In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 73

“His Majesty has already retired to his chambers.”

The Emperor’s chamberlain blocked her audience for the third consecutive day with the same words. Whether she visited in the morning or early evening, the response was always the same. It was as if they were deliberately preventing her from meeting him.

Bellona stared silently at the chamberlain, an elderly man whose hair had turned white with age. This was the same man who had cast aside his duties on that blood-soaked day and played a part in driving the Emperor to his death. To have stayed by the Emperor’s side until now implied great loyalty, so what could have compelled him to betray his lord and side with the Empress?

Outwardly, he seemed nothing but kind and devoted, but Bellona, who had witnessed his actions in the past, found his motives deeply suspicious.

“Tell me, when exactly would be a good time to seek an audience with His Majesty?”

“His schedule is so packed with meeting nobles from the provinces attending the hunting festival that there simply isn’t enough time in a day. I hope you understand, Your Grace.”

“So, to your eyes, I am less important than these provincial nobles? You keep asking me to understand. Have you even informed His Majesty of my visits?”

Her words, laden with disdain, paired with her superior status, caused the chamberlain’s ever-serene expression to harden. Bellona, who until recently had been a mere knight, now chastised him from a position of authority.

Nevertheless, the seasoned chamberlain performed his duties steadfastly.

“Of course, Your Grace. However, with His Majesty so preoccupied lately, it must have slipped his mind. I will be sure to remind him tomorrow.”

Though he spoke with assurance, Bellona did not believe him. The way he avoided meeting her gaze only confirmed her doubts.

Despite the anger simmering inside her, Bellona decided to back off for now. There was no need to provoke the chamberlain’s vigilance unnecessarily.

“It seems I’ll have to greet His Majesty during tomorrow’s hunting festival.”

“His Majesty may summon you early in the morning, so please wait.”

“I have no choice. I will trust the chamberlain’s word and wait.”

The chamberlain, once again wearing his affable smile, nodded. Bellona returned his gesture with a faint smile before turning away. Her narrowed eyes as she left the Emperor’s Palace betrayed her unease.

It was clear the Empress was scheming something.

‘Surely, she hasn’t harmed His Majesty already.’

Worry crept in, though Bellona reassured herself that the timing was still premature. As long as Caelus was alive, not even the Empress would dare harm the Emperor outright.

Leaving the Emperor’s Palace, Bellona briskly made her way to the Prince’s Palace. Quickly changing into simpler attire, she slipped out and descended into the underground prison. She descended the dark staircase lit only by a small lantern, where another faint light emanated from the otherwise empty prison.

“You’ve arrived, Your Grace.”

Bellona turned her gaze to the man waiting with Net and urgently asked, “Have you seen Mona enter the Emperor’s Palace?”

“No. Lately, unless the Crown Prince specifically summons her, she mostly stays at the knights’ quarters.”

“Mostly at the quarters?”

‘A maid staying at the quarters?’

“Since when? Could it have been since I came to the palace?”

“Yes.”

Net watched Bellona’s face harden with concern.

After pondering briefly, Bellona gave Nobert another order.

“Stop following Mona for now. Instead, keep watch on the Emperor’s Palace. Observe for any unfamiliar individuals entering or leaving and note when the Empress comes and goes.”

“Understood.”

“Any news from Ether and the knights who left?”

“Not yet, Your Grace.”

Frowning, Bellona pulled out a small pouch from her clothes and handed it to Nobert.

“Take this.”

“Pardon?”

“For your sick sibling. Use it for medicine.”

“I couldn’t possibly, Your Grace.”

Caught off guard, Nobert glanced at Net, his expression betraying regret for having spoken of his sibling. Net returned his gaze with a reproachful look, as if blaming him for bringing it up.

Before leaving for the Grand Duchy, Bellona had asked Net if there were any trustworthy knights. Net had recommended Nobert, an old friend who, though still an apprentice knight, was deemed reliable enough for the simple task of monitoring Mona.

Above all, Bellona had been moved by his devotion to his sick sibling, something she related to.

Those with desperate circumstances often acted with blind loyalty when given hope, as she herself once had.

“Take it. Consider it your earned reward for the work you’ve done.”

Reluctantly accepting the pouch, Nobert’s eyes widened at its unexpected weight. Surprised, he peeked inside and looked up, bewildered.

“Your Grace, this is too much!”

“Think of the rest as a token of my goodwill. Just make sure to protect your sibling.”

At her rare smile, Net grinned with pride. Nobert, overwhelmed, looked at Bellona with teary eyes.

“You’ll work even harder, won’t you?”

“Of course! I swear my loyalty to Your Grace!”

Despite Net’s teasing, Nobert, moved to tears, suddenly knelt and pledged his loyalty to her.

Though Bellona felt conflicted about buying his loyalty with mere coin, she resolved to compensate him adequately in due time, smiling wryly.

***

Bellona deliberated between armor and a dress before sighing softly and picking the dress. The unsettling dream from the previous night left her with an ominous feeling.

She wanted to wear armor, sensing she might encounter bloodshed, but today was her first audience with the Emperor and Empress, and appearing in knightly attire was out of the question.

Reluctantly, she donned the dress and strapped a dagger to her thigh. Without a maid to assist her, she applied light makeup herself and left her room with a firm expression.

Descending to the first floor, she found knights and young nobles ready to depart. Her gaze stopped on Lycaon.

Tilting her head slightly, she frowned and asked, “What is that attire?”

“I’ve prepared to participate in the hunting festival.”

“I don’t recall granting permission or hearing such plans.”

“Nobles are entitled to join the hunting festival alongside the knights. Must we seek permission for even this?”

He wasn’t wrong. However, given the potential dangers of the beasts released for the hunt, his boldness was reckless.

Though the man, who constantly grated on her nerves, displeased her, she had no grounds to forbid him.

Reluctantly, Bellona averted her gaze.

“Your Grace! Today, I shall capture the largest beast in the hunt and dedicate it to you!”

Uta thumped his broad chest and grinned confidently as he shouted.

“Everyone, be cautious. As you know, the beasts in the hunting festival change each year. If the situation becomes dangerous, retreat immediately.”

“Retreat? We’ve participated in many hunts before! The victory of this year’s hunting festival belongs to Camirus. Have no worries, Your Grace, and await the good news!”

Following Uta’s hearty laughter, the knights joined in with confident chuckles.

Clutching the hem of her dress tightly, Bellona tried to shake off the ominous feeling creeping over her.

‘Nothing will happen. Don’t worry.’

“Very well. Knights and Sir Lycaon, proceed ahead to join the main group. The young nobles will come with me.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

As the knights left one by one, Lycaon approached. Despite having kept a low profile since his warning in the training grounds, his sly expression reappeared, causing her gaze to turn icy.

“It seems I’m the only one you dislike.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then may I ask a favor?”

“What is it?”

Even as she radiated coldness, the man closed the distance between them. Just as Net moved to intervene, Bellona raised a hand to stop him.

Leaning close, Lycaon whispered softly, “Watch the one with gray hair among the young nobles.”

“……!”

“And you look especially beautiful today.”

After throwing out such absurd comments, Lycaon stepped back and bowed politely before speaking again.

“Don’t forget your promise. If I capture a beast for you, you’ll accept me as your subordinate.”

He dictated terms as if they’d been agreed upon, then hurriedly left the Prince’s Palace.

Suppressing a laugh, Bellona’s gaze shifted to the group of young nobles. Among them, one figure caught her attention—a man standing alone, his presence so faint he seemed almost nonexistent.

His pale skin and youthful face made him appear fragile, like someone who couldn’t harm even a fly. Feeling her intense scrutiny, the man glanced her way and hid his eyes with shaggy gray hair.

At that moment, a face from her memory surfaced.

Gray hair. A young noble who had hidden behind Count Nobilis and mocked her as a mere knight when they first met. In the end, his careless words had cost him his life in the reception hall.

‘Could he be a relative of that young noble?’