In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 20

That beautiful slayer, once a loyal dog of the imperial family, the Empress’s hound, and Impes’s mistress—he had only managed to capture her after losing his life. How fortunate it was that he had gone straight to the training ground as soon as he opened his eyes. Had he been just a little later, Impes might have snatched her away once more.

In the previous life, she had been difficult to capture, and in this life, she had caused him just as much anguish. When she suddenly offered her sword and declared she would become his loyal dog, he was so taken aback that he couldn’t find the words to respond. The sincerity in Bellona’s eyes had been unmistakable.

Yet, when he saw another emotion in her gaze, he felt as though ice water had been poured over him, realizing the true reason behind the uneasy feeling that had plagued him. Bellona Riknis was not the type of woman to act impulsively or carelessly. However, in this trial, her actions were entirely different from those of the past.

A woman who had once cherished the honor of a knight more than anyone else had now willingly trampled on that honor, deliberately seducing and shaking Impes. The swordsmanship she displayed was not something an ordinary knight could possess. That’s when he began to suspect—could she, like him, have returned with memories of the past?

And indeed, it was true.

Bellona also possessed memories from before the regression.

Upon realizing this, he felt a strange mix of exhilaration and fury. He finally understood the words and actions she had directed at him. However, beneath the sincerity in her eyes when she asked to be taken as his subordinate, he sensed something else, hidden and true, which only fueled his anger further.

Her offer to become his loyal dog, extending her sword to him, had a clear purpose.

Caelus’s expression grew cold.

If you’re here with your memories intact, does that mean you were wronged and killed as well? In the end, were you discarded like a dog? Did that mean, even in death, you couldn’t protect His Majesty or the Empire?

Not knowing what happened after his own death was frustrating beyond words. Yet, he couldn’t ask her directly. If she knew he also possessed memories of the past, the stubborn woman would surely try to run away again.

But at least, he had another chance—a chance to protect this Empire and His Majesty. A chance to tear apart those who had driven him to death. Unfortunately, he had woken up too late, unable to secure his place as he had before. But this time, he was determined to reclaim it, knowing what lay ahead.

And now, the magnificent Goddess of the Sword was in his grasp.

However, in this Empire, the title of “Goddess of the Sword” would no longer be heard. There would be no one to admire her swordsmanship, and the Empire would never see its first female knight commander.

Caelus had decided to ensnare her in the trap of “marriage,” intending to sever her limbs metaphorically. He would strip her of the sword that defined her and force her to live only as his woman. It was a punishment for deceiving him with a dishonorable duel, and the price she would pay for repeatedly rejecting his outstretched hand.

He wanted to see the stubborn woman who knew nothing but her sword waiting helplessly for him. Just as he had once taken away the blind loyalty of others, he thought that possessing her undying loyalty might help him forget the humiliations of his previous life.

To achieve this, he planned to shake her endlessly.

He would whisper sweet words of love every night.

Even if none of it was true.

Foolish Bellona.

You will fall into the trap once again.

But this time, not even death will free you from it.

Because I won’t let you go.

No matter what you plan, it won’t go your way.

I’ll cut off your hands and feet.

His bright golden eyes gleamed with a mocking smile.

“Bellona… Bellona Riknis.”

As he prepared for the punishment he would inflict upon her, Caelus’s expression grew heavy with determination.

***

Bellona stared at the bandages wrapped around her hands, sighing repeatedly. How on earth did he know? Did he investigate me in the meantime? She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

“Sir Bellona Riknis?”

Startled by the unfamiliar voice, her head whipped around.

‘Akon?’

She suddenly recalled Caelus’s words about sending an aide to help her. Bellona stared at the man who was looking at her with an inexplicable gaze, trying to recall his past self.

Akon Betonio.

He had been a loyal subordinate of Caelus and was well-versed in information about the Empire and most kingdoms. His swordsmanship was quite impressive, and he was a superior recognized by the knights of Valensis for his affable personality. Yet, to his enemies, he was merciless. His upright nature made him strict about distinguishing between enemies and allies, showing no mercy. Even in the past, he had ground his teeth whenever he looked at her.

She had never had a personal conversation with him, but now that she was alive again, it felt as though her relationships were being reshaped. Allies became enemies, and enemies became allies.

“What brings you here?”

“His Highness ordered me to assist you. What do you need?”

“Oh…”

Recalling why he had come, Bellona’s face briefly showed a hint of caution. Could she really entrust the safety of her siblings to this man? The deliberation didn’t last long. With a calm expression, she made her request.

“Could you lend me some money?”

“What?”

“I need to pack up, but my salary as an ordinary knight isn’t enough.”

“Are you really asking me for money?”

Facing the incredulous Akon, she made her demand even more shamelessly. “Didn’t His Highness send you with money? Perhaps he forgot in his distraction. I’ll wait here, so please go and retrieve it.”

“…Ha!”

Akon, shaking his head as if to say, ‘What is this?’ suddenly frowned.

“Did His Highness really say he’d give you money?”

“Yes.”

Suspiciously eyeing her confident response, Akon soon sighed and, after rummaging through his inner pocket, pulled out a heavy pouch.

“For now, use this. I’ll collect your money from His Highness later.”

Barely suppressing a grin, Bellona quickly took the pouch with both hands.

“…Thank you.”

“Is there anything else you need help with?”

“No, that’s all.”

“Alright. Well, if you need anything else, just let me know.”

After Bellona bowed her head more politely than usual, Akon gave her a meaningful look before turning to leave.

Once he had completely disappeared, Bellona cautiously peeked inside the heavy pouch.

Her eyes widened at the amount of money it contained. “Hmm, so the Imperial Knights really do get paid more.”

This would be enough to secure a place to hide her siblings for a while.

Suddenly, her deep green eyes flashed with fierce determination.

In this life, I won’t trust anyone. Being foolishly caught off guard once is enough.

That’s why, even though she missed her siblings terribly, she was holding back. If someone took an interest in them, they might be used as hostages again, and the nightmare would repeat itself. So she kept her yearning in check, maintaining her distance.

But once they reached the Grand Duchy, she planned to spend plenty of time with her siblings. This time, she would go on outings and enjoy festivals with them. She intended to do everything with them that she hadn’t been able to do in her previous life. She didn’t want to create any more regrets.

Pushing her longing and excitement aside for now, Bellona decided to settle her siblings’ lodging as soon as Eshil arrived.

At that moment, she heard Eshil’s voice from outside.

“Oh, Mona? What brings you here?”

Bellona’s eyes suddenly sharpened with a steely glare.

As she watched Mona enter the room with Eshil, her gaze shifted to the suspicious medicine bowl Mona was carrying.

In an instant, she recalled the image of Mona she had seen in the Emperor’s palace before her death—the scene where she had prepared medicine for the Emperor, secretly adding something to it.

With her eyes narrowed coldly, Bellona watched as Mona awkwardly approached with a forced smile.

“Sir Knight, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent this medicine to restore your energy.”

“…Crown Prince?”

“Yes, he has bestowed it upon all the Imperial Knights who worked hard to prepare for the vice-commander’s trial.”

Impossible.

Bellona knew Impes too well, having served him closely for a long time. She remembered even his most trivial habits. She knew there was no way a man who regarded knights as mere chess pieces would offer such a favor just because they had taken a simple trial.

So, this wasn’t an act of goodwill.

Her icy gaze shifted briefly to Mona.

So, you were already one of the Crown Prince’s people.

“They say His Highness will soon become the master of the Imperial Knights. He must really care for them to bestow such gifts…”

Eshil, who seemed genuinely moved, clasped her hands together, her innocent eyes sparkling.

“Well, yes…”

“Did you give it to Sir Ether? He probably needs it the most.”

Eshil mentioned Ether, who had been beaten to a pulp by Bellona, with a smug expression, as if her knight’s victory was her own.

Bellona’s brow furrowed slightly at Eshil’s words, as a faint memory she had forgotten began to resurface.

“Who is the knight you currently serve?”

“Sir Ether Dorta.”

Right. It was Ether who had taken Mona as a squire when she first joined the knights.