In the Doghouse - Chapter 85
“Nnngh… Courtney…”
He held back the urge to climax and called out to her. It was about time to act like he’d figured it out. He couldn’t let her think he had mistaken someone else’s touch and come to completion—that would be problematic. While he enjoyed her harsh treatment, being abandoned was something he couldn’t bear.
But Courtney, already heated, didn’t respond right away. Richard, breathing heavily, continued to speak between labored breaths, his hips twitching.
“Hah, Courtney, is that you? It couldn’t be anyone else… right?”
Even to his own ears, it sounded like a shameless excuse, but it was the kind of excuse that could work. No one, man or woman, disliked hearing that only they could elicit such a response. Sure enough, Courtney’s anger began to subside, and she finally spoke.
“Seems like you were having fun without me.”
Richard let out a long sigh, genuinely relieved.
Courtney tugged the blindfold down from his eyes, resting it under his chin. His vision suddenly brightened, and he saw her standing over him with a pouty expression. He quickly added more to his defense.
“Well, of course… I was thinking of you…”
He made his face as pitiful as possible, even letting tears of pleasure roll down his cheeks. It was a deliberately exaggerated display, but once again, it worked on Courtney. She still hadn’t fully grasped the depths of his manipulations.
Her frustration faded quickly. She began stroking his cxck again, much more gently than before. Richard groaned, feeling another wave of pleasure building.
“Hah… Master, I’m going to cxm again…”
“Go ahead.”
The moment she granted permission, his sxmxn spurted from his tip. After having already orgxsmed multiple times, there wasn’t much left. Courtney didn’t mind her hand getting messy as she stroked him from base to tip, the friction creating a wet, sticky sound.
Richard’s body jerked uncontrollably as she stimulated the sensitive area, his hips trembling involuntarily. Still, he clenched his teeth, trying to stay still so she wouldn’t be thrown off balance.
Before his half-erxct cxck could stiffen again, Courtney withdrew her hand. She stared at her damp palm for a moment before bringing it to his mouth. Richard eagerly licked her fingers clean, and the last remnants of her irritation melted away.
“Had fun, did you?”
“Yes. How was the tea party?”
“So-so. Are you hungry? I had quite a few sweets.”
Courtney glanced out the window. The sky had fully darkened by now. She thought about having dinner together and then playing with him again later. But Richard’s next words were enough to reignite her irritation.
“Oh, His Majesty invited us to dinner, but I’ll decline. We’re already a bit late.”
“What? Dinner? Tonight?”
Courtney could hardly believe what she was hearing. Richard, however, spoke nonchalantly, as if nothing was wrong.
“You don’t need to worry. If it’s important, he’ll call us again or come see us himself.”
“Are you insane? You should have told me earlier!”
Courtney jumped out of bed, frustration written all over her face. Before calling for her maids, she fumbled with the knots around his wrists, struggling to untie them.
“Ugh, why won’t this thing come off!”
Richard, unsure why she was so upset, stayed silent, only watching her. Courtney slapped him on the back and rushed him to get ready, ordering him to scrub himself clean—thoroughly, and repeatedly—because of the smell.
Thanks to her assertiveness, the emperor was finally able to have dinner with his son and daughter-in-law, albeit a bit late.
* * *
Contrary to Courtney’s worries, the emperor was in an excellent mood despite the Crown Prince and his consort’s tardiness. Watching the once wild and rebellious prince sitting quietly, glancing nervously at his wife, made the emperor feel thoroughly satisfied.
He cast a pleased look at Courtney. Though he had long since given up on expecting much from his son, he was lucky to have gained such a competent daughter-in-law. She was responsible, frugal, and even the fact that her family wasn’t of high standing was something of a strength. With the imperial family backing her, there wasn’t much damage she could cause.
As the meal came to a close, the emperor finally broached the real topic he had been waiting to discuss.
“So, how about you oversee the Harvest Festival this year?”
“Pardon?”
Courtney’s eyes widened.
The Harvest Festival, along with the Foundation Festival, was one of the Empire’s largest celebrations. She had anticipated some involvement, given her role as Crown Princess, but to suddenly be tasked with overseeing the entire festival? And with the harvest beginning in the southern territories, there was barely a month left to prepare.
Seeing her stunned expression, Richard spoke up on her behalf.
“Is that really necessary? It’s her first year. Wouldn’t it be enough for her to just manage the banquet?”
“I wasn’t speaking to you.”
The emperor cut him off sharply, glaring at his son, who returned the look with equal intensity. The tension between the two was so thick it was palpable, and Courtney, caught in the middle, tilted her head in confusion. Had they always been at odds? It didn’t seem like that before.
However, when the emperor turned his gaze back to her, his face softened into a kindly smile as if nothing had happened.
“Don’t worry. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. You’ll have the court attendants and my cousin, who used to be one of the former empress’s ladies-in-waiting, to assist you.”
