In the Doghouse - Chapter 13
II.
The next day—
Contrary to Courtney’s worries, the events from yesterday hadn’t disappeared like a dream. Instead, she found herself raising her voice in shock for a different reason.
“Wait, hold on! Everyone, stop for a second!”
The bustling noise in the hall suddenly came to a halt. As if time itself had frozen, all the people who had been busy moving items stopped in their tracks.
Courtney felt a cold sweat trickling down her back. Was everyone really listening to her words? She wasn’t used to this kind of attention.
There was, however, one person who seemed completely unfazed by her words.
Patricia, who was admiring the steadily growing pile of items, frowned and replied, clearly annoyed.
“What? They’re all basic necessities, aren’t they?”
“No, silverware isn’t a basic necessity!”
Courtney pointed at a newly arrived set of silver cutlery in the hall. Dozens of forks, knives, and spoons, each with handles embedded with sparkling red gemstones. It was the kind of lavish tableware even a high-ranking duchy would hesitate to use. The plates next to them were delicately engraved with intricate patterns.
Patricia furrowed her brow in displeasure, her good mood spoiled by her daughter’s complaints.
“If someone offers them, it’s rude to refuse.”
“Accepting everything without question isn’t polite either!” Courtney snapped, gesturing around at the piles of extravagant goods.
The silverware was just one part of it. There were magically powered chandeliers, wall sconces, furniture, carpets—luxuries that could fill every empty corner of their home.
The only relief was that her mother wasn’t the one who had brought all these things in. No, this was all the work of Crown Prince Richard. While Courtney had been sleeping late, a convoy of carriages from the Imperial Palace had arrived at the Devon estate, delivering a flood of items.
Instead of waking Courtney, Patricia had taken it upon herself to receive the goods. Along with the items, a group of servants had come from the palace, treating Patricia with exaggerated deference, as she was soon to be part of the imperial family. Their behavior made her feel even more important, and she began ordering them around eagerly.
After living in poverty for so long, it felt like her life of hardship was finally over, all thanks to her daughter.
Patricia grumbled at Courtney’s refusal to accept the gifts.
“Courtney, remember your status. You’re going to be the Crown Prince’s consort soon.”
Courtney shook her head, feeling a headache coming on. Richard’s words from yesterday echoed in her mind. So this is what he meant when he said not to worry about the house. She was starting to understand.
“I don’t think I want any of this.”
“Ah-ah-ah! Watch your mouth!” Patricia exclaimed, horrified.
However, the well-trained palace servants didn’t react, maintaining their composed expressions as if they hadn’t heard anything.
Courtney placed a hand on her forehead. She appreciated Richard’s thoughtfulness, but this was overwhelming.
If these extravagant gifts were left in her family’s hands, her father would give everything away, her mother would wastefully spend it all, and her brother would sell it for gambling money. The people around her were just too unreliable to accept such kindness.
Her ankle, which had been feeling better, started to ache again. As she wobbled, someone caught her.
“Who…?”
“May I have a moment of your time, Milady?”
The person supporting her was the same elderly chief attendant who had come with the carriages and guards the day before. Though his hair was streaked with white, his posture remained straight and dignified. He had returned with another group of attendants today.
Courtney steadied herself and stood upright.
“Yes. May I ask what you need from me?”
“This way, please.”
The chief attendant led her to the reception room, walking as if he had been working in the Devon estate for years.
When Courtney entered the room, she was left speechless once again. The reception room, which had been draped in old curtains and cobwebs just yesterday, was now fully furnished with elegant, luxurious decor.
“Please, have a seat.”
Courtney was gently ushered onto the sofa. The plush cushions and the gleaming table were on par with the opulence of the imperial palace itself. She felt like she was in some sort of ghostly illusion.
“The tea.”
When the chief attendant ordered, a maid who had been silently standing by swiftly served it. It felt as though everything had been prepared long before Courtney arrived, as if she had merely stumbled onto a stage where everything was already in motion.
Courtney’s gaze drifted to the plate of desserts that accompanied the tea. Warm madeleines sat temptingly on the plate, and as she thought of her nephew, the chief attendant spoke up, as if reading her mind.
“They were served to the young master as a snack after breakfast.”
“Oh, I see. Thank you very much…”
Courtney sincerely thanked him and picked up one of the madeleines, placing it in her mouth. She hadn’t eaten anything yet, and though her hunger was part of it, she was more curious about whether Edvard had enjoyed them.
The chief attendant watched her closely. Here was a noble lady who made a fuss over receiving expensive gifts but expressed such sincere gratitude over a simple snack for her nephew. He thought she wasn’t a bad choice to become the lady of the imperial palace.
Whether she matched the real reason she had been chosen, however, remained to be seen.
