In the Doghouse - Chapter 83
Courtney smiled slightly, guessing what might be running through Celine’s head.
Richard, a gentleman? The words didn’t quite fit, though it wasn’t entirely a lie. He was more than considerate—he was obedient, even submissive. Though he was quite the deviant, to say the least.
Courtney’s relaxed response to the earlier rudeness gave another young lady the courage to speak up.
“How is life in the palace? Is it true that there’s a massive secret passage?”
“Oh my, that’s not a question she can answer. Instead, is it true that the tiara worn by the first Empress at her coronation exists? The one with the blue diamond called ‘Dragon’s Tear’?”
“That doesn’t seem like a very important question. Are you and His Highness preparing for this year’s Harvest Festival banquet?”
“Well… one at a time. Let’s skip the secret passage question, and as for the tiara… I’ve seen it, but…”
Ironically, it was Celine’s bold question that broke the tension that had been hanging over the gathering. As the conversation finally began to flow, the atmosphere relaxed, turning into a typical tea party. Courtney was able to discreetly observe the candidates in a more natural setting.
Still, every now and then, her thoughts wandered back to Richard. She had forced him to stay behind, and she wondered if he was anxiously pacing around like an abandoned puppy. Then again, with the measures she had put in place, he might be enjoying himself.
Madam Berricker quietly approached and refilled her empty teacup, offering a look of encouragement. Courtney smiled and leisurely sipped her tea.
* * *
Meanwhile, in the Crown Princess’s bedroom—
Richard found himself blindfolded with a thick double-layered cloth.
He was lying on the soft bed, but the position wasn’t exactly comfortable. His wrists were bound behind his back, and his ankles were tied together.
Although this was a peaceful era, with no wars or uprisings for centuries, the Emperor believed that a future ruler should be able to protect himself if needed. From a young age, Richard had undergone harsh training to hone both his body and mind.
Being blindfolded and bound wasn’t much of a hindrance to him. If he wanted to, he could easily undo the clumsy knots Courtney had tied. But instead, he chose to relax and enjoy the moment.
“Ah…”
Richard buried his face into the sheets, inhaling deeply. The bed hadn’t been changed yet, and Courtney’s scent lingered, stirring his senses.
He began rubbing his lower half against the soft sheets. His arousal grew, and his pants, already precariously hanging off his hips, slid further down, exposing his pale backside completely.
From beneath him, he pushed his body against the bed, the friction adding to his excitement. His movements became more frantic, driven by the desire to climax quickly. He wanted to greet her in the most disheveled state possible when she returned.
What would she say if she saw him lying there, a mess of spilled fluids? Would she call him a filthy mutt, incapable of controlling himself, and then force him to clean up his mess? Just the thought made his chest tighten with anticipation.
“Master, I’m sorry…”
He let his mind wander, revisiting the nights they had spent together and imagining all the things they could do in the future, while continuing to grind against the bed. But his fantasies were soon interrupted.
The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. He froze, listening intently. Even without his sight, he could sense the presence moving closer, and he could even identify who it was.
The intruder stopped just outside the door but didn’t bother knocking, as if expecting to be welcomed inside.
“Ugh.”
Richard let out a frustrated sigh. He rolled onto his back and swiftly untied his wrists, pushing the blindfold up onto his forehead. If this wasn’t an urgent matter, he swore he would give this intruder a beating under the guise of training.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and his aide, Anton, walked in. The sight of the Crown Prince sprawled on the bed with his trousers halfway down caused Anton’s face to twist in disapproval. Couldn’t he at least pull up his pants before allowing someone to enter?
But Richard didn’t seem to care. His expression was filled with even more irritation than Anton’s.
“What is it?”
“His Majesty the Emperor has requested your presence…”
Richard’s frown deepened. The look on his face clearly questioned why Anton had come all the way here just to deliver such trivial news. He probably hadn’t even touched the paperwork he’d been given.
Anton kept his voice calm as he continued.
“I informed His Majesty that you may not be able to attend immediately, but…”
“Then why are you still here?”
Anton truly wanted to resign. Answering this question would force him to mention the two people who most irritated the Crown Prince at the same time. If only he could go back in time, he would have never accepted this lifelong position. His youthful greed for wealth and fame had been choking him ever since.
“The Emperor… requests that you attend tonight’s banquet with the Crown Princess.”
Richard’s icy blue eyes sharpened into a deadly glare, as if he could stab Anton with them. If icicles could be forged into swords, they would look like this. Desperate to avoid further punishment, Anton quickly added.
“It’s for the Harvest Festival banquet!”
“Fine, now leave.”
Surprisingly, the Crown Prince let him off easily. Anton hadn’t expected his excuse to work.
As Anton stood there, dumbfounded, Richard’s gaze once again turned cold.
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“I-I’m going!”
“Oh, before you go, tie me up again.”
