In the Doghouse - Chapter 77
Anton cautiously spoke up, watching his words carefully.
“Wouldn’t it be better to finish your work before Her Highness returns…?”
Richard let out a deep sigh, as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. But then, begrudgingly, he began to smooth out the crumpled minutes of the meeting.
Was it really that great? Anton, still unmarried due to his relentless duties to the Crown Prince, couldn’t comprehend it. He was also curious. What sort of charm did the rather unremarkable-looking Crown Princess possess to make Richard so utterly obsessed?
Still, it was something to be thankful for. Anton even considered offering a bribe to Her Highness out of gratitude or perhaps asking her to teach him how to handle the Crown Prince. But, as always, these thoughts remained just that—thoughts. He knew that if he dared stare at her for more than a minute, Richard would likely gouge his eyes out.
It was, surprisingly, a peaceful afternoon, a rarity in the many years of chaos.
* * *
Courtney’s mood was as bright as the clear skies when she left the palace. However, that pleasant feeling didn’t last long. The moment she encountered her mother, Patricia, at the tea party, a dark cloud formed in her heart.
It seemed Patricia felt the same. Instead of greeting her daughter warmly, she looked troubled.
“I didn’t hear you were attending…”
“I had originally declined, but my schedule changed.”
Though they had never been particularly close, something about her mother’s demeanor felt off. On top of that, the conversations the other noblewomen were having around them grated on Courtney’s nerves.
“Oh my, Countess Devon. Is that the latest dress from Madame Torres’ collection this year?”
“No, you must be mistaken.”
“It looks just like it. Madame was bragging that she used only the finest lace for the new dress you ordered.”
“That’s not true. This is an old dress.”
Patricia frantically waved her hands in denial. Courtney narrowed her eyes in suspicion. Not only was the dress unfamiliar to her, but her mother never missed an opportunity to show off.
There was something else that bothered her. According to reports from the butler, Patricia had not spent more than the allowance Courtney had set for maintaining appearances. Could it be that she had racked up more debt?
Courtney quickly concluded her business at the tea party and hurried back to her family’s mansion ahead of her mother. She tore through the house, searching, and as expected, her mother’s room was filled with new dresses and jewelry.
Wigg, the Devon family’s butler—though, in truth, more beholden to Courtney—looked uneasy as she confronted him.
“Butler, what is all of this?”
“I… I’m seeing these for the first time as well.”
“Courtney! What on earth do you think you’re doing, barging in here like this?”
“Mother, what are these? Where did you get the money for this?”
Patricia, who had returned moments too late, screamed in anger. Courtney, unyielding, continued her interrogation.
After a lengthy argument, Patricia finally confessed. As suspected, it was all purchased on credit. Worse, she had half-threatened the jeweler and dressmaker into giving her what she wanted.
Courtney, utterly exhausted from the shouting match, practically had to lock her mother in her room, preventing her from storming out with the dresses and jewelry in hand.
Wigg bowed his head, looking ashamed.
“I apologize.”
“No, it’s not your fault…”
Courtney shook her head. Who could have predicted that a noblewoman would sneak in dresses and jewelry like a thief in the night? Her face burned with embarrassment when she caught the shocked expression of Madam Berricker, who had accompanied her. Courtney mumbled awkwardly.
“Assign a trustworthy maid to watch over my mother… And keep a close eye on Frederick as well. He’s bound to cause trouble soon enough.”
She gave the butler strict instructions, knowing full well how unpredictable her family could be. The thought of cleaning up after them for the rest of her life made her sigh deeply.
As the lady of the imperial family who’s in charge of the palace’s internal affairs, Courtney personally allocated and paid for her own allowance and household expenses. If she wanted to, she could indulge in luxury as much as she pleased. But instead, she set reasonable limits for herself and sent most of her funds back to her family.
She had intended the money to be used for living expenses, not wasted on dresses and jewelry. Yet another sigh escaped her lips.
There was, however, one good thing about visiting home. Upon hearing that she had arrived, Edvard, her nephew, came running towards her.
“Auntie!”
“Eddy! You’ve grown taller again. How’s your studying going?”
“Good!”
Courtney pulled him into a tight hug. Under the care of his governess and tutor, Edvard had changed remarkably since the last time she saw him. He was taller, visibly healthier, and carried himself with a touch of nobility. The blush on his smiling face was enough to fill Courtney’s heart with pride.
“Auntie, I missed you. When can I see you again?”
“Hmm… How about you visit me at the palace next time?”
“Yes! I want to go!”
Courtney told Edvard to ask the butler for anything he needed or write to her directly. As always, she was exceptionally generous with her nephew, which prompted Patricia, who had crept into the room, to start another argument.
“How can you treat your own mother this way?!”
“You take care of yourself so well, Mother. Do I need to do it for you too?”
After yet another shouting match, Courtney was thoroughly drained. She returned to the palace late, well after dinner.
So exhausted she considered postponing her plans with Richard, she quickly changed her mind. She needed stress relief, and Richard was the perfect outlet. No matter how rough she was with him, he would be delighted. Just the thought of him obediently following through with her plans lightened her mood a little.
Once she was prepared, she dismissed all the servants. Even Madam Berricker and Hanson were ordered to ensure no one disturbed her on the entire floor where her bedroom was located.
Despite the exhaustion clouding her mind, there was a strange gleam in Courtney’s eyes.
