About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 129

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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 129. Obsession Crossing the Line
The lodging had no dedicated servants, so it would naturally be inconvenient. Besides, I wanted to attend to him properly now that he’d made the effort to visit my territory.
“I won’t be able to rest if you’re here.”
His refusal came sharp as a blade. I wondered if he’d been in a foul mood during the journey and didn’t want to see me for a while.
But when he glanced at the Butler and Head Maid in turn before looking at me, he let out a soft laugh.
“Since I’ve kept you from sleeping so often, you must be exhausted. Get some proper rest today. I’ll contact you soon.”
The meaning was far too obvious, and my face flushed crimson. Everyone around us seemed to hold their breath.
‘What on earth is he thinking?’
Luderne, who’d just dropped that bombshell, mounted his horse with a perfectly composed expression.
I stared blankly at his retreating figure before glancing around.
The Butler and Head Maid stood frozen with wide eyes and gaping mouths. Sir Jester, the moment our eyes met, hurriedly shuffled away.
“I, I’ll go pay my respects to His Highness and return shortly.”
Sir Jester bowed to me and immediately headed toward the stable.
Only the Butler, Head Maid, and I remained.
I considered denying whatever they were thinking, but abandoned the idea.
The Butler and Head Maid’s gazes were fixed on the front of my garment.
Their pupils trembled slightly.
Given the atmosphere, denial was impossible, so I simply decided to head inside the mansion.
“…It would be better to rest as His Highness suggested. I’ll wash up and get some sleep.”
“Y-yes! I’ll prepare the bathwater right away!”
The Head Maid dashed into the mansion. The Butler quickly bowed to me and said:
“I’ll visit the Doctor and bring back a restorative tonic.”
I was so embarrassed I wanted to dig a hole and disappear into it.
“Ah…”
Back in my room, I took the contraceptive I’d set aside beforehand, then checked the mirror and immediately covered my face with both hands.
Red marks left by his lips were faintly visible on my neck.
When I lowered my garment, the persistent bite marks and sucked bruises were laid bare across my skin.
‘So that’s why the Head Maid and Butler’s pupils were trembling.’
Just then, the Head Maid informed me the bathwater was ready. Seeing her roll up her sleeves, she clearly intended to assist with my bath.
Luderne’s marks were still visible and bothering me.
When I said I’d bathe alone, the Head Maid looked dejected.
“I was really looking forward to helping you bathe… I understand what you’re concerned about. But truly, it’s the most natural thing.”
The Head Maid’s eyes glistened with a faint moisture as she clasped her hands together respectfully.
“Please, entrust yourself to me comfortably. And wouldn’t it be better to speak more freely to the servants, as you did before?”
Despite her courteous words, was it just my imagination that her eyes seemed to gleam with fervor?
“I thought you were being reserved since it’s been so long and felt awkward, but now you’ve truly become the lady of this household.”
Her voice was brimming with enthusiasm.
Reflecting on it, my reaction had indeed been unusual. During my early days at Baron Sellen’s Estate, I’d accepted the maids’ assistance with bathing.
In the end, a small laugh escaped me.
“Understood. Yes, understood.”
* * *
Before arriving at Bilsty Count’s Mansion.
Throughout the journey to the estate with Priscilla, Luderne’s mood had been thoroughly sour.
Deeply so.
And when I recalled last night, my brow furrowed of its own accord.
‘After moaning so passionately like that.’
She responded to every touch, emitted those adorable sighs that drove me mad with desire just from hearing them alone.
She had even pleaded for my child.
“Because I have no one I love.”
Yet she rejected me with such cold precision, as though none of that had ever happened.
Luderne gazed at Priscilla seated before me.
Her honey-gold hair remained as lovely as ever, and I wanted nothing more than to press my lips against her delicate nape and shoulders.
The scent that reached me whenever the wind stirred never failed to unsettle my heart, just as it always had.
Luderne could only bite his lip. The memory of our reunion in the Capital came flooding back.
When Priscilla and I met again, thanks to Ail’s efforts, she was no longer tormented by the curse.
I was glad that Priscilla had found peace.
But from the perspective of a man who loved her, Ail had accomplished something utterly useless with remarkable efficiency.
Because of that, our relationship after the reunion stemmed solely from my desire for Priscilla.
Fortunately, Priscilla accepted my desire. And she still did not refuse to become my mistress.
From the perspective of a commoner Salon designer, becoming involved with a nobleman like Prince Wintem would certainly be ideal.
But Priscilla had never harbored such ambitions from the start. I knew that too.
So I was certain and confident that she had accepted me because she held feelings for me.
That’s why I had felt reassured.
Once my plan was executed, I would safely protect my beloved wife and bring her completely back into my embrace.
But I had miscalculated.
The problem wasn’t my love—it was Priscilla’s own love that was the issue.
She had even come to accept her own death.
The moment I heard her say she didn’t love me, my reason nearly shattered.
I felt the urge to pull Priscilla down again and make her cry until those small, red lips of hers admitted it was all a joke, until she spoke words of love.
To that extent, I found it difficult to believe what she had said.
But when she withdrew her hand, my senses snapped back. I could clearly understand the meaning of her words.
Priscilla did not love me.
Even if she acknowledged that we had been husband and wife, that was merely the past—her heart would not return now, no matter what.
It was profoundly shocking.
I had only suppressed it, pretended otherwise, but I had never stopped loving her.
And moreover, Priscilla would certainly die.
That was something I could not accept.
Priscilla’s account of her regression contained only what she knew.
In other words, a one-sided assertion.
But as I listened, a headache began to form. My heart ached sporadically, as though it might tear apart.
Especially when I heard that she had drowned in the Swamp.
Luderne had no memories from before the regression, so he had no way of knowing whether Priscilla’s story was true or false.
But he could sense why he had died in the world before the regression.
My own heart had already revealed the answer.
The me from before the regression must have struggled to find Priscilla as well.
But Priscilla had died like that?
The moment I realized that the purpose of my life had vanished, I wouldn’t have been able to endure.
Even hearing of her certain death only through words today made me feel as though I would lose my mind.
Then the conclusion was simple. Priscilla must live.
Of course, for that to happen, she had to bear a child with someone she loved—within the designated timeframe.
And that someone had to be me.
It could never be anyone else. I had no confidence I wouldn’t kill him.
Someone other than me loving Priscilla and creating a child with her?
The moment I imagined it, I felt the blood rush to my temples.
‘Stepping back once was enough.’
Even that had been a withdrawal made out of consideration for Priscilla’s heart—thinking she had taken a liking to her new husband and forgotten me, her dead husband.
Now that I knew it had been a forced remarriage, and given how deep our connection had become, this was absolutely unacceptable.
In his imagination alone, Luderne had already cut down Priscilla’s new man in a single stroke.
‘I need to find a way to win back Priscilla’s love.’
As he rode, Luderne compared his own power with that which Eclite possessed.
To reclaim her love, he would need to be able to push forward without worrying about Eclite’s threats.
Then a method to defeat him flashed through Luderne’s mind.
Perhaps heaven itself was lending its aid.
Menglow Breeze. That old woman was still alive.
According to what he had heard while sharing rose tea with Priscilla in front of the bonfire, Ail’s regression magic had fortunately changed Menglow Breeze’s future.
‘I should check whether Menglow Breeze might have another solution to the curse.’
Moreover, if Menglow could prove that Eclite had attempted to harm the Emperor, he could overturn public opinion within the Empire by framing it as treason.
Until then, the Bilsty Estate where Priscilla and Menglow were staying would need to be defended by any means necessary.
Luderne concluded that he needed to gather key personnel there immediately.
Fortunately, that was something he could do today itself. He had spatial transfer scrolls.
At the same time, he resolved to win back Priscilla’s heart.
So that she would love only me.
Prepared to pay any price for that, Luderne gripped the reins tightly.
It would not be easy. But if I could have Priscilla and keep her alive, I would attempt anything.
He was descending into obsession, crossing a line without even realizing it.

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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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