In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 88

Bellona’s face was filled with worry as she looked at the man, his expression grim.

The emperor’s condition was worse than she had expected, and she was already shocked—how much more devastating must it be for his son? She had hoped it wasn’t true, but she never imagined they would already be poisoning the emperor.

Had they been poisoning him in the past as well? She had served them for so long, yet she had been completely oblivious. Every time she was confronted with such truths, she felt a deep sense of helplessness.

She wanted to offer him comfort, but memories of the past, of those same repeated moments, resurfaced, making it impossible for her to speak.

How could she dare console him?

She had even taken his life with her own hands.

“In the end, there’s no other choice but to go to Kellicus.”

“Your Grace.”

“There’s no other way if the antidote only grows there.”

He had just returned from torturing the noble heir of the Camirus family, who had been colluding with the empress.

Exposed by a sorcerer, the young noble had lost all reason under Caelus’ torment, suffering horrors beyond description. In the end, he had confessed everything.

The Victor family had been supplying the poison for the emperor to the empress in exchange for a promised noble title in Fidentia. The empress’ crimes were now fully revealed.

Yet, for some reason, Caelus chose to keep the matter buried, as though he was waiting for the right moment.

Bellona was curious but did not press him for answers. She had no intention of leaving the empress to the justice of the law either.

At the very least, they had identified the poison being used on the emperor. However, the problem was that its antidote only grew in Kellicus.

Worse still, they couldn’t fully trust the words of a traitor, leaving them in a difficult position.

“This is maddening. I can’t just take my father to the Grand Duchy.”

Shaking with rage at his own helplessness, he gripped his hair and bowed his head. It was the first time she had ever seen Caelus in such a fragile state.

Yet, she understood. He had always been a man who worried about his father, even in the moments before death. Seeing him so broken pained her deeply.

She rose from her seat and gently removed his hand from his hair, soothing him. Then, she cradled his head and ran her hand down his hunched back.

His large frame trembled slightly. Her heart ached so much it felt like it might shatter.

She wanted to save the emperor just as badly as he did.

In the past, she had failed to grant his request. That failure remained a debt on her heart. Moreover, as a knight, she couldn’t forgive herself for failing to protect the emperor. In this life, she was determined to fulfill her promise.

“Let’s go together.”

At her quiet words, Caelus slowly raised his head. Bellona spoke sincerely, giving him strength.

“We’re in this together. So let’s go together.”

As his trembling eyes met hers, she cupped his cheeks and leaned forward.

“I promise. I won’t act alone anymore. From now on, let’s do everything together.”

Normally, he would have laughed and made a sarcastic remark. But now, he simply stared at her in disbelief, his silence making her heart ache once more.

Had he always been this fragile?

Was he so startled by something as simple as this?

She suddenly understood how much suffering he had endured because of her.

As she gave a wry smile at the thought, a large hand suddenly cradled the back of her head.

Before she could even prepare herself, his lips claimed hers. The kiss was both rough and tender, sending her mind spinning.

Her hands, which had been holding his cheeks, instinctively clutched his shoulders.

The kiss was so deep and intoxicating that her vision blurred, and a heat coiled low in her stomach. To be feeling this way in such a moment—was she losing her mind?

After being with him so many times, had her body become so shamelessly drawn to him?

Yet, something about this moment felt different.

Back at the Grand Duke’s estate, she had constantly reminded herself that their relationship would end at any time.

She had drilled it into her mind to keep herself from indulging in foolish dreams, fearing that her plans would be ruined. She had feared becoming a weak woman, drowning in meaningless emotions, hurt and tormented by her own illusions.

But now… she couldn’t think of anything else.

Was it because she had finally accepted her feelings for him?

Or was it because those brilliant eyes, endlessly speaking to her, made it impossible to deny?

Was it my illusion to think it looked like he was saying he liked me, that he needed me, that he was begging me to stay by his side?

The desperate yet gentle kiss gradually faded. As he slowly pulled away, he suddenly frowned.

“You really are a bad woman.”

As she stared into the man’s eyes, filled with a mix of resentment and excitement, she impulsively asked, “Do you… like me?”

His golden eyes wavered violently at the unexpected question.

After a brief silence, his response was just as unexpected as her question.

“Are you trying to turn me into a degenerate?”

“Of course not.”

“Then why are you tempting me in a situation like this?”

It was nothing more than pure curiosity.

She simply wanted to confirm whether what she had felt from him was real or just a misunderstanding.

But if he perceived even this as seduction, what was she supposed to say from now on?

She attempted to withdraw with an air of nonchalance, but he suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap.

Like holding a small child, he lifted her slightly and even patted her on the back.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and he smirked playfully.

“Your way of comforting is rather old-fashioned.”

“What did you say?”

“Or… did I look that easy to you?”

As she watched the man, who would seize any opportunity to reveal his lewd thoughts, a doubt crept into her mind.

Was this really sympathy?

He was far too skilled for it to be mere sympathy.

It was hard to believe that she had been his first experience.

When she shot him a suspicious glare, he chuckled and playfully tapped the bridge of her nose.

“Old-fashioned methods aren’t bad. And I can’t deny that I might have looked easy.”

“That wasn’t my intention, but if you’re feeling better, then that’s all that matters.”

“I don’t feel better. My mind is still in turmoil, but at least you distracted me momentarily.”

Still, that was enough. His expression seemed noticeably lighter.

“Then let’s move on to the next task. We can’t just sit here like this.”

His demeanor suddenly shifted. As Bellona tilted her head in confusion, she noticed his smirk deepening mischievously.

Realizing her words had been misinterpreted, she frowned slightly and hurried to clarify, but before she could, his lips captured hers again.

This time, it wasn’t a deep kiss like before, but his gaze was intoxicatingly tender, pulling her in.

Fearing she might truly turn him into a degenerate, she tried to push him away, but his lips brushed hers teasingly as he whispered something unexpected in a low voice.

“I like you. Very much.”

“……!”

Her heart pounded instantly.

She had expected this answer, yet she found herself doubting her own ears as if hearing an illusion.

But… the thrill of hearing what she had long been curious about quickly faded. His bitter smile left her feeling unsettled.

His flushed cheeks suggested sincerity, yet why was he making that expression?

Silence hung between them.

Then, a sudden knock shattered the tense atmosphere.

“Your Grace, Sir Lycaon has arrived.”

At the unexpected visitor, Caelus furrowed his brow deeply.

“Everyone is insufferable.”

As she hastily stood and straightened her wrinkled dress, he nonchalantly muttered with a smirk.

“Let’s continue this in the evening. Now that I think about it, loving my wife isn’t exactly degeneracy, is it?”

“Come in!”

Refusing to dignify his words with a response, she quickly allowed the visitor to enter and took her seat. Caelus let out a light chuckle.

As Lycaon stepped inside, he momentarily hesitated upon seeing the two of them.

“Ahem, pardon my intrusion.”

“If you knew it was an intrusion, you shouldn’t have come.”

When she jabbed him lightly for his blunt remark, Caelus shrugged with an amused look.

“What is it?”

“I have urgent news to report.”

“Sit down.”

At Bellona’s invitation, he hesitantly took a seat across from them.

After a brief hesitation, Lycaon finally spoke with a resolute expression.

“Our family has the herbs necessary to counteract His Majesty’s poison. We don’t have a large supply, but for now—”

Before he could finish, Caelus’ gaze turned ice-cold. He straightened his posture menacingly and stared Lycaon down as if he would kill him on the spot.

Bellona instinctively realized that Lycaon’s life was now in danger.

Caelus’ uneasy hand was already reaching for the hilt of his sword.