In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 68

Slowly turning around, her gaze moved past the knights awaiting her orders and stopped at the young nobles standing idly.

Despite her feigned composure, tension was evident on the faces of the young nobles.

They could still vividly recall the sight of those who had died by her blade, their blood now clinging to the strands beneath her red hair.

“We will stay here until we return to Camirus. The young nobles will settle on the third floor, while the knights will stay on the first floor. Choose whichever room you prefer.”

“Are you really telling us to stay in… this filthy place?”

The young noble, who had grown up in luxury, wrinkled his face in disgust. It wasn’t so much that he feared her but rather that he couldn’t tolerate the current state of the palace.

While she understood, she had no intention of accommodating their preferences. After all, she had brought them along to show them exactly this situation.

The young nobles before her would soon become the heads of their respective families. This meant that those currently in power among the nobles were nearing the end of their influence.

She still did not know what had transpired between Caelus and the nobles in the past, but her belief that not all nobles could be cast aside remained unchanged.

However, she had no intention of keeping those Caelus disliked close by.

That was why her chosen solution involved the heirs of noble families who were still young and inexperienced.

She intended to let them personally see and experience how the empire treated Camirus and what kind of treatment they received.

From their attitudes, she would determine which families to keep and which to discard.

Using this opportunity, she planned to recruit any promising individuals while eliminating those who showed no potential, making future tasks easier.

She wanted as many people as possible—knights or nobles—to be by Caelus’s side.

She did not want him struggling alone down a thorny path as he had in the past.

The more talent there was, the better foundation it would provide for his journey to the throne.

Bellona wanted to be one of those foundations, lending her strength to the throne that Caelus would eventually claim.

Though she could not stay by his side until the end, that was enough. As long as he found his place and she could complete her revenge, the purpose of this precious second chance would be fulfilled.

And if, incidentally, she could atone for some of her past mistakes, she felt it would be too greedy to wish for more.

Under her silent gaze, the noble who had just complained gradually grew pale.

Though she was frightening, it was the growling of the bear-like knight standing beside her that terrified him even more.

Just then, one of the men standing among the young nobles stepped forward with a serious expression. “We’re fine, but I am outraged that Your Grace is subjected to such treatment.”

His face was familiar to her. The memory of the man who showed no emotion even as he watched his father imprisoned had left an impression.

Knowing who he was, Bellona pretended not to know and asked about his identity, “Which noble family do you belong to?”

“My apologies for the late introduction, Your Grace. I am Lycaon Agnar, eldest son of the Nobilis family.”

The man’s eyes, polite in manner, were reminiscent of the shrewd Count Nobilis.

During the journey here, Bellona had purposely kept her distance from the young nobles, avoiding even basic introductions or casual conversation.

She didn’t want to form even superficial relationships that could cloud her judgment.

Given the grueling forced march, the young nobles had been too exhausted to do anything but collapse into sleep wherever they could.

Yet, she had definitely felt his gaze persistently following her.

Just as now, the man’s gaze seemed to pierce through her, and there was no doubt that he was the leader among the young nobles.

Power tended to pass down through generations.

The same loyalties to the old nobles were evident even here. Once he stepped forward, the attitudes of the young nobles visibly shifted.

Since the first time she saw him, his demeanor had set him apart from the other young nobles, and she had taken an interest in him. As the son of the cunning Count Nobilis, she had already been keeping an eye on him.

But now, seeing him reveal his true colors earlier than expected, Bellona swallowed a small chuckle.

For a brief moment, a flicker of interest appeared in her indifferent green eyes.

He seemed to have quite the resolve, and his spirit aligned with what she was seeking. If she could train him well, uniting the nobles might become an easier task.

However, considering his father’s nature, she needed to judge carefully. Even beneficial herbs could become poisonous if used excessively.

First, she needed to determine Lycaon’s true intentions.

Bellona collected her thoughts, then took the wet cloth Net handed her and began wiping the bloodstained armor as she spoke.

“There’s no need to be upset. After all, we are just a vassal state of the empire. We should be grateful that they remembered to invite us to an imperial event.”

Lycaon’s demeanor changed drastically at her words. “A vassal state? Camirus is a brother nation to the empire. It is the homeland of the former Empress, Princess Minelia, and now ruled by Prince Caelus, the rightful heir of the empire.”

Bellona’s hand, which had been cleaning off the dried blood, suddenly stopped. Slowly lifting her head, she watched as Lycaon, his expression growing fiercer, raised his voice. “Had Princess Minelia not passed away so tragically, it is obvious that the next emperor of this empire would be His Highness the Grand Duke!”

“Enough!”

At her sharp rebuke, Lycaon’s words were cut off, and he gritted his teeth. Seeing the man’s furious eyes, Bellona clenched her trembling hand tightly.

‘Is this what His Grace was hiding from me?’

Having learned this unexpected fact, Bellona tried to suppress her emotions, letting out a short sigh.

“Do you not realize where we are?”

“I do. But we’re among ourselves anyway—”

“It seems I’ve overestimated you. I had thought, as Count Nobilis’s son, that you might have inherited some of your father’s insight, but it seems I was mistaken.”

“Your Grace!”

When Lycaon shouted in protest, Net’s hand moved to the hilt of his sword.

Bellona lightly stopped him and approached the still-fuming Lycaon.

She looked up at him with cold eyes and warned in a low voice, “The palace has ears, even in the dust gathered on the floors. Be mindful of your words and actions if you don’t wish for everyone here to end up on the guillotine because of your careless mouth.”

“……!”

“This is enough for today. Everyone is dismissed. Be in the office without fail tomorrow morning.”

Even after her command, the nobles hesitated, looking toward Lycaon for guidance.

With a furrowed brow, Bellona ordered Uta in a cold voice, “Sir Uta, watch over all the nobles while I am absent.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

“From now on, no one is allowed to act independently without my permission.”

“Don’t worry, Your Grace. I’ll be keeping both eyes wide open!”

Uta showed his broad grin, drawing out his greatsword slightly before sliding it back in.

“What’s keeping you? Get moving!”

When the massive knight, moving like a predator herding its prey, approached, even the other knights joined in driving the nobles towards the stairs.

Frustrated by the treatment, yet unable to resist, the young nobles had no choice but to ascend the stairs.

Watching Bellona, Lycaon, his face still stiff, stepped toward her. “Your Grace, I request a private audience.”

Without reacting to his venomous gaze, Bellona handed the bloodstained cloth to Net, calmly answering, “I only grant private audiences for duels or vows of loyalty. So, save what you have to say and tell it directly to His Grace, the Grand Duke, when he returns.”

Coldly rejecting his request, Bellona turned towards the door, giving Net an order, “I’m going to meet His Majesty. Follow me.”

“Yes, Your Gra—”

“Then I challenge Your Grace to a duel!”

Net’s response was cut off by Lycaon’s sudden challenge, causing Bellona to halt in her tracks.

She slowly turned, while Uta snorted and sneered beside her.

“You must have a death wish.”

The knights all shook their heads, looking at Lycaon with eyes full of pity.

Yet, despite the knights’ mocking gazes, Lycaon’s steadfast eyes remained fixed on Bellona. A new interest emerged in her deep green eyes.

“Are you serious, Sir Lycaon?”

“Yes. Since the only way to have a private audience is through a duel, I have no choice.”

“There was also the option of a vow of loyalty.”

“But I am not yet certain that you are someone to whom I should pledge my loyalty.”

The intense standoff between their locked eyes created a palpable tension.

Soon, a faint smile touched Bellona’s lips.