About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 166

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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 166. An Excessively Terrible Punishment
Melissa Bilsty recoiled in shock, her eyes widening and mouth falling open. Even the hand holding her teacup trembled so violently that tea sloshed over the rim.
“P-Prince, I merely wished to receive Priscilla’s acknowledgment, yet her refusal was excessively discourteous. Surely I am not the daughter of a Coachman?”
Melissa set down her teacup with a shaking hand, her face flushed crimson as she glared at Luderne.
“Y-you don’t actually believe what Priscilla said, do you? That she’s your consort?”
Luderne interlaced his fingers and rested them upon the table.
“You already knew that Priscilla Bilsty is my consort.”
“Th-that is….”
Melissa’s eyes darted left and right.
“I only learned of it recently.”
“So it would seem. After all, the Former King only entrusted me to your care not long ago.”
Though I had braced myself somewhat, his additional revelation struck me far harder than expected.
Melissa’s eyes widened in tandem with mine.
“D-did the Emperor himself speak of this?”
“Then who else would have informed you?”
Luderne lifted his teacup, took a measured sip, and fixed his gaze directly upon Melissa.
“I have been waiting, disappointed that you did not mention it first. Now then, you need only deliver my possession to me.”
“Th-that is….”
Melissa’s eyes shifted frantically before she suddenly lifted her head with a bright smile.
“The item is of such importance that I concealed it in the Capital. I had no knowledge of where you resided, you see.”
Luderne withdrew a spatial transfer scroll from his breast pocket.
“Then you need only retrieve it now. Since it is of great importance to me, bring it at once.”
“Th-that is….”
Melissa’s complexion drained to an ashen pallor.
At that moment, Zerox snapped his fingers knowingly.
“Ah, Melissa—is it that item?”
Melissa hastily gauged Zerox’s reaction.
“The one you asked me to store in the Royal Palace because it was so critically important.”
“Y-yes, that’s the one.”
“You never even told me what it was, only that it was of utmost importance….”
Zerox shook his head in exasperation.
“I stored it far too deeply. Even if I retrieve it now, the procedures will require two weeks.”
Melissa bit her finger anxiously, clearly distressed.
“Wh-what shall we do?”
“What indeed.”
Zerox smiled broadly at Luderne.
“I shall order them to begin the procedures at once and have it ready. Conveniently, the ship’s party is in two weeks—you may receive it then.”
We already knew the contents of the document. We also knew Zerox could never surrender it.
The moment it passed into our hands, he would have to relinquish his crown.
So in two weeks, Zerox intended to settle matters with Luderne under the guise of a natural celebration aboard the ship.
Luderne examined the two of them before letting out a small, resigned sigh.
“Then I shall accept it at that time.”
The matter seemed to have reached a conclusion.
Melissa also exhaled in quiet relief, and the tension that had stretched taut between both sides appeared to ease slightly.
Until Zerox found fault with Luderne.
“Your Highness, I would appreciate an apology.”
“What do you mean?”
“Looking at the flow of this conversation, it seems you’re acting on what Melissa received. You even mentioned the Countess’s slander as though it were fact.”
“It is not slander.”
Luderne shrugged his shoulders.
“The last time I saw her, Priscilla told me that she had imprisoned both Countess Bilsty and the Coachman.”
Zerox nodded.
“So I heard.”
“Have you seen the Coachman yourself?”
“I had no need to see the Coachman directly. As for the Countess, I witnessed her condition—it was dreadful.”
“I see. Where are these two now?”
“They are resting separately in their cabins.”
“Convenient. Then let us summon them and ask.”
“Now… you mean?”
At Zerox’s question, Luderne’s gaze shifted toward Melissa.
“If she is the one lying, I shall prevent them from being called.”
At this blatant provocation, Melissa’s fists clenched tightly.
“That’s impossible! Priscilla is mad—that’s why she’s doing this. You know how prone she is to fabrication? Count Veloda Genoma can testify to that himself.”
Melissa’s eyes burned with genuine indignation.
She truly seemed to know nothing, so I let my lips curve upward slightly.
“Then there is no reason not to summon them. Why not simply ask Count Veloda Genoma and those two?”
“Yes. It would be better to prove your innocence now. Should that not be the case, Your Highness must kneel before Melissa and apologize from the depths of your heart. Naturally, there would be substantial compensation for the damage to her honor.”
“I shall do so gladly.”
At the same moment, Zerox’s gaze upon me grew intense. He seemed about to say something ominous.
I asked first, before he could speak.
“If everything Your Highness says proves true, what will you do?”
Zerox fell silent for a moment.
At this reaction, Melissa grew flustered and pleaded with Zerox.
“It cannot be true, Your Highness. I am truly so wronged.”
Zerox’s brow furrowed.
Seeming to deliberate, I turned to Melissa and asked.
“His Highness said he would endure the humiliation of kneeling if your innocence is proven. Shouldn’t you also set terms for fairness?”
Soon after, Zerox nodded and took Melissa’s hand.
“That is for Melissa to decide. As for me, I intend to protect you regardless of what the truth may be.”
“Oh, Your Highness.”
Moved by his words, Melissa grasped Zerox’s hand firmly with both of hers.
“Your Majesty, you truly believe in my innocence.”
“Of course I do. You’re to be my queen.”
“I’m glad.”
Melissa nodded with confidence.
“If Prince Wintem’s claims prove true, you may punish my mother and the coachman however you see fit.”
Zerox’s eyes widened.
“You wish for your mother to be punished?”
“I want to become a just queen. If someone has done wrong, even family must face consequences.”
Yet her words brimmed with absolute confidence that this would never come to pass.
“For that reason, Your Majesty, if the Prince’s claims are proven false, please impose severe punishment upon Priscilla.”
At Melissa’s earnest plea, Zerox nodded.
“What manner of punishment do you have in mind?”
“Publicly proclaim her crimes to all the world, then strip her naked and hang her in the Capital Square until she dies of her own accord.”
“….”
“And pile horse chestnuts beside her so passersby can throw them at her and spit upon her freely. Offer a reward of at least one gold coin to anyone who harms her. Oh, and give her only water for food—let her suffer as long as possible before death claims her.”
A heavy silence fell.
Sir Jester, who had remained quiet until now, trembled and rubbed his arms with his hands.
“My goodness, what a truly horrific punishment.”
He was right—it was horrific. She was actually contemplating killing me in such a manner.
I was so taken aback that I had to ask.
“If the Prince’s claims prove true, would you impose the same punishment upon your mother and the coachman?”
Melissa bristled.
“No, Priscilla, I’m disappointed. How could you say such a thing about someone else’s mother?”
“Isn’t Priscilla your own sister? The way you speak of her, she sounds like a stranger.”
“You haven’t seen her. You don’t know how vicious and terrible she is. Once you do, you’ll understand. She broke every finger on our mother’s hands. The coachman who protected our mother all these years—he has no wrists left.”
“It does seem fairer if the burden of risk is shared equally.”
Luderne, answering in my stead, stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“If I’m mistaken about this matter, then Priscilla becomes my enemy as well, and I’ll cooperate fully in apprehending her.”
As Luderne stepped forward, Melissa bit her lip and looked only at Zerox.
Zerox considered for a moment, then nodded readily.
“Very well, Prince.”
“So a great promise has been made between the King and the Prince.”
Sir Jester quickly produced a small bundle of documents from his breast.
“I always carry contracts with me. Shall you both sign?”
Both Luderne and I waved our hands in alarm without hesitation.
“What? To that extent? Sir Jester, I’m disappointed.”
“I agree—notarization seems excessive. You’re being too forward.”
“Oh, ah! I’m terribly sorry. I lacked discretion.”
Sir Jester, embarrassed, tucked the documents back into his breast.
At that moment, Melissa’s confident voice rang out.
“What could I possibly be unable to do?”
“Exactly. Backing down at the critical moment looks rather pathetic, doesn’t it? You spoke the words, but do you lack the resolve to follow through?”
I nearly let my lips curl upward uncontrollably at the response that exceeded my expectations.
I quickly covered my mouth with both hands in feigned shock. This improvisational teamwork was flowing far better than I’d dared hope.
Zerox turned to Baron Ugly with a question.
“What do you make of this?”
Baron Ugly straightened, his gaze turning grave and measured.
He surveyed each of us seated around the table before speaking with deliberate courtesy.
“What has been said here is not something His Majesty should overlook. At a gathering extended as a courtesy, it appears the Prince and the Salon designer are toying with the Crown Princess. We must solidify this promise and hold them accountable for their words.”
“Ah….”
My involuntary sigh only brightened Melissa and Zerox’s expressions further.
From their reactions, I could see it clearly.
Baron Ugly was unmistakably on our side.
He had sensed our carefully laid scheme and given Zerox and Melissa the push they needed.
“I was troubled by the fact that Prince Wintem is my half-brother…. But it’s as I thought, isn’t it?”
“Public and private matters must be kept separate.”
At Baron Ugly’s response, Zerox’s lips curved upward with satisfaction.
Zerox issued a command to Sir Jester.
“Good. Bring it out—the contract.”

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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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