About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 136

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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 136. An Affectionate Gesture
Not because I found Priscilla’s appearance appealing?
“Then…yes?”
That was when it happened.
“Count Bilsty!”
“Priscilla!”
The Chief Administrator and Sir Jester came rushing over breathlessly. The urgent message I had sent while heading to the hospital had apparently reached them.
“Of all the timing….”
Luderne Sellen clicked his tongue softly in displeasure and squeezed my hand with a subtle firmness.
“We’ll continue this conversation tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes. At my lodging.”
My face flushed at words that seemed to promise something intimate.
Luderne Sellen released my hand and regarded Sir Jester and the Chief Administrator with his usual expression.
The Chief Administrator and Sir Jester bowed respectfully before us.
“We were truly shocked to hear the news. What on earth has happened?”
As the Chief Administrator spoke with evident concern, Sir Jester gazed upon my disheveled appearance as though the world itself had crumbled.
“Your leg is injured, isn’t it? Why haven’t you received treatment yet?”
“Someone with more serious injuries went into the Operating Room first. I only have scratches, so I can receive treatment gradually.”
At my words, the Chief Administrator sighed.
“Though there were many jackals during the Hunting Festival, the forest near the Cemetery isn’t particularly deep, so there were scarcely any there….”
The Chief Administrator suggested that the jackals who had fled during the previous Hunting Festival must have migrated to that area.
He soon offered his own countermeasures.
“To prevent recurrence, I will erect a tall fence around the Cemetery perimeter. We’ll post warning signs about jackals at the entrance, and visitors to the Cemetery will be required to carry weapons.”
“That won’t be sufficient.”
It was Luderne Sellen, his eyes cold and sharp, who cut in.
“A person has been gravely injured, and Count Bilsty himself was in danger. The jackals must not set foot in the Bilsty Estate at all.”
The Chief Administrator bowed his head.
“We wish for that as well, Your Highness. However, given their sheer numbers, driving them beyond a certain perimeter is currently our best option.”
“The territory residents could simply go out and hunt them daily.”
“They all have livelihoods to sustain. That’s why we hold the Hunting Festival on designated days.”
“….”
Luderne Sellen crossed his arms. The Chief Administrator, sensing his evident displeasure, clasped his hands together and watched his expression carefully.
After a moment of thought, Luderne Sellen spoke.
“Even if three silver coins are offered per jackal?”
Three silver coins.
By the standards of the world before my regression, that amounted to three hundred thousand won.
Most of the territory’s residents earned roughly one silver coin per day at best. It was hardly surprising that the Chief Administrator was astonished.
“Yes, yes? Are you saying you’ll place a bounty on jackal hunting?”
“You mentioned concerns about their livelihoods. I observed during the previous Hunting Festival that they’re all skilled hunters. Establish outposts, station people there, and distribute silver coins immediately upon capture.”
After finishing his words, Luderne Sellen nodded toward the Chief Administrator.
“What are you waiting for? Go post the announcement at once.”
The Chief Administrator’s gaze turned toward me.
I saw the question in his eyes—seeking the lord’s permission—so I asked Luderne Sellen.
“Your Highness, are you not spending rather too much money on this…?”
I should have asked if it would be alright, but the words wouldn’t come easily. Something about my question felt off.
As I pondered why, Luderne Sellen let out a soft chuckle.
“Surely you’re not harboring the peculiar notion that my finances might be strained by such a sum.”
Only then did I recognize the absurdity in my own question. Worrying about Luderne Sellen’s wealth was perhaps the most foolish thing one could do.
When I thought about it, this entire fiefdom would soon become his.
There was only one appropriate response.
“I am grateful for your consideration of the people’s peace, Your Highness. Please proceed with it, Chief Administrator.”
At my approval, the Chief Administrator bowed deeply several times.
“Thank you. I shall post the announcement immediately.”
The Chief Administrator rushed out in haste.
At that moment, the Operating Room door opened and the Doctor and Nurse emerged.
The Doctor wiped his brow and released a weary sigh.
“The arm injury is severe. I’ve completed the sutures after local anesthesia, but we must carefully monitor the recovery process during hospitalization.”
The Doctor assured us that while scarring would likely be significant, there was no danger to life.
“The patient has fallen asleep from exhaustion. Since only the Nurse and I are on duty today, I’ll go fetch the mobile bed. Please wait only until we transfer her to the Hospital Ward.”
“Understood. Thank you for your hard work.”
Luderne Sellen’s voice suddenly interjected.
“Why wait until the mobile bed is moved? Sir Jester can simply carry her to the Hospital Ward. You should attend to the Count’s wounds first.”
“Pardon? Carry her?”
Sir Jester was the one taken aback.
“Priscilla needs treatment without a moment’s delay, does she not?”
Luderne Sellen nodded without so much as a blink.
Upon seeing my legs, Sir Jester quickly bowed respectfully.
“I shall do so at once.”
Soon a woman with bandages wrapped around both arms emerged cradled in Sir Jester’s embrace. The Nurse quickly led him ahead to the Hospital Ward.
The Doctor seated me on the bed and treated my legs. Soon my legs too were wrapped in bandages.
After completing the treatment, the Doctor prepared a day’s worth of medicine.
“These are painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication. They may cause drowsiness. While the wounds are not deep, take care to prevent infection, and you must change the bandages to fresh ones daily.”
“Understood.”
Luderne Sellen replied, and the Doctor bowed respectfully.
It was time to leave.
But the moment I rose from my seat and took a step, my body lifted into the air.
“Oh my!”
Startled, my flailing hands naturally found their way to Luderne Sellen’s broad chest.
Luderne Sellen had lifted me into his arms.
He wore an unbothered expression, but I, suddenly cradled like a princess, felt my face flush with heat.
“I-I can walk, Your Highness.”
Luderne Sellen’s gaze turned toward the Doctor.
“Yes. Walking shouldn’t cause any problems….”
“Since you’re injured, it’s better not to walk if you can help it.”
The Doctor’s eyes darted nervously at the firm interruption.
“…it’s easy to think that way, but that’s a misconception. There’s no way an injury wouldn’t cause problems. And naturally, the less you use it, the faster it heals.”
“Did you hear that? Stay as you are.”
Luderne Sellen took long strides while cradling me in his arms.
My face grew even hotter.
‘Is it because I nearly died from a wild dog bite? Why has he become so tender?’
As we stepped out of the Operating Room, Sir Jester stood waiting.
“Finish the remaining procedures. Keep watch until the woman wakes, then contact her family.”
After entrusting the follow-up to Sir Jester, Luderne Sellen brought me to his Lodging.
He had me take the medicine the Hospital provided, then sat me on his Bedroom bed.
“I’ll send word to Count’s Residence and take the necessary measures. The medicine might make you drowsy….”
What he brought and offered me was a fresh negligee.
“Change into it and rest for a while.”
I waved my hand to stop him.
“I cannot impose further on Your Highness.”
But Luderne Sellen simply pressed the negligee into my hands.
“Didn’t I say I had something to discuss later? Put it on.”
I had no choice against his insistence.
Once I changed clothes, he laid me down on the bed.
He carefully arranged my hair so it wouldn’t be uncomfortably pinched, personally draped the blanket over me, and brushed my forehead with his hand.
His soft expression and tender manner.
“Your Highness.”
I couldn’t help but speak.
“This feels so strange and unfamiliar…. Is it related to what you wanted to discuss later?”
Luderne Sellen’s hand stilled. His embarrassed expression showed he was aware his behavior differed from usual.
Soon his hand gently brushed my bangs once more.
“Just rest for now. Close your eyes.”
Following his words, I closed my eyes and fell asleep without realizing it.
When I awoke, the sun had completely set and evening had fallen.
“How does your body feel? Are you hungry?”
Luderne Sellen asked as if he’d been waiting.
He sat beside the bed, a single lamp glowing softly nearby, an open book in his hands.
“I’m fine, ah….”
As I tried to sit up, an involuntary groan escaped me. My back, waist, and hips throbbed with pain—something I hadn’t noticed before.
Luderne Sellen, observing my reaction quietly, closed the book he’d been reading.
“Bundling up isn’t impossible. For now, just stay as you are. Let’s eat first.”
Luderne Sellen arranged pillows against the headboard and had me lean back against them. Then he pulled the bell cord and lit several lamps, brightening the bedroom considerably.
Soon a staff member entered carrying a bed tray and set it before me.
A steaming soup and warm, soft bread were placed on it.
Shortly after, a small table of appropriate size was positioned beside Luderne Sellen as well.
The same menu was arranged on top of it.
Given the simple composition suited for eating in bed, I picked up a spoon without hesitation.
But after finishing the soup and bread, the staff member cleared the empty bowls and presented a shrimp appetizer.
No matter how I looked at it, this was a full formal dinner course.
“This is quite an elaborate meal to have in bed.”
“You’ll recover faster if you eat well.”
As the staff member left to fetch the next course, Luderne Sellen continued.
“Since this is also the first meal we’re sharing together, I asked them to put some care into it.”
I was genuinely startled.
Now that I thought about it, I had eaten many times at his mansion, but we had never dined together.
Even when I was Priscilla in the Capital, it was the same.
All I’d ever shared with him were drinks and light finger foods.
The moment I realized this, my heart began racing uncontrollably. It felt as though this meal carried some profound significance, some meaningful change.
“Even if your appetite isn’t great, I’d like you to eat for the sake of a swift recovery.”
There was only one thing I could say in response.
“It’s delicious. I’ll… enjoy it.”
After finishing the appetizer, white fish and white wine were served.
The meal progressed through expertly grilled steak and red wine, a colorful salad and cheese course, culminating in pudding for dessert.
Throughout the meal, Luderne Sellen said nothing. He seemed lost in thought, so I too focused quietly on eating.
Once we finished, Luderne Sellen lifted me into his arms.
‘Moving around doesn’t seem to cause any trouble…’
The staff member quickly changed the bed sheets and brought fresh blankets.
A bottle of liquor and glasses were also placed on one side.
Soon everyone left, and we were alone.
After setting me back down on the bed, Luderne Sellen extinguished several of the lamps. The bedroom light became soft and subdued, suitable for sleep.
It seemed the hour of the beast was drawing near.

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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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