About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 16

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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 16. Coercion and Warning
The gentle strains of violin music seemed to be drifting from somewhere on the first floor, where a window stood open.
The way the sound kept stopping and repeating suggested that someone was practicing the violin.
I rested my chin against the window frame and listened to the violin performance for a moment.
Even as practice, it was quite mellifluous.
As I gazed at the garden while listening to the violin, a memory of something I had once said suddenly surfaced, drawing a faint smile to my lips.
It was the first winter I spent at Baron Sellen’s Estate after our marriage.
I had gathered with the servants in the Reception Room to discuss preparations for the mansion’s spring renovation.
Since Luderne Sellen was present at the time, I had hoped he would discuss the spring preparations with me.
But he merely told me to do as I pleased, his face indifferent as he read the newspaper.
I carefully voiced my hopes.
First, I said I wished for climbing roses to cover the mansion’s exterior walls.
I thought white walls would be lovely, but since the rose leaves would conceal them anyway, there was no need to repaint.
I hoped the garden would have a diverse variety of flowers, and for the new trees, I spoke mainly of dwarf fruit trees.
If possible, I even wished for strawberries and small berries to grow on the gentle slope of the back hill, from which one could overlook the lake.
Then one of the servants asked a question.
Why did I desire dwarf fruit trees?
“I thought it would be nice if children could easily reach them. It also seemed like it would be good to let small animals roam freely.”
As I spoke, I found myself glancing at Luderne Sellen without meaning to.
He remained focused on his newspaper, but I thrilled inwardly.
Though there had been no news, I looked forward to the day when children born between us would play in such a garden.
At that recollection, a hollow laugh escaped me.
‘How foolish—dreaming of such things when I didn’t even know war was coming.’
Just then, the violin music ceased. The practice had ended.
In the silence, reality crashed back down upon me.
My heart grew heavier, and I felt guilt toward Luderne Sellen.
Of course, returning to being his wife seemed impossible now. Yet despite the curse, I had spent an enchanting night with another man—not my husband.
When I first regressed, I thought I could change the future and live well.
‘Instead, I nearly died sooner. I never imagined Melissa Bilsty would betray me like that.’
I sat on the edge of the bed and tapped my flushed cheeks lightly. Then I considered what I needed to do next.
‘First, I should thank the one who saved me…’
That was when I heard a soft knock.
The door opened, and a man entered carrying a tray with medicine and a cup of water.
‘Good heavens!’
The moment I saw his face, I was utterly shocked.
I covered my gaping mouth with both hands. It felt as though I had been struck in the head with a hammer.
No matter how I looked at him, he was Luderne Sellen.
“How are you feeling?”
He set the tray on the nightstand and spoke in an indifferent tone.
“I did as you instructed, and that stubborn fever vanished without a trace. I wonder if it truly was a curse after all… Either way, you must be quite exhausted.”
Luderne Sellen mixed medicine into a cup of water and handed it to me.
“Drink this, and your condition should improve.”
I stared at his face intently.
But he met my gaze without the slightest reaction.
“Did you… save me?”
My question went unanswered. He simply pushed the cup closer, urging me to take it.
“Th-thank you.”
I drank the medicine he offered.
The moment the bitter taste filled my mouth, I recognized it—familiar, yet missing something soft, sweet, and cool that should have been there.
It didn’t take long to identify what was absent.
Heat rose to my face.
“You should eat something now. Wait a moment.”
Luderne Sellen returned shortly with soup and soft white bread, accompanied by a middle-aged man with thinning hair.
“Ah, you’ve finally regained consciousness. I’m Smith, the doctor here on Heril Island. You’ve been unconscious for three days with a raging fever. Even antipyretics wouldn’t work, so I was worried, but you’ve miraculously come to. The fever has subsided as well.”
His words brought back memories of last night. Heat crept up my face again.
“Hmm.”
At my small cough, Smith glanced back.
Luderne Sellen was looking away.
Smith observed him with a puzzled expression for a moment, then turned back to me with a knowing smile.
“Whatever the reason, I’m truly relieved.”
After his examination, Smith handed me several small bottles of fatigue recovery medicine.
“Your recovery is progressing well. However, since you’ve been ill for several days, try eating light meals first, and if you feel fine, you can return to normal food. I’ll see you again next time.”
Once Smith left, Luderne Sellen seated me on a sofa in the corner of the room. Then he sat across from me, arms crossed, gesturing with his chin for me to eat.
But now was not the time for food. I had countless questions for him.
So many I didn’t know where to begin.
“I…”
The moment I opened my mouth, Luderne Sellen spoke first.
“Eat first.”
His low, resolute voice compelled me to pick up the spoon.
The pleasantly warm potato soup and white bread filled my empty stomach comfortingly.
Once I finished the soup, he rose to collect the empty bowl. Anxious at his departure, I quickly asked.
“Wait—do you remember me?”
Luderne Sellen looked at me.
“You’re a passenger I saw on the second-class deck of the Quindle.”
He settled back onto the sofa, sitting with rigid posture.
“You were collapsed on the beach for some reason.”
“…”
“Which means there was a flaw in the Quindle’s safety systems.”
With that, he released a small sigh.
“Though an unfortunate incident occurred, I’d appreciate your discretion about the accident. As the ship’s owner, I’d prefer to handle this quietly. I’ll provide sufficient compensation, so please keep this matter buried.”
I doubted my own ears at his words. Yet there was no wavering in those crimson eyes fixed upon me.
Unsettled by how utterly unfamiliar he seemed, I steadied my voice with renewed conviction.
“I am Priscilla Sellen. Baron Luderne Sellen’s wife—your wife. Surely you remember me?”
One of Luderne’s eyebrows arched upward.
“You went to war, and a year later, word came that you had fallen in battle.”
Even after saying this much, he continued to regard me as a stranger.
‘What on earth is happening?’
I grasped at a possible explanation for his ignorance.
“Your name is the same as his. Could it be… that you’ve suffered memory loss?”
He fell silent, crossing his arms as he gazed out the window for a moment. His expression remained as inscrutable as always, so I waited quietly for his response.
At last, his firm lips parted slowly.
“I am Duke Luderne Wintem of the Doerban Empire. I’ve come to this villa for rest.”
Luderne glanced elsewhere briefly before continuing.
“Now I understand why you reacted that way when we met on the ship. You had a husband with the same name as mine, and it seems you’re now mistaking me for that man.”
I shook my head urgently.
“It’s not a mistake. If you don’t remember me, then you must have suffered a head injury in the war. You were deployed to the war between the Doerban Empire and the Arde Kingdom.”
“It seems the shock of losing your husband in that war has affected you deeply. I offer my condolences on that matter.”
Luderne shook his head again and rose to his feet.
“I have never gone to war.”
“!”
It was devastating.
His lie left me utterly dazed.
“In any case, since you’ve faced a mortal crisis, rest and recover your health steadily. Once you’re well enough to leave the mansion, I’ll propose appropriate compensation.”
His response, as if he truly didn’t know me, made my heart race with desperation.
Just as I was about to insist this couldn’t be, Luderne, who had been heading toward the door, turned back to face me.
“You’re free to do as you wish within this island, but I’d prefer that you not mention what you just claimed, what happened last night, or the unfortunate incident aboard the Quindle again. Especially not in front of third parties.”
His gaze turned so piercing that my words caught in my throat. His expression, cold in a way that felt utterly alien, sent a chill through my chest.
“It would be better for your safety not to overstep. Erasing one person is hardly any trouble at all.”
From the husband I had only just reunited with came nothing but threats and warnings.
I was left completely speechless.

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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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