In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 66

Her expression quickly composed, she calmly replied, “I’m not sure they have the guts for that. Actually, I hope they do. Then it would give me the justification to confiscate their property as you wish, and we could set a proper example.”

Caelus, feeling stifled by her nonchalant response, tried to suppress his frustration. She spoke like that only because she knew nothing of what had happened in the past in Camirus.

Though it felt burdensome, he couldn’t take back what he’d already said.

He could only trust Bellona.

“If you’re that worried, just wrap things up quickly and come back.”

“I plan to. I’m worried you might stir up some trouble while I’m away.”

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Bellona gave a wry smile, understanding what he was alluding to.

“I won’t do anything reckless like that again. I certainly won’t drink poison, either. I’ll be waiting quietly in the prince’s quarters until you return, so don’t worry.”

“The fact that you’re agreeing so easily makes me even more worried.”

“Do you not trust me that much?”

Holding her hand gently, as if trying to comfort a pouting child, he kissed the back of her soft hand and replied honestly, “I don’t know what your true feelings are. That probably means you don’t trust me either.”

His words, somehow holding deeper meaning, cast a shadow over Bellona’s face.

For a moment, an awkward atmosphere lingered.

At that moment, Akon returned, breaking their silence.

“Your Grace, the knights have all been positioned.”

Finally rising from his seat, Caelus leaned close to her ear as she stood up, whispering softly.

“I think the fifth floor would be perfect for our walk today.”

With a mischievous smile, he lightly walked out of the reception room.

Although his demeanor was no different from usual, Bellona’s expression hardened as a feeling of unpleasant deja vu washed over her.

***

Bellona’s expression grew more complex as she watched the departure ceremony.

‘Is he really planning to conquer an entire kingdom with this force?’

She had been excluded from this expedition, and with her own responsibilities to attend to, she hadn’t paid much attention to the knights’ affairs.

But now, faced with an unexpected situation, she was left speechless.

With barely thirty men, how did he expect to wage a war?

The number was so small that it felt ridiculous to even hold a departure ceremony.

And that wasn’t all.

Seeing the knights, with many of the senior ranks absent, it looked like they were on a suicide mission.

All the knights had been training late into the night, but those departing today were only a small fraction.

Bellona couldn’t understand it and looked at Caelus with a puzzled expression.

Yet, the man standing proudly, his red cape fluttering, exuded nothing but confidence.

He had been reckless in the past, and it seemed he was ready to take dangerous steps in this life too.

Not knowing his plan, Bellona couldn’t hide her anxiety.

Even though Arimael was a small kingdom, they couldn’t possibly win with such numbers.

Was he planning a night raid?

If they succeeded in capturing the king during a surprise attack, it was possible to end the war quickly without much bloodshed.

But did the Valensis knights have anyone capable of pulling off such a mission?

Even if they succeeded, another problem lay ahead.

That strategy would not only tarnish the Grand Duchy’s honor but also provoke fear among other kingdoms, making the next war even more difficult.

In the worst case, they could end up becoming enemies of all the surrounding kingdoms.

As the departure ceremony concluded, Caelus turned around. Seeing his casual demeanor, not knowing her inner turmoil, as he extended his hand with a gentle smile, she let out a sigh.

Even so, Bellona approached him, placing her hand in his.

“Why do you look so upset?”

“Your Grace, why are the numbers so few…”

“The numbers?”

He casually glanced back, as if wondering what the problem was, before asking again, “Do we really need to bring all our forces just to take Arimael?”

“But Your Grace, even so, Arimael is—”

“If we all leave, then who will protect Camirus? You know well that defense is just as important as attack.”

Though he wasn’t wrong, she still couldn’t feel at ease.

“Do you have some plan in mind?”

“A plan… There’s no such thing. Just going to sweep them away.”

His carefree response, lacking any concrete strategy, made her frown even more.

“Are you going to send me off with that face? Last night, because of your useless worries, I couldn’t even fully embrace my woman.”

“…Are you really going to be okay?”

“No, I’m not. The hardest part will be not being able to fall asleep in your arms for a few days.”

Glaring at him, knowing full well he was deflecting her concerns, he chuckled, pulling her slender waist into his embrace.

“Your Grace, the knights—”

“Who’s going to say anything if I demand a kiss from my wife before heading out?”

And then he claimed her lips, intertwining his tongue gently.

Not wanting to ruin the mood of a man about to leave for war, Bellona accepted his kiss.

After a while, Caelus released her lips, letting out a long sigh as he held her tightly.

“Don’t forget our promise from last night.”

“Don’t worry.”

“I’ll be back as soon as possible, so just stay safe until then.”

“Anyone would think I cause trouble all the time.”

“From what I’ve seen, you do.”

Despite his constant nagging even after spending the whole night with her, Bellona frowned but chose to keep her mouth shut.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes, please return safely.”

Caelus looked at her affectionately for a moment before pressing his lips to her forehead, leaving without hesitation.

He approached his armored black steed, leisurely stroking its black mane before effortlessly mounting it and raising his hand high.

“We ride out!”

“Hurrah!”

The knights, brimming with spirit, all mounted their horses.

Watching the knights led by Caelus leave the Grand Duchy, Bellona felt strange.

In the past, she would have naturally worn her armor and joined them in battle.

But now, dressed in a gown, sending off her husband, she felt unfamiliar and out of place.

She wasn’t sure anymore if her current situation and duties were truly hers.

She feared that she would become accustomed to the life of the Grand Duchess, living as his woman.

That one day she might ignore the path she needed to take and be content in this comfort and safety.

Bellona’s expression hardened, her lips pressed tightly together.

As she prepared to fight her own battle, her eyes carried a fierce determination that matched that of the departing knights.

‘Come back as you are. If you’re hurt in any way, I can’t say what I might do.’

Her worried green eyes lingered on Caelus’s hand for a long time.

***

“Your Majesty, a message from Camirus has arrived.”

At the knight’s report, Empress Violentia exchanged glances with Impes.

Taking the crumpled note, Violentia’s sharp gaze turned sideways, and Impes gave a curt order.

“Everyone, leave us.”

Mona, who had been standing quietly with the maids, also left the room.

“Who is that girl?”

“Just a dog to be used and discarded. There’s no need to worry, Mother.”

“Still, make sure her leash is secure.”

“Yes.”

Only then did Violentia unfold the note, her lips curling into a smile.

“Caelus is leaving for an expedition tomorrow.”

“An expedition? Where to?”

“It seems he intends to absorb the Kingdom of Arimael.”

“How dare he go to war without even seeking the Empire’s permission?”

Violentia, tenderly patting her son’s tightly clenched hand, gave a dark smile.

“Don’t be so upset. We can send someone too.”

“What?”

“Select some swift ones from the Imperial knights. And make sure they change their attire.”

“Are you saying we’ll attack Arimael as well?”

Seeing her slow-witted son’s confusion, Violentia clicked her tongue and issued another command.

“I’ll take care of this. You just prepare to greet that lowly woman properly without any mistakes. I’m curious to see Caelus’s face when his wife dies, given he didn’t even shed a tear when Minelia passed away.”

Violentia’s face lit up with delight for the first time in a long while.