In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 33

Caelus rushed into his office, his face flushed with heat, and quickly sat down at his desk to cool off.

The rare sight of his reddened cheeks only emphasized the angry twist of his lips as he swallowed back curses.

Had he truly gone mad?

The moment he saw Bellona’s smile, something heavy stirred within him before he even had time to process it.

As if that wasn’t enough, soon it started to throb and swell, growing more and more with every passing second. Even though she had quickly returned to her usual stern expression, his body reacted instantly, growing larger at just the sight of her face.

The more he thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed.

How could this be happening?

Even though he had recently awoken to his lust, he never imagined that he would be aroused at every possible moment like this. It felt as though there was a wild dog in heat inside his body, stirring uncontrollably.

“Hah, I’m going to lose my mind.”

He ruffled his hair in frustration before banging his forehead on the desk, trying to pull himself together. If he didn’t do something, he’d spend the entire day glued to his desk, unable to move.

How had he managed to hold on for so long? He was amazed at his own endurance.

“Your Highness, Sir Bellona—”

“Bring Akon!”

He cut off his attendant’s words abruptly, glaring down at himself with a deeply furrowed brow. There was no way he could see her in this state. His traitorous body, already betraying his will, might react in a way he couldn’t control if he saw her now.

He had already tested his fragile self-restraint earlier. Now, he couldn’t trust his will, his reason, or his conscience.

A moment later, the door flew open. Akon entered hastily, bowing his head as he awaited orders.

“You summoned me, Your Highness.”

“Take Sir Bellona to the underground prison. Show her the prisoner we captured at dawn.”

“Pardon?” Akon, unaware of the situation, asked in confusion.

“And then I want you to secretly listen to whatever conversation she has with the prisoner.”

Akon’s expression grew grim at the unexpected order.

Why had the Prince suddenly commanded him to spy on Bellona, whom he had taken as his subordinate?

Though he wanted to ask what was going on, Akon sensed something heavier than usual in Caelus’s demeanor and quickly bowed his head, accepting the order.

“I will carry out your command.”

Caelus watched Akon hurry out before sighing deeply and staring into the air. It seemed he would need to move up the departure date.

Impes’s obsession, along with the meeting between the Empress and Bellona, made him uneasy. If Violentia learned of Bellona’s swordsmanship, there was no telling how things might change.

If the greedy Empress offered an irresistible bait like she had in the past, Bellona might be swayed. No matter how strong Bellona was, if Violentia dangled a shortcut to her goal in front of her, she might let go of his hand and take the Empress’s.

Just as she had poisoned herself to use Impes.

Though things had changed from the past, his unfortunate fate hadn’t. That meant there was always a possibility that the past could repeat itself.

That’s what made him anxious.

He feared losing Bellona again.

If things got too dangerous, he would have no choice but to send her away first.

His golden eyes, usually fierce, were filled with worry.

***

In the underground prison, Bellona approached Mona without so much as a flinch at the stench. She stared down at the trembling girl huddled in a corner, her face blank.

“Mona.”

“Sir Knight!”

Mona, who had been close to death, lit up as if she had seen her savior. Crawling closer, her tear-filled eyes reflected a mix of fear and relief.

“Sir Knight, please save me! I think I’ve been kidnapped! When I woke up, I was here!”

Looking around in panic, Mona seemed genuinely confused, as if she couldn’t remember anything.

Bellona watched her impassively before crouching down to meet Mona’s gaze. “Pitiful thing. You don’t remember anything?”

“I don’t understand any of this! I haven’t done anything wrong… Who would do this to me?”

Bellona’s eyes flashed dangerously.

‘She hasn’t done anything wrong?’

It seemed Mona hadn’t changed at all—her nature was just as twisted as before.

Just like in the past, Mona’s expression now looked truly pitiful, as though she was genuinely wronged.

“Sir, please, help me! This must be a misunderstanding! I haven’t—”

“Mona.”

“…Yes?”

Sensing something different in Bellona’s cold tone, Mona’s amber eyes trembled with fear.

One corner of Bellona’s lips curled up as she reached out to gently caress Mona’s pale cheek. Her voice, however, was sickly sweet as she whispered, “You entered the Crown Prince’s bedroom.”

“W-what…?”

“That’s not all. You poisoned him, and then… you spent the entire night with him.”

As if the thought itself disgusted her, Bellona grimaced.

Mona’s face drained of color, her eyes wide with horror. She still didn’t seem to fully grasp what Bellona was saying, but she understood that something terrible had happened to her.

“T-that’s a lie! That’s not true!”

“I’m the one who saved you. If it hadn’t been for me, you might have died right then and there.”

“Th-that’s impossible! Why would I have been there?” Mona, trembling with disbelief, seemed utterly lost.

Bellona’s gaze, which had momentarily softened, suddenly sharpened as a wicked thought crossed her mind.

Did she really need to tell Mona the truth? Wouldn’t it be easier to manipulate her if she made sure no one believed her? That way, she wouldn’t have the luxury of thinking for herself.

Bellona let out a small sigh, as though pitying her, and narrowed her eyes. “Ether must have intended to get rid of both you and me. Even after what he did, you still believe in him?”

“No! That can’t be! Sir Ether and I… we love each other—” Mona’s trembling hands flew to her mouth, silencing herself.

So, that’s what their relationship was. Bellona, realizing the truth, swallowed a mocking laugh.

So, they had been like that in the past as well.

Now everything made sense—how Mona had been in the palace that day, and who had given her the poison that was applied to Bellona’s sword.

It seemed everything had been planned from the start. They had been waiting for the right moment to get rid of her.

Once Bellona had conquered the Kingdom of Kellicus, the greatest threat to the Empire, there were no enemies left who could challenge them.

In other words, they no longer needed a “Goddess of the Sword,” an exquisite slaughterer like Bellona. Keeping her around was too dangerous—if anyone else like the Crown Prince tried to use her, she could become a threat.

Especially since they had already gotten rid of Caelus. All they had to do was eliminate her, and there would be no one left to challenge the imperial family.

As everything clicked into place, Bellona let out a bitter laugh. How foolish she had been.

Even after enduring Impes’s abuse that morning, she had thought it was all normal—her naivety made her shiver with disgust. But something still didn’t add up.

The timing in the past had been different. Even after she became the Knight Commander, Ether had ignored Mona. Or had they been together all along, and she simply hadn’t known?

Shaking off her thoughts, Bellona focused on the present. There was no point in dwelling on the past now.

Regardless of what she said, Mona would keep believing in Ether until she saw his true face for herself. Instead of wasting her breath on lies, Bellona decided to use Mona’s foolish feelings to show her what it felt like to be trapped in the same mire.

Bellona’s true nature finally emerged.

“The poison you brought me…”

Mona’s eyes widened as if they might pop out of her head. Bellona’s sudden shift in demeanor sent Mona scrambling backward in terror.

“You drank it.”

“……!”

“I mixed the drug you brought me into the tea I gave you.”

Realization flashed across Mona’s face as she stared at Bellona in horror. But even then, doubt lingered in her eyes. It was understandable, given Bellona’s earlier lie.

With a carefree laugh, Bellona reached through the bars and grabbed Mona’s trembling wrist, yanking her forward.

Mona’s freckled face nearly slammed into the bars as she was pulled helplessly toward Bellona. Her teeth chattered in fear, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

The sight of her tears disgusted Bellona, who let her cold gaze linger on the girl.

“Believe it or don’t—it’s your choice. But the sad truth is that you entered the Crown Prince’s bedroom, and he did have his way with you.”

“T-that can’t be—”

“And Ether will find out soon enough. I’ll make sure of it.”

“……!”

“Aren’t you curious? Who do you think Ether will believe, you or me?”

Bellona’s cruel smile twisted her lips as her cold eyes glinted with malice.