In the Doghouse - Chapter 221
SS-III.
The autumn when the grains ripen. This year was truly a bountiful harvest. Every granary across the land was overflowing with grain, and people’s hearts, too, brimmed with contentment.
Along with them, Courtney’s heart was also filled with satisfaction and ease. She was relaxed enough to even indulge Richard’s nonsense for a while.
After listening in silence for some time, she finally spoke.
“So, why do you want to meet that swindler?”
“Whether he’s a swindler or not, we won’t know until we meet him.”
Even at Courtney’s rebuke, Richard did not back down so easily. This was not something that happened often. Just what had he heard, and from where? Still, the more persistent he became, the more suspicious Courtney grew of this ‘swindler’.
“I can tell without meeting him. He’s clearly a swindler, anyone can see that.”
The person Richard was so stubborn about meeting was a hypnotist who had recently set foot in the capital. Introducing himself simply as a wandering ascetic, he first sought out several noble families to demonstrate his abilities. His talents were so extraordinary that, after just a few days, everyone was desperate to invite him to their estates.
Naturally, the news quickly spread beyond the palace walls and reached Courtney’s ears as well. Through hypnosis, he claimed to find and heal inner problems. While the explanation sounded plausible at a glance, she couldn’t place much trust in hypnosis itself. She was certain even the temple would disapprove.
Even so, she hadn’t said much about it until now. It was only a fleeting amusement, after all. If it was commoners who’d never even used a simple magical tool, it wasn’t strange that they’d be dazzled for a moment by a swindler’s flashy tricks. As long as he didn’t use the excuse of treatment to swindle money from the poor or plant strange ideas, there was merit in turning a blind eye.
That was the reasonable conclusion she’d reached. And yet, now even well-educated nobles—and worse, even the Emperor himself—were lending an ear to this swindler.
Courtney’s eyes sharpened on their own. Richard, reading her mood, continued speaking.
“If you says so, Courtney, then I suppose that must be true. But…”
But? Courtney now glared openly. Just how amazing was this swindler, for Richard to be so captivated? He was the sort who might ignore a High Priest’s sermon, but would play dead at his master’s command.
Yet Richard didn’t just whine blindly. Instead, he adopted a deliberately serious tone and continued.
“There are quite a few people who believe in him. Shouldn’t we call him in and properly verify what tricks he’s using?”
Courtney shot Richard a dubious look. It was an unimpeachable, perfectly reasonable argument. If the man really was a swindler, it was necessary to check and act quickly. Still, since when had Richard cared about right and wrong?
But Richard had grown a lot over the years. He maintained his flawless ‘Emperor’ mask to the very end, never wavering. Unable to spot a single fault, Courtney grudgingly gave her approval.
“Fine. Bring him in.”
“Yes.”
“But I’m not saying I’ll do anything. Just a conversation, for now.”
“Understood.”
Richard nodded. Courtney did not let down her guard so easily and carefully watched his expression. Yet his eyes showed not a hint of deceit.
Which, if anything, made her even more suspicious. Courtney said to him, still staring blankly.
“Turn around.”
“Huh?”
“Turn your back.”
Richard, clueless, spun around. Courtney examined his back carefully, then, without warning—smack!—she struck his rear with her palm.
“Mm…!”
Richard flinched and sucked in a sharp breath. He turned to her in disbelief. That instantly flushed, red face was certainly the Richard she knew. Courtney nonchalantly squeezed his backside a few more times.
“Courtney…?”
“Just making sure no one’s impersonating you. Alright, go on.”
She waved him away without a care. Richard looked at her with reproachful eyes, but Courtney just shrugged as if she had no intention of humoring him further.
Richard shuffled awkwardly toward the door. Leaning back in her chair, Courtney fell deep into thought.
She still suspected Richard was up to some strange scheme, but as he said, it was worth checking out.
With that conclusion, she returned her gaze to the harvest festival preparation report she’d been reviewing all morning.
