About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 156

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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 156. The Face of a Romantic
Outdoor romance in broad daylight had its own unique charm and pleasures, but we could only arrive at the Bilsty Territory Port after the sun had completely set.
With nightfall, the harbor blazed with light and bustled with activity from the tavern tent and casino that Madame Laber had established.
Madame Laber, holding a long pipe in her hand, and Sir Jester stood at the casino entrance, speaking with three Royal Knights about something.
When Luderne Sellen brought the carriage to a halt before them, their gazes immediately shifted toward us.
“Oh my goodness, darling! You’ve finally arrived!”
Sir Jester and the wide-eyed knights immediately bowed their heads, but Madame Laber welcomed me.
Though it was a rehearsed act, it was so convincing that I couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes, Madame Laber. It’s been quite some time.”
She immediately tapped the ash from her pipe, tucked it under one arm, and grasped both my hands firmly.
“How are you feeling? Was the business trip exhausting? How is the Raber Salon in Daiser?”
She asked about my well-being and the salon simultaneously, then glanced at the area near my neck and bit her red lips knowingly.
I swallowed an embarrassed laugh.
“The salon in Daiser is running smoothly. It seems to be thriving.”
“Well, that’s a relief, but… sigh.”
With a sigh, Madame Laber’s gaze turned toward Luderne Sellen.
“Now then, Your Grace.”
At her artless response, Luderne Sellen let out a hollow laugh.
“If you’ve seen, you should show proper respect. Are you planning to complain first?”
“Ahem, I greet you, Your Grace.”
She pouted her lips while offering proper courtesy, then let out another sigh.
“But still, still, still…”
After looking at me, then at Luderne Sellen, then back at me repeatedly, she grabbed my arm and expressed genuine concern.
“Darling, aren’t you absolutely exhausted right now? It seems His Grace won’t let you rest for even a moment?”
“Really, Madame. When you were introducing this very person so enthusiastically?”
The one who answered instead of me, with a clearing of his throat, was Luderne Sellen.
“Besides, we’re not alone here, and there are people listening.”
At those words, the knights standing awkwardly nearby quickly lowered their heads.
“W-we apologize for our rudeness, Your Grace.”
“What brings the Royal Knights all the way here?”
The knights explained the situation.
Zerox had come with Melissa Bilsty, and Count Bilsty was now under a warrant—stories we already knew.
Luderne Sellen nodded once and turned his gaze toward the dock.
“So that’s the fleet of His Majesty the King that I’ve only heard about. Is His Majesty aboard the ship?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Not at the Count’s Residence.”
“Aside from two servants loyal to the Countess, everyone else apparently fled.”
“Fled?”
The knights shrugged their shoulders.
“They must have had something to hide. They’re all under warrant.”
“I see.”
Luderne Wintem withdrew a pocket watch and checked the time.
“I’d like to greet them properly, but it’s getting late. Besides, we’re exhausted.”
Then he tilted his head thoughtfully.
“Actually, is there any need to meet them? Our paths just happened to cross.”
After tucking the pocket watch back into his pocket, Luderne Wintem wrapped his arm around my shoulder in a deliberate gesture.
“We’re too busy with each other.”
“My, Your Highness.”
At my deliberately exaggerated reaction, Luderne Wintem’s lips curved upward softly.
“Hmm, I thought I asked you to call me by my name?”
“Even so.”
I playfully poked his chest with my finger.
At the same time, I glanced at the knights watching us in bewilderment and offered them a knowing smile.
“There are eyes watching, after all.”
Luderne Wintem laughed once, then pulled me closer to his chest as he spoke to the knights.
“My chocolate is like that, so off you go.”
The knights bowed respectfully and withdrew.
Once they were out of sight, I covered my cheeks with both hands. While Luderne Wintem’s lover act was convincing, it was also utterly embarrassing.
Luderne Wintem was so thoroughly enveloped in Priscilla’s skirts that he seemed to lose his senses entirely.
Though this was the behavior we’d orchestrated to spread rumors, I couldn’t help but think Luderne Wintem’s method acting was perhaps a bit too enthusiastic.
“You’re embarrassed.”
As Luderne Wintem chuckled softly, Madame Raber laughed as well.
“Anyone can see you’re a lover for the ages, Your Highness. What more could be expected?”
She then pointed toward the Harbor Office.
“Your Highness, we’ve completed temporary lodging beside the Harbor Office. Leave the carriage to your attendants and proceed there.”
Luderne Wintem, Sir Jester, and I followed Madame Raber’s guidance. Just as she said, a tent had been erected right beside the building.
“It may be noisy outside, but please rest here tonight.”
Though it appeared to be a tent covered in thick leather from the outside, the interior was no less comfortable than a well-appointed inn.
As we entered the tent, eight armed mercenaries took positions around it.
“I could have gone to my residence.”
At Luderne Wintem’s remark, Madame Raber lowered her voice.
“This is a manifest of those who arrived on The King’s ship.”
She revealed that her own intelligence operatives were aboard the vessel.
“There’s someone who appears to be the Prince of the Doorban Empire, though they’re not listed on the manifest. Since this person is unpredictable, we’re increasing hidden security.”
“I wondered where Eclite had gone.”
Luderne Wintem murmured as if to himself, then unfolded the manifest.
“Anne was here too.”
I recognized the names listed: Zerox, Melissa Bilsty, Anne, Jeanne, and even Jeanne’s Mother.
‘Jeanne and her mother are here.’
While I felt concern for their safety, I also sensed that matters might become easier.
At that moment, Madame Laber pointed to a name on the list.
“Your Highness would know this, but she wouldn’t, so let me inform her….”
The person she indicated was Baron Ugly.
“You must be cautious with every word spoken in front of this man.”
I had never seen Baron Ugly up close, but I remembered the noblewoman’s whispers about him during the Royal Elegance Contest.
“Is he a dangerous person?”
It was Luderne Sellen who nodded in agreement.
“He’s one of the King’s advisors, or so I’ve heard. Though he’s shunned in high society, there are rumors that he’s remarkably skilled in intelligence gathering.”
“Remarkably skilled, you say?”
“I haven’t experienced it myself, so I can’t be certain, but apparently he’s quite adept at concealing himself and extracting useful information.”
Luderne Sellen tapped Baron Ugly’s name with his finger and then examined the other names on the list.
There were quite a few names of elite knights and sailors listed as well.
After reviewing the list once, I noticed that Olivia was missing.
‘Olivia had been receiving considerable favor from the King.’
I wondered if perhaps Melissa Bilsty had completely monopolized Zerox, so I asked deliberately.
“Miss Olivia isn’t on the list?”
At my question, Madame Laber gently waved her cigarette holder.
“Well, she wasn’t there.”
“Have they had a falling out?”
“Who knows. I’ve been away traveling for a while, so I’m not entirely certain, but His Majesty’s demeanor this time seems rather peculiar.”
“Peculiar? In what way?”
“He brought Melissa Bilsty along, but the atmosphere feels rather stiff, if you will.”
At that moment, Luderne Sellen slowly stroked his chin.
“Perhaps he doesn’t wish to place his beloved mistress in danger.”
“In danger… you say?”
“There are certain details that seem to fit together.”
Sir Jester asked the question, and Luderne Sellen chuckled softly before answering, then reviewed the list once more and withdrew a spatial transfer scroll from his pocket.
“I’ll go visit Brissel Mohr.”
Madame Laber and Sir Jester bowed their heads.
“We’ll make it seem as though you rested here.”
Luderne Sellen and I moved to where Brissel Mohr was located.
The place where Brissel Mohr was staying was the village where Gillian cared for the children.
I had expected it to be dark and quiet unlike the harbor at this hour, but it was brighter than anticipated.
“Gasp! Your Highness?”
Brissel Mohr’s voice immediately rang out.
Turning around, I saw a large bonfire burning brightly, and he was sitting on a log placed on one side.
He held an open book in one hand, and a young girl who appeared to be about five years old sat on his lap.
Unlike his usual crisp appearance, he was dressed in pajamas.
Around the bonfire, children were gathered closely together.
A lute leaned against the log near Brissel Mohr’s legs. It seemed he had been playing instruments and reading stories to the children.
“Wait a moment, you two. Something’s come up.”
Brissel Mohr attempted to gently set the child down from his lap.
“No, Grandfather!”
The child clung to Brissel Mohr’s neck, hanging from him with all their might.
Caught off guard, Brissel Mohr tried to soothe the child.
“No, wait. Just a moment. I’ll be right back.”
“No! Wahhh! Hold me!”
The whimpering child was utterly stubborn, wrapping both legs firmly around Brissel Mohr’s waist with no intention of letting go.
Brissel Mohr sighed in resignation, handing a book to the child beside him, then rose with the clinging child cradled in his arms and bowed respectfully to Luderne Sellen.
“I apologize for this awkward situation.”
Brissel Mohr appeared quite flustered.
Luderne Sellen let out a hollow laugh at the sight.
“What happened in such a short time? You’ve become a grandfather.”

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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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