About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 162

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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 162. I Should Call Him Father
Luderne, who had remained silent all this while, stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
―It will be the end soon. I wish to hear you call me father.
But Luderne offered no response.
After waiting a moment, the Emperor seemed to abandon his desire to hear the desired title and spoke first.
―I thought I would not see you again, but I’m grateful I could before I go.
“I feel the same way.”
―Good. Did you receive the gift I left behind?
“Are you referring to the copy you gave to that woman, Melissa?”
―Yes.
The Emperor recited the contents contained in the copy in detail.
Those who heard it were shocked, their mouths hanging open in disbelief, while the Secretary’s hand moved even more frantically across the page.
―The original must exist for the evidence to hold weight. The location can be discerned from the copy. Even if the location becomes known, only you can find it. That should be sufficient to claim the throne.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. And I apologize.”
The Emperor’s displeasure at Luderne’s response was evident.
―Even with my support, you seem reluctant. Do you still claim to have no ambition for the throne?
“That’s not it. I never received it.”
The Emperor’s eyes widened.
―Why not?
“Because that woman is not among my trusted associates. She never delivered it to me.”
The Emperor fell silent for a moment.
After the silence, his words revealed why he had given the copy to Melissa.
―You brought her to me, or so I was told. Did that woman lie to me?
“I did bring her. My intention was to separate her from the one I love to protect them, but it seems circumstances unfolded by chance.”
―To separate her from the one you love….
The Emperor stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment.
The gesture seemed oddly reminiscent of Luderne’s own.
―Is it still only that woman for you? Priscilla Sellen.
At the name that fell from the Emperor’s lips, heat rose to my face. My heart raced with anxiety at remaining hidden among them.
“Yes. She is now Priscilla Bilsty, the Count’s wife.”
The Emperor let out a scoff of exasperation and began to grumble.
―Foolish boy. Tsk, tsk. I told you, yet in the end.
His reaction pained me.
As expected, I was an obstacle to Luderne, and the Emperor seemed to wish his son had a powerful family backing his authority.
―I cannot fathom it. If that were the case, that sister of yours would be a powerful ally. Why is she not among your trusted associates?
“That woman is the mistress of the King of Arde.”
At those words, the Emperor drew in a sharp breath.
―Ah…. Then I have inadvertently strengthened Eclite’s position. Zerox ascended the throne by borrowing power from Eclite. It is my mistake.
At the lament that followed, Luderne shook his head.
“No, Your Majesty. I failed to visit the Former King in time due to pressing matters. Please do not worry—I intend to locate a copy regardless. Most importantly, Former King…”
―Hmm?
Luderne glanced around before continuing.
“Everyone except Priscilla, leave us for a moment.”
At Luderne’s command, those in the room began filing out.
Yet the Secretary remained motionless, standing to one side with his head bowed.
“Why aren’t you leaving?”
The Secretary gripped his pen tightly in his hand.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty. Since the Emperor’s passing drew near, I have been recording and preserving all conversations. This is the law of the Empire. Even should you deem this offensive and order me to the scaffold, I must fulfill my duty as Secretary.”
At those words, Luderne sighed briefly before turning to the Emperor.
“Former King, I intend to ascend the imperial throne according to your will. Moreover, I shall bring the throne of Arde under my control as well.”
The Emperor’s lips curved upward sharply. Luderne’s resolve seemed to delight him immensely.
―Ah, now that’s excellent thinking. Hilda will be pleased as well.
“That is why I wish to introduce her to you.”
Luderne pulled my hand and drew me before the Emperor.
I was startled by his sudden action.
The Emperor dislikes me. Yet I never expected him to place me directly before him.
“This is the woman who shall be my Empress for life.”
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he studied me.
―I have not seen her before. From which noble house does she hail?
Cold sweat trickled down my spine at the Emperor’s response.
“A designer from Raber Salon. I am Priscilla.”
The Emperor’s expression darkened considerably.
―What? A salon designer? Then you are saying she is a commoner.
“Typically, yes.”
―How disappointing, Luderne.
Having reached his own conclusion, the Emperor’s gaze upon me grew ominous.
Yet Luderne lifted the corners of his mouth and gently urged me forward.
“You were not informed. This is the Emperor of the Doorban Empire and my father. Offer your respects.”
I was truly flustered.
But there was only one action I could take in this moment.
I bowed with utmost propriety.
“It is an honor to meet you, Sun of the Doorban Empire. I offer my belated greetings.”
“You should call me Father.”
Luderne’s voice was remarkably tender.
Yet it was an extraordinarily difficult request to comply with so readily.
―Luderne! What is the meaning of this! Why have you brought someone who works at a salon as your betrothed! And worse still, to have her use the title of father here—how utterly offensive!
At the Emperor’s rebuke, silence fell over the room.
With my head bowed, I could not gauge the Emperor’s mood, which only heightened my tension.
Would another thunderous outburst follow, or would words that tore at the heart emerge instead?
Either way, it felt as though I would bear a grievous wound, and vertigo washed over me.
I was barely holding myself together when the Emperor’s voice reached my ears.
―Lift your head and look at me.
His demeanor had grown considerably gentler.
I drew a quiet breath, then rose and met the Emperor’s gaze directly.
The Emperor, who had been studying me intently, tilted his head with curiosity.
―Your bearing from the very greeting is not that of a commoner. It rivals that of any noble lady from the finest houses.
The Emperor murmured as though speaking to himself, then turned to Luderne once more.
―How did this come to pass, my son?
Luderne opened his mouth without so much as a flicker of hesitation.
“The Former King believed she was Priscilla’s sister and gave her a copy, or so he said.”
―Indeed. And there is no need to alter the title I have already used.
Despite his considerable anger, the title of father itself seemed to please him.
As the Emperor’s demeanor retreated a step, a faint smile played at Luderne’s lips.
“Yes, Father.”
At Luderne’s compliant response, the Emperor’s manner softened as well. Yet the moment Luderne’s expression hardened once more, so too did the Emperor’s.
“Why did you give it to that woman?”
―Because I thought she was your confidant….
“Then you have already acknowledged Priscilla as your daughter-in-law, have you not?”
―….
The Emperor fell silent, and I was startled by the audacity of Luderne’s logical leap.
Yet Luderne pressed on without hesitation.
“Your anger now stems not from the gift itself, but from the fact that I, who once gazed only at Priscilla like a sunflower, have suddenly brought another woman before you, does it not?”
―….
After a moment of silence, the Emperor clicked his tongue and muttered, “Foolish boy.” Then, as his gaze fell upon his own form, his expression shifted.
I too could perceive it—his body growing progressively translucent.
He had little time remaining.
Luderne continued with composure and conviction.
“You know well, Father, what it feels like to be separated from one you love.”
―….
“And just as you loved my mother, you wished to place the world in my hands.”
At those words, the Emperor made no effort to conceal his sigh.
―A man who knows me well troubles my heart all the more.
“That is why I wish to hear your true feelings, Father.”
Luderne drew me close with one arm around my shoulders, pulling me toward him.
“Allow me to introduce her anew.”
The Emperor’s gaze fell upon me.
“Priscilla, who manages the Raber Salon, is in truth Count Bilsty—a woman who, abandoned by an incompetent husband and facing mortal peril and curses, has nonetheless achieved remarkable success in the high society of Arde.”
The Emperor’s eyes widened considerably.
―W-what did you say?
“Priscilla, would you introduce yourself once more?”
At Luderne’s words, I bowed respectfully to the Emperor again.
“Before the Sun of Doorban, I present myself anew by my true name. I am Priscilla Bilsty.”
―Your face is different, but how…?
“I possess an innate talent for altering my appearance, which I have used to ensure my safety.”
Silence descended once more.
No, it was not complete silence. From one corner came the frantic scratching of a pen recording everything, a sound that grated against the stillness.
―Raise your head.
At the Emperor’s command, I lifted my gaze.
The Emperor appeared bewildered, as though struck by profound shock.
Luderne took my hand once more.
“Father, I beseech you to grant Priscilla Bilsty your recognition and blessing.”
―….
“I was able to resolve myself to seize the world because there is someone I must protect.”
The Emperor’s and Luderne’s gazes tangled in the empty air between them.
How long did that moment stretch?
The Emperor, his form growing ever more translucent, shook his head slowly.
―She resembles her mother in her stubbornness—it is far from ordinary. A poisonous creature, that’s what she is. Both Hilda and you.
The Emperor exhaled deeply, then summoned the Judge and High Priest who waited outside.
As the two men entered, the Emperor spoke in a solemn voice.
―This shall be the final imperial decree of my life. Let the Judge, High Priest, and Secretary bear witness with utmost gravity.
The three men bowed respectfully before the Emperor.
“We shall obey your imperial will.”
―Come here, child.
“!”

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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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