In the Doghouse - Chapter 222
Richard summoned the hypnotist that very afternoon.
However, the hypnotist did not actually visit the imperial palace until three days later. Claiming to be a wandering ascetic, he said that even in the capital, he drifted from place to place without a permanent residence. That, he explained, was why he had only learned of the Emperor’s summons today.
The palace reception room. Draped in a dirty robe worn thin in places, the man bowed politely.
“I greet His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”
It wasn’t proper etiquette, but no one pointed that out. For one, it was obvious at a glance that the hypnotist was from another continent. He was a young man with dark brown skin and jet-black eyes. His exotic appearance was matched by his peculiar accent.
Even as a foreigner, it was only right to obey the rulers of the land he stood on. The hypnotist was exceedingly compliant. Whether or not he was telling the truth, he answered all of the Emperor’s questions without hesitation, all about the training he had undergone, and how he used it to help people.
Courtney tilted her head. Nothing he said sounded particularly dangerous, so it was baffling that even high-ranking nobles were so enthusiastic. There had to be something more. As she remained suspicious, Richard spoke up first.
“Can you try it on me as well?”
“Your Majesty…!”
Courtney instantly raised her voice. The whole point was just to verify who this person was and what kind of tricks he used. But Richard, as if he had already anticipated her objection, continued calmly.
“It’s fine, Empress. This is the imperial palace. If this man tries to harm me, he wouldn’t walk out unscathed.”
“Still…”
Courtney looked from Anton to Val, silently asking for help. After all, it was those two who had actually gone to fetch the hypnotist. But Val, the ever-loyal and stoic knight, was as expressionless as always. And even Anton, who would normally be making a sour face at Richard’s nonsense, seemed perfectly unconcerned.
Everyone was acting so unbothered that Courtney herself began to feel confused. Was she overreacting to something trivial? While she hesitated, Richard pressed on with the conversation.
“Are you confident?”
“Yes, sire.”
The hypnotist remained unfazed, even before the ruler of an entire nation. As if he truly had no secrets to hide in his technique, he nodded confidently. With everyone else treating it as nothing special, Courtney had no choice but to give her permission for the demonstration.
Richard proceeded to ask the hypnotist a few more questions. They were mostly standard. What kind of preparations were needed, how long the process would take, and so on. The hypnotist’s answers were equally ordinary, and Courtney was able to relax a little.
All throughout the conversation, she found herself glancing repeatedly at the hypnotist’s face, despite knowing it was impolite. She’d met foreign envoys a few times, but this was the first time she’d encountered someone from such a distant land, and she couldn’t help but stare.
Of course, there was no way Richard missed her unusual behavior. As the hypnotist stepped out briefly to gather his materials, Richard asked,
“Do you find him appealing?”
“What?”
Courtney replied, not understanding. Richard, with a sulky expression, jerked his chin at the seat the hypnotist had just vacated. Courtney immediately furrowed her brows and answered,
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
“Who knows.”
Richard answered evasively, but the implication was clear. He was asking if she liked that ‘man’ with the unique looks and accent.
Apparently, his baseless jealousy had flared up again. Normally she would have scolded him, but she had, after all, stared a little too much. Courtney pouted and retorted in a chiding tone,
“I prefer fair skin. It’s more satisfying to hit.”
She ran her eyes up and down Richard’s body. He didn’t lose his sulky expression right away, but the faint blush quickly spreading across his cheeks was impossible to hide. Courtney let out a snort loud enough for him to hear. This is why fair skin is best.
Anton silently mimed a gagging gesture, and at that moment, the hypnotist returned.
“Excuse me.”
He placed the items he’d brought on the table. Despite the rumors of his extraordinary abilities, the tools he had prepared were rather unimpressive.
A single shallow glass bowl, and a glass bottle filled with mysterious violet liquid.
