by her tone, he had the distinct feeling a very intense and unforgettable night awaited him.
His lower body tingled at the thought, but he maintained a dignified tone, answering with a blend of warmth and authority.
“Of course. As you wish, Empress.”
* * *
Unfortunately, Courtney’s playful—or possibly dreadful—plans for the night didn’t come to fruition.
That evening, Larissa, who had spent the day running around the field, suddenly developed a fever.
Though her temperature subsided by the next morning, life seemed to conspire against Courtney and Richard finding time together.
Whenever they managed to set a date, an unexpected event would disrupt their plans.
After that, Courtney became engrossed in preparing for the year’s busiest festival season.
Richard, naturally, was relegated to the bottom of her priorities.
He wasn’t a fool. Richard understood her better than anyone after their years together. Acting childish and demanding attention would only earn her irritation. If he behaved himself, she would reward him later—he consoled himself with this belief.
But even after the festival preparations were complete, Courtney showed no sign of remembering her promise.
And so, as the founding festival approached, Richard found himself increasingly irritable. No matter how much he tried to remain patient, the thought kept surfacing: Still? Still??
During a late-night dinner shared between the two of them, Courtney chattered on, oblivious to his frustration.
“Anyway, even if Sir Bassen suggests it, I think it’s too early to teach the children horseback riding. Especially Lyle—he’s so timid that a bad first experience might scare him off for good.”
“You’re right.”
“Instead, I’m planning to occasionally take them along on my outings this year. It’ll be good for them to make friends and hear new things. It might encourage them to try different challenges.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“Honestly, I’m a bit worried about the upcoming ball. I checked their dance practice today, and they’re not bad, but Lyle cries at the slightest mistake. Of course, the real issue is Larissa teasing him first…”
“Of course.”
Richard nodded, agreeing repeatedly.
It wasn’t that he didn’t care about the children.
But the realization that her mind was entirely consumed by thoughts of them left him feeling strangely lonely.
Their conversation, on the surface, seemed like any other. Yet Courtney felt a subtle tension in the air.
She glanced at Richard carefully.
His half-lowered gaze, the faint smile on his lips, the way his hands moved the cutlery—not too quickly, not too slowly.
Nothing seemed amiss.
Except it was.
The fact that he avoided meeting her eyes was proof enough.
Cautiously, Courtney spoke.
“Are you upset about something?”
“No.”
“Then why aren’t you looking at me?”
Richard’s gaze, fixed on his plate, finally lifted to meet hers. But as soon as their eyes met, he dropped his head like someone startled.
Courtney frowned deeply.
“What is it? Speak clearly.”
Her sharp tone cut through the air, and the dining room instantly grew cold. The servant bringing out dessert froze, suddenly hyperaware of the tension. The head steward quickly gestured for the unfortunate servant to hurry and retreat.
