ITD

CHAPTER XXlX

Her mouth had gotten her into trouble again. In the suspicious basxmxnt of a suspicious shop, Courtney reflected on her own recklessness. She had known this wasn’t an ordinary place, but why in the world was there a space like this beneath the store?!

She turned her head and surveyed the basxmxnt once more. Dingy stone walls with stakes driven in at various points on the ceiling and walls, one of them holding a rusty shackle. A heavy iron bar bolted the wooden door. It was practically a dungeon.

The air was damp, and the few half-melted candles scattered around did little to brighten the room. Given the abundance of magical lights upstairs, it was clear that this was purely for setting the mood—an incredibly distasteful one at that.

The idea that some people willingly sought out a prison experience left her bewildered. Richard, reading the stunned look on her face, gently reassured her.

“Courtney, don’t be so tense.”

“I’m not… tense.”

On the verge of passing out, Courtney stubbornly tried to act tough. After all, there was no reason to be afraid. In this little prison scenario, her role was that of the warden, not the prisoner.

Richard smiled at her lie and prepared a chair. He laid layer upon layer of leather and fur over an already plush armchair. She would sit here comfortably, watching him crawl at her feet. Just the thought sent a rush of blood to his head and lower body.

When Richard removed his robe, Courtney flinched, her shoulders stiffening. She didn’t exactly exude confidence. But Richard had no doubt that, with enough time, she would become the perfect mistress.

He hung his robe on a hook along the wall and extended a hand toward her.

“Your coat.”

“I’ll take it off myself.”

Courtney hesitated as she slowly removed her robe. Richard took it from her and hung it up next to his own. He had been nothing but courteous the entire time, and while it could be seen as a gesture of respect, she felt something different in the air this time.

Courtney Devon, who had been dismissed by everyone all her life, was now ordering around the Crown Prince as though he were her servant. The twisted satisfaction she felt from this disturbed her. She hurried to speak, trying to shake off the feeling.

“What… should I do?”

“Whatever you wish.”

“Don’t be so vague. If I’m going to do this, I should at least know what to imitate, don’t you think?”

Rather than answering, Richard guided her to the chair that had been prepared. The lavishly decorated armchair seemed completely out of place in the dreary basxmxnt, further emphasizing the contrast between them—and their roles.

Richard moved behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. In a low, calming voice, he whispered as if casting a spell.

“There’s no need to overthink it. After walking out that door and coming back in, I will obey every word you say. If you tell me to lick your shoes, I shall lick them. If you tell me to crawl, I shall crawl.”

His words were enough to make her head spin. It had been easier to think of this as something far off in the future. But the thought of it happening right now, in front of her, made her skin prickle. Feeling an inexplicable sense of dread, Courtney asked,

“And if I don’t want to give those kinds of orders…?”

“Then you can insult and spit on me for daring to want to lick your shoes. If you find me disgusting, you can have me stand facing the wall for hours.”

“…Do you want to lick my shoes?”

“If I had to choose, yes. But if you don’t allow it, I won’t do anything.”

Courtney couldn’t understand Richard’s desires. She had thought it would be as simple as playing the role he wanted her to. But now her head was spinning with confusion. He hadn’t even handed her one of the many whips they’d bought earlier upstairs. Not that she needed one, of course.

When she remained silent, Richard lowered his hands from her shoulders. No amount of thinking would compare to experiencing it firsthand. He took a step toward the door.

“Well then.”

“Wait!”

Courtney urgently grabbed the sleeve of his shirt. He was dressed more simply than usual, but still in a way befitting the Crown Prince. Yet, her concern was far more immediate than the thought of him returning in nothing at all.

“You’re not just going to leave me here, are you?”

Now that she was about to be left alone, fear started to rise in her chest. A dark, secretive basxmxnt in a mysterious shop. No one knew she was here. Of course, Richard had no reason to kidnap or imprison her, but still…

Richard’s blue eyes, which had widened in surprise, softened into a reassuring smile. With a tone that was serious but meant to be taken as a joke, he comforted her.

“Don’t worry about something so unthinkable. I wouldn’t leave you alone, even in the grave.”

“You don’t need to go that far… But fine, I understand.”

With a reluctant expression, Courtney let go of his sleeve.

Richard left the room without hesitation. Boom— The heavy thud of the door closing left Courtney standing alone in the eerie basxmxnt.