About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 107
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 107. Wasn’t Revenge Too Weak?
“A hint about the curse?”
“Yes. It’s the area where Menglow Breeze died, right? He committed a grave crime in the Empire, fled to the Bilsty Estate, and only his clothes and bones were found in a desolate forest.”
It was truly an unexpected statement.
The moment my eyes widened, Sir Jester shrugged his shoulders.
“The autopsy revealed blunt force trauma to the head and broken legs, but there wasn’t a single gold coin or magic scroll left behind.”
Sir Jester took a bite of bread before continuing.
“It was concluded that he was robbed by bandits and then thrown to the beasts. There were packs of wild dogs, or so they say?”
The story felt subtly off.
Then Sir Jester clicked his tongue and made a remark that clearly struck a nerve with me.
“Count Bilsty must be quite incompetent at managing security in his territory. Bandits and packs of wild dogs… Good grief, with that level of incompetence, only the territory’s people suffer.”
“Don’t speak so carelessly.”
My indignation burst forth in a firm tone.
“There are wild dogs, yes, but there are absolutely no bandits. According to Territory Law, there couldn’t be any.”
Sir Jester’s eyes widened.
“How do you know that? How can you be so certain?”
“Well, my father pays great attention to Territory Law and security…”
“Father?”
I realized immediately that I had misspoken, and I gasped, covering my mouth. I had never told Sir Jester a single word about who or where I was.
Sir Jester’s eyes grew even wider as he grasped the situation.
“You’re Count Bilsty’s daughter?”
“…”
Sir Jester stared at my silence for a moment, then casually twirled his knife.
“Seems like there’s quite a story here. Well… let’s eat first and talk later.”
Sir Jester focused on his breakfast. He didn’t speak while eating, but he appeared deeply lost in thought.
I swallowed a sigh that threatened to escape.
The forests of the Bilsty Estate were teeming with wild dogs. That’s why every year, according to Territory Law, we held hunts to periodically cull them and offered bounties.
With this repeated practice, the wild dogs had learned to avoid the heavily traveled paths.
And bandits could not operate either.
First, the Bilsty Estate was not wealthy enough for bandits to plunder anything worthwhile.
With nothing to gain and forests swarming with wild dogs, it would be madness to establish a bandit hideout and conduct robbery.
If one struggled to survive, requesting the welfare guaranteed by Territory Law was far better than turning to banditry.
There was a law that provided free land for a certain period and tax exemptions for those who met the conditions.
With the welfare my father had created in place, no fool would abandon it and risk becoming a bandit.
Moreover, my father had made it so that law could never be changed.
That’s why Matilda had often raged about the low taxes and lack of money, and I knew well about it for that reason alone.
‘Father was such a benevolent lord despite his humble nature, yet he’s called incompetent.’
The more I thought about it, the more unjust it felt, and I couldn’t swallow my food.
As I glared at Sir Jester for his reckless words, our eyes met and he smacked his lips.
“…I’m really sorry. I didn’t know Count Bilsty was your father. But thanks to that, I now know you’re a noble and where you’re from.”
“….”
“Finish your meal first, then we can talk.”
Sir Jester’s gaze drifted toward the window as he murmured to himself.
“There’s something distinctly refined about her bearing.”
“….”
I exhaled quietly and fixed my eyes on my plate.
Shortly after we both finished eating and dabbed our mouths with napkins, Sir Jester posed another question.
“So you’re not going to search for clues to break the curse—you’re visiting your homeland?”
How should I respond?
I hesitated, biting my lip, then gave a measured nod.
“I’m going to inspect a salon that’s planned for expansion in the Daicer Marquis Territory. And I’ll be taking a vacation in the nearby Ropel Territory.”
I was hoping he would accept just this much, but Sir Jester’s expression grew stern.
“Starting with the fact that you’re sisters with Melissa Bilsty, the King’s mistress, I’m finding myself with quite a few questions.”
Sir Jester’s eyes sharpened.
“You expect me to believe that?”
Sir Jester summoned a Sailor to clear the table.
Soon after, black tea and sliced cake were brought out for dessert.
Once the Sailor had left, Sir Jester spoke casually while eating his cake.
“The daughter of the lord whose territory Menglow Breeze died in has fallen under a curse.”
“….”
“While the elder sister lived in seclusion on an island, concealing her identity and circumstances, the younger sister entered the Central Social Circle and became the King’s mistress.”
“….”
“I can’t help but wonder if that’s truly coincidence.”
“….”
“I wondered if perhaps you’d been abandoned by your father, but seeing you’ve been granted a territory, it seems your relationship isn’t strained.”
I made no attempt to hide my sigh.
“My father passed away when I was young.”
Bewilderment flickered across Sir Jester’s expression.
“…I’m sorry.”
“….”
“That makes twice I’ve apologized today.”
“It’s fine.”
It was only natural—he knew almost nothing about me.
“I only assumed so because I knew your father had established laws to prevent bandits from ever arising.”
Sir Jester fell silent and gazed at me intently. Then he scratched his temple slightly.
“I don’t mean to boast, but I’ve provided you with considerable and vital assistance. Isn’t that right?”
I nodded at his accurate words.
Without him, I would surely have perished on that island, never knowing when or how the curse would end.
“I’m always grateful.”
“If that gratitude is sincere….”
Sir Jester set down his fork and rinsed his mouth with black tea.
“Tell me everything about yourself, without reservation.”
“….”
I interlaced my fingers tightly. After a moment of thought, I exhaled a long breath.
“My past is complicated and not pleasant, so it’s terribly embarrassing to speak of. There are many shameful stories.”
Sir Jester, resting his chin on one hand, answered immediately.
“It’s fine. Whatever you tell me, none of it will be your fault.”
“Also, I’m uncertain where to even begin.”
“Just tell me everything from the start.”
“…There will be parts that are difficult to believe.”
“No matter what you say, I will listen to it as truth.”
“…There are parts that His Highness the Grand Duke would dislike.”
“I’ll pretend not to notice those parts.”
“The story is quite long.”
“The voyage is long, so time is abundant.”
I found myself at a loss for words at his rapid-fire responses.
“I will follow you no matter what happens. But if I lack information, I might inadvertently become an obstacle, wouldn’t I? I don’t want to hinder your true purpose.”
Sir Jester, speaking with stubborn determination, then drove his point home.
“I believe I have the right to know the truth about you.”
At this point, I had no choice. I could only explain as calmly as possible.
“Since it’s quite lengthy, I’ll tell you in installments.”
“Do as you see fit.”
I hesitated about where to begin, then made repeated requests of Sir Jester.
That anything related to Luderne Sellen must remain secret until he chose to speak of it himself.
“If His Highness says my story is false, then it is false.”
“….”
Sir Jester, who had been holding the bridge of his nose for a moment, soon crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
“We are each quite one-sided and blind, aren’t we? I believe everything you say is truth, and you believe everything His Highness says is truth.”
He gave a hollow laugh while nodding his head.
Now it was my turn to speak.
The story from after my father’s passing.
But only the events that occurred in this life, not before the regression.
And also the story of Luderne Sellen, the curse, and the key.
I did wonder if Sir Jester might betray me after hearing about the vast fortune.
But it was true that he had played an important role in my life.
Though I hesitated, I had no choice but to speak.
Each time my lips opened, Sir Jester’s eyes betrayed disbelief.
Yet because of his promise to listen to everything I said as truth, he merely nodded silently with a grave expression.
When I spoke of my past and became emotional or tearful, his eyes occasionally flickered with bewilderment.
But it was only a fleeting moment—he immediately feigned composure and continued listening to my story, showing no expression of empathy, comfort, or anger.
Perhaps it was because my listener maintained such composure.
I too was able to recount everything that had happened to me with relative calm.
By the time we reached the Port of Marquis Daicer Territory, the entire story had been told.
Sir Jester had heard everything from me—save for the regression itself.
Even the true purpose of this journey.
“So you divided the King’s favor between them to weaken those women’s standing… and you’ve been strengthening your own position in the meantime. You’ve been enacting your own form of revenge, haven’t you.”
Sir Jester rested his chin on his interlaced fingers, contemplating something for a moment before a gentle smile curved his lips.
“I thought you incapable of harming others. This is a revenge befitting you.”
Then Sir Jester said this to me.
“Still, don’t you think your revenge is rather meager compared to what you’ve endured?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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