About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 125

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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 125. Lips That Feel Warm
Luderne Wintem held his pocket watch up to the afternoon sunlight, studying its face.
A crossbow in one hand, a small pouch and sword fastened at his waist—he was dressed in hunting attire.
“Ah, there he is! Let’s go greet him!”
At the Chief Administrator’s cheerful voice, Luderne Wintem lifted his head.
I immediately felt embarrassed and averted my gaze to the ground. Though there was some distance between us, it seemed our eyes had met anyway.
“Come, let’s go greet him together, Count Bilsty.”
At the Chief Administrator’s enthusiastic urging, I moved forward.
As I walked toward him, I recalled how Luderne Wintem had reacted when I’d revealed my true feelings, thinking it all a dream.
He had said nothing at all.
‘Perhaps he understood it as the delirious ramblings of a sick person.’
Though it felt deeply uncomfortable to be so thoroughly seen through, I thought I might be able to feign ignorance by using my illness as an excuse.
‘But because of the regression connected to Sir Jester, and now with Menglow Breeze here—someone I thought was dead—I can’t simply pretend I don’t know.’
I recalled the things I needed to discuss with Luderne Wintem.
Even if my thoughts weren’t fully organized, there were parts I had to speak about.
“Allow me to introduce you!”
Startled by the Chief Administrator’s voice, I lifted my head abruptly.
In that moment, I met Luderne Wintem’s crimson eyes and felt flustered.
‘There seemed to be more distance than this.’
Far faster than I’d anticipated, I found myself standing face to face with Luderne Wintem.
Looking around, it appeared that while we walked toward him, he had also walked toward us.
The Chief Administrator bowed respectfully to Luderne Wintem, whose expression remained characteristically impassive, his lips pressed firmly shut, and then introduced me.
“This is Count Priscilla Bilsty, the master of our fiefdom!”
He then introduced Luderne Wintem to me with a voice brimming with anticipation.
“Count Bilsty, this is none other than His Highness Luderne Wintem Grand Duke of the Doerban Empire!”
The Chief Administrator clapped his hands together sharply and pointed toward the tent.
“A guest of honor’s seat has been prepared beneath the tent. Please be seated there.”
The Chief Administrator’s manner, which assumed without question that Luderne Wintem and I were meeting for the first time, nearly made me laugh despite myself.
“Ahem!”
I covered my mouth with my hand, stifling a small cough.
“…?”
Luderne Wintem spoke to the bewildered Chief Administrator.
“Thank you for the introduction. The seating doesn’t matter much. We have some things to discuss, so if you’ll excuse us for a moment.”
The Chief Administrator looked at me.
His eyes were earnest.
Feeling his desire for the investment to go well, I nodded.
“Thank you, Chief Administrator. We’ll have a good conversation.”
The Chief Administrator’s lips curved upward gently.
“Then I shall continue preparing for the closing ceremony.”
Luderne Wintem, watching the Chief Administrator head toward the tent, pointed toward the forest.
“That area isn’t part of the hunting grounds, so it’s safe. It would be better to talk somewhere without people around.”
“Of course.”
He led me to a small clearing with an open view. Below, I could hear the shouts of people and the cries of dholes echoing through the Forest.
As I gazed down at the Forest, Luderne Sellen stepped beside me. Soon his distinctive low voice resonated.
“There are quite a lot of dholes.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Because of them, land development has been slow. I’m not sure where to begin, but….”
I paused to choose my words carefully.
There wasn’t enough time to discuss other matters now, and I sensed it would be burdensome. So I broached the topic the Chief Administrator was expecting.
“Since you mentioned coming for territorial investment, shall I start with that?”
I looked at Luderne Sellen.
“I’m grateful for the territorial investment proposal, Your Highness. The Chief Administrator has been absolutely delighted because of it.”
Then I asked something I genuinely wanted to confirm.
“I’m asking this out of genuine curiosity. Does this territory have value as a business venture?”
“Business value, you say….”
Luderne Sellen tilted his head slightly to one side.
“I know Your Highness has an exceptional sense for business. I apologize for asking this right away, but I too….”
I bit my lip before speaking carefully.
“I need to develop the territory.”
“Do you need advice?”
“You could say that.”
Luderne Sellen sighed through his nose.
“Wouldn’t the Salon keep you too busy to care for a territory?”
He was right. There was far too much to do within my limited time.
“And you’re pursuing revenge too, I hear.”
At those words, my face grew intensely hot.
“I’m not sure what you mean….”
“You said it when you were ill.”
Before I could deflect, Luderne Sellen countered and then fell silent for a moment.
It seemed he was waiting for my response, so I eventually hung my head low.
“I heard you visited when I was ill. I must have been delirious….”
Luderne Sellen’s voice grew even quieter.
“Based on the circumstances, it couldn’t have been mere delirium. I understand your true feelings well enough, so speak freely.”
With him saying that much, further deflection seemed impossible.
“…Yes.”
I nodded and looked up at him.
“That’s why I’m asking.”
Our eyes met again with Luderne Sellen. But this time, I didn’t avoid his gaze.
“To pursue revenge, I need sufficient power. I need wealth as well.”
“So you’ll develop the territory to secure that wealth?”
From below the mountain, I heard the cry of wild dogs once again.
I turned my gaze in that direction and spoke.
“Despite the wild dogs being a nuisance, this fiefdom remains my most reliable asset.”
Luderne Sellen stood beside me, his eyes also fixed on the lower slopes of the mountain.
“The climate is favorable enough, but the terrain is rough and wild dogs infest the land, making it difficult to develop the timber industry.”
Luderne Sellen’s gaze shifted toward the harbor.
“There is a harbor, but the nearby waters lack popular fish species, so fishing would hardly be profitable either.”
Luderne Sellen turned his attention back to the mountain.
“The mountain I observed while hunting has manageable terrain, but it possesses no exceptional resources. The mineral deposits are equally meager.”
This time, I looked behind us.
“The trees are too small to justify driving out the wild dogs and establishing a logging industry, and the population is sparse. So human resources are equally lacking.”
The more I heard, the more bitter I felt. This land seemed worthless as an investment opportunity.
“Then there would be no profit even with investment, would there?”
“In purely financial terms, that’s correct.”
The moment those words left his lips, my pride stung.
There was only one reason I could think of for investing in worthless land.
The price of shared intimacy.
“…Is it because I’m a concubine that you’re showing me this favor?”
Luderne Sellen turned to face me. His eyes widened slightly.
My displeasure must have shown plainly, and I felt a wave of embarrassment.
I was disappointed in myself as well.
With the fiefdom’s development at stake, how could my pride rear its head like this?
I wrapped my left arm with my right hand and averted my gaze.
“Of course, I know I’m in no position to question such things. I simply… wanted to understand the true reason. If I can identify points worth developing, that would be ideal.”
Luderne Sellen’s gaze turned distant.
“That’s not the only reason. Crucially, this territory lies close to the maritime routes of the Doerban Empire.”
I wondered if he was considering it for trade with the Empire.
But what he said next was surprising.
“The terrain isn’t treacherous, so there are many places to position weapons. The ocean currents flow favorably for an assault, and the defensive advantages are ideal.”
My expression darkened involuntarily.
“Are you planning to use this place as a fortress?”
It was a sensitive question.
But his answer came without hesitation.
“To protect something, one can do anything. As long as it doesn’t become a battlefield.”
He placed his hand against my cheek.
“If we align with the mercenary industry, the floating population will increase, and the territory will develop even without resources.”
The mercenary industry.
I dislike war, but his words made sense.
“For now, I’m examining it with that industry in mind, but if an alternative emerges, I’ll reconsider.”
Just then, I heard the Chief Administrator’s voice from over there. It was an announcement that the closing ceremony would begin shortly.
When I arrived, people had already gathered.
One side was filled with hunted dholes, and a large bonfire burned in the center—though I couldn’t recall when it had been lit.
The newly arrived supply carriage was loaded with barrels of alcohol and snacks.
The closing ceremony remarks were brief.
Soon the drinking began in earnest.
After greeting the territory’s residents, I shared a drink with Luderne at the Chief Administrator’s suggestion.
The Chief Administrator spread a map inside the tent and recounted the Hunting Festival’s achievements. They’d caught quite a number of dholes this time.
He pointed to a location on the map with his finger.
“Here! The scenery in this area is quite beautiful. It’s been difficult to approach because of the dholes, but we’ve cleared them out completely this time.”
Then he made a new proposal.
What if they blocked the dholes from accessing that location and developed it as a tourist destination?
“It will be quite beautiful at night as well.”
At those words, Luderne, who had been stroking his chin, nodded.
He seemed genuinely interested, so I thought we might as well scout it out soon.
Tomorrow afternoon at the earliest?
But then…
Perhaps the alcohol I’d intended to drink sparingly while discussing territorial development had been too much.
Before we could even finalize our scouting plans, the Chief Administrator, thoroughly intoxicated, rose from his seat saying he’d retire for the night.
It seemed everyone was winding down the festivities and heading back on their own.
“Count Bilsty, shall I escort you back to your quarters?”
The Chief Administrator spoke first, but Luderne answered before him.
“I’ll see him back, so don’t worry yourself.”
The Chief Administrator, glancing about awkwardly, broke into a sheepish grin.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
After the Chief Administrator left, Luderne and I were alone.
Feeling oddly uncomfortable and sensing the alcohol rising to my head, I stepped outside for some fresh air.
Outside the tent, people were singing and dancing in formation, creating quite a commotion.
I moved to a quieter spot. A moment to catch my breath seemed all I needed.
But there were several horses tethered where I’d gone.
Among them, one horse with notably fine bloodlines caught my eye. The one with a supply bag strapped to its hindquarters was white—an uncommon breed in this territory.
Wanting a closer look, I approached the horse when I heard a voice from behind.
“That one’s a bit particular about strangers.”
It was Luderne.
After glancing around briefly, he stepped closer with long strides.
“And there’s something I’ve been thinking about since earlier.”
He drew near and suddenly pulled my waist toward him, pressing his warm lips against mine.

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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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