In the Doghouse - Chapter 209
The journey went smoothly. Normally, it would take four days of continuous travel by an ordinary carriage, but thanks to an array of expensive magical enhancements and regular horse changes at waypoints, they reached their destination in just one day.
It was early morning, with the mist still clinging to the air, when the carriage halted in front of a modest castle perched atop a high hill. Awaiting their arrival were the villa staff, joined by the palace servants led by Madam Berricker, who had departed earlier. They lined up in neat rows in front of the entrance to greet the Emperor and Empress. Peering out the window after drawing the curtain aside, Richard gently shook Courtney awake, her head resting on his lap.
“Courtney, we’ve arrived.”
“Mmm…”
Though the carriage was stable, it was still a moving vehicle. Courtney, having spent the night drifting in and out of sleep, murmured groggily with her eyes tightly shut.
Despite being a formidable master, in moments like this, she was simply his lovable wife—adorable even. Richard, entertaining a thought no one else would likely share, leaned forward.
With a soft chu— like a prince waking a princess under a spell, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
The kiss was light, barely brushing her skin, like the touch of a feather. Yet it seemed effective, as her eyelids slowly fluttered open. Courtney blinked groggily, her face still hazy with sleep.
“Courtney, we’ve arrived…”
Before he could finish his sentence, her hand shot out, grabbing his cravat with surprising force. As she tugged him closer, he leaned in without resistance. What had been a light kiss turned into an unrestrained one, their lips colliding fiercely.
Perhaps still dreaming, Courtney closed her eyes again and opened his lips with hers, drawing his tongue into her mouth. She sucked on it as if trying to pull it out entirely, her teeth grazing his soft tongue with sharp, deliberate pressure. It was a kiss so intense that it left his lower half throbbing uncomfortably.
Richard exhaled shallow breaths through his nose and let her do as she pleased. He was a man who would gladly offer himself up, even if she were to bite into his flesh. Entwining his tongue with hers, he allowed her to take as much as she wanted—his saliva, his breath, and his very being. Her playful bites on his tongue only deepened his surrender.
As if she intended to steal his soul, Courtney continued the fervent kiss. Eventually, her eyelids slowly opened, though her lips remained on his, savoring the lingering sensation with unhurried indulgence.
Richard, bent over awkwardly, let out a small, frustrated sigh. She still seemed to believe they were in the palace, in the comfort of their chambers. The slight sway of the halted carriage was too faint for her to notice.
What had she planned for today? Slowly, her mind began to turn. Realization dawned, and a sharp clarity returned to her hazy green eyes.
Remembering where she was, she started in shock and pushed Richard away. But the cravat gripped tightly in her hand made her freeze once again. Double the embarrassment struck her as she hastily released it and bolted upright.
“Where—where are we? Are we there already?”
“Yes, at your northern villa.”
“You should have woken me!”
Peering out the window, Courtney grumbled irritably. Richard, his cravat crumpled and his lips reddened from her bites, replied calmly.
“I did wake you…”
If only she could forget, but Courtney’s memory of the kiss remained vivid. The one who had pounced hungrily wasn’t Richard—it had been her. She shook her head in denial, quickly smoothing her appearance and restoring a semblance of imperial dignity.
Once Courtney had sufficiently composed herself, Richard stepped out of the carriage first and offered his hand to assist her down. She accepted his escort gracefully and placed her foot onto the ground outside.
“Well done.”
Madam Berricker greeted the villa staff, who were bowing deeply.
Though the villa staff hadn’t seen everything, they’d surely caught glimpses of the commotion, yet Madam Berricker remained composed. The palace servants she had brought along followed suit, bowing in perfect synchronization, while the villa staff stared, wide-eyed, before hastily mimicking the gesture.
Richard acknowledged their efforts with a small nod. The villa’s balding steward looked bewildered at seeing the Emperor for the first time. Meanwhile, the villa’s attendants, clad in their finest clothes, cast curious glances at the carriage and the guards.
This villa, the most remote of the imperial properties, had seen little change over the centuries. Though ownership had shifted between various imperial family members, no one had truly visited or maintained it. Thus, when the Emperor and Empress themselves appeared, the staff’s awe outweighed any sense of reverence.
Madam Berricker stepped forward, leaving the stunned steward behind.
“Shall I guide Your Majesties inside?”
“Do so,” Courtney replied with a nod.
She had deliberately sent Madam Berricker ahead to ensure everything was prepared for the perfect, special vacation she had planned—details she had yet to fully share with Richard.
To begin their truly special retreat, there were still many things she needed to inspect. Following Madam Berricker into the villa, Courtney paused to assign Richard a task.
“Richard, check the surroundings for me.”
“Yes, of course.”
