Responses
Yeah they say it in the story, that's exactly how it happened and he knew he wanted her as his mistress since that moment lol. For bdsm, I think he was just always into it since it gives him a chance to not always be in control like how he is in his regular life of being a prince and now the king. They dont say that outright in the story but they elude to it with Richard's backstory told from his attendee guy
My theory is that he was also at a party with courtney there, saw her temper, and love at first sight
Lowkey curious how Richard first met Courtney and fell in love (or rather, awaken his M instincts). Maybe it's cus he saw how she scolds her family in public or gatherings, then he realised he was, in fact, into that shit.