In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 89

The flustered Lycaon hurriedly continued his unfinished words.

“In truth, I knew that Viscount Victor was colluding with the Empress. However, I had no idea they were carrying out such actions.”

“How am I supposed to believe that?”

“If I were one of them, why would I have come to see Your Grace?”

“Because you figured that cutting ties now would be the only way to save Nobilis.”

Knowing what the Camirus nobles had done, Lycaon could not refute Caelus’ distrust.

After hesitating for a moment, he suddenly rose from his seat and bowed his head.

“I apologize. On behalf of my father, I offer my sincerest regrets for the crimes Nobilis has committed.”

“Did you think a few mere words of apology would be enough for forgiveness?”

It was laughable. He had no idea what crimes his father had committed, and yet he foolishly tried to play the part of a righteous man.

“Your Grace, shouldn’t we at least secure the herbs needed to save His Majesty first?”

Bellona, trying to calm Caelus, who was blinded by his hatred of the nobles, turned to Lycaon.

“Are you certain about the antidote?”

“Yes. However, if His Majesty has been poisoned for too long, the amount our family possesses may not be enough. Detoxification often takes longer than the poisoning itself.”

“What is it that you want?”

At Caelus’ pointed question, Lycaon hesitated momentarily before suddenly kneeling on one knee in a knight’s bow.

“I wish to join the Valensis Knights.”

Caelus narrowed his sharp gaze. The request was unexpected. A noble heir with a promising future had no reason to join the order.

Knowing it was not out of pure intention, he could have dismissed it outright, but instead, he asked, “Why?”

“I want to be Her Grace the Grand Duchess’ personal knight.”

The atmosphere instantly grew heavy.

Even though he had seen Caelus’ murderous glare, Lycaon still turned to Bellona as if seeking her approval.

She subtly checked the position of Caelus’ hand before replying coldly, “Sir Net is sufficient as my guard knight. There is no need for another.”

“You heard her.”

Caelus smirked and demonstratively clasped Bellona’s hand tightly.

After glancing at their entwined hands, Lycaon turned to Caelus and made a daring proposition.

“If you keep me by your side, Nobilis will also be yours. If that happens, the Camirus nobles who follow Nobilis will naturally become Your Grace’s subordinates. Your influence will grow significantly, and it will be the perfect opportunity to root out internal threats. Are you truly willing to discard that chance?”

On the surface, it was not a bad proposal.

If he could secure Lycaon’ loyalty, he wouldn’t have to concern himself with troublesome nobles any longer.

However, that was only if he needed the power of the Camirus nobles. Right now…

“I don’t need you all that much.”

Caelus scoffed coldly and flatly rejected Lycaon’ offer.

“If you’re a nuisance, I can simply kill you. The Camirus nobles aren’t valuable enough to be worth keeping around.”

“……!”

“And how am I supposed to trust an oath with conditions? Why would I keep a dog that doesn’t know its place and dares to negotiate with its master?”

Lycaon furrowed his brow, clearly unprepared for the outright rejection.

“I simply answered because you asked what I wanted. Please do not dismiss my sincerity just because of misunderstandings with my father.”

“Sincerity, huh…”

Caelus’ displeasure was evident as he narrowed his golden eyes.

“You knew about Victor’s betrayal, yet you remained silent until now. And now, you suddenly attach conditions to joining Valensis? I fail to see where your sincerity lies.”

“That’s—”

“Furthermore!”

Caelus cut him off firmly, his golden eyes flashing as he growled, “A man who claims to want to become a Valensis knight says he wants to guard the Grand Duchess instead of me? That makes your intentions even more suspicious.”

The supreme authority of the Valensis Knights was Caelus himself.

While protecting the Grand Duchess was part of their duty, the knights’ first and foremost allegiance was to Caelus.

The decision to assign knights to protect the Grand Duchess also rested with him. It was not a position one could simply claim because they wanted it.

However, Lycaon disregarded even the most basic rules and directly declared that he would be Bellona’s personal guard.

As if he acknowledged only her as his true master.

Such remarks carried a high risk of misunderstanding, even implicating Bellona. If Caelus had not trusted her, it could have easily led to discord.

But Bellona’s concern was not about his misunderstanding.

“Your Grace.”

As if knowing her worries, Caelus gently stroked the soft back of her hand.

“Do you have anything more to say?”

Intent on proving that his words were not lies, Caelus prepared to coldly dismiss him.

Seeing this, Lycaon furrowed his brows and asked in a subdued tone, “Then, what must I do to be accepted as Your Grace’s knight?”

“Must you insist?”

“Yes.”

Watching the stubborn Lycaon for a moment, Caelus let out a light chuckle and surprisingly answered with ease.

“Then submit an application and take the test. Of course, being a noble won’t grant you any privileges or special treatment. If your skills are lacking, you will be eliminated without hesitation. If you’re prepared for that, go see Akon.”

“If I pass the test, will I be able to become Her Grace’s personal guard?”

Caelus’ gaze turned sharply cold once again. He had let it slide once, but he would not do so twice.

Just as he was about to put the insolent noble in his place, Bellona suddenly intervened, “Your Grace, since he wishes to be my guard, allow me to judge him personally.”

“……!”

“I ask this not as the Grand Duchess, but as your knight.”

Caelus fixed his gaze on Bellona, displeased. But then, seeing the look in her eyes, he let out a brief scoff. Though she seemed indifferent on the surface, her firm resolve was evident.

As always, her eyes burned with determination whenever a duel or combat trial was involved.

There was nothing to worry about.

When it came to the sword, she was the most ruthless. If Bellona was to judge him personally, Lycaon would never pass the knightly entrance trial.

Feigning contemplation, Caelus finally relented with an air of inevitability.

“Fine. If you become a knight of Valensis, I will consider the position you desire.”

Since it was an impossible feat, Caelus agreed without hesitation.

“Now, let’s return to the matter of the antidote. When can you bring it?”

Bellona, who had been solely focused on the antidote, urged him impatiently. Unlike before, Lycaon hesitated briefly, making her snap sharply.

“I suggest you stop playing word games unless you wish to die here.”

At her chilling warning, Lycaon smirked bitterly and raised both hands in mock surrender.

“Word games? I was merely considering the best approach.”

As he feigned disappointment, Caelus twitched his lips.

He had always found her rigid and straightforward nature frustrating, yet today, it was rather appealing. There was something captivating about her guarded demeanor—how she never let anyone close so easily.

Perhaps it was because he knew that once she was in his arms, she melted into someone completely different, her soft moans betraying her strong facade.

Or maybe it was the fact that, instead of challenging him to a duel every time they locked eyes, she had now confessed her feelings. It was proof that she was finally more interested in him than in her beloved sword.

And perhaps…

He wanted to shake her further, to make her see a future where she belonged by his side, rather than chasing revenge.

Only then would she stop treating her own life so lightly.

“So, what is your plan—”

“Find a definite solution and report back to me by tomorrow morning.”

Bellona, who had been about to speak, was cut off. She looked at him, startled.

Ignoring her gaze, Caelus gestured for Lycaon to leave.

“…Understood.”

Reluctantly, Lycaon gave his response and hesitated briefly before leaving the room.

The moment the door closed, Caelus abruptly stood and pulled Bellona to her feet.

“Let’s take a walk before dinner. My head is a mess, and I need to clear it.”

At the word “walk,” her eyes narrowed slightly. But judging by his demeanor, it didn’t seem like he simply wanted fresh air.

Was he still overwhelmed by the Emperor’s condition?

She looked at him with concern and obediently followed as he tightly grasped her hand and led her out of the office.