In the Doghouse - Chapter 102
Together, they headed toward the square.
Though the sun was about to set, the square was still bustling with energy. A large pile of wood had been stacked high in the center, and people were dancing joyfully to the music of a wandering band. The scene felt both foreign and fascinating to Courtney.
Leaning closer to Richard, she whispered,
“Are they going to light that?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
“The guards will keep it safe. It’s something they always do on the last day of the festival.”
Courtney silently stared at the pile of logs for a moment. Having lived in the capital her whole life, she had never thought of coming to a place like this, even as a child. It wasn’t unusual for nobles to feel this way, and her life hadn’t exactly afforded her the peace of mind to enjoy festivals.
Now that she was finally curious, there wouldn’t be another chance. A banquet would be held at the palace on the last day of the festival. Unable to shake off the feeling of missing out, she muttered quietly to herself.
“…I won’t get to see it.”
“Should we just cancel the banquet and come here? Or should I just have them light the fire right now?”
“Stop that, would you?”
Courtney glared at him immediately. She appreciated his willingness to fulfill her every whim, but he always went too far ahead.
Richard chuckled softly and continued.
“Then how about we dance?”
“Just watching is good enough for me.”
Courtney shook her head. Watching was fun, but she had no intention of jumping into the crowd and joining the dance. Just standing here, soaking in the lively atmosphere, was enough. She was glad they had come out after all.
While Courtney was focused on the people, Richard was busy staring at her profile. So, when she suddenly turned to look at him, their eyes met immediately. His blue eyes flickered with a faint warmth.
For some reason, her heart fluttered. She had intended to suggest that they head back, but the words wouldn’t come out. The perfect outing now felt incomplete. If they returned like this, she wouldn’t get to see more of Richard’s pretty—though to him, horrifying—appearance.
Impulsively, Courtney grabbed Richard by the wrist and pulled him along.
“Come with me.”
She walked toward an alley, her steps so quick that Richard, not used to the unfamiliar dress, stumbled slightly.
Startled by the sudden movement, Anton and the knights who had been standing a few steps away hurried after them. Even as he was being pulled along, Richard scowled and waved them off fiercely.
Courtney was unaware of their presence. Richard hadn’t kept them hidden from her intentionally—it was just such a natural thing that he hadn’t thought to mention it.
In hindsight, it was a great decision. It allowed him to be pulled by her into a narrow, secluded alley where even walking side by side was difficult.
Richard’s heart pounded. Whenever Courtney had one thought, he would have ten more. Though he was already filled with anticipation, he feigned ignorance and asked,
“Courtney, where are we going?”
“I don’t know. Just somewhere no one else is.”
Courtney didn’t even look back as she responded. She didn’t know exactly what she wanted either—only that she wanted to be alone with him.
As soon as they reached a spot far enough from the main road to be out of sight, Courtney pushed Richard’s back against the wall. Not that her strength was enough to push him, it was more that he allowed himself to be moved.
Courtney moved in close to him, stepping under the small parasol he was holding, tilting her head to gaze up at his face. Richard, momentarily at a loss for words, met her eyes.
The flame in her gaze was familiar to him. He hadn’t expected something like this during their outing today, but he couldn’t help wondering what had ignited her fire. Not that it mattered—the spark quickly caught on to him, his body always like dry kindling.
As if in a trance, he opened his mouth.
“Courtney…”
Courtney let out a small, mischievous giggle. Richard frowned in confusion.
The reason she laughed was simple. His soft, delicate voice contrasted so starkly with the hardness of his lower body pressing against her abdomen.
She pressed her lips to the lace around his firm throat and whispered softly.
“It really doesn’t suit you, that voice.”
Richard’s face flushed red in an instant. He raised his hand hastily to undo the necklace hidden beneath his collar, but she quickly stopped him.
“Leave it. It’s more fun this way.”
If it entertained her, what was a little embarrassment? Instead of removing the necklace, he chose to keep his mouth shut. Though even that wasn’t easy, as her hand suddenly reached up under his skirt and grabbed him.
“Haa… mmh…”
A delicate, breathy moan escaped his lips. His face was now red enough to burst, but this time, Courtney didn’t laugh. She squeezed the firm flesh in her hand and teased him.
“You got hard walking around in a dress, like some kind of pervert?”
“N-No, that’s not…”
It wasn’t exactly a convincing denial. The fact that he had gotten aroused the moment their bodies touched hardly excused him from being a pervert. A normal person wouldn’t dive into lustful thoughts just because they had stepped into a dim alleyway.
And now that he was in this situation, even his ridiculous outfit only added to his excitement. The thought of how absurd and shameful he must look, wearing an ill-fitting dress and trembling as she touched him, made his head spin with humiliation.
Courtney ran her hand along the clear outline of his arousal beneath the fabric of the dress, stroking from the base to the tip. Richard clutched the skirt with one hand and the handle of his parasol with the other, gripping them as if they were lifelines.
“Hah… Courtney, please…”
“Should I stop?”
“No… please, don’t, mngh…”
Even without him saying so, Courtney already knew. His body was practically begging her not to stop, to lift his skirt and touch him more directly.
