In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 107

“First, let’s wrap things up here quickly and then head straight to Kellicus.”

“Yes. But are you really going to leave Impes alone? Wouldn’t it be better to deal with him when we handle the Empress?”

“No, I can’t let him off that easily. I’ve got a lot I want to pay him back for.”

His golden eyes blazed like fire. Knowing how much resentment he harbored toward the imperial family, Bellona turned her gaze away with a bitter expression.

He smiled meaningfully, then asked an unexpected question, “Do I seem too cruel to you?”

She almost laughed out loud.

After all the cruelty he had shown, he was worried about something this trivial?

She gave a faint, amused smile and reassured him. “Not at all. It’s exactly what I wanted.”

‘Maybe even more than you.’

But deep down, her emotions were more complicated. The more she became tainted, the more blood she spilled, the more she feared her child would inherit the burden.

And when Caelus found out everything—she feared the gentle smile he now wore would turn into one of scorn.

The emotional turbulence of the past few days kept shaking her firm resolve.

***

The couple’s steps toward the imperial palace were urgent. The Grand Duke and Duchess, alerted by the chamberlain’s early morning message, nearly ran.

“Could he already be showing signs of recovery? It’s only been two days since he took the antidote.”

“He might’ve come to his senses briefly. We won’t know until we see, but don’t get your hopes up too much.”

Worried she might be disappointed, Caelus clipped her budding hope early.

Still, he too couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope.

As they arrived at the imperial palace, the chamberlain bowed to them.

“His Majesty is—”

“Waiting in the formal dining hall.”

“The dining hall? Why there?”

“Let’s go first.”

With a calm face, Bellona followed the chamberlain but cast him a suspicious glance.

Caelus had given her a brief explanation, but she couldn’t fully trust the man yet.

At that moment, a large hand suddenly extended before her.

“Shall we, Duchess?”

Even in the chaos, he offered his arm with courtly manners, and she gave a gentle smile.

Only then did it truly hit her—the person she was about to meet was the emperor of this land.

Though she had encountered him briefly in the past, she would now face him as a member of the imperial family. It felt strange.

‘What if he doesn’t like me…’

Her expression stiffened.

She quickly realized what a pointless thought it was and steeled herself.

Their pace slowed as they neared the dining hall. Just as they reached the door, the chamberlain leaned in and whispered quietly.

“Hide your expressions. Her Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince are also inside.”

“……!”

“You mustn’t show any reaction.”

They instantly understood what he meant and exchanged a glance. Once they nodded, the chamberlain finally opened the door.

Forcing a composed expression, Bellona made her way to the emperor, sneaking a quick side glance at the Empress and Impes.

Then her eyes met Violentia’s icy stare.

‘Looks like she’s rattled by the emperor’s sudden recovery.’

Bellona suppressed a smirk and, just as the chamberlain had advised, schooled her face.

“Your Majesty, I apologize for the late greeting.”

The emperor slowly lifted his gaze and looked at Caelus, then his fierce golden eyes shifted to Bellona.

She quickly offered a formal bow. “I greet Your Majesty, the most exalted sovereign. Bellona Riknis, …of Fidentia.”

She couldn’t hide the tension in her face as she bowed. Her heart pounded and her cheeks burned.

She had instinctively introduced herself using her maiden name—only realizing her mistake too late.

She had married Caelus and should have taken his family name. But in the moment, she’d defaulted to her own.

Even when she remembered his name, she hesitated, unsure if she was worthy of bearing it—and ended up butchering her first greeting.

Embarrassed, she lowered her head further. She felt she had disgraced Caelus in front of the emperor.

Just then, she felt warmth. Looking over, she saw a large hand interlace with hers.

Startled, she raised her head—only to find him smiling gently, as if to say it was alright.

Then he turned to the emperor and introduced her once more.

“Your Majesty, this is the Grand Duchess. The one I fell for at first sight.”

Bellona’s face flushed instantly. As if holding her hand before the Emperor wasn’t enough—what kind of undignified introduction was that?

Sure enough, she heard the Empress’s scoff from behind.

As she tried to pull her hand away in embarrassment, the man gripped it even tighter and added, “She’s the woman I never want to let go of—even in death. If there’s a next life, I’d find her again and hold on.”

What on earth is he doing?

To make such a passionate confession in front of the Emperor, and at such a serious moment—she was dumbfounded.

It was his doing, yet it was Bellona who was left flustered and helpless.

Then, for the first time, the Emperor spoke, “I heard the Grand Duchess was once a knight in the Imperial Order. Is that true?”

At the unexpected question, Bellona’s hand flinched. Squeezing her hand even more firmly, the man answered with ease.

“It’s true. But I forced her to come with me.”

At his playful remark, the Emperor’s brow furrowed.

Unable to stop this maddening man or shut his mouth, Bellona was on the verge of losing it.

But Caelus wasn’t done.

“I fell for her at first sight. Even before she joined the Imperial Order.”

What is he talking about now?

He was even making up lies now—what on earth was he thinking?

The Emperor’s piercing golden eyes turned to Bellona again. Her feet stung as if she were standing barefoot on thorns.

The tension in the room made her want to flee immediately.

Then, shameless as ever, Caelus revealed his so-called motive.

“You understand how I feel, don’t you? You said you fell for Her Majesty the Empress at first sight too. I guess blood really doesn’t lie.”

“Ha!”

As expected, Violentia scoffed aloud.

But Bellona, anxiously reading the Emperor’s expression, was in no mood to relax. She couldn’t figure out his intent—why was he acting so recklessly?

She didn’t know how their relationship had started, but the Emperor she saw clearly seemed to despise Empress Minelia.

Which meant it hadn’t ended well.

That was likely why, in his half-conscious state, he’d cursed at her to get lost.

So to bring up that name now—what was he thinking?

Worried this might cause a relapse, Bellona nervously glanced between the two men.

The Emperor quietly studied his son, who bore his eyes, then turned his gaze to her.

Then he asked another unexpected question, “Have you saved those you wished to save?”

Bellona, not grasping the meaning at first, finally understood and gently pulled her hand away from Caelus’s. Thankfully, he let go.

She respectfully clasped her hands and answered, “Yes, Your Majesty. Fortunately, they are all safe.”

Just then—

“Your Majesty, the Grand Duchess flagrantly broke the hunting festival rules in front of countless nobles. She must be punished—”

“Before we talk about rules, shouldn’t we first discuss who orchestrated such brutality?”

Cutting her off, Caelus turned a cold stare on Violentia, then shifted his gaze to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, the nobles are already outraged about the hunting festival. Too many were injured or killed—and in such horrific ways.”

“And yet the Crown Prince, who went to rescue them, was also injured. That seems to be conveniently ignored.”

Trying hard to contain her fury, Violentia kept a calm tone. Caelus, however, pounced at once.

“Exactly. Why did someone who can’t even wield a sword go there at all? He only ended up marring that precious body of his.”

Her crimson eyes blazed with rage. But the seasoned Empress did not lose her composure.

“It was because he wished to protect the citizens of the Empire. The Crown Prince fulfilled his duty, unafraid to put himself at risk. Mocking such intentions only proves why you were unfit to remain a prince.”

Then, Bellona, who had stayed quiet, suddenly spoke up. “I personally witnessed His Highness’s noble courage. If not for the Crown Prince, I might not be here.”

Even though she was clearly siding with Impes, Violentia glared at her with icy eyes.

Bellona’s lips curled ever so slightly.