About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 144

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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 144. It Doesn’t Matter If You Don’t Love Me
In that moment, my body tilted backward.
Luderne’s arm firmly supported my waist, so I didn’t fall, but my leg reflexively lifted into the air.
The conflict in my heart—whether to resist or embrace him—resolved itself beyond my control.
I found myself wrapping my arms around Luderne’s neck.
I felt the corners of his lips curve upward against mine.
Soon our lips parted.
With only our noses nearly touching, our eyes met.
“A surprise kiss—how mischievous of you, Your Highness.”
“Better than shamelessness, wouldn’t you say?”
….
After speaking, Luderne set me upright and withdrew a letter from where it had been tucked behind his waist.
“So. What is this?”
Luderne’s expression hardened slightly as he examined both sides of the letter.
“The sender is….”
“Yes. That’s why I brought it to show you.”
Luderne unfolded the letter.
His crimson eyes moved deliberately across the contents.
In the meantime, Walter returned after retrieving the fishing equipment.
Luderne folded the letter and spoke to Walter.
“At the Harbor, there’s my horse. Bring it here.”
Walter bowed slightly and headed toward the Harbor.
Once Walter had gone far enough that our conversation wouldn’t be heard, Luderne returned the letter to me.
“The letters arrived separately, but their expected arrival dates are the same. The King and Young Lady Bilsty….”
Luderne fell silent for a moment before continuing.
“No, it appears Melissa is coming with them. And it seems the King is moving because of his consort…. I didn’t think the two of them were on such intimate terms.”
From what I could see, neither did I.
So perhaps something had happened between the two of them during the time we hadn’t seen them that would explain this development.
Even when Zerox had looked after Melissa, it wasn’t to this extent.
‘Has Melissa’s value risen enough to move the King himself?’
A sense of regret washed over me.
Perhaps, with a life that wouldn’t last long anyway, I should have focused on checking Melissa’s movements in the Capital rather than searching for my title.
Then I could have prevented the two of them from becoming this close.
The reason in the letter that explained Melissa’s rising value was singular, so I asked Luderne calmly.
“Is the content of the letter true? That Your Highness connected Melissa to Doerban Empire high society?”
Luderne nodded without hesitation.
“I invited her to a party in the Doerban Empire and left her there.”
Luderne slowly rubbed his chin and reached his own conclusion.
“Perhaps she gained some influence there. It’s possible the King moved because of the ripple effects.”
He seemed to be thinking the same way I was.
Luderne did not explain why he had sent Melissa there.
Yet from the timing alone, I could discern his intention was to aid me. If she went there, she could not return in time for the trial.
Even the undefeated lawyer Gillian might have faced difficulty had Melissa and Count Veloda Genoma arrived at the opportune moment.
Regardless, I felt grateful to Luderne for moving on my behalf.
“Thank you for your help.”
“Think nothing of it. From your letter, I gathered the King’s movements troubled you. Melissa would have managed on her own.”
His words rang true.
I had already secured control of the fiefdom, and with Melissa’s origins exposed, I held the advantage here. My only concern was her backer—one who wielded power so recklessly—arriving in this place.
“So, how do you wish to respond?”
I thought of Eclite.
Luderne was preparing to strike at him here, and I could not afford Zerox becoming an obstacle.
After turning these thoughts over, I spoke to Luderne.
“A squall can sometimes be weathered depending on circumstances. But if it becomes a tempest, it is better to avoid it.”
“So you mean to observe the state of both and judge whether it is a squall or a storm before acting.”
“Yes. For now, it seems safest to assume it will be a tempest. So….”
I advised Luderne to hide until Zerox departed.
A look of displeasure immediately crossed his face.
“What are you saying? The King is one who might hang you by the neck the moment he perceives you lack any protection.”
“I am concerned. I fear the King may discern that your presence here serves a military purpose.”
“That is possible. Should it come to that, matters would become quite troublesome indeed.”
Luderne nodded without objection and turned his steps toward the Harbor.
At his beckoning glance, I quickly moved to his side and walked with him.
“However, even with thorough preparation for a tempest, one can still weather it. We have some time before his arrival—why not move to a suitable location and devise a strategy together?”
His tone, suggesting he would lend his strength, brought me some reassurance.
“And these past few days, while fishing, I have given the matter considerable thought.”
Luderne surveyed the surroundings.
“Looking at it again, this place possesses excellent military positioning. Seeing it reminded me of what you once told me—that should you die, you would make me the heir to this fiefdom.”
“…That is true.”
“You seem resigned to forgoing new love, yet you desire the prosperity of this fiefdom.”
I nodded.
Just then, Walter appeared leading Luderne’s white horse.
Our conversation paused briefly.
Luderne took the reins and mounted me first, then settled behind me, grasped the bridle, and guided the horse along the coastal road.
The open sea stretched before us, and my vision grew bright.
His chest against my back remained broad and firm, and it felt comforting.
After riding for a while in the sea breeze, Luderne returned to the matter he had raised before.
“So I would like to make a transaction.”
“A transaction? What sort of…?”
“First, write me a contract.”
As I turned to look back, Luderne’s hand brushed across my face.
“Do not speak of inheritance by word alone—leave it in writing. I shall develop this fiefdom.”
It was not difficult, so I nodded readily.
“Thank you. I’ll arrange for a Notary Public.”
“And there is one more condition. This matter cannot be notarized, so we shall make an oral contract instead.”
“A condition?”
“You will live as my mistress for the time remaining.”
“I beg your pardon?”
My eyes widened in shock, and Luderne countered as though I were the one being unreasonable.
“Do you not recall that audacious remark about wishing to continue as my mistress in the future?”
“….”
“How utterly absurd it seems upon reflection.”
My face burned, and I could only press my lips together in silence.
‘I had said it hoping he would close his heart and sever ties with me completely.’
“Perhaps with so little time remaining, your courage has grown bold. To speak such words to me, an Archduke of the Empire.”
I had no choice but to apologize.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking at that moment.”
“What you were thinking matters little. Once words are spoken to me, they cannot be taken back.”
Shortly after, he helped me down from the horse and led it to a stable some distance from the log cabin.
He moved about with such ease, as though it were his own home, that I could not help but ask.
“Your Highness, what is this place…?”
“After you departed, the staff’s glances grew rather sharp.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Upon inquiry, it seemed I was regarded as a wretch who made the fiefdom’s master weep.”
“What? They dared show such disrespect to Your Highness?”
I opened my eyes wide in surprise, and Luderne chuckled softly.
“A jest. I required a quiet lodging, so I purchased and furnished this place some time ago.”
As Luderne opened the rather heavy wooden door, the interior revealed itself to be far more refined than the exterior suggested.
Save for the bathroom, the structure was entirely open.
A bed befitting nobility, a sofa, a table, and other necessary furnishings occupied their proper places.
As I stepped inside and surveyed the interior, I lifted the red curtains draped along the wall slightly.
Beyond the expansive window lay a refreshing sea, a beach abloom with wildflowers, and a harbor visible in the distance—all at a glance.
“How beautiful.”
“This location possesses a particular charm. The night sea is worth seeing as well. It is quite a romantic place.”
At those words, I wished to see the full vista.
As I moved to draw the curtains fully open, Luderne, standing close behind me, pulled them shut again.
“Now is not the time to admire the view.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I mentioned the night sea is worth seeing.”
“It seems worth seeing even now.”
“It cannot be seen now. If the curtains are open, those outside will see within.”
His lips branded themselves against the nape of my neck like a seal of possession.
The sudden proximity made my body stiffen slightly.
Luderne’s large hand gripped my waist, and his body pressed firmly against my back.
“Your Highness? If you suddenly do this…”
His lips brushed against my ear.
“I told you. Live as my mistress. No matter what madness seizes my mind, once a word leaves my lips directed at you, I cannot take it back.”
He embraced me from behind, already beginning to unfasten my clothes.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t love me.”

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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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