In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 19

At the mention of “orders,” Bellona hesitated, clearly reluctant, but she obediently sat down. Caelus approached the display cabinet and returned with a small box, roughly the size of a jewelry case. It was clearly a very expensive box, and when he opened it, it revealed a variety of medicinal supplies. Bellona, realizing what he intended to do, was about to refuse.

“From now on, do not open your mouth without my permission. Also, I won’t tolerate any more ‘I’m fine,’ ‘I refuse,’ or ‘I don’t want to’ in my presence.”

“Then… what am I supposed to say?” she asked, unable to stop herself from speaking despite his command.

In response, he narrowed his eyes and gripped her wrist tightly. A strange tension crackled between them, an unspoken warning radiating from Caelus.

Bellona’s eyes darted around before she finally lowered her head.

“Understood. I won’t speak without your permission…”

Her words were abruptly cut off as he pulled her wrist closer, her green eyes widening in surprise. Despite her shocked expression, Bellona found herself staring intently at his face, now close enough that she could feel his breath.

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“What…”

“I’m asking if you’re testing the limits of my patience.”

“What do you mean by that…!”

His lips, hovering dangerously close, stopped just short of touching hers. Instinctively, Bellona held her breath, her face visibly tensing.

Her heart raced faster with each hot breath that brushed her lips. His unwavering gaze made her feel lightheaded. Finally, she averted her eyes, but a low, growling voice akin to that of a beast warned her.

“Don’t look away from the enemy.”

Her green eyes, which had flickered with instinctive recognition at the word “enemy,” refocused on him. It was a deeply ingrained reflex honed over the years.

“Are you avoiding my gaze because you know where I might bite?”

His subtle provocation finally touched a nerve in her rigid personality.

“Bite wherever you please. I won’t just sit here and take it.”

Caelus’s yellow eyes lazily scanned her face, as if contemplating where to strike first. His gaze, as if it had made a decision, lingered on one spot. His golden eyes gradually darkened as they fixed on her tightly sealed red lips.

“Do you want to bite my lips?”

“And if I do?”

“Then I would cut off your tongue.”

Bellona’s eyes gleamed with genuine resolve.

“…Ha, this is driving me crazy.”

Slowly pulling back, he sighed in frustration and looked up at the ceiling. Knowing her nature, he was well aware that she was serious. Yet, despite the cruelty of the idea, he found himself more disturbed by the fact that he had imagined their tongues entangling before she cut his off.

“Are you giving up?”

“Keep your mouth shut,” he retorted coldly, his expression stern as he began applying ointment to her injured hand. Her palm was blistered and covered in scabs from her relentless sword practice.

Doesn’t it hurt?

She must be incredibly stubborn.

How could she keep wielding a sword until her hand was in this condition?

Caelus gritted his teeth to keep from scolding her. If he said one word, she would retaliate with ten more, and he wasn’t sure he could tolerate that.

‘How can I control you to ease my mind?’

Even as he applied the ointment, he observed her expression carefully, but the stubborn woman showed no reaction. In the end, he decided to voice one of the many warnings he had suppressed.

“From now on, every time you injure yourself, I’ll impose a fitting punishment.”

“……!”

“So take better care of your body. If you get another wound like this, I’ll wrap you entirely in bandages.”

Only then did Bellona lower her gaze to look at the hand covered in ointment. Seeing the severity of the injury, a bitter laugh escaped her lips.

“You find this funny?”

“Yes, this is the first time anyone has cared about my injuries.”

Her calm response made Caelus’s brow furrow. “What about the squire you care for so much?”

“She will soon become a knight. This is the kind of injury a knight should expect.”

“…Ha, you’re both as stubborn as each other.”

Bellona, who had been watching Caelus with interest, suddenly spoke up about a personal matter for the first time.

“I have a request.”

Her sincere tone made his eyes flicker slightly.

“…What is it?”

“There are people I need to take with me to the Grand Duchy. If you permit it, I’ll arrange for them to live elsewhere.”

“I don’t mind. Let them stay at the castle. There are dozens of empty rooms. Better to have some warmth in the place than to let it grow cold.”

Bellona’s eyes filled with an unfamiliar emotion as she looked at the man who so easily granted her request. When he glanced up at her after finishing the treatment, she saw that same unfamiliar emotion in his eyes.

“Those eyes are dangerous.”

“What kind of eyes do I have?”

“Seductive eyes.”

“…Well, at least they aren’t murderous.”

Her indifferent response made Caelus laugh helplessly for the umpteenth time that day.

“Thank you for the treatment. I’ll take my leave now.”

“I’ll send my aide, so have your siblings moved to a different location.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

She rose from her seat, gave a formal bow, and turned to leave. But as she reached for the door, Caelus’s voice made her pause.

Wait… my siblings…?

How did he know I had siblings? Have I ever mentioned them?

Moreover, I didn’t even say I would bring my siblings along, but he spoke as if he already knew.

Just as she was about to turn back, the door swung open.

It was the chamberlain.

“Oh, I apologize, Sir Bellona.”

“No need.”

“Sir, you may leave now.”

With Caelus’s cold dismissal, Bellona couldn’t ask any further questions and left the office. Her gaze turned icy as she stared at the closed door.

***

“You called for me, Your Highness?”

“Is the castle prepared?”

“It was ready long ago.”

“Then prepare to leave.”

“Did you acquire the wildflower you were looking for?”

“Yes, I’ve finally secured it.”

Caelus’s rare smile made Akon’s eyes narrow in suspicion. “But what exactly is this wildflower?”

“…The most radiant flower on the battlefield. A delicate wildflower that blooms even more beautifully in a pool of blood.”

Caelus’s lips curved into a slow smile as he indulged in whatever fantasy was running through his mind.

What kind of flower could possibly bloom beautifully in a pool of blood?

Akon shuddered at the horrifying image conjured by his imagination. He had thought it was something extraordinary, but now it seemed that Caelus’s eccentricity knew no bounds.

“Did you really delay your departure just to find a worthless wildflower?”

“Watch your mouth.”

As Caelus’s gaze turned icy, Akon quickly lowered his head.

“There’s been an addition to the group.”

“Have you recruited more knights?”

“Yes. Go to the Imperial Knights and assist Sir Bellona Riknis.”

“Bellona… Riknis?”

The name sounded both unfamiliar and familiar, making Akon’s eyes roll as he searched his memory. Then, recalling the memory, he asked with sudden enthusiasm, “Oh! You mean the common knight who displayed such remarkable skill in the recent vice-commander’s trial?”

“Yes.”

“I heard rumors that her skills were no joke. Is it true?”

“You wouldn’t stand a chance against her.”

“What?”

Akon’s face twisted in disbelief.

No matter what, the idea that he would lose to a mere common knight was too much. With a disgruntled expression, he muttered under his breath, “You’re joking, Your Highness.”

“I’m not joking.”

‘If I couldn’t beat her, how could you?’

Caelus, recalling an unforgettable moment, allowed a bitter smile to cross his lips.

“Well, when we get to the Grand Duchy, I’ll make sure to spar with her. I’ll prove that you were mistaken, Your Highness.”

“I’ve already warned you. Anyway, we’ll discuss that later. Once we arrive in Camirus, the wedding will take place immediately, so make sure everything is prepared.”

“Yes. Wait… What? What did you just say?”

“Make sure the doors are securely locked so the bride doesn’t run away on the wedding night.”

Akon, doubting his own hearing, frantically rubbed his ears and widened his eyes in shock.

“Are you serious?”

“Do you think marriage is a joke?”

“No, but who are you marrying? Did you meet your fiancée already? When? Where? I didn’t see anything!”

Shocked, Akon babbled questions without pause.

“You’ll find out on the day. Now stop your chatter and go help Bellona.”

“Bellona? Oh, Sir Bellona Riknis. But why…”

The question of why he spoke her name so familiarly never made it out. The sharp warning in Caelus’s piercing gaze suggested that if Akon uttered one more word, his tongue would be cut off.

“Give her everything she asks for.”

“What?”

“Treat her well so you won’t regret it later. I’m telling you this for your own good.”

“What? She’s just a common knight—”

“Get out.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

Though Akon was his closest aide, he now felt like he knew nothing about the man he served. Just a few days ago, he had thought he knew everything. But recently, it seemed as if his lord was keeping many secrets from him.

As Akon turned to leave, he glanced back with lingering curiosity. But Caelus, already looking weary, had leaned back on the sofa with his eyes closed.

When the door clicked shut, his eyelids slowly lifted. The once calm golden eyes quickly filled with cold determination as they stared into the distance.

“Bellona Riknis,” he softly murmured her name, a dangerous smile curving one side of his lips. At last, he had captured the Goddess of the Sword.