In This Life, I Will Be Your Dog - Chapter 93

Perhaps due to the past few days of relentless activity, Bellona’s complexion looked quite pale.

From the hunting festival incident to the emperor’s affairs, not to mention the countless traps she had to set for the mother and son duo, there was no end to the matters demanding her attention.

On top of that, dealing with Caelus’ constant attempts at seduction left her feeling as if ten bodies wouldn’t be enough to keep up.

Seeing her wan expression, Net spoke with concern, “You should get some rest.”

“I’m fine. What about Mona?”

“…She’ll be here soon.”

“Any word from Sir Akon?”

“No, not yet… But he knew the destination, so he should arrive soon. Try not to worry too much.”

With an anxious look, Bellona gazed at the darkened sky outside the window and let out a long sigh.

She shut her dry eyes tightly before opening them again, glancing around absentmindedly.

The abandoned room, left untouched by its previous owner, was no different from the neglected Minelia Palace.

Even her old lodgings, now covered in dust, stirred no emotion within her.

Strangely, the grand duchy, where she had only spent a couple of months, felt more like home.

She must be missing her younger siblings.

Hearing that nothing unusual had happened to them today brought her some relief, but she still longed to return and confirm it with her own eyes.

Despite the vow she had made before heading to the grand duchy, she had yet to spend proper time with her siblings.

She was determined to make time for them when she returned this time.

“It’s Mona.”

At the soft voice, Net quickly opened the door.

Bellona nodded, and he swiftly stepped outside to stand guard.

Unlike usual, Mona appeared with her red hair cascading down her back. Sitting before her with a coy expression, she gazed at Bellona.

Bellona, her eyes slightly lowered as she scanned Mona’s appearance, let out a light scoff.

“Someone might mistake you for me.”

“That would never happen. How could someone like me ever compare to Your Grace the Grand Duchess?”

“I’m sure someone will.”

At the pointed remark, Mona’s expression stiffened noticeably.

“Enough of that. Give me your report.”

Adjusting her expression swiftly, Mona moved closer and spoke in a hushed voice.

“Marquis Graeme hasn’t been seen for several days. It seems he’s being cautious after His Highness the Crown Prince found out about his relationship with Her Majesty the Empress that day.”

A sneer curled on Bellona’s lips.

As if he would hide just because her son found out.

Similar incidents had happened in the past, yet Violentia had continued her illicit affairs with Graeme, unconcerned whether her son knew or not.

A woman who didn’t even respect the emperor wouldn’t care about what her son thought.

Bellona’s eyes darkened coldly.

‘Then, she must have gone to find that soothsayer.’

Suppressing the unease creeping into her, Bellona turned back to Mona.

Mona, lost in thought as she stared blankly into space, quickly composed herself when she sensed Bellona’s gaze.

“You know what will happen if you hide anything from me.”

“I-I wouldn’t dare…”

“Concealing the truth is the same as lying. Tell me everything—every single detail. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life serving Ether.”

A flicker of displeasure flashed through Mona’s amber eyes, but she soon dropped her gaze and reluctantly revealed what she had been withholding.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has been receiving lessons from Her Majesty every day.”

“Lessons…?”

“I don’t know exactly what they are. But it’s clear they aren’t anything good. If they were meant for his sake, he wouldn’t be locked up and forced to take belladonna.”

“Belladonna?”

Bellona’s expression instantly turned icy.

This was new information. And it didn’t sound ordinary.

In the past, Impes had also forced her to ingest belladonna, using the excuse of “education” to torment and break her countless times.

However, his methods were completely different from the empress’s.

If Impes had simply sought to reduce her to a mere sexual tool or a well-trained pet, the empress…

‘She made it so that resistance was impossible.’

The memory of those days under Violentia’s “lessons” sent a shudder down her spine.

So, she had done the same to Impes?

A mother subjecting her own son to such horrific things?

It was something unthinkable for ordinary people, but for Violentia, it seemed entirely plausible.

Had she done it in the past as well?

“That’s why His Highness isn’t in good condition. It’s as if he’s regressing into a child…”

For a moment, genuine concern laced Mona’s voice, as if she truly cared for Impes.

The unfamiliar sight of it made Bellona chuckle involuntarily.

“You seem worried.”

“……!”

“But it seems like a golden opportunity for you. Or perhaps you’ve already taken advantage of it.”

At the pointed remark, Mona’s expression stiffened, and she averted her gaze.

How despicable.

Bellona’s eyes sharpened coldly.

It seemed necessary to visit Impes soon. Nothing could be trusted unless she saw it for herself.

Of course, she disliked the idea of deceiving Caelus, but…

“That’s all I have to report today.”

“Has the chamberlain entered the empress’s palace in the past few days?”

Mona narrowed her eyes and pondered for a moment before tilting her head slightly.

“No, I haven’t heard anything like that. If necessary, I can check again.”

“And find out if any of the empress’s maids or attendants have been entering His Majesty’s chambers.”

“His Majesty?”

“Yes. Or even someone close to the chamberlain. Report back immediately if you learn anything.”

“Understood.”

As if she had nothing more to say, Bellona rose from her seat without hesitation, then paused momentarily.

“Do you need more belladonna?”

“Ah, not yet.”

“Alright. Let me know anytime if you do. But Mona.”

Turning around slowly, she gazed at Mona with a meaningful look.

“I don’t care if you mimic me, but don’t cross the line. If your actions are discovered, you might die at the hands of His Grace the Grand Duke rather than the Crown Prince.”

Bellona’s rare smile appeared as she watched Mona stiffen.

“I’m telling you this for your own good. So remember it well.”

Bellona turned away without hesitation, her expression quickly turning icy.

***

As she opened the door to Caelus’ office, her weary face instantly brightened.

“Sir Akon!”

Welcoming him with uncharacteristic enthusiasm, she startled Akon, who instinctively glanced at Caelus for his reaction.

As expected.

On the surface, Caelus appeared composed, but his golden eyes gleamed with a faint murderous glint. Sensing it, Akon’s complexion darkened.

“Ahem. I-I have returned, Your Grace.”

“How did it go? Did you find them?”

“Ah, yes. Thanks to Your Grace’s detailed description, it wasn’t too difficult.”

“Ah… what a relief. Were you hurt anywhere?”

Noticing Akon glancing nervously toward Caelus, Bellona looked at him curiously.

“Did something happen?”

“Yes.”

The man’s gruff tone made her blink in confusion.

Completely oblivious, her indifference only further irked Caelus, who scowled at Akon and gestured for him to leave.

Akon immediately stood, bowed deeply, and made a swift exit from the office, as if fleeing for his life.

“Your Grace, what’s wrong? Did something… go wrong?”

Seeing her growing concern, Caelus clicked his tongue. “Of course something’s wrong. Do you not realize how completely wrong this is?”

“What?”

“How should I deal with a wife who greets another man with such enthusiasm when her husband is right next to her?”

“……?”

“The woman who looks half-dead whenever she sees me just lit up like a flower at the sight of Akon.”

For a moment, Bellona was stunned before letting out an incredulous laugh.

Realizing why he was acting this way, she stared at the man, whose petty sulking was beyond ridiculous.

This wasn’t jealousy.

He was simply in a foul mood because he hadn’t had his way with her.

That was all.

Seeing her look at him as if he were pathetic, Caelus pursed his lips. “I’m still just a brat, huh? A clueless, petulant brat.”

“Yes, considering how long you hold a grudge, I’d say you have a long way to go before you grow up.”

“What?”

Instead of soothing him, she teased him further, making his expression darken with genuine irritation.

Ever since they had indulged in their most heated night together in the same room he once occupied as the Crown Prince, Caelus had completely changed.

Not that he had ever been particularly restrained before, but now, he wouldn’t stop pursuing her, throwing himself at her at every opportunity.

At first, she hadn’t minded, welcoming him regardless of time or place.

But perhaps she had overexerted herself. Two days ago, her body began feeling unwell. Her stomach churned, and she occasionally felt dizzy, as if the world was spinning around her.

She had never experienced anything like this before, so the unfamiliar symptoms troubled her.

She needed to conserve her strength—collapsing before achieving her revenge would be unacceptable.

And yet, after just two nights of refusing him, he was acting like this.

As her expression hardened, the perceptive man quickly adjusted his attitude.

“The fortune teller was captured successfully. It seems they came along more obediently than expected.”

Even though she knew he was trying to gauge her mood, Bellona kept her expression firm and fixed her gaze on the empty air ahead.