About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 128

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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 128. I’m Going to Die
One of Luderne’s eyebrows rose. He looked as though he were about to ask what I meant.
A memory surfaced.
The day he had rejected me outright and stood up abruptly when I suggested bearing a child to break the curse—refusing to even listen to my words.
I was anxious whether he would react the same way to this revelation.
But I couldn’t remain silent. Even knowing this was something I could decide for myself, the original owner was still very much alive.
It seemed better to communicate clearly about the key-related matters now.
“I intend to use your inheritance.”
“…My inheritance? Baron Sellen’s?”
He understood immediately. He didn’t seem displeased, nor did he look ready to leap from his seat, which brought me some relief.
So the only things absolutely forbidden to him were demanding love and children.
He was generous about everything else.
‘The difference in our stations is so vast that it’s only natural.’
I convinced myself and reaffirmed my resolve internally. I would never demand children or love from him.
“Yes. Baron Luderne Sellen’s inheritance. Since I’ve reclaimed my status and the annulment suit is pending, I could use it if I wished.”
Luderne touched his chin thoughtfully for a moment.
“I understand Baron Sellen’s inheritance was transferred entirely to Count Veloda Genoma’s side due to legal proceedings. Any related notifications would go to them as well.”
“I know. But I still have the key.”
Luderne’s eyes widened at my answer.
“It’s a hidden inheritance locked away by key. What I’ve received so far is incomparable to how vast it truly is. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s true, but how do you know this?”
“Does it seem strange that I know?”
“It has to be strange. You shouldn’t have been in a position to know. Did the Count’s side tell you?”
A small laugh escaped me.
“I already knew. I told you I had regressed, didn’t I? That’s why I could refuse remarriage this time.”
“That statement sounds as though…”
Luderne tilted his head.
“The regression wasn’t measured in minutes.”
Sir Jester’s magic was connected to regression. Luderne might not believe what I was about to say, but he wouldn’t dismiss regression itself as impossible.
“That’s right. Decades.”
“Is that even possible?”
“Yes.”
The answer came easily.
“I was murdered because of that key before I regressed.”
Luderne’s expression shifted—one eyebrow rising in genuine surprise.
I let out a small laugh.
Luderne furrowed his brow and rubbed his temples. He looked pained.
“…Does your head hurt?”
“It’s bearable. I’m more curious about this regression matter.
I popped a piece of chocolate into my mouth and nodded.
“I know it might sound strange. But I was reincarnated from another world, and there I lived until adulthood without remembering my past life.”
I studied Luderne Sellen’s expression carefully.
It was an absurd story, yet he listened with such gravity that I found courage to continue.
“By chance, while reading a novel, my past life came back to me. After I finished reading it to completion, I opened my eyes and found myself here.”
“Tell me then. The regressions I know of are measured in minutes.”
“Yes. I’ll tell you about my life before the regression. You don’t have to believe me.”
I recounted to Luderne Sellen the events I had experienced before the regression, piece by piece.
He listened intently without taking his eyes off me for a moment. When I spoke of the time of my death, his jaw clenched. His gaze grew distinctly clouded.
“Wait.”
Luderne Sellen set down his cup and cradled his head in both hands.
The way he alternately pressed firmly at his brow and temples looked both bewildered and pained.
“Are you alright?”
Luderne Sellen swallowed a groan.
“Sometimes something feels like it’s about to come to mind. That’s when the headaches start, though they’re rarely unbearable.”
“Are you also… under a curse?”
“A curse?”
I told him about Sir Jester’s curse, the events that followed, and also that Menglow Breeze had been alive.
“Ah, quite a serious matter then.”
Luderne Sellen’s face showed understanding. But he shook his head.
“I’m not a sorcerer, so I wouldn’t fall under such a curse.”
His headaches, he said, were similar to those that came from studying an enormous amount or straining to remember something just beyond reach.
“There’s no point dwelling on this part further.”
With those words, he massaged his temples a few more times before shaking his head.
“So you already knew of the key’s existence.”
“That’s right.”
“You’ve found your identity, and the marriage annulment suit is in progress, so now you can use it.”
“Yes.”
“Then you could have filed for the annulment and used it long ago.”
“It may seem reckless, but I was cautious because I thought Melissa Bilsty was truly my sister.”
A bitter taste filled my mouth as I spoke.
“And no matter how many times I thought about it, it felt wrong to quietly claim an inheritance when the rightful person was standing alive before me.”
I took a deep breath.
“That’s why I wanted to ask first whether I could use this key. The fiefdom needs funds to develop. Of course, I don’t mean to simply take it. Only until just before I die…”
Luderne Sellen’s brow furrowed.
“Until just before you die?”
“I will die anyway. But the people of the fiefdom must live. That’s why I need to develop it. And since Your Highness was planning to invest here anyway…”
As I said that much, I realized I could repay what I had received from him.
“Ah, you mentioned the location is strategically advantageous. Then I’ll make Your Highness the heir. When I die, you’ll be able to have this fiefdom.”
That seemed clean and simple.
Yet his pupils trembled visibly.
“What are you talking about? Death?”
I glanced around. Dawn was breaking, and the surroundings were growing brighter by the moment.
A task came to mind. I needed to interrogate Matilda.
I rose from my seat.
“It seems it’s time for me to return home. Let’s leave the rest for another occasion and tidy up here.”
Luderne Sellen caught my wrist as I turned away.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
I didn’t turn back.
“The curse cannot be broken.”
“I understand there’s a solution. Bearing a child with someone you love—wasn’t that the condition?”
You said a child was out of the question.
I wanted to argue. And I wanted to cling to him, asking if he couldn’t reconsider once more.
But I couldn’t burden him further. I had received too much consideration from him already.
‘You decided just now not to be clingy.’
All I would accomplish by questioning him would be to impose guilt, as if to say he was letting someone die.
I turned to face Luderne Sellen, meeting his gaze. Then I gently covered the back of his hand—the one gripping my wrist—with my own.
“I will die, Your Highness. This won’t change. Because….”
Luderne Sellen’s pupils dilated.
It was only natural for such an extreme conclusion. The disappearance of an acquaintance—especially one with whom he had shared intimate moments—from this world was hardly welcome news.
I had made my resolve. It was time to declare clearly that I would not become a burden to him.
I withdrew my hand from his and spoke coldly.
“Because I have no one I love.”
* * *
On the way back after tidying up.
Luderne Sellen said nothing. His expression had hardened frightfully, as if he were angry.
I understood.
Both before and after the regression, he had listened to my suffering with kindness.
We had also spent a passionate night together in a place of beautiful nocturnal scenery, conversed amicably, and shared to some extent what lay ahead.
Yet I had concluded it all with my death.
‘If I had even said in passing that I would live, his mood probably wouldn’t have soured this much.’
But now was not the time to think only of myself. Considering the future of the fiefdom, reality had to be shared clearly.
Even if his mood worsened over talk of someone’s death, he needed to recognize that this fiefdom would become his.
No one dislikes seeing their own territory expand.
I hoped he would cherish the Bilsty Estate—the very place he had intended to invest in—all the more.
By the time Luderne Sellen and I arrived at the Bilsty Count’s Mansion on horseback, the sun had already risen and the surroundings were bathed in light.
The Butler, the Head Maid, and Sir Jester were loitering in front of the mansion.
“Oh, my lord!”
The Butler and Head Maid rushed out frantically upon spotting us.
“We were worried when you didn’t return!”
Sir Jester, who had walked over quickly, caught sight of Luderne Sellen sitting behind me and bowed respectfully.
Luderne Sellen dismounted first, then helped me down from the horse.
The Butler approached with a question.
“And this person is…?”
“His Highness Prince Wintem of the Doerban Empire. He’s currently reviewing potential investments in the Bilsty Estate.”
At my introduction, both the Butler and Head Maid started in surprise, quickly bowing their heads to Luderne Sellen.
“Oh my! Forgive us for not recognizing you sooner. We are honored to receive Your Highness.”
“We are honored to receive Your Highness.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Luderne Sellen’s expression remained stern.
With a subtle jerk of his chin toward Sir Jester, he spoke to me in a low voice.
“Rest today. I’ll take my leave now.”
As he turned to go, I quickly asked him.
“Your Highness, I would be honored to attend to you during your stay…. Though humble, would you consider lodging at our Mansion?”

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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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