In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 54

The cheers of the knights in full ceremonial armor echoed across the land, as if they had returned from a great victory in war.

The two standing side by side, about to become husband and wife, exuded an undeniable charisma, watching the knights rejoice as if it were their own triumph.

The bride, dressed in a white gown symbolizing purity, no longer held fear in her eyes before these rough knights.

She had completely ended the foolish wandering of her heart.

In the past, she had been nothing more than a dog to the imperial family, but she had been a respected commander to the knights.

And those standing before her now were all knights. Thus, there was no need for fear.

She would live as a knight until her death in this life as well. With the heart of a commander, she decided to embrace them all and complete this mission perfectly.

Whether her status made her a member of the imperial family or not was of no importance. After all, being the Grand Duchess was merely a temporary duty.

Once her revenge was complete, she planned to pay for the sins she had committed against him and leave. If he commanded her to die, she would willingly offer her neck.

Thus, worrying about what wasn’t hers to keep was futile.

Bellona looked at the knights with a lighter heart.

For an imperial wedding, the guests consisted solely of rugged knights. There were no nobles, no opulent chandeliers, no professional musicians.

The only evidence of a wedding taking place here was the white drapery and flowers the knights had painstakingly arranged.

“Does this disappoint you?”

“What do you mean?”

“The wedding is so simple.”

“I don’t mind that. It’s just that the small number of knights bothers me.”

Even in such a moment, she couldn’t hide her nature as a knight to the core. Though annoyed, Caelus knew why Bellona said such things, and he swallowed a bitter smile.

He was well aware of how different the number of knights of Valensis was compared to the past.

Despite that, the woman beside him seemed uninterested in their once-in-a-lifetime wedding, which left him feeling dissatisfied and led him to pick a fight.

“Your family doesn’t seem particularly pleased with this marriage either.”

At his sudden comment, Bellona’s gaze shifted to her siblings.

The children, dressed in a way that rivaled any noble’s, had red-rimmed eyes. They pursed their lips tightly, as if trying not to cry.

She couldn’t tell if they were crying from happiness or sadness. Only Eshil, comforting the children, wore a faint, tear-stained smile.

When Bellona’s hand twitched, Caelus tightly clasped her slender hand. “You aren’t thinking of abandoning me to go to your siblings, are you?”

“I’m not that foolish.”

“Thank goodness.”

A moment later, Akon and Rondo carried large chests onto the platform.

Carefully setting them down, Akon knelt and looked up at the two with serious eyes.

Then the knight’s resounding voice broke the quiet as he swore an oath of loyalty.

“We knights of Valensis vow to serve as your swords and shields, devoting our lives to Your Graces!”

“We swear it!”

All the knights knelt and bowed deeply. It was a magnificent sight, one that sent chills through Bellona’s body.

When the chest was opened, inside lay an ornate longsword, clearly crafted by a master.

Holding the sword in both hands, Akon raised it high while bowing his head.

“Please accept our loyalty.”

Caelus silently took the sword, briefly inspecting the sharp, polished blade before raising it high.

“I gladly accept your loyalty.”

His reply only fueled the knights’ enthusiasm.

Soon, Akon took another chest from Rondo and withdrew a second sword, offering it to her.

“Please accept our loyalty.”

Unlike the steady gaze he gave Caelus, Akon’s eyes trembled slightly as he looked at her. At that moment, Bellona realized that the loyalty he offered now was not genuine.

Still, she did not blame him.

It was only natural.

If such shallow feelings could change genuinely within just a few days, she would have been more upset.

Taking the sword from Akon, Bellona responded in a calm voice.

“I will strive to earn your true loyalty.”

Akon’s head jerked up, his expression showing clear surprise. Bellona nodded with a gentle smile, and when his gaze drifted sideways, Caelus, who had been watching, shook his head in disapproval.

Embarrassed, Akon hastily rose, bowed to them, and left in a hurry.

“It seems he needs some toughening up. He’s far too transparent.”

“May I do it?”

“Hearing a new bride ask that while holding a sword makes my knees weak.”

“I’ll go easy on you, Your Grace.”

For a moment, he stared blankly at her unusually playful response before bursting into laughter.

The unimpressive wedding ended sooner than expected.

Without a blessing from the High Priest or a congratulatory address from the emperor, the simple ceremony concluded with their recited vows.

Finally, Marca ran to her, throwing her arms around Bellona and silently shedding her pent-up tears.

Bellona patted the small child on the back, and then looked over at Arina, who wore a gentle smile.

“Congratulations, sister.”

“Thank you.”

“Sir—I mean, Your Grace, I truly wish you happiness.”

“Thank you, Eshil.”

“And why am I not receiving any congratulations?”

Startled by his unnecessary complaint, Eshil quickly knelt and greeted him. Arina, reluctantly bowing as well, offered her congratulations in a hushed voice.

Then, Marca suddenly glared at Caelus, growling fiercely, “If you hurt my sister, I won’t forgive you.”

“Hey!”

Alarmed, Arina immediately covered Marca’s mouth.

“Y-Your Grace, Marca is still very young… My apologies.”

Unlike Arina, who had matured early, young Marca couldn’t hide her true feelings.

Unlike Arina, who had matured early, young Marca couldn’t hide his true feelings. The only thing he had learned was the little that Arina had taught him, and he knew nothing of basic etiquette for dealing with a higher person.

To him, the imperial family were just people who had kept his sister away, preventing him from seeing her. Now, it felt like they had completely taken her away, and in his frustration, he let his emotions show.

Tears spilled from his large eyes. His small hands clung to Bellona’s dress, clearly determined to protect his sister.

Caelus, watching the child’s fierce expression, knelt down to meet his gaze. Seeing his hostile green eyes flash, he suddenly remembered Bellona’s gaze from before his regression.

“She looks just like you.”

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

Despite Bellona’s apology, Caelus simply looked intently at the fearless little herbivore.

“Not knowing the value of one’s life is the same as well.”

Marca, intimidated by his sharp golden eyes, swallowed his tears. Yet he didn’t avert his gaze, continuing to face him.

“Your courage is admirable, but showing hostility with that small body will only lead to death. You must learn to wait for the right opportunity.”

Though his words were harsh, they carried genuine advice.

“If you want to protect your sister, grow stronger first. Until then, keep your feelings hidden and lie low. Only then can you protect both your life and your family.”

His cold warning was softened by the large hand that grasped the trembling child’s shoulder, and he finally smiled warmly.

“Until then, I’ll protect your sister. So, don’t worry.”

Tears that had been welling in Marca’s eyes finally spilled down his cheeks. Yet, as if understanding his words, the hostility in his green eyes slowly transformed.

Standing up, Caelus looked at Bellona, whose face reflected her complicated emotions.

He found her concern for her siblings both exasperating and understandable.

“It seems they need proper education.”

“I will—”

“If you agree, I can bring someone to teach them.”

Bellona’s gaze wavered. There could be no greater gift than her siblings receiving a formal education. Yet the lingering anxiety deeply etched into her held her back from answering immediately.

“Think it over. I’m not forcing you. But for their future, perhaps it’s time you take the courage.”

Courage.

She understood, but it wasn’t easy to accept it with her heart. She feared that her choices would lead her siblings down the wrong path again.

Sensing the tension between them, Eshil took the children’s hands and bowed. “We’ll go and get something to eat. We haven’t eaten since morning.”

“The knights are keeping watch, so eat and play without worry.”

At his mention of their safety, Eshil nodded, finally leading the children away.

“For a squire, she’s quite perceptive.”

“She’s a clever girl, always dependable.”

There was a deep trust in her eyes as she watched Eshil walk away.

“It seems you don’t notice my dependability.”

She turned to look at the man, who grumbled for no reason, and took a sudden step closer.

Her green eyes, sparkling like a clear breeze, met his golden ones. A subtle smile played on her usually emotionless face.

“Trying to tempt me again, are you—”

Suddenly, Bellona bowed politely, her voice trembling as she made a request, “Please find a teacher for my siblings. I humbly ask this of you, Your Grace.”

As if she had finally broken out of her shell, Caelus’s face lit up with a bright smile at her courage.