In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 65

The nobles of Camirus, who had returned after a few days, looked at the Grand Duke and Duchess with a more respectful attitude than before.

Bellona carefully reviewed the loyalty the nobles had brought, that is, the inventory of each noble family’s assets.

In the quiet atmosphere, everyone was restless for different reasons, their eyes darting nervously. Unlike Bellona, who seemed relaxed, the nobles’ eyes were filled with anxiety.

They had witnessed the merciless killing of a noble right beside them, and while they had no choice but to comply, they feared that the wealth they had accumulated over the years could disappear in an instant.

Perhaps the root of their problems was underestimating the young couple who had only recently become the Grand Duke and Duchess and had just married.

They had heard that they were naive, but the situation had taken an unexpected turn.

Contrary to the rumors, the two did not cower before the experienced nobles; instead, they exuded charisma and cruelty, overwhelming them.

Who would have expected them to kill a noble without mercy?

Moreover, imprisoning Count Nobilis and turning his entire estate upside down had left the nobles still shaken.

The thought of that day made their legs tremble even now.

Yet, Count Nobilis was still their only hope, so the nobles kept glancing at the old noble, who had his eyes closed.

Then, an irritated voice suddenly broke the silence.

“You’ve taken quite a lot.”

Count Nobilis, who had been watching with a calm expression, slowly opened his eyes at Caelus’s harsh words.

Pretending to be relaxed, though clearly sensing Caelus’s hostility, Count Nobilis looked at the young lord with a meaningful gaze.

At that moment, Bellona, who had just put down the documents, glanced at the nobles and calmly gave her next order.

“Send the young heirs of each family to the Grand Duke’s residence in three days.”

“Pardon? But why…”

As the anxious nobles stared at her in disbelief, Bellona fixed her gaze on Count Nobilis, who was effectively their leader.

“The empire has sent an invitation to Camirus. Naturally, the nobles must accompany us, mustn’t they?”

“In that case, we should be the ones to go. Why send the heirs…”

Under Caelus’s piercing gaze, the noble’s words trailed off.

Caelus, who had promised not to leave the Grand Duke’s residence and instead entrusted matters concerning the nobles to Bellona, remained silent, his gaze alone subduing the nobles.

The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, hoping Count Nobilis would say something.

Seeing the usually cautious old noble remain restrained since his imprisonment, the nobles couldn’t hide their anxiety.

Just then, Count Nobilis raised the corner of his mouth slightly, as if he understood Bellona’s intentions, and asked leisurely, “Are you perhaps planning to take our young heirs as hostages, fearing that we might try something in Camirus during Your Highnesses’ absence?”

Bellona tilted her head briefly before letting out a small laugh.

“To think you’d willingly suggest taking hostages. It seems I’ve overestimated you. If that’s what you want, I’ll oblige. However, the hostages will be you, not the heirs. So, instead of worrying about my concerns, it would be better to think about what lies ahead for you.”

“Y-Your Grace! What are you…”

“If any of the heirs behave suspiciously, they will be immediately executed under the knight’s law, regardless of the reason. Furthermore, their family will face complete extermination. If you wish to live longer, tell your children to behave themselves and follow orders without any foolishness.”

Bellona’s green eyes, which had turned icy, flashed ominously.

Just as one noble was about to protest, taking a deep breath, Count Nobilis raised his hand to stop him.

“Count Dominance. Her Grace is speaking.”

“Ah, ahem! M-my apologies.”

Count Nobilis, who had keenly noticed Caelus fiddling with the hilt of his sword, narrowly saved the noble’s life, which was about to be crushed meaninglessly.

Seeing the perceptive old noble’s actions, Caelus let out a faint chuckle, tilting his head as if disappointed.

Under Caelus’s protection, Bellona confidently brought up the next matter.

“While we are away, I expect you all to work towards the revival of Camirus. Accordingly, the taxes each family must pay will be reassessed.”

“Pardon?”

Bellona revealed her intentions without holding back to Viscount Pulker, who looked at her with a dumbfounded expression, as if unable to understand what she meant.

“The fountain in the square has completely dried up. The temple, which seems to have quite a history, has long been in ruins. If we restore these places to their former beauty, the people of the Grand Duchy will be pleased, and foreigners might also come to see the beautiful sights of Camirus, don’t you think?”

“Are you saying you intend to commercialize Camirus…?”

“Call it commercialization or whatever you want. The goal is to provide the people with a means to make a living. At this rate, they will abandon this hopeless land. And when that happens, you nobles will no longer be nobles. After all, can nobles without people truly be called nobles?”

“But still, we cannot let foreigners into Camirus!”

“Those who supposedly care so much about Camirus are the very ones who have made it so desolate!”

Bellona’s sharp rebuke made the nobles’ discontented expressions harden, unable to offer any rebuttal.

A cold silence lingered for a moment.

Caelus’s expression wasn’t much better. He couldn’t understand why she was so desperate to save a land that he had already decided to abandon.

However, he couldn’t oppose her wishes here.

Letting out a short sigh, he forcibly brought the situation to an end.

“It hasn’t even been a few days since you swore your loyalty and asked for more chances, and yet there’s already so much talk. Do you need to see more blood to come to your senses?”

The nobles, their faces turning red and blue in anger, had no choice but to bow their heads under the Grand Duke and Duchess’s indifferent demeanor, which didn’t even treat them as human beings.

Having realized that further resistance would only result in death now that they had made their intention to rule through tyranny clear, the nobles quickly lowered their heads.

After calming her emotions, Bellona picked up the documents in front of her and subtly instigated a sense of competition among the nobles.

“I trust that, as those who care for Camirus more than anyone, you will understand my intentions. In that sense, I will determine the taxes based on the efforts each of you puts in. You may divide the work by district or use your abilities to manage on your own; that is up to you. The family that contributes the most to Camirus’s revival will be rewarded accordingly.”

Only then did the nobles understand that they were being asked to put their names on their work and wag their tails. Their expressions turned cold.

Still, a few nobles exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming with ambition.

Noticing the nobles’ reactions, Caelus subtly brought out the stick to accompany the carrot.

“It worries me that you are still so soft-hearted. I’ve told you repeatedly that I could just confiscate everything for your failure to take care of the Grand Duchy’s people.”

“There must have been nobles who had no choice but to follow the tide. I want to support those nobles. Of course, I also intend to give a chance to families who repent and make an effort, even now.”

“I wonder if there are truly any nobles left as proud as Your Grace imagines.”

When both the carrot and stick were wielded, even more nobles’ eyes began to waver.

Under Caelus’s fierce gaze, the nobles quickly bowed their heads, anxiously watching each other.

“Well, we’ll see when we return. With that, we shall end here for today. There is no need for you to attend tomorrow’s departure ceremony.”

“We wish Your Highnesses a safe return.”

At Count Nobilis’s bow, the other nobles, who had remained silent throughout, reluctantly followed suit.

“Even if it is empty words, it’s not unpleasant to hear. I will return safely, so I hope you will follow Her Grace’s orders during that time. Don’t risk losing all that you have left.”

For once, the cold man’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Then, we shall take our leave now, Your Highnesses.”

“Do so.”

The nobles, bowing even deeper than they had when they first arrived, hurriedly left the reception room.

After Akon left to escort the nobles out, Caelus, whose expression had quickly hardened, questioned her intentions.

“Why did you suddenly decide to bring the heirs?”

“They’re merely bait to manipulate the nobles.”

“They could secretly contact the empress behind our backs.”

At his unexpected remark, Bellona’s eyes briefly flickered.

Once again, it felt as if he knew something in advance, leaving her with a lingering unease.