In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 17

Anyway, she had decided not to hold any more attachment to him. Therefore, whether his future ended up like the past or not was no longer her concern. It was the choice of a rigid and arrogant man. It was his fate, and it was his decision. There was no longer any reason to talk to him or be involved with him.

Bellona coldly drew the line and distanced herself from him. She walked away, ignoring the surprised gazes of the knights, and headed to her quarters.

“Haa…”

As soon as she returned to her room, she collapsed onto the bed. Caught up in her thoughts, she had pushed herself too hard during training. She doubted she would be able to use her arms for the rest of the day.

“Damn it.”

She was annoyed by the man who had so coolly dismissed her yesterday, only to act as if nothing had happened today. Imperial family truly was insufferably arrogant. They could suddenly lash out in anger and then, once they felt better, smile without caring about the feelings of others. When they smiled, no matter how sad or angry the lower ranks were, they had no choice but to smile along. Otherwise, they might lose their lives.

Even though she knew it was all part of the expected order, the anger still boiled within her. Maybe it was because she had lived through life once before—she was starting to find these inequities increasingly intolerable.

“Hoo…”

She sighed deeply, trying to relieve the frustration that had built up inside her. Although she had decided to give up on him, it was inevitable that the frustration would surface when her plans fell apart. In the end, it seemed she had no choice but to offer herself once more to Impes’s filthy hands.

Just thinking about it made her skin crawl, but there was no other way. If she couldn’t find another source of power, her only option was to bring him down with her in mutual destruction.

Bellona slowly sat up, her body aching all over, and clenched and unclenched her fists repeatedly. It seemed she would need to ask Eshil for help with washing up. Just as she stood up, trying to work out the numbness in her hands, an unfamiliar servant arrived.

“Are you Sir Bellona Riknis?”

“What is it?”

Bellona’s expression quickly turned cold. A visit from a servant meant that one of the imperial family members was summoning her.

“His Highness Prince Caelus requests your presence.”

“…Ha.”

So, in the end, you plan to subdue me with your power as well. The fact that he had sent a servant formally meant he was now summoning her as a prince. In other words, it was a warning that he would no longer tolerate the rude attitude she had shown earlier.

“I’ve sweated too much and need to change my clothes. Please inform him of this.”

“Understood.”

As the servant left, Bellona spotted Eshil’s figure entering the room. Eshil glanced at the departing servant and rushed in, concern etched on her face.

“Sir Knight, what happened now?”

“Eshil, could you help me out?”

Eshil’s eyes, which had widened in surprise, soon narrowed in concern. “What happened to you? Did you already train this morning?”

“Yes. But I can’t use my arms right now. Could you help me wash up?”

“Oh… yes! Just a moment, I’ll prepare everything right away.”

Eshil had a lot of questions, but she focused on what needed to be done first. Bellona, smiling faintly at Eshil’s consideration, soon directed a cold gaze at the palace where the imperial family resided.

***

Standing in front of the large door, Bellona clenched and unclenched her fists, testing her condition. She didn’t want to show any more weakness to him.

“Announce me.”

“Your Highness, Sir Bellona Riknis has arrived.”

As she waited for Caelus’s permission, the door suddenly swung open. Unlike the startled servant, Bellona merely blinked in surprise as she calmly observed the man standing in the doorway and then bowed her head.

Caelus, who had been staring intently at her, soon opened the door wider and ordered the servant, “Let no one enter.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Come in.”

Bellona gave the man a nod of acknowledgment and entered his office, quickly scanning the room. Unlike Impes’s ornate style, Caelus’s office was simple and unadorned, reflecting his upright character. It seemed as though the room had already been cleared out in preparation for his departure.

As she took in her surroundings with a slightly unfocused gaze, a low voice sounded right behind her.

“In the end, you make me out to be a dishonorable man.”

When she turned around slowly, his face, usually expressionless, now bore a faint trace of emotion. He seemed both displeased and amused at the same time, his lips curved in a subtle smile.

“What have I done wrong?”

“It’s my fault. I couldn’t even manage a lowly knight and ended up abusing my position.”

“Why did you summon me?”

“Must I have a specific reason to summon a mere knight?”

“I’m asking why you would go so far as to abuse your position to summon me.”

Her tone was respectful, but the way she met his gaze was anything but submissive. Bellona looked him straight in the eye.

After all, he was someone who would soon be leaving. Once he left the palace, he would no longer be her superior or the master she was to serve. There was no reason to bow to a prince who was about to be cast aside.

Soon, he would no longer be a prince of the Empire but the Grand Duke of Camirus.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday. The more I think about it, the more I regret it.”

“……”

“That’s why I summoned you to ask once more.”

“What are you asking about?”

“Are you still refusing my request?”

“Yes.”

His lips twisted into a bitter smile as if he had expected her answer. Then, with a sharp gaze, he looked down at her.

“Then, does your offer to become my loyal dog still stand?”

In that instant, Bellona sensed a shift in his demeanor. She didn’t answer right away but studied him closely, trying to gauge his intentions. She couldn’t easily discern how his thoughts had changed.

Years of experience as a commander had ingrained in her the habit of carefully reading her opponent before revealing her hand. She had already learned the hard way what could happen if she didn’t do this. Making the same mistake twice was something she could never tolerate.

“I asked if your offer still stands.”

When he repeated the question, Bellona deftly avoided answering, instead taunting him for using his position against her.

“Does my opinion even matter? You summoned me here to command me and tame this arrogant dog, didn’t you?”

“So, are you saying you’ll obey any command I give?”

“…I will. I have no desire to be beheaded for insubordination.”

Caelus took a step closer, his breath now brushing against her face, as he looked down at her with a menacing gaze.

“And what makes you think you know what I’ll command?”

“Just give the order.”

He stepped even closer, their clothes nearly brushing against each other, but Bellona held her ground, meeting his gaze without flinching.

“You have too much faith in me.”

“I trust no one but myself.”

“Then you should flee, not stand here like this. Don’t you realize what I’m thinking as I look at you?”

At his words, which felt more like a warning, Bellona unconsciously clenched her fists. Her heart raced as she began to understand the implications in his eyes. But she refused to back down, meeting his gaze head-on and challenging him.

“Are you perhaps interested in this worthless body of mine? If so, command me to undress. I’ll do so as much as you like.”

Her bold provocation made Caelus’s brows knit together in a frown. Suddenly, he let out a hollow laugh, stepping back with a muttered complaint.

“You truly have no regard for yourself.”

Bellona’s eyes glinted with determination. Her opponent had retreated, and now it was time to strike. In a swift move, she closed the distance between them, catching Caelus off guard.

Caelus frowned in surprise.

“You withdrew your command, so now I have a question of my own. Please answer me honestly.”

“……!”

“Is there really nothing about me that you desire?”

“First Impes, and now you’re trying to seduce me too?”

“If I did, would you succumb?”

Her straightforward question made his golden eyes narrow into thin slits. It was an impulsive move on her part, but she felt an overwhelming need to expose the vulnerability in her enemy’s heart. She had no time for useless banter or exploratory exchanges. Caelus was a card too valuable to discard, one she couldn’t afford to lose.

But his expression grew cold once again.

Another failure.

Just as she was about to feel disheartened, a large hand suddenly wrapped around her slender waist. Before she could react, she was pulled against his solid chest.

Bellona’s eyes widened in shock, her pupils trembling slightly.

“So, you’re saying you’re willing to throw away this worthless body of yours if it serves your purpose?”

“Let me go.”

“Make up your mind—seduction or submission.”