In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 34

When Ether was mentioned, Mona’s face immediately turned pale.

“Do you understand the situation now? It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not, Mona. What’s important is that you’ve fallen into the trap set by Ether.”

“Ah…”

Mona’s stiffened head dropped downward, and soon, a sorrowful sob escaped her lips. It seemed she had finally come to grips with the reality she was in.

Yet, even at this moment, Mona was probably still hoping that Ether would come to rescue her, clinging to the belief that he would trust her words. After all, when you’re blinded by the foolish emotion of love, it’s easy to become a fool.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if she learned just how meaningless and insignificant her love truly was.

Betrayal isn’t new to you, is it, Mona? Why not betray the man you love, or better yet, feel the sting of betrayal yourself?

Swallowing a smirk, Bellona whispered sweetly again, “Out of the affection I once had for you, I’ll give you one last chance.”

Mona quickly lifted her head, her face filled with hope.

“But you must choose. Will you save your life, or Ether’s? The choice is yours.”

Mona’s expression quickly changed to one of despair at the realization that only one of them could survive.

“If you choose your life, I’ll let you walk out of here, and the truth about that day will be buried forever.”

“……!”

“But if you choose to save Ether’s life, I’ll tell His Highness the entire truth—that it wasn’t me, but you, who served him that night. And that Ether was behind it all.”

“……!”

“So think carefully. Will you save the man who used you, risking both your lives, or will you at least save yourself? Just so you know, I have no intention of forgiving Ether.”

The color drained from Mona’s face, leaving her looking quite pitiful. Even so, she hesitated. Despite being on the brink of losing her life, she couldn’t let go of her useless emotions.

But in the end, one’s nature never changes. Her wavering eyes gradually hardened with resolve. It seemed she had finally made up her mind.

“What is it that you want from me?”

Upon hearing the question she’d been waiting for, a sly smile spread across Bellona’s lips. Lowering herself, she beckoned with a finger, and the sharp-witted Mona crawled over, placing her ear near Bellona’s lips.

Bellona glanced at the door before whispering softly, “You will become my eyes and ears. Report to me on every move the imperial family makes. Of course, that includes Ether as well.”

“What…?” Mona’s voice trembled even more than before, clearly shaken.

“I’ll be leaving the palace soon. All you have to do is keep me informed of everything that happens here.”

“You really think I’ll do that?”

“I’m not forcing you. The choice is yours, as I said. Of course, if you refuse, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.”

“What exactly are you planning—”

“Watch your mouth, Mona. My patience has its limits.”

At Bellona’s icy warning, Mona clamped her mouth shut.

Bellona ensured that Mona was thoroughly ensnared, leaving no room for escape. “Did you really think I’d entrust something so important to you alone? Surely, you didn’t think I wouldn’t assign someone to watch over you.”

Only then did Bellona release Mona’s wrist, standing up slowly. She gave one final warning.

“You can tell anyone about today’s conversation. That’s your choice, too. But the consequences you’ll face will be far more horrifying than you imagine. Don’t even think about doing anything foolish. Remember, both your life and Ether’s depend on your actions.”

“……!”

“If you can’t handle this, say so now. I’ll be more than happy to end it by cutting your head off right here.”

At Bellona’s cruel smirk, Mona trembled as if staring death itself in the face.

Leaving her with one last remark—that she’d return later that night—Bellona turned away without hesitation.

As she ascended the stairs, she took her time savoring the sound of Mona’s belated sobs. It didn’t matter if Mona betrayed her again. By then, Bellona would already be in the Grand Duchy.

And if Mona dared reveal her task to the imperial family, she would be beheaded on the spot. After all, she’d already confessed, in her own words, to being a spy.

Ah, so it truly begins now.

Just imagining how she would tear the imperial family apart made her heart race. A sudden chuckle escaped her lips.

It seemed she wasn’t born with a pure nature, just like Mona. The desire to crush their bodies and even shred their souls burned deep inside her.

Upon leaving the underground prison, Bellona spotted Akon, who turned his head nonchalantly. Before he could reprimand her for taking so long, Bellona cut him off.

“I’ll report my conversation with Mona directly.”

“…What?”

“You don’t need to bother with a separate report. Of course, if you don’t trust me, you’re welcome to stand by my side.”

Akon frowned as he watched her walk casually toward the palace.

***

As Bellona delivered her report, Caelus occasionally glanced at Akon, shaking his head in disbelief at Akon’s incompetence.

“Do you have any other questions?”

“Akon, you can leave.”

It seemed there was no point in arguing, as Akon’s eavesdropped version matched Bellona’s report exactly. Caelus clicked his tongue in frustration before his face shifted into an awkward expression, offering an excuse.

“I didn’t send Akon because I doubted you.”

“I know.”

Bellona’s unexpectedly calm reply made Caelus frown. “You’re surprisingly composed. I thought you’d be angry.”

“How could I dare? If I’ve failed to earn your trust, I deserve to be scolded, not question it.”

“Ah, it would be better if you were angry.”

Every time Bellona acted like this, Caelus felt as if he were dealing with an emotionless beast. He wished she would show more of her feelings. Anger, resentment—it didn’t matter. Anything would be better than her cold, unfeeling demeanor, which left him no room to break through.

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

“For what?”

He rose from his seat and retrieved a medical kit.

“I wasn’t laughing at you. I just—”

“Just say you were. I’d rather hear that than another ‘I’m sorry.’”

For some reason, Caelus’s mood soured, and he spoke bluntly, grabbing Bellona’s wrist and pulling her down onto the sofa.

Seeing the swollen state of her hand, his face twisted in frustration. “Ha, I guess I’ve married quite the extraordinary woman.”

“If you regret it, then—”

“Keep your mouth shut.” His sharp, golden eyes flashed with a predatory glint. “Not another word. Unless, of course, you’d like to spend our first night together right here.”

Bellona sealed her lips immediately, quietly watching as Caelus began treating her hand. His face, shadowed by long lashes, seemed genuinely concerned, or at least, that’s how it appeared.

Though she had vowed to seduce him and use him without guilt, whenever she saw this side of him, an inexplicable ache gnawed at her heart.

Her weak and foolish nature, it seemed, would never change.

“Go to Camirus first.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s an order.”

Bellona’s expression visibly stiffened at the abrupt command. Caelus finally looked her way as he wrapped the last of the bandages.

“I’ll handle things here. You go ahead and prepare to greet me as the Grand Duchess.”

“Your Highness—”

“Do you really wish to spend our first night together here?”

His sharp words silenced her. As she lowered her head in compliance, Caelus continued to bind her hands with the bandages.

“I trust you, but I can’t trust your actions. I have no idea what you’re hiding, so I can’t just leave you be.”

“……”

“Take your siblings and leave tomorrow. I’ll join you soon.”

Once the bandages were fully wrapped, Caelus rose from his seat, as if the conversation had ended. Bellona stared at her bandaged hands, sighing softly before following him.

She parted her lips, seemingly with something more to say, but in the end, she opened her mouth hesitantly.

“Understood. However, I have one request.”

At her words, Caelus’s eyes darted toward her sharply, displeased by her inability to remain silent.

Bellona lowered her head respectfully and asked, “May I bring one more person with me?”

“If you’re referring to your servant—”

“He’s an apprentice knight from the Imperial Order.”

“An apprentice knight?”

The mention of a knight caused Caelus’s expression to darken.

“Please grant me permission.”

“Who are you referring to?”

“Net.”

“Net?”

Memories of the Kingdom of Kellicus flashed through Caelus’s mind. He recalled the day they had paid respects to the fallen knights of the Imperial Order. Bellona had been unable to take her eyes off one knight in particular.