In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 21

It was only now that she remembered how Mona used to cry every day after being scolded by Ether. Feeling sorry for her, Bellona had cared for Mona as much as she did for Eshil. In the end, it was Bellona who took her in after she failed to be selected as Ether’s squire. Although she couldn’t become anyone’s squire and remained a servant, thanks to Bellona, who was the knight commander, Mona was able to live comfortably within the order, no less than any other squire.

Despite the kindness shown to her, Mona had repaid it with betrayal. Bellona vividly recalled the moment before her death when Mona falsely accused her. Mona had even gone so far as to stab herself and smear blood on Bellona’s sword before lying to the Empress.

In the end, Bellona took Mona’s life with her own hands, but even with the passage of time, the resentment from that moment hadn’t easily dissipated.

Bellona glanced at the medicine bowl in Mona’s hands and stifled a bitter laugh.

Whose orders could this be under? Whether it was Ether’s or Impes’, she didn’t need to taste it to know that what was in the bowl wasn’t ordinary medicine. What could have been mixed into it this time?

“Please drink it, Sir Knight. Afterward, you are to report to the Crown Prince’s palace,” Mona said.

“…Alright.”

Bellona accepted the medicine bowl without hesitation, staring intently at the faintly purple liquid. She could feel Mona’s nervous gaze as she slowly brought the bowl to her lips, only to stop just before taking a sip.

“Mona.”

“Yes?”

Ignoring Mona’s startled response, Bellona, in a kind voice, asked, “Could you step outside for a moment? I need to give Eshil some instructions.”

“Oh… but I need to take the bowl back.”

Mona’s unease was obvious—she had likely been ordered to ensure Bellona consumed the contents.

“It’ll only be a moment. Please wait outside.”

“Yes…”

Realizing that stubborn insistence would only arouse suspicion, Mona reluctantly left the room. Quick on the uptake, Eshil closed the door behind her and looked at Bellona with a curious expression.

Bellona set the bowl down and pulled out the pouch of money Akon had given her.

“What’s this?” Eshil asked, puzzled.

Leaning in close, Bellona whispered, “Listen carefully, Eshil. Leave the palace immediately and go to the inn at the edge of the fortress.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain everything later. For now, don’t ask any questions. Just book a room in secret.”

Eshil, her expression quickly growing serious, took the pouch and nodded.

“Book it for several days, just to be safe.”

“Yes.”

“And as you leave, keep Mona busy. Talk to her until I call for her.”

“Yes, Sir Knight.”

Eshil quickly hid the money pouch in her clothes and left the room with a determined look on her face. Bellona could hear her chatting with Mona outside the door as she moved swiftly.

Bellona poured half of the liquid into a glass and diluted it with water from the kettle. The once-purple liquid turned black as it mixed with the dark tea. The rest of the potion she tossed out the window before picking up the empty bowl.

Then, she called Mona back in as if nothing had happened.

“Come take this, Mona,” she said.

Hearing Eshil’s farewell from outside, Bellona brought the bowl to her lips just as Mona entered the room. She wiped her mouth with her sleeve as if she had just finished drinking, then handed the empty bowl to Mona with a casual smile.

“Is everything alright?”

“What? Oh… yes…” Mona, startled, glanced nervously at the now-empty bowl.

Bellona, acting as if everything were normal, gestured for Mona to sit. “How is Sir Ether? I was thinking of visiting him to check on him.”

“He… he’s fine. He seems to be feeling better after taking the medicine.”

Bellona reassured Mona with a gentle smile, offering her the glass of water she had prepared.

“It must be difficult serving a knight. If you ever have worries you can’t share with anyone else, come to me anytime.”

“Thank you…”

“Drink up. This water is brewed with herbs that warm your body.”

Bellona noticed Mona’s hesitation and took out another glass, pouring water from the kettle into it. Then, making a show of it, she swirled the glass in her hand before casually taking a sip. Finally reassured, Mona drank the herbal water mixed with the suspicious medicine, though she still glanced at Bellona repeatedly, trying to discern any changes in her.

Bellona also carefully observed Mona as they continued their seemingly meaningless conversation. Gradually, Mona’s breathing grew labored, her responses slowing. Her pupils dilated, and her lips seemed to dry as she repeatedly picked up and set down the empty glass.

“Mona, are you alright?”

“Hah… yes, I’m fine…”

Mona’s breathing grew more labored, and her face turned a deep red as if she were burning up from within.

Seeing Mona’s condition, Bellona stifled a laugh.

Bellona recognized what Mona had tried to give her. She had used it on others before and had even been subjected to it herself. It was a powder made from the crushed berries of ‘Atropa Belladonna.’ This poisonous plant was classified as such because it could cloud one’s mind, induce hallucinations, and in high doses, even cause death.

The plant was beautiful yet deadly, commonly used to torture prisoners of war. When the mind became clouded and hallucinations began, the victim would answer any question the torturer asked. Those with weak willpower could even be manipulated to follow orders.

This poison had been an essential tool in war, used to extract enemy plans and secrets. Impes had occasionally made Bellona drink it under the guise of educating her. On days when his sadistic tendencies flared, he used it to cloud her mind and toy with her at will. When the hallucinations set in, he treated her no better than an animal, trampling on her without mercy.

This deadly plant, with its beautiful yet dangerous flowers, was highly effective in breaking her will.

‘Impes, your vile habits remain unchanged.’

Bellona thought, her gaze turning icy as she looked at Mona, who was now struggling to remain conscious.

Did she know what she was giving me?

It didn’t matter whether Mona knew or not. Bellona had no intention of forgiving her.

“Mona, you look unwell.”

“Hah… Sir Knight… I should go back…”

Just as Mona tried to stand, Bellona struck the back of her neck, causing her head to slump forward. Bellona quickly searched Mona’s clothing, finding a small paper packet of white powder, just as she had expected.

Smirking, Bellona pocketed the powder and dragged Mona’s limp body under the bed, covering her with a blanket. She looked down at the hidden figure with a detached expression.

But she was curious.

Why did Impes suddenly resort to this?

He had said he would wait for my decision, and I had implied that I would choose him. So why this sudden move?

And how did he already know about this poison? Could it be…?

“I’ll have to find out for myself.”

Bellona decided to confront Impes directly, splashing water on her face to mimic the appearance of sweat and twisting her expression into one of discomfort. She stumbled out of the room, locking the door behind her as she made her way to Impes’s quarters.

She deliberately staggered and gasped for breath as she approached the Crown Prince’s palace, aware that she might be watched.

Just as she arrived, someone rushed up to her—exactly who she had expected.

Ether’s eyes gleamed as he hurried over, as if he had been waiting for her.

“Sir Bellona! What happened?”

The same man who had once dismissed her as a mere female knight now looked at her with concern, even supporting her as she struggled to stand.

“Ah… I drank the medicine Mona brought… but now, my body… feels strange…”

“What? Where’s Mona?”

“She said she had urgent business… and left. But the Crown Prince… requested my presence…”

Ether, his brow furrowed, quickly masked his expression and began leading Bellona somewhere.

“And you came all the way here in this condition?”

“But Sir, why are you here…?”

“Oh, I was just meeting with the Crown Prince as well.”

His awkward tone made Bellona stifle a laugh. Sure enough, Ether led her not to the office, but to Impes’s bedchamber.

“Has he changed his clothes yet? He spilled tea earlier and had to change.”

Ether rambled on unnecessarily as they reached the door of Impes’s chamber.

“Your Highness, Sir Bellona Riknis has arrived.”

To her surprise, there were no knights or attendants stationed outside the door as there should have been.

It was clear now—this was a trap.

And Ether had undoubtedly prepared the powder.

“Let her in.”

“Hurry, go in.”

Ether pushed her into the room, slamming the door shut behind her.