About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 154

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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 154. The King, People, and Towns
“Sensing the end was near, he summoned a magistrate and a scribe to witness as he penned two letters.”
One arrived at the Imperial Palace for me by fortunate timing, while a messenger carried the other to Eclite.
Though I had no idea where Eclite was at present.
And at Luderne’s next words, I was genuinely startled.
“The magistrate said the Former King designated me as his successor.”
It was truly momentous news for Luderne.
Yet on the other hand, my emotions grew complicated.
The conditional acceptance of our relationship.
I had agreed to remain his consort only until my death, but I never expected the matter of the throne to surface so quickly.
Wouldn’t it be better for the world and Luderne’s stability as Emperor if I departed sooner?
‘If Luderne becomes Emperor, then I will….’
While I deliberated, Sir Jester’s expression bloomed like a flower as he swiftly prostrated himself before Luderne.
“My congratulations, Your Majesty!”
But Luderne waved his hand dismissively.
“Not yet. It’s conditional. To become Crown Prince, I must first receive an important document from someone close to me, or so he said.”
“Someone close to Your Majesty?”
“He entrusted it to them, asking it be delivered to me.”
At Luderne’s gesture, Sir Jester straightened and inquired.
“Then let us go fetch it at once. Who is this person?”
“That’s… where things become rather complicated.”
Luderne handed me the Emperor’s letter with a wry smile.
Upon receiving the letter, I was taken aback.
I rubbed my eyes several times in disbelief, yet the contents remained the same.
“Why would an important document be entrusted to Melissa Bilsty?”
“I’m uncertain of the full circumstances, but there’s only one logical reason. She’s the sister of the Crown Princess, and since I brought her in, he likely mistook her for being on my side. In any case, seeing this letter, I now understand why Zerox moved.”
I thought I understood as well.
“It’s highly likely Melissa Bilsty passed it to Zerox. Zerox would have then delivered it to Eclite. Which means the probability of that document reaching Your Majesty is….”
I bit my lip firmly.
I felt apologetic toward Luderne, who was suffering greatly from this tangled curse of misfortune.
At my words, Sir Jester released a heavy sigh.
“Ah, this situation has become truly twisted. Wouldn’t this mean not becoming Crown Prince, but facing outright assassination threats?”
“Eclite is certainly capable of such things.”
At Luderne’s acknowledgment, Sir Jester exhaled deeply.
“Ah, it seems not only Your Majesty but your close associates will be in danger as well….”
“You might be first on the list.”
At Luderne’s response, Sir Jester pouted his lips.
“Are you jesting?”
“Does it seem like a jest?”
“It doesn’t appear to be, and my spirits are sinking further. Then isn’t Priscilla also in danger?”
“I have to protect her.”
The answer came immediately.
Sir Jester, observing Luderne’s unwavering gaze, soon ran a hand through his hair as if his thoughts had grown complicated.
“Ah, this is giving me a headache. Your Highness, what should I do now?
“What do you mean, what? When I’m away, you need to protect Priscilla. First, I’ll brief you on our plan, so listen carefully.”
Luderne shared our plan with Sir Jester.
By now, Zerox and Melissa Bilsty would have already infiltrated the fiefdom and grasped the entire situation—our plan was to ensure they could never return to the Capital.
“Ah, that’s quite good. If it succeeds, we’ll seize the Arde Kingdom first, and also achieve Priscilla’s revenge….”
After hearing the full plan, Sir Jester’s enthusiasm surged as he clenched both fists tightly.
“And even if we lose the Doorban Empire, we’ll at least survive. I understand.”
Sir Jester pulled a spatial transfer scroll from his pocket.
“Then I’ll return to the Bilsty Estate first. Please take care of yourselves, both of you.”
After Sir Jester disappeared, we moved to the lodging in the Daicer Marquis Territory.
Luderne and I linked arms and headed toward the bustling streets. It was to prepare for our entry into the Bilsty Estate.
After ordering an open two-seater carriage and loading the necessary luggage, it happened.
“We greet the Grand Duke, Your Highness.”
Four sturdy knights traveling the road recognized Luderne and bowed respectfully. They were dressed in the uniforms of the Arde Kingdom’s Royal Palace knights.
“What brings Royal Palace knights all the way out here?”
One of the knights answered Luderne’s question respectfully.
“His Majesty the King has issued an urgent arrest warrant, and we’ve been in pursuit.”
“An urgent arrest warrant? Issued directly by the King?”
The knight produced a portrait of me.
“Yes. We’re trying to apprehend this woman. She’s the Countess of the Bilsty Estate, and she fled after committing a crime.”
“A countess, and a crime?”
Then another knight stepped forward.
“Ah, you didn’t know? Even though you’ve separated, I thought you’d be aware.”
At this unexpected remark, one of Luderne’s eyebrows rose.
“The fiefdom’s residents have testified that you were with her until recently.”
Unlike the speaking knight, tension filled the expressions of the others.
It couldn’t be helped. It was a matter that could easily become a knight’s disrespectful intrusion into the private affairs of the Grand Duke Luderne.
But the knight seemed unaware of how loose his tongue was.
“He said she committed terrible crimes—abusing and torturing the foster mother who raised her, and severing her fingers.”
I was startled by facts I hadn’t even known.
At my reaction, the knights’ gazes suddenly fixed on me, which was rather embarrassing.
Then Luderne crossed his arms.
“Even if that were true, I don’t understand why the King’s knight would personally pursue her.”
“Because she’s the mother of Lady Melissa Bilsty.”
“I’m well aware of that. Which is precisely why I don’t understand.”
The knight looked frustrated at Luderne’s indifferent response.
After surveying the knights’ expressions, Luderne let out a deliberate sigh through his nose.
“I spent a few days with Count Bilsty, and….”
His gaze fixed upon me.
“My lover found out about it.”
The words trailed off.
But the knights’ expressions made it clear they understood the implications.
Only then did I grasp Luderne’s intention.
Rather than condemning the knight’s loose tongue, Luderne intended to weaponize it.
After all, nothing spread truth through the world quite like rumor.
I immediately moved close to Luderne’s side and gently took his large hand.
“Your Highness, if you say such things here, I won’t know where to put myself….”
Luderne’s deep-set eyes curved into a smile.
“Well, what do you think? This incident made me realize my true feelings. I don’t mind if everyone knows.”
Luderne tenderly squeezed my hand for the knights to see.
Then he spoke to the knights again.
“All I know is that The King is being deceived.”
“…Pardon?”
Following the bewildered knight’s response, the others chimed in one after another.
“The King is being deceived, you say?”
“Might we ask what you mean by that, sir?”
Such a bombshell statement had completely shattered the tension that had gripped them.
Luderne shook his head regretfully.
“Melissa Bilsty is not the Count’s sister at all. She’s the daughter of a coachman named Wood. Moreover, she conspired with Count Veloda Genoma to force a remarriage and even plotted his murder to steal the Count’s vast fortune.”
“…!”
“If The King chooses to overlook the criminal conspiracy of a mere commoner born of infidelity out of love, then there’s nothing more to say….”
The knights’ eyes widened in shock.
“Though the Count was deeply enraged, he couldn’t bring himself to order her execution because he raised her. That was the last I saw of the situation.”
Luderne then patted each of the speechless knights on the shoulder in turn.
“In any case, I haven’t seen her since, but it seems to be The King’s directive, so carry out your duties faithfully.”
Luderne glanced around and gestured toward the harbor.
“Now that I think about it, if the Count came here, he might be planning to board a ship.”
The knight nodded in agreement, as if suddenly enlightened.
“Ah, that could very well be.”
“Why not inquire about the ships? The Quindel will be arriving soon anyway, so you can investigate together.”
Having said his piece, Luderne smiled brightly at me.
“Thank you for waiting so long. Now, shall we depart?”
I offered him a gentle smile in return.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Luderne escorted me into the open carriage, then turned to the bewildered knights.
“Carry on.”
The knights bowed respectfully.
“Thank you. Safe travels, Your Majesty!”
“Mm.”
Luderne nodded and flicked the reins with a snap.
The carriage began to roll, and the knights who had saluted remained in place until we had traveled some distance before they finally moved.
As I watched the knights recede into the distance, I felt something warm and soft brush against my cheek.
It was Luderne’s lips against my cheek.
When I turned to face him, his lips met mine as though he had been waiting for that very moment.
A kiss in an open carriage in broad daylight, no less.
As I tried to pull away, Luderne wrapped his hand around the back of my neck and drew me closer.
“Your Majesty, people are… mmph.”

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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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