About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 163

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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 163. Excessively Alluring
I startled at the Emperor’s gesture and call to me.
Uncertain what to do, I glanced around to find the Judge, High Priest, and Secretary gaping in shock just as I was.
Only Luderne Wintem wore a faint smile—as if he had expected this. The Emperor’s lips curved upward as well.
My heart began to race for an entirely different reason.
―The master of the Bilsty Estate, then. I must grant you what is fitting and necessary.
Though I couldn’t fathom what he intended to bestow, I stepped cautiously before the Emperor.
He placed his hand upon my head.
Though visible to the eye, his form was little more than a phantom—I felt nothing as his hand rested there.
Yet knowing he had placed it, I bowed my head slightly.
Solemnity descended, and the Emperor’s weighty voice resonated through the space.
―I, Fleit Doorban, Emperor of the Doorban Empire, bestow recognition and blessing upon Priscilla Bilsty, who shall be the eternal consort of Luderne Wintem.
Though I heard it clearly, I doubted my own ears.
The Emperor’s words continued.
―In recognition of Priscilla Bilsty’s achievements, I grant the new territory of Eurasia and the title of Marquess of the Borderlands.
Remarkably, the Emperor had granted me a territory—Eurasia, a name meaning blessing.
Moreover, I was to be Marquess of the Borderlands.
It meant military authority would support the title.
Understanding the profound significance, tears welled in my eyes.
The Emperor’s bestowal of rank destroyed the very grounds upon which I had been opposed. The barrier that had stood between Luderne and me had just crumbled.
Yet doubt lingered.
What achievement had I possibly accomplished?
―Countess, raise your head.
I lifted my gaze.
The Emperor’s form had grown even more ethereal than before.
He smiled and brushed my cheek, though I still felt nothing.
―I know not how to apologize. But I am grateful that you moved Luderne to make the decision to seize the throne.
The question of my achievement dissolved of its own accord. Simultaneously, I understood this had been the Emperor’s deepest desire.
The Emperor’s form grew increasingly indistinct, then faded, and soon his eyelids upon the bed trembled faintly.
“Cough!”
A small cough escaped his parched lips.
“Former King, Your Majesty.”
Luderne Wintem moved to the Emperor’s side and grasped his hand. The Emperor’s hand, skeletal as a withered branch, seemed utterly devoid of vitality.
The Emperor, barely opening his eyes, gazed upon Luderne and me, then smiled gently.
“My throat is parched.”
Luderne Wintem carefully raised the Emperor’s upper body. I quickly retrieved the water placed nearby and brought it to the Emperor’s lips.
The Emperor drank the water very slowly.
After emptying the cup, he lay back and addressed Luderne and me with a charge.
“Luderne, my child, I know not when I shall open my eyes again. Reign with greatness, and be happy.”
His words extended to the Judge, Secretary, and High Priest as well.
“Guard my final command with your life, no matter what.”
Soon after, he closed his eyes again, claiming sleep was overtaking him.
As silence settled over the chamber, the Judge summoned the Imperial Physician who had been waiting outside.
The Imperial Physician examined the Emperor’s condition and released a breath of relief.
“He has fallen asleep.”
I too felt the tension drain from my chest.
Menglow entered shortly after to check on the Emperor’s state.
With a subtle smile playing at the corners of his mouth, Menglow whispered softly to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, before you depart this world, let us ensure you witness Prince Wintem ascend to the throne.”
The implication was clear—there was still time.
* * *
Luderne and I returned to the Bilsty Estate with Sir Jester and Menglow.
This time, we arrived at a temporary lodging that Madame Laber had prepared for us.
Sir Jester immediately stepped outside the tent, saying he would summon Madame Laber.
Menglow opened the tent flap to peer outside and let out a satisfied chuckle.
“The fleet is right before us. After all this coming and going, I’m exhausted—would it be alright if I rested here for a while?”
I readily granted him permission.
Menglow made his way to a bed in the corner, lay down, and pulled the blanket over his head. Soon, soft snoring echoed through the tent.
Sir Jester and Madame Laber entered shortly after.
“Ah, Your Highness, your timing is perfect. A knight delivered these earlier today.”
She held two invitation cards in her hands.
Luderne opened the invitation and let out an incredulous laugh.
“Even out here, they show no restraint. How audacious.”
He showed me the invitation.
It stated that a tea party would be held on the stern deck of the Zerox, and that Luderne Wintem and Priscilla of the Raber Salon were to attend, along with Madame Laber and her attendants.
The scheduled time was two hours away.
The other invitation announced that a shipboard party would take place in two weeks and requested their attendance to grace the occasion.
Both bore the official seal of Zerox.
Despite being merely party invitations, something about them left an unsettling taste.
‘Why is that? Perhaps because they read more like commands?’
As I pondered this, Luderne turned to Sir Jester.
“Do you have an antidote?”
Sir Jester retrieved a small bag from one corner of the tent.
What he handed us were small pills.
“They neutralize toxins. The effect lasts a full day. You should be able to endure even a reconnaissance-level poisoning attempt.”
Now I understood the source of my unease.
The tea party aboard the ship seemed to be, at best, a reconnaissance operation—and at worst, a death trap.
“Very well.”
Luderne took the pill and swallowed it, then issued an instruction to Madame Laber.
“Summon a few skilled mercenaries for our protection and have them take this antidote beforehand.”
Madame Laber swallowed the pill and left to summon the mercenaries. Sir Jester also took one and offered me the same.
Once I’d taken the pill, the men excused themselves, giving me time to prepare before the party.
I began by redoing my makeup.
But when it came time to dress, I realized the Bilsty Estate didn’t have any suitable gowns.
However, there might be something at the Raber Salon.
I asked Madame Laber, and she merely shrugged.
“Being in the countryside, we don’t have anything fashionable. Our dresses are still in transit. Sigh, what should we do?”
After muttering for a moment, Madame Laber opened a wardrobe placed to one side.
“Still, my dresses are the best in this territory. Feel free to wear one if you like. I recently replaced everything, and there are some I haven’t worn yet.”
The wardrobe was packed with gowns.
Black, deep purple, deep blue, deep red—and more.
They were primarily mermaid-cut dresses with mesh and black as the base.
Looking at them, the designs seemed remarkably similar.
Each featured a neckline cut deep enough to reveal the décolletage, with sheer fabric extending up to the neck.
I could only be grateful that the skin wasn’t completely exposed.
I selected a deep blue dress from the collection.
But the garment didn’t fit comfortably. My chest and hips felt snug. Still, after some effort, I managed to squeeze into it.
Now only minor adjustments remained.
Madame Laber, who had changed into a similar dress beside me, smiled brightly as she looked at me.
“We’re wearing the same style of dress, but you carry it so well no matter what you wear. Though, is the dress too small? You seem to be struggling a bit.”
I examined my appearance in the mirror.
Fortunately, the length was perfect. Breathing wasn’t difficult either.
But my chest and hips did feel rather tight.
“My chest feels constricted.”
“Really? Have you gained a bit of weight recently?”
Madame Laber approached and began helping me adjust the dress.
“Is it very uncomfortable?”
“Not terribly. It’s just….”
I looked down at my chest. The décolletage was quite pronounced. Even with the sheer fabric concealing my skin, it was unmistakably visible.
A sigh escaped me at this unabashed display of sensuality.
‘I’ll just have to endure this for now.’
For the shipboard party in two weeks, I’d have to choose a dress with better mobility.
That’s when Madame Laber spoke with irritation from behind me.
“What is this? You really are unlucky.”
“Pardon? Why?”
I wondered what I’d done wrong.
“You said the dress is tight?”
I nodded.
Then Madame Laber bit her lip in frustration and muttered.
“But why is the waist so loose? I saw you earlier—you weren’t even wearing a corset.”
Upon inspection, it was indeed the case.
“Ah, I see. Then I should adjust this….”
I fastened a corsage at the small of my back to eliminate the excess fabric. Once I examined myself in the mirror, I felt reasonably satisfied. The silhouette of the dress conveyed exactly the impression I desired.
It seemed as though I could attend the Capital’s gala and set the very standard of fashion itself.
I quickly pinned my hair up and adorned it with ornaments.
The moment my own grooming was complete to perfection, Madame Laber, as though she had been waiting for precisely this instant, presented her own hair for my attention.
“Darling, now that you’re finished, would you help with my hair as well?”
I immediately set to work on her tresses.
Just as Madame Laber’s preparations concluded, the tent flap opened.
“Time is running short—are you ready?”
“Yes. We’re all set.”
I rose swiftly and turned to face Luderne. At the sight of his wavering gaze, I could not suppress a smile.
He held a gentleman’s cane in one hand and wore a top hat upon his head. Dressed in a crisp grey suit, he cut an extraordinarily distinguished figure.
“You look magnificent.”
Luderne approached with a soft cough and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.
“I had resigned myself to your lack of an elaborate gown, but now that I see you, I find myself deeply concerned.”
“Concerned about what?”
“That you are far too alluring.”
Luderne extended his arm toward me.
As I linked my arm through his, Luderne smiled warmly.
“I wonder if I can endure Zerox’s flirtations.”
“If he becomes too insufferable, please deal with him accordingly.”
At my request, Luderne chuckled softly.
Accompanied by Sir Jester in formal black attire and a dozen or so mercenary guards, we boarded Zerox’s vessel at once.
The moment we stepped onto the deck, a welcoming voice greeted us.
“Welcome, Prince Wintem, Priscilla.”
I lifted my gaze to see Zerox in an immaculate white suit, adorned with jewels that glittered magnificently across her form, and Melissa Bilsty in an elaborate gown.

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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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