In the Doghouse - Chapter 17
“Hmm…”
As expected, Richard hesitated for a moment, leaving Courtney’s heart pounding. This was a conversation that needed to happen eventually, but now she worried that she might have stirred up unnecessary trouble. After all, he was the first man to ever show her such kindness.
Just as her anxiety was beginning to pale her complexion, Richard smiled again and finally responded.
“If I had to say, I would like for you to think of me as family.”
“Family…?”
“Yes, like you do with Sir Devon.”
The mention of Frederick made Courtney scowl deeply. If there was one person she could erase from the face of the earth without hesitation, it would be Frederick. But she couldn’t very well say that to Richard.
“That might not be the best idea…”
Courtney replied, carefully choosing her words. She briefly thought of her family, particularly her useless older brother. The noble prince surely had no idea that the one who had turned Frederick’s face into a colorful mess was none other than her.
Suddenly, Courtney remembered an incident from last year’s Founding Day celebration.
She had thrown a fit when Frederick and his foolish friends tried to lure naive young noblemen into gambling, causing her to be dragged away by the palace guards. She was relieved that Richard hadn’t seen that. If he had, he surely wouldn’t have said such things now.
Perhaps to Richard, the lonely prince in the grand palace, the sight of a family bustling around together was heartwarming. Courtney collected her thoughts and gave her reply.
“So, what you’re saying is that Your Highness wants to be like family with me, is that right?”
“Exactly. After all, we are to become family.”
Richard nodded lightly. Courtney, her tone firm, moved on to the main point.
“Then I would also like to set some conditions for this marriage.”
“Anything.”
His response was calm, as if he hadn’t even considered that her request might be difficult to grant. He certainly had the wealth and power to handle whatever she might ask. But what Courtney wanted wasn’t so simple.
“I appreciate your concern for my family’s situation. We do need help, that’s true. But… I’d rather you not give us more than we need.”
In other words, keep the wealth to yourself. Richard pressed his lips together thoughtfully, which only made him look even more handsome, causing Courtney’s heart to race faster.
“Was it too overwhelming?”
“No. Well, yes… but that’s not exactly why I’m saying this.”
Courtney answered in a hesitant voice. She couldn’t fully refuse his help.
In fact, financial support was absolutely necessary, especially for Edvard, her nephew. She didn’t want him to grow up in the same debt-ridden childhood she had endured.
It wasn’t pride holding her back—it was something else.
“The truth is, my family lacks financial sense. If you give us too much, we’ll only end up with bigger debts.”
“You think I wouldn’t be able to handle that?”
With a smile that could easily belong to an angel but felt more like a devil’s, Richard responded in a way that almost seemed like a temptation. Wealth and status could be used to lure greedy souls, after all.
Then again, no matter how much House Devon squandered, it would be nothing more than a speck of dust in the imperial family’s coffers. The fact that he had already sent a deluge of gifts and servants proved that he was fully aware of their situation.
But Courtney’s future wasn’t something that could be built on material wealth alone. Even if the adults were beyond saving, she wanted her nephew to grow into a respectable man, deserving of his title.
Her voice was resolute as she continued.
“No, of course not. But… the dowry you provide will be enough. And, if possible… could you ensure that my brother, Frederick, stays out of Marquis Mallon’s gambling dens?”
A little financial support and a little authority—that was all she was asking for. Most of the larger gambling circles were tied to Marquis Mallon, so keeping Frederick away from them would at least keep him from major trouble.
Richard hesitated again, and for a moment, Courtney thought she had asked for too much. She lowered her gaze, ready to accept his refusal. After all, even for the Crown Prince, this might be too much of a presumptuous request.
Finally, Richard spoke up, but what he said was unexpected.
“Marquis Mallon… He’s already withdrawn from the gambling business.”
“I beg your pardon? No, that can’t be true…”
“He had an unfortunate accident—both legs broken—and he’s now recovering.”
Richard smiled as if delivering delightful news, but Courtney couldn’t tell if he was joking or not. Before she could ask, he steered the conversation back to the original topic.
“Regardless, I will make sure Sir Devon is banned from every gambling den in the capital. Will that be sufficient?”
“Yes!”
“And is that all you want?”
“Yes.”
Courtney let out a visible sigh of relief. Who cared if Marquis Mallon had broken all his limbs? It made Richard’s strange behavior seem more reasonable now.
Richard poured out Courtney’s now-cold tea and refilled her cup with fresh, warm tea.
“Now, I hope you’ll take what I said seriously too.”
