In the Doghouse - Chapter 22
Ever since ‘that book’ arrived, Courtney’s nights had been far from peaceful. The book was filled with outrageous techniques meant to draw out deviant satisfaction, but to her, it simply seemed like <101 Effective Torture Methods for Prisoners>.
The reason she dubbed the terrifying book ‘The Beginner’s Guide’ was that the last page read, “To be continued in the next volume.” If this was the beginner’s guide, then the advanced version would probably straight up kill someone. Maybe instead of calling herself the Crown Prince’s future consort, she should start calling herself the Crown Prince’s future executioner.
It wasn’t strange for a bride-to-be to study matters related to intimacy before marriage. It was common for noblewomen to secretly bring in courtesans to teach them what they needed to know.
However, Courtney couldn’t ask anyone for help. She didn’t even know if there was someone who could teach her such things, and it would be disastrous if rumors spread that the Crown Prince of the empire had certain… peculiar tastes.
She let out a long sigh. No matter how much she worried, nothing would change.
She tried to think positively. Even perfect men have a flaw or two. And aren’t all men a bit perverse anyway? Maybe, rather than a man who wants to hit, it would be better to have a man who wants to be hit.
“Courtney! How is this?”
Patricia’s voice snapped Courtney out of her thoughts. Her mother was draped in jewels from head to toe, resembling a greedy crow. Elise, wearing a hat so wide it extended beyond her shoulders, looked like a clown.
The seamstress sent Courtney a pleading look, silently asking her to intervene, but Courtney no longer had the energy to comment.
“Do whatever you want.”
“What kind of response is that?”
“You look beautiful, Mother.”
“Thank you. Elise, you’re better than my daughter.”
Patricia, now satisfied, turned to the mirror and busied herself trying on various accessories. Just as Courtney turned back to the window, ready to drift back into her thoughts, Patricia spoke again, her eyes still fixed on the mirror.
“Hey, don’t you think you should make an appearance at a few social gatherings before the wedding?”
Courtney’s eyes widened. Since the timid Elise never left the house, it was clear this comment was aimed at her.
“Is that really necessary?”
“You’re going to be the Crown Princess, so you’ll be invited everywhere and have to host tea parties yourself. You should start making an impression now.”
“I’ve been to tea parties before. Why does it matter?”
“It’s not the same anymore. You need to show everyone who’s in charge now, establish your authority.”
Countess Devon spoke as if Courtney were already the Empress herself, her tone dripping with arrogance. The seamstress briefly grimaced before quickly composing herself again.
Courtney snorted dismissively and turned away. Her mother’s advice wasn’t entirely wrong. With the Empress having passed away early, there was no current lady of the palace, so the Crown Princess would become the most prominent woman in the empire.
Still, no matter how intimidating court life and the social scene seemed, they were nothing compared to what was weighing on Courtney’s mind.
The Crown Prince. Richard. The pervert.
Following her stream of consciousness, another bizarre image popped into her head—Richard, wearing a dog collar and crouching on all fours like a dog, lifting one leg. His handsome face superimposed onto the ridiculous figure made her shake her head violently to dispel the thought.
“Are you listening?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Anyway, the Delvin Marquisate is hosting a tea party next week, and they’ve sent an invitation. You should attend. We’ll go to a proper event, not one held by some insignificant family.”
“We’ll see.”
She didn’t even bother pointing out how hypocritical it was to call others insignificant. She simply nodded half-heartedly.
“Then we should also get you a dress for the tea party. Madame, could you prepare something?”
“Of course, Countess.”
Suddenly, Courtney remembered what Richard had said to her, about wanting her to treat him like family. She glanced at Patricia and Elise, who were fussing over catalogs and dresses.
Was this what Richard had meant when he said he wanted her to treat him like family? Had he seen her dealing with her family and thought she was the perfect fit for him?
Courtney imagined herself yelling at and kicking Richard. Would he… get excited by that? Her face flushed at the thought.
“I’m going to rest for a while.”
“Pardon? You still need to pick out your dress.”
“Just pick something for me, Madam. I’ll leave it to you.”
With that, Courtney hurried out of the room.
She waved her hand in front of her face, trying to cool the redness from her cheeks, but it didn’t help. Once a thought had entered her mind, it grew more vivid, forming an increasingly detailed image.
A naked, crawling Richard, and a black-haired woman striking him.
Ugh. It’s contagious. The perversion is contagious.
She scurried toward her room, feeling a tightness in her chest and her lips going dry. Afraid someone might see into her thoughts, she avoided eye contact with the servants she passed.
Of course, being the diligent woman she was, Courtney opened the book again that night. As she read on, the content became more intense, making her head spin. She eventually gave the book a new name.
<The Devil’s Bible: Genesis>
