In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 85

Early in the morning, Violentia’s face was radiant, a stark contrast to the night before. Her still-flushed cheeks clearly showed just how happy she had been through the night.

A moment later, she smiled shyly as she watched the man emerge from the bathroom.

Despite having reached middle age, Violentia still appeared fresh and beautiful, like a youthful lady. She was so captivating that it was hard to believe she was the mother of a grown son.

Graeme’s lips curled into a slow smirk as he admired her. Standing with nothing but a towel wrapped around his lower body, he watched her with satisfaction, his bare, toned physique on full display.

Soon, the man furrowed his brows slightly as he approached her, grumbling in a sulky tone, “This is a problem. I lose all control the moment I see you. I’m actually afraid I might end up hard in front of His Majesty.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? If you can’t hold back, just take me. His Majesty won’t remember anything anyway.”

Settling between her legs, he pressed his lips against the delicate skin of her thighs, whispering against her.

“But what if His Majesty suddenly regains his senses?”

“He’s been addicted for too long. Don’t you know what kind of poison comes from Kellicus?”

“Even so, we must always be careful. Unpredictable things can happen at any time.”

As the concerned man played with her damp hair, Violentia suddenly pouted. “You’re not as bold as you used to be. Where did the audacity of the knight who seduced and took a noble lady go?”

“But I’m still useful at night, aren’t I? Didn’t you enjoy yourself in my arms last night?”

“Don’t be too arrogant. Time keeps moving forward, and there are plenty of young knights in this palace.”

“I wonder if those boys could truly satisfy such a beautiful woman like you.”

As his hands traced her body, she cast him a playful glare, her red lips parting.

“Just as I have, your body has grown accustomed to me. Don’t forget that.”

His possessive words echoed in her mind like an imprint, dragging her back to an unforgettable past.

A lowly knight had once dared to meet her gaze with such boldness, offering unsolicited advice to his mistress. Though his insolence had been shocking, something about his persistence had made her heart tremble.

In the end, the curious young lady had tested him, and the reckless young knight had seized the opportunity without hesitation.

From that moment on, Violentia had summoned Graeme—who had been nothing more than a mere knight—to her chambers night after night, indulging in their forbidden affair.

Ensnared by the pleasure he introduced her to for the first time in her life, the once-innocent noblewoman became utterly consumed by him, forgetting even the disparity in their status.

Their clandestine relationship should have ended the moment she became Empress.

Or so she had thought.

Before she had even adjusted to life in the imperial palace, the distant attitude of the Emperor—who was ten years her senior—had drained her. Eventually, she had granted Graeme a noble title and brought him into the Empress’s palace.

Since then, she had leaned on him whenever she felt lonely or weary. His gentle comfort and fiery embrace always soothed her sharp nerves.

Just as they had the night before.

Even after all these years, the man was still as handsome as ever.

Satisfied, Violentia willingly parted her legs for him again.

Like a hound, he pressed his face against her soft thighs, rubbing his cheek against her skin with a mischievous grin. She giggled at the ticklish sensation, twisting her body slightly.

As they lost themselves in their secret affair, the heat between them rising once more, a sudden urgent knock on the door doused their passion like cold water.

Violentia’s expression turned vicious in an instant. Her voice was sharp as she snapped at the intruder.

“What is it?!”

“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has woken up.”

Even at the news that her son, who had been on the verge of death for days, had finally regained consciousness, her expression remained cold.

As the atmosphere cooled instantly, Graeme straightened his posture and gently pulled her tense body into his arms, soothing her.

“Don’t be too angry. Please comfort His Highness. Right now, he only has you.”

Violentia clenched her teeth, rage flickering in her eyes once more. But soon, she composed herself, her expression shifting back to that of the Empress.

With a frigid tone, she issued her next command, “Bring the sorcerer and that knight to me immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Send word to Camirus as well. His Majesty’s supply of medicine is running low, so have them hurry.”

“Understood.”

Just as she was about to head to the dressing room, she suddenly stopped, as if something had come to mind.

“Marquis.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Go to the place where the sorcerer was taken and find someone.”

“Who do you mean?”

Turning her head, she suddenly flashed a dangerous smile.

“There should be a girl who looks exactly like that sorcerer. Bring her here yourself.”

“Understood.”

***

Dressed impeccably, the Grand Duke and Duchess made their way to the imperial palace, their expressions cold as ice.

The man, who had lived his entire life without knowing defeat, clicked his tongue in frustration at the woman’s unyielding stubbornness.

“You never listen obediently, not even once.”

“It was Your Grace who said we were allies on the same boat.”

“Even in the same boat, there should still be a chain of command.”

“Which is why I intend to carry this out myself.”

Bellona suddenly stopped in her tracks, further irritating the already frustrated man.

“As a subordinate, I will personally take care of this matter, so Your Grace should remain in the palace and handle your responsibilities.”

“Haah, why must you go there? The knights can handle it!”

Caelus finally raised his voice in exasperation, loosening the cravat he had neatly tied.

Bellona felt just as frustrated. The only one who knew the sorcerer’s sister’s face was her.

She had seen her before, back when she was in the Empress’s palace.

If she described the girl’s appearance to the knights and they asked how she knew, she would have no proper explanation.

More importantly, if the sorcerer had disguised herself as the sorcerer, the knights wouldn’t be able to recognize her.

And if the Empress knew about the soothsayer, as she had in the past, she would undoubtedly seek her out as well.

Bellona had to reach her first.

Yet the man beside her, oblivious to everything, was only trying to bind her hands and feet.

She couldn’t explain, nor could she continue to argue. She needed to find a way to persuade him.

Taking a deep breath to calm her frustration, she tried to reason with him.

“We don’t know what kind of abilities she possesses. You’ve already witnessed the sorcerer’s powers. If we send the knights, they might only lose their lives needlessly.”

“And you expect me to sit idly by while sending you to someone that dangerous?”

“Your Grace, I am capable—”

“That’s an order! Absolutely not. I will never allow it. If you defy me and act on your own—!”

His anger, so unlike him, boiled over as he gritted his teeth and spat out a warning, “You will never wield a sword again. Stay by my side. If you don’t want me to become a despicable man, listen to me.”

Though his words were threatening, his gaze held nothing but desperation. Even as he barked orders, the word please seemed to be hiding within them.

Bellona couldn’t understand why he was being so adamant, but she knew she couldn’t persuade him this time.

He never acted like this without reason.

He had always yielded to her in the past.

But this time, something was different. He was desperately trying to stop her, as if he already knew what would happen.

‘What are you hiding? Why do you look at me as if you know my fate?’

“Answer me, Bellona.”

Realizing she couldn’t change his mind, she chose to take a step back.

“…Understood.”

Only then did he let out a deep breath, pressing his fingers against his tense brow to calm himself.

Suppressing the growing suspicion in her heart, Bellona studied him carefully.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

“The palace is already in chaos, and now the Grand Duke and Duchess are having a marital spat in the middle of it?”

Both quickly composed themselves and turned to bow toward the Empress.

A cold gaze soon fixed itself upon Bellona.

“No matter where you go, a lowly birth is impossible to conceal, Grand Duchess.”

“Your Majesty.”

Caelus’s voice was low and cold, but Violentia paid him no mind, her eyes locked onto Bellona.

Between the two women, sparks flew in the air.