In the Doghouse - Chapter 89
VII.
The Harvest Festival season, which they had been wondering whether it would truly arrive, finally came. Laughter blossomed across the farmlands that had completed their year’s harvest, and the capital was brimming with excitement.
It was the first official day of the festival. Courtney dressed up properly for the first time in a long while. Standing before a tightly drawn curtain, she turned to Richard, who was similarly adorned in formal attire.
“How do I look?”
“You look beautiful.”
Courtney pouted as she linked arms with Richard. It was a question that hardly needed asking, and his response was just as predictable. Even if she had been draped in rags, his answer would have been no different.
In recent times, Courtney had found herself stretched too thin, but today, there wasn’t much for her to do. All she had to do was make an appearance in front of the imperial citizens gathered outside the palace. Of course, the lively atmosphere meant that an accident could happen at any moment, so she couldn’t entirely relax her guard.
From a distance, the sound of a long trumpet echoed, followed by a loud cheer. It seemed the Emperor had appeared first on the balcony upstairs.
As the Emperor gave his speech, the two of them quietly waited for their turn. His magically amplified voice reached them clearly from where they stood. Tension gripping her, Courtney held onto Richard’s arm tightly.
“Ugh…”
“Are you nervous?”
“Of course. Aren’t you, Richard?”
“No.”
Richard’s calm reply matched the serene expression on his face. After all, he had been carried onto the balcony in the Emperor’s arms the moment he was born, umbilical cord still yet to be cut. He didn’t remember it, but he had heard that the crowd had packed the square, celebrating the birth of the imperial heir. From the start of his life, he had been accustomed to this, so there was no reason for him to feel nervous now.
But for Courtney, this was only the second time she had stood before such a crowd—the first being her wedding parade. Feeling a bit petulant, she muttered under her breath.
“Maybe you’re a weirdo…”
“If you want, I could walk out there naked.”
“Shut it.”
As the two bantered, an attendant standing at a distance signaled to them. Courtney swallowed her breath and fell silent. Richard looked at her, as if seeking her opinion. When she gave a small nod, he signaled back to the attendant.
The heavy curtains were drawn back to either side, allowing a flood of dazzling sunlight to pour in. Arm in arm, the two of them stepped through the open doorway.
A resounding cheer erupted, and the square, as well as the streets beyond, were packed with people. It seemed the commoners, who rarely had the opportunity to see the members of the imperial family, had poured out of their homes, young and old alike. Though it was a sight she had anticipated, Courtney’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“Wow…”
With a relaxed smile, Richard led her forward. Stiff with nerves, she leaned against him, carefully placing one foot in front of the other.
When the Crown Prince raised his hand high, the cheers grew even louder. After hesitating for a moment, Courtney awkwardly followed suit, raising her hand in a small wave. She fought to keep her shoulders straight, resisting the urge to shrink back from the overwhelming sound of the crowd.
She noticed a young girl in the front row, perched on her father’s shoulders. Courtney smiled awkwardly and waved to the child. When the girl clapped her hands and beamed back at her, Courtney’s heart swelled with emotion for reasons she couldn’t quite understand.
In hindsight, all of Courtney’s efforts for the Harvest Festival had been for her own sake. She wanted recognition, to show a good face to the Emperor and to Richard. But seeing so many people joyful because of what she had done, even if it was for herself, filled her with a different kind of satisfaction. It felt like all the hard work had been worth it.
Richard watched her profile with a thoughtful expression, observing her sparkling eyes and the way she bit her lips to hold back her tears.
* * *
The first day of the festival ended without any major incidents. Courtney gave the maids who had worked hard alongside her some well-earned rest and made her way leisurely to the dining hall.
She sat quietly, watching Richard as he ate across from her. In her own estimation, she had done a fairly good job playing the role of the imperial hostess. On the other hand, she hadn’t been nearly as diligent in her role as a wife.
It was impossible to overlook how much Richard had contributed to making the Harvest Festival a success. Not only had he thrown himself into helping without hesitation, but it was also his assurance—that things didn’t need to be perfect—that had lifted a great deal of the pressure off her shoulders.
“Richard.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
It was a simple expression of gratitude, but her sincerity was clear.
“It’s nothing,” he replied, lowering his head slightly, his face flushed with bashfulness.
Seeing his expression, Courtney suddenly felt a mischievous impulse. She wanted to see more of that handsome face twisted with embarrassment.
Completely oblivious to her thoughts, Richard cheerfully suggested,
“Shall we go outside the palace together?”
“What?”
“Let’s go undercover and check out the festival.”
“Is that even possible?”
Richard’s eyes, which had been shining with excitement, dimmed at her cold reply, and he hung his head in disappointment. Internally, he cursed Anton for his poor advice. Anton had assured him that women loved wandering around market stalls and enjoying street food together during festivals.
Courtney, however, had no interest in such a simple date. Narrowing her eyes seductively, she said,
“I was thinking of giving you a reward instead…”
There was no mistaking the meaning behind her sultry voice and drawn-out words. Richard quickly lowered his gaze and resumed eating, though the flicker of anticipation in his eyes had already given him away. His heart raced in anticipation of whatever playful suggestion she might make next.
