ITD

CHAPTER XVlll

“Like family, you mean… Your Highness truly wants me to treat you like family?”

He nodded instead of answering, but Courtney still couldn’t quite understand the request.

“As I mentioned before, my family is a mess. I’m angry all the time…”

“That is exactly what I want from you.”

Did he want a wife who nags like a mother…?

Courtney took a closer look at Richard once again.

He was perfect in every way—looks, personality, wealth. The only problem, if she could call it that, was that he was too perfect.

“Well, it’s true that when we marry, we’ll be family. But I don’t think I’ll have much to be angry with you about.”

Richard was silent for a moment, then crossed his arms and tapped his forearm with his finger, lost in thought. Did I push too far? Courtney was nervous now.

After a long pause, he finally stood up and spoke.

“Then let’s try this.”

“Your Highness?”

Courtney worried he might leave disappointed, but he didn’t. He simply moved—right next to her.

Suddenly, they were sitting together on a not-so-spacious loveseat. Startled, Courtney gathered up the spread of her dress and tried to make room for him. Richard, now very close, met her gaze with a serious expression.

Wow, he really is too handsome. Courtney found herself once again lost in admiration of his face.

Then, in a low, intimate voice, he whispered to her.

“Richard.”

Courtney blinked, not quite understanding.

“Call me Richard.”

It was a simple request, considering they were engaged, practically a couple. But Courtney couldn’t bring herself to say it. His status made it difficult, and her heart was pounding so hard she feared it would leap out of her mouth.

“Go on.”

“R-Richard…”

The moment she said it, her face turned beet red, overwhelmed by an indescribable sense of embarrassment.

Richard reached out and cupped her cheek with his large hand. Was his hand cold, or was her face just that hot? Courtney gazed at him, wide-eyed.

Richard’s face slowly drew closer. Courtney, though inexperienced, wasn’t completely naive. He’s going to kiss me, isn’t he?

Instinctively, she closed her eyes.

Chu—

Their lips met for just a brief moment, light and uneventful, far from what she had imagined.

Courtney opened her eyes slightly, seeing that his face was still right in front of hers, and her heart pounded even harder.

The lips that had just brushed hers moved again.

“How about now? Are you angry?”

“Huuh…?”

“I kissed you without permission. You should be mad.”

“But… I mean…”

Courtney was completely flustered. Kiss? That barely counted as one. Besides, she had more or less allowed it. And, strangely enough, Richard seemed more upset than she was. His once calm blue eyes now swirled like a stormy sea.

He pressed on, his voice urging her.

“Go on. You can curse me, or even slap me if you’d like.”

There was a strange glimmer in his eyes, bordering on madness. The more he pushed, the more confused Courtney became. Was she supposed to be angry?

Then, a thought struck her—maybe he’s testing her. After all, a proper lady wouldn’t be accustomed to such situations.

“Go on.”

His insistence left her no time to reconsider. Pushed to the edge, Courtney blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Wh…at kind of behavior is this?”

“Good. Keep going.”

“Without permission! A kiss like that?!”

“It wasn’t much of a kiss, was it? Anyway, well done. Now, go ahead and hit me.”

“Huh?”

Courtney’s eyes widened in shock.

Something is very, very wrong.

She froze, unsure of what to do, but Richard didn’t give up. He grabbed her wrist and guided her hand toward his face, as if inviting her to slap him.

Is he serious? Does he really want me to hit him?

By now, Courtney realized something had gone terribly wrong. Sure, she had some lingering resentment toward those in power, but never in her wildest dreams had she imagined doing something this audacious.

Richard looked at her expectantly.

Courtney, stuck between retreat and action, decided to just get it over with.

Closing her eyes, she lightly touched his cheek with her fingertips—more of a press than a slap.

But that wasn’t enough for him. In a deep, low voice, Richard urged her again.

“Once more.”

Why is he doing this! Courtney felt like crying. She wanted to flee the room as fast as she could.

Mustering what little courage she had, she gave his cheek a light tap. It was more of a pat than a real slap, but it made a soft smack sound nonetheless.

“Ah… well done,” Richard sighed heavily, half-closing his eyes. He smiled with an air of satisfaction, a strange, almost inappropriate expression.

It was a look Courtney felt she shouldn’t have seen.

Hastily, she lowered her eyes.

And that’s when she saw something she absolutely shouldn’t have seen—clear as day, unmistakable, and undeniably real.

The bulge in Richard’s trousers.