About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 199

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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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Side Story 9. The Cure for Curses
At those words, I recalled the method most commonly known as the key to breaking curses.
“A kiss?”
“A, a kiss?”
But unlike me, Luderne Sellen startled and echoed the question back.
“I, isn’t there another way?”
“Pardon? That would be the fastest method.”
Duke Jester asked as if questioning what the problem was.
“The cure for curses has always been love, hasn’t it? Since you’re husband and wife, a kiss is hardly much.”
“How am I supposed to do that…?”
Luderne Sellen trailed off and covered his mouth with his hand. He looked so embarrassed that I took his hand first.
“Why are you so embarrassed? I think it’s actually quite good because it’s quick and convenient.”
At those words, Luderne Sellen’s eyes widened in even greater shock. His face had now flushed a deep crimson.
“You’re saying dangerous things too.”
“…Pardon?”
“You are my spouse, but you currently have the appearance of a child.”
Luderne Sellen shook his head as he rubbed his face dry.
“For an adult man to kiss a child would be deeply shameful and indecent.”
“But to break the curse…”
“It’s clearly stated in Imperial law.”
“…”
His words were right, so I had nothing to say. Moreover, that was a law I myself had created to protect children.
Luderne Sellen, shaking his head, gave Duke Jester a firm command.
“Find another method.”
“If we cannot find a method, you may have to wait until you return to an adult form.”
Menglow chimed in at Duke Jester’s words.
“Indeed, Your Majesty. In the worst case, you would have to remain in solitude for fourteen years. Are you certain that is acceptable?”
Luderne Sellen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked at me with a grave expression, then furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment. Then he nodded.
“It has to be acceptable. What else can I do? In any case, find a way so that Priscilla returns to her proper form quickly.”
* * *
Not long after, a story appeared in the newspapers that shook the entire Empire.
While the Emperor and Empress were traveling incognito and handling an accident, they were attacked by curse magic terrorism from someone close to Eclite, and the Empress who blocked it became a child.
The people of the Empire worried about me. And they raged against Eclite and those who supported him.
Furthermore, rumors spread that because I had become younger, I had grown weak and was constantly falling ill.
The increasingly enraged people of the Empire rose up, declaring that the traitors must be rooted out.
This created a problem. Those who had previously supported Eclite or were entirely unrelated began to be attacked due to misunderstanding.
Upon hearing news of the incident, I immediately decided to make an address to the people of the Empire.
I would directly inform them that I was healthy and the curse could be lifted soon, calming their anger and allowing them to return to their daily lives.
On the day of the address, I dressed my appearance more carefully and wore a purple dress that reached my ankles to stand before the people of the Empire.
As I was finishing my formal attire with a small tiara since the Empress’s crown did not fit, I received news from the children.
Prince Arsen, Princess Sapina, the twin princes Adrey and Azeno, and the youngest princess Arieti.
The children were all remarkably gifted, progressing through their studies at an extraordinary pace.
Since they had completed their required curriculum ahead of schedule, I had concealed their identities and sent them to a Commoner Academy in a distant region.
Experiencing the lives of lower-ranking imperial citizens was their education.
Once they completed their intermediate studies, they would need to cultivate influence in High Society, so I planned to enroll them in the Imperial Academy in the Capital.
Currently, the children had learned of my situation through the newspapers and were deeply worried. They said they would use a spatial transfer scroll to return to the Imperial Palace with Duke Mohr and Madame Raber.
Today was a weekend with no school classes, so there were no complications.
I had finished the morning session, and about thirty minutes remained before the tea gathering. As I made my way to the tea room with my attendant, the corridor ahead grew noisy.
The children were arriving. The children in their academy uniforms suddenly stopped and froze when they spotted me.
“We greet the jewel of the Wintem Empire, His Highness Prince Arsen, His Highness Prince Adrey, His Highness Prince Azeno, and Her Highness Princess Arieti.”
My attendant standing behind me bowed respectfully to the children and acknowledged Princess Sapina, Duke Mohr, and Count Raber.
Then, smiling brightly, she pointed to me with both hands in a gesture of respect.
“Her Majesty the Empress was on her way to the tea gathering.”
Everyone’s eyes trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
“Th-the Empress?”
“My goodness.”
Duke Mohr and Count Raber were the first to speak.
“What? Mother?”
“Heavens!”
“Wait, you’ve become a child?”
“How is this even possible?”
As the children each voiced their reactions, I spread both arms wide.
“Welcome. Duke Mohr, Count Raber. Come here, children. Have you all been well?”
As I approached them with a bright smile, their cheeks flushed without anyone needing to prompt them.
“Is it really you, Mother?”
I nodded, and Arsen knelt on one knee to meet my eyes at the same level.
“Are you alright? We were very worried.”
This reminded me of when I first encountered Luderne Sellen after my transformation. The gesture was identical, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Like father, like son indeed.
“My appearance may have changed, but everything else is perfectly fine.”
As I nodded, Arsen smiled brightly as well.
“Then I’m relieved, Mother.”
As I looked around at everyone, my eyes met Arieti’s. She, who had been gaping, suddenly rushed forward and embraced me tightly.
“Oh! Mother! You’re so adorable!”
Arieti kept kissing my cheeks and rubbing her face against mine.
“Mother! I love you!”
“I love you too. But if you squeeze me too tightly, I can’t breathe, dear.”
At my words, Arieti released her embrace but held both my hands tightly, her eyes sparkling with delight.
“But you’re just so incredibly cute! It’s like having a little sister! Don’t you think so, brothers? Sister Sapina?”
At Arieti’s words, the three princes and Sapina nodded in agreement.
Princess Arieti rummaged through the pockets of her school uniform and placed something into my hand.
“I learned how to make this in cooking class recently. I made it while thinking of you, Mother. I was in such a hurry that I only managed to complete one with Sister Sapina’s magic infused into it.”
“I cast a spell to help with fatigue recovery.”
As Sapina Jester chimed in, Princess Arieti confidently urged me forward.
“Please eat it now. You’ll surely be tired after the address.”
What rested in my palm was a small chocolate wrapped in silver foil. A smile bloomed across my face.
“Arieti and Sapina joining forces—this must be absolutely delicious. I should eat this right away.”
“Then shall I feed it to you?”
With a radiant expression, Princess Arieti unwrapped the chocolate and popped it directly into my mouth.
The chocolate’s flavor was, to be honest, unremarkable. But this was no ordinary chocolate.
My children had crafted it with me in their thoughts. That alone filled me with profound happiness.
“It’s truly delicious. It gives me strength. Thank you so much.”
At my praise and gratitude, both Princess Arieti and Sapina Jester’s shoulders trembled with joy.
It was then that a lady-in-waiting spoke.
“Your Majesty the Empress, it is nearly time for the address.”
I nodded and began walking. Those who had been in the room followed in my wake.
The venue for the address was a lofty balcony of the Imperial Palace. Built to overlook the Plaza directly, it was an ideal location for addressing the Empire’s citizens.
As I arrived before the balcony, I sensed a peculiar shimmer of light appearing and vanishing around me. Simultaneously, a soft commotion arose behind me.
“Your Majesty the Empress?”
“Mother!”
When I turned, everyone’s eyes had widened in astonishment.
“What is it?”
It was Prince Adrey who answered.
“Mother, your appearance has changed.”
“Changed how?”
Prince Azeno withdrew a small hand mirror from his pocket.
Peering into the small mirror, I noticed my face had altered slightly, and I checked the length of my dress. The hem that had reached my ankles now rose to just below my calves.
“It seems I’ve grown. How old do I appear to be now?”
Count Raber could not suppress a motherly smile.
“You appear to be approximately seventeen years old, Your Majesty.”
I had grown far more than expected. Simultaneously, Luderne Sellen came to mind—that expression of his when he chose patience despite my youthful appearance, even though a simple curse-breaking method existed. That face of his.
Despite having borne four children, he remained as vigorous as ever.
Though we had not found a solution, the speed of my growth seemed far faster than anticipated, which felt fortunate.
I felt confident it would also reassure the Empire’s citizens.
“Good. This works well.”
As I stepped confidently onto the balcony, the Master of Ceremonies who had been waiting bowed respectfully. Yet Luderne Sellen, who should have been present, was nowhere to be seen.
“Where is His Majesty?”
“He will arrive shortly, Your Majesty.”
The Master of Ceremonies answered and affixed a small magic stone to my collar.
It was a magical tool that caused the wearer’s voice to carry widely.
“Let all citizens of the Wintem Empire show proper respect, for the Empress has graced us with her presence.”
At the Master of Ceremonies’ announcement, the bustling plaza fell silent.
A platform far grander and more expansive than usual had been erected on the balcony.
“Thank you for your efforts, Master of Ceremonies.”
I ascended the platform and surveyed the plaza below.
News of my direct address to the nation had drawn throngs of people to the square before the Imperial Palace.
Every visible street and corner of the plaza overflowed with citizens, all bowing their heads in deference to me.
“My beloved citizens of the great empire.”
A child’s voice, clear as a bell, carried through the air and reached far into the distance. Those who heard it gradually lifted their heads to catch sight of me.
A great commotion stirred. I paused in silence, waiting for them to settle.
But then something unexpected occurred.
One by one, people began clutching their chests and collapsing.
“Good heavens! That child is the Empress?”
“I can hardly believe it.”
“She’s absolutely adorable!”
“Long live the Empress!”
“We love you!”
Then they began cheering for me.
I hadn’t even done anything yet.
I observed them quietly, then raised one hand.
All cheering ceased instantly, and every eye fixed upon me.
“My beloved citizens of the great empire.”
I delivered a measured address, expressing my gratitude to the citizens who worried for me while urging them toward reassurance and peace.
When my speech concluded, cheers calling out my name echoed across heaven and earth.
I waved slowly to the crowd. It was strange that Luderne Sellen hadn’t arrived yet, but it seemed time to descend from the platform.
That was when it happened.
“Priscilla.”
Luderne Sellen, dressed in his usual attire with only a purple cloak hastily draped over his shoulders, rushed onto the platform. A small box was clutched in his hand.
I grasped the magic stone attached to my collar to prevent my voice from carrying further.
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
Simultaneously, the Master of Ceremonies made his proclamation.
“Let all citizens of the Wintem Empire show proper respect, for the Emperor has graced us with his presence.”
At once, the silent citizens prostrated themselves.
Luderne Sellen gestured for the citizens to rise, then knelt on one knee to meet my gaze at eye level.
“Forgive my tardiness. I was completing the curse-breaking incantation.”

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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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