In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 29

As soon as Bellona returned to her quarters, she began her physical training, sweat dripping from her chin. She pushed her body harder than usual, and her entire arm trembled. The blisters that had formed on her palms had long since burst and were now red and swollen.

But she couldn’t stop.

She was pushing herself to the limit to rid her mind of impure thoughts. Whenever overwhelming emotions surged within her, she always calmed herself with her sword. It was an old habit, and unfortunately, the only method she knew.

Bellona swung her sword relentlessly.

But this time, even the sword didn’t seem to provide a solution. She had dropped it several times because thoughts of a certain man kept invading her mind, disrupting her concentration.

The events of last night, with Caelus of all people, kept intruding whenever her focus wavered.

Not only had she acted like a courtesan, moaning and seducing the man she had killed with her own hands, but she had also been the one to cross the line first, overwhelmed by the pleasure he had given her.

She couldn’t deny that what she had done last night wasn’t entirely against her will. The excuse of the poison wouldn’t hold, because the emotions and sensations she had felt in that moment were all too clear.

Her desire to use him, the ambitions she harbored toward him, and the pleasure he provided—all of it.

It seemed that the habits of living like a beast in the past couldn’t be easily corrected.

She grew increasingly frustrated.

When had she become so weak? How could she seek revenge with such frailty?

She gripped her wooden sword even tighter, her anger fueling a lethal energy that surged from the tip of the blade. She swung it down with all her might.

Smash!

The second practice target couldn’t withstand the force and shattered. Only then did her frenzied movements come to a stop.

“Huff, huff…”

Breathing heavily, she dropped the sword she had been holding. Around the fallen wooden sword lay the scattered remnants of her broken weapons.

Staring at her trembling hands, Bellona suddenly let out a bitter laugh.

If my foolish master saw this, he’d probably scold me again. He’d bandage my hands tenderly, even while berating me.

Because he knows nothing. He doesn’t know who I am, nor what I’ve done to him.

Her lips, once twisted in mockery, gradually straightened, and her expression quickly cooled. She would bury any feelings of guilt and remorse for now.

Until her revenge was complete, she wouldn’t allow herself to be swayed by any emotion. No matter what she had to do, she wouldn’t hesitate. Even if it meant becoming a cheap woman or a ruthless assassin.

“So, I will seduce you even more. Just like a seductive courtesan, just like last night.”

But when my revenge is over, I will atone for the sin of mocking you with my life. For my past sins as well…

With a dangerous resolve burning in her eyes, Bellona clenched her oozing hands tightly.

“Sir Bellona.”

At the sudden intrusion of a voice, her fierce green eyes returned to their usual calm state. Wiping away the sweat that dripped from her brow, she turned to face the man she had expected to see.

“Impressive. After crying so much last night, you’re already training this morning.”

“Did you sleep well, Your Highness?”

As she bowed with impeccable form, the man frowned slightly and approached, glancing at the scattered wooden swords.

“You’ve made a mess of the palace’s property.”

“…My apologies.”

“I’m joking. How could I, as your lord, criticize my knight for training so diligently when I should be rewarding you?”

Despite the man’s playful smile, Bellona stared at him with an impassive face.

“By the way, when did you leave? Without my permission.”

“You were sleeping soundly, so I left quietly.”

“Now you’re back to being a stiff knight.”

With an air of dissatisfaction, the man suddenly drew close. Then, in a lewd tone, he whispered in her ear, “Where’s the woman who was crying with my cock in her mouth all night?”

“……”

“Just looking at you makes me hard again. It seems I’m completely addicted to your body.”

The man, who had spoken such vulgar words without hesitation, brushed back his fine silver hair with a smirk.

The satisfied smile on Impes’s face suggested that he had enjoyed a good time with Mona, though he mistakenly thought it was with her.

It was revolting that he thought he had been with her, but seeing the man who had fallen into the trap she set wasn’t entirely unbearable. The more deluded he became, the more thrilling her revenge would be.

Her tightly closed lips twitched slightly.

Suddenly, Impes reached out his hand with a dazzling smile and spoke with what seemed like genuine concern, “But I can’t leave a woman who has received my seed like this.”

“……”

“You’re special to me now. So take my hand. I’ll give you wings to soar in your future.”

“Your Highness.”

“Let’s have breakfast. I came to find you, so don’t even think of refusing.”

Insolent and obstinate as ever, the only difference was his appearance. In essence, he was still the same arrogant man from the past.

“Too many eyes are watching. If you treat a mere knight like this, it will damage Your Highness’s reputation.”

Already, the knights who had come out for morning training were eyeing the scene with curiosity.

Glancing at the knights, Impes casually grabbed her wrist. Not only that, but he also pulled her close and leaned in as if to make a spectacle of it.

“This is a good opportunity, don’t you think? If the knights find out you’re favored by me, your life in the order won’t be so harsh.”

“Are you suggesting I announce to the world that I’ve become Your Highness’s mistress?”

“If that’s what you want, I’m willing to do it. But you must be ready to bear the responsibility that comes with it.”

“Would that mean I’d have to serve Your Highness every night?”

At her bold question, Impes’s lips curled into a satisfied grin. Then, without hesitation, he brought his hot breath close to her ear and whispered, licking the outer rim of her ear.

“Every night wouldn’t be enough. I’m going crazy with the desire to strip off these old clothes and taste your fair skin right now. I want to cover your entire body with the marks like the one on your neck.”

Startled, Bellona hurriedly covered her exposed neck. It suddenly occurred to her that it was Caelus who had left those marks on her neck last night. Fortunately, Impes seemed to mistakenly believe he was the one who had made those marks.

But just the thought of it made her sick. The very idea of his tongue touching her skin sent chills down her spine.

Barely managing to maintain her composure, Bellona stepped back slightly, trying to calm her churning stomach. Yet she couldn’t help but wonder what had happened last night that had left him so infatuated. Even if he had known it was Mona and not her, would he have acted the same way?

Then again, considering he was the type of man who didn’t discriminate when it came to women, he might have taken Mona as his mistress regardless.

In any case, it was a good thing she had hidden Mona away. She still had a role to play in the future.

“We can talk more about it later.”

As Impes tried to lead her away by the hand, a cold voice suddenly interrupted.

“Let go of her hand, Crown Prince.”

At the unexpected intrusion, the smile on Impes’s face vanished in an instant. Grinding his teeth, he turned around with a calm expression.

Following his gaze, Bellona looked quietly at Caelus’s golden eyes, which were filled with murderous intent.

“We’ve been seeing each other a lot lately.”

“I said, let go of her hand.”

“Are you giving me orders?”

Impes had been pretending to show respect to Caelus, the eldest prince and former crown prince, due to the Empress’s orders. But now, unable to bear it any longer, he revealed his true nature, flaunting his authority.

Caelus suddenly let out a light laugh, as if Impes’s attempt to use his status to suppress him was laughable.

With his red cloak billowing behind him, Caelus approached swiftly, glaring at the hand holding Bellona’s wrist. Slowly, his gaze shifted from her wrist to Impes. Though his expression remained neutral, the aura emanating from him was so intense it felt like it was burning through the skin.

Sensing the unmistakable hostility, Impes snapped in a voice filled with rage, “Do you think you’ll get away with this?”

“Let go.”

“Prince!”

The veins on Caelus’s hand, which had been resting on his sword’s hilt, bulged prominently.

Sensing that things were about to escalate, Bellona felt a twinge of regret that she hadn’t had more time to manipulate Impes. But calming Caelus’s anger took priority at that moment.

She easily slipped her hand out of Impes’s grasp and faced Caelus, bowing gracefully. “You’ve arrived, my lord.”

“…What?” Impes’s eyes widened in shock at Bellona’s sudden action and words.