About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 135

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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 135. Why Am I Like This Today
I still had revenge left to accomplish.
They were the very people who would rejoice at my death.
If that happened, the annulment lawsuit would be rendered void. Count Veloda Genoma would naturally inherit the estate.
I couldn’t bear to see that outcome.
‘I absolutely cannot die.’
Even if I had to sacrifice my arms or legs to the hyena, I had to survive.
‘If I can just buy a little more time, something will work out. He should be nearby.’
I gripped the stone in my hand even tighter, resolved never to let it bite at my throat.
‘No matter what pain comes, stay calm. Aim for the hyena’s eyes.’
The moment I steeled my resolve and clenched the stone, a sharp whistle cut through the air, followed by a heavy impact sound.
“Clang!”
The hyena, which had been lowering its body to lunge at me, let out a piercing shriek and staggered. A crossbow bolt was embedded in its back.
Soon after, the hyena’s neck was severed cleanly.
“Priscilla!”
Luderne Sellen called my name, his voice trembling with extreme shock. Relief washed over me at his arrival.
But the moment I saw his crimson eyes, time seemed to slow down unnaturally.
Was it my imagination that such indescribably complex emotions were readable all at once?
“Aaaah! Help me!”
That fleeting moment vanished instantly at a woman’s scream.
“P-please help!”
I quickly pointed toward the woman.
“Kcheng!”
The hyena that had been mauling the woman was cut cleanly in half.
I threw down the stone in my hand and hurriedly got to my feet to examine the woman.
The woman was drenched in blood. Both her arms were so severely mauled that bone was visible, but it didn’t appear to be a fatal wound.
“Just hold on a little longer. Let’s get you to the hospital.”
I removed my cape and wrapped it around her arms.
Luderne Sellen and I rushed the woman to the nearest hospital.
“You were attacked by a hyena?”
The Doctor and Nurse who rushed out from the hospital entrance were even more shocked upon seeing the woman’s agonized state.
“This is an emergency. The longer we delay treatment, the higher the probability of amputation. We’ll proceed with surgery immediately.”
At the Doctor’s words, the woman’s face filled with shock and terror.
“I’ll prepare for surgery!”
The Nurse who shouted urgently ran inside.
“I thought we had eliminated the hyenas recently. Why would something like this happen….”
The Doctor, who had been clicking his tongue, suddenly looked at me with greater surprise.
“My Lord? Were you also attacked?”
The Doctor began examining me urgently. Then his eyes widened.
“My, you have a wound on your leg.”
Blood was flowing from her leg, just as he said. Long scratches marked where the wild dog’s teeth had grazed her dress.
Then the Nurse emerged.
“Surgery is ready, Doctor. Patient, please come this way.”
It seemed treating the woman quickly would be the right course of action.
But the Doctor raised his hand, blocking the Nurse who was about to lead the woman to the operating room.
“We’ll have to postpone the patient’s surgery for now.”
“Pardon?”
Unlike the Nurse’s bewildered response, the Doctor bowed his head to me.
“According to law, treatment must be administered in order of social rank. I must treat you first, my lord.”
Only then did I remember the law I’d forgotten.
This world operated on a rigid class system, and everything turned according to that hierarchy.
The Doctor spoke to the woman with a resolute expression.
“You understand how it is.”
Her pupils trembled slightly, but the woman pressed her lips together and nodded. The Nurse too seemed to accept this.
But that was their thinking. I quickly objected.
“Territory Law can be set by the lord.”
The Doctor and Nurse’s eyes widened at my words.
“…Pardon?”
“From today on, in the Bilsty Estate, we prioritize treatment by severity of injury. So let’s proceed with surgery immediately and treat her arm.”
“But my lord, you also have wounds on your body…”
I quickly pushed the Doctor toward the operating room.
“Injuries to a territory resident are of no consequence. Hurry.”
The Doctor entered the operating room with the woman.
The danger wasn’t over yet. But at least the injured could now receive the best possible care, and for that I was grateful.
“Phew…”
I let out a small sigh and sat in the waiting chair in the corridor.
“Tsk.”
Luderne Sellen clicked his tongue and sat beside me.
“After living as a commoner for a few years, have you become one to your very bones? I’ve never heard of a noble who would insist on treating others first in such circumstances.”
“I know the law too. But anyone can see her injuries are more severe. Besides, she’s the Teacher’s Daughter.”
“…”
Luderne Sellen looked at me.
“I suspect you would have done the same even if the injured weren’t the Teacher’s Daughter.”
I didn’t avoid his gaze. His suspicion was correct. I would have done it regardless of who it was.
“It’s the rational choice. And protecting the territory residents is the lord’s duty.”
As I spoke, laughter came naturally.
“Besides, there are nobles in this world who would treat others first. His Majesty does, which is why he didn’t stop my decision right away.”
“…”
“I heard about it. Isn’t that why you saved Sir Jester when you went to war?”
At my pointed remark, Luderne Sellen clicked his tongue in displeasure.
His inability to refute me was oddly captivating.
Seeing his sharp features anew filled me with warmth, and an unbidden smile graced my lips.
“Is this really the time to smile? Sigh… wait a moment.”
With a long exhale, Luderne Sellen rose and soon returned with a small basin of water and a bottle of spirits.
He set the basin and bottle on the floor, then knelt on one knee before me, grasping my leg to examine it closely.
“Your Highness?”
Kneeling like that.
I was startled by such an unbecoming display from a Grand Duke.
Yet he seemed utterly indifferent, his gaze fixed solely on my wound.
“Wounds from beasts must first be cleansed thoroughly.”
Luderne Sellen withdrew a silk handkerchief from his breast. His crimson eyes lifted to meet mine.
“Does it hurt? It must hurt terribly.”
His expression and voice brimmed with concern.
Somehow the tension drained from me entirely. Only then did the wound begin to throb and sting.
Yet my response was predetermined.
“I must endure it.”
“How stubborn. Sigh…”
He pressed his lips together firmly before shaking his head slightly.
“No, forgive me. I should have followed immediately. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
He dampened the silk handkerchief with water and applied it to my leg. The instant the cloth touched the wound, my body flinched involuntarily.
“It pains you greatly, I see. I’ll cleanse the wound and disinfect it with spirits. Bear with the sting for just a moment.”
He carefully washed away the blood seeping from my wound. In the corridor, only the soft splashing of water could be heard.
Soon Luderne Sellen spoke first.
“You must have endured such hardship and suffering. There were surely countless times when you couldn’t fathom why the pain existed. It was far too cruel to accept as mere fate.”
Deep sorrow permeated his quiet voice.
“I am truly sorry for all the suffering I’ve caused you.”
“…”
I was taken aback.
Typically, the higher one’s station, the less one apologizes, yet Luderne Sellen had now apologized twice in succession today.
“Please don’t trouble yourself. The beast was dreadful, but thinking back on it now, I survived because Your Highness came to me.”
Had I come alone without Luderne Sellen, the woman and I would by now be…
The thought sent a chill racing down my spine.
“No, it is entirely my fault for being so powerless.”
Shaking his head, he wore an expression of genuine gravity.
‘Why is he like this today?’
Soon I realized something odd about the context of his words.
Presently, Luderne Sellen poured spirits onto the wound. It stung fiercely, but disinfection was always thus, so I could only grit my teeth.
“Now we need only await the Doctor’s care.”
Setting the basin and bottle aside, Luderne Sellen settled into the waiting chair beside me.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I appreciate your concern.”
Luderne gazed at me intently. After a moment, his lips brushed softly against my forehead before withdrawing.
He interlaced his fingers with mine and held my hand.
It was something he never did in public, so I stared at him openly. Luderne exhaled a shallow sigh through his nose.
“I have something to say. But if you leave midway through listening, it will be difficult. However, if you find it hard to bear with people watching, we can let go and I’ll speak anyway. Just promise you won’t leave no matter what you hear.”
Instead of answering immediately, I looked down at our interlaced hands. The sensation of his touch between my fingers felt wonderful.
The corridor waiting room was empty.
I applied gentle pressure to our interlaced hands.
Because I didn’t want to let go either, not now.
“It’s fine. Please, go ahead.”
A soft smile appeared at Luderne’s lips. He was already a handsome man even when expressionless, but seeing him smile at me made my heart flutter—I couldn’t quite adjust to it.
I averted his gaze and barely managed to speak.
“You’re acting strange today.”
“Strange? Me?”
“Yes. I’m seeing expressions I’ve never seen from you before.”
“Today was simply eventful. I even witnessed something I never thought I’d see—a person transforming into a fish right before my eyes.”
Luderne chuckled softly and covered our interlaced hands with his other hand.
“The conversation we had on the way to the cemetery earlier gave me much to think about. I wanted to clarify things first, lest there be any misunderstanding.”
I looked up at him directly. This time, a faint blush crept across Luderne’s cheeks.
Unable to maintain eye contact with me, his gaze quickly shifted elsewhere.
“It must be something serious, but the atmosphere feels….”
The hand I held trembled slightly.
Though he said it was serious, I’d never seen Luderne react this way before. It made me feel as though everything would be all right.
“Please, tell me. I’m listening.”
Luderne cleared his throat softly.
“The reason your appearance as Priscilla of Raber Salon must remain that way isn’t because I like that appearance.”

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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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