About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 32

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 32. Oh, Perfect!
“?”
“It’s right next to the Tavern. Doesn’t seem particularly significant.”
Sir Jester studied the map before pointing decisively at a house set somewhat apart from the Village.
“What about here? From this location, you’d have a lovely view of the Sea, and with this much space, you could even cultivate a garden.”
Egardt’s brow furrowed slightly.
“The scenery is beautiful, so it would be warm, and being remote means it would certainly be quiet. However, the last recorded residence here was thirty years ago. Since then, it’s been completely neglected, so it’s likely quite dilapidated.”
“Next to the Tavern, there would be plenty of drunken men passing through—it’s dangerous for a woman alone. A secluded place like this would be far better.”
“I suppose that’s a fair point.”
Egardt turned to look at me.
“Would you not prefer to see it in person before deciding?”
It was Sir Jester who answered.
“Fine. Prepare the carriage.”
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the scenic house Sir Jester had pointed out last.
It was a solitary gray brick dwelling, situated between the Wintem Estate and the Mage Tower that would soon be constructed.
A ten-minute walk past the Mage Tower would bring you to the Village.
At first glance, the house appeared small and shabby. Yet the location and scenery were absolutely magnificent.
The Sea spread out before us in a single sweeping vista, visible from below the gently sloping hillside.
Following the wildflower-dotted path down the hill, there was a charming White Sand Beach adorned with magnificent old trees.
There were even rocks perfect for spreading out a picnic mat and fishing.
The surrounding area was verdant meadowland.
A well stood before the house, and a clear stream flowed behind it. Water would be easily accessible, making it convenient for raising small animals or cultivating a vegetable garden.
“Remarkable. It has the atmosphere of a resort, doesn’t it? I could even set up a hammock beneath those tree branches down there.”
Sir Jester, who had been surveying the surroundings, tapped the house’s wall and broke into a broad smile.
“The structure is remarkably solid. With just a bit of work, it would become a beautiful home. But why hasn’t anyone lived here?”
“Perhaps because the house is small and the location is remote.”
Egardt, who answered thus, forced a smile.
“While the surrounding environment is pleasant enough, there must be a reason the house has remained vacant. It would be best to see the interior condition first.”
“All right. Let’s go inside.”
Egardt confidently grasped the wooden door handle and pushed.
Creeeeak.
The distinctive sound of the old wooden door warping echoed quite loudly.
In the next instant, the door trembled violently.
Crash!
The weakened wooden door collapsed inward onto the floor.
Sir Jester, left holding only the door handle, simply rolled his eyes and nodded.
“…As long as no one was hurt. This door can be fixed easily enough.”
Sir Jester tossed the handle onto the nearby grass and stepped inside first.
Soon, his exclamation rang out.
Oh, perfect!
‘Is the interior of the house acceptable?’
I wondered if simply replacing the door would suffice, so I stepped inside to see for myself.
But I was quickly rendered speechless.
The interior was choked with dust, filled only with furnishings so dilapidated they were crumbling.
It was, quite literally, an abandoned house.
Yet Sir Jester’s expression remained remarkably bright.
“If there’s nothing worth salvaging, then you can furnish it with whatever new furniture and fixtures you desire without hesitation, can’t you?”
Following his words, Egardt entered behind us, his eyes wavering as he cast a sidelong glance at me.
I forced a smile, and Egardt cleared his throat before calmly guiding me through the house.
“This is the Reception Room and kitchen combined.”
I assessed the dimensions of both spaces.
Abundant natural light made the interior quite bright, but it was cramped.
The kitchen could fit a two-person dining table, the living area at most a three-person sofa and a small console, and near the fireplace, a small table and rocking chair would fill it completely.
Egardt pointed toward the doorless interior.
“This is the only bedroom.”
It appeared that placing a bed and wardrobe would fill the entire room.
The gaping window had no frame.
It would hardly be an exaggeration to say only the building’s skeleton remained—whether one could actually live here was questionable.
Above all, being a remote rural house, the bathroom was my greatest concern.
Egardt then showed me the bathroom and a small storage room.
“The bathroom will require a repairman’s visit. For bathing, you could place a tub in the storage room. That way, expenses would be minimal.”
At least the bathroom was manageable.
Though a repairman would indeed be necessary, the structure itself was a flush toilet.
“Priscilla, what do you think of this house? I find it quite charming.”
He spoke with stubborn insistence, as though this house alone would suffice, his face radiant.
‘Is he truly sincere about this…?’
I answered carefully.
“It could be quite lovely with proper repairs… but it will take considerable time to renovate and move in. I’m afraid this house won’t work.”
“Is that so? Doesn’t it meet your conditions?”
He recited my requirements one by one.
“A modest-sized house, affordable rent, one bedroom is fine since you’ll be living alone, good natural light, and a clear view when you step outside. Isn’t that right?”
To Sir Jester’s composed rhetorical question, Egardt answered on my behalf.
“Those conditions are met, but it seems to significantly deviate from the requirement of a building requiring minimal repairs.”
Egardt examined me once, then strengthened his voice.
“I believe this house is unsuitable since you would find it difficult to repair it yourself. And weren’t you looking for a place where you could move in quickly?”
Reassured by Egardt’s support, I felt we could now search for another property.
But Sir Jester simply shrugged broadly.
“If you were doing the repairs yourself, that would be different, but otherwise it doesn’t matter, does it? So don’t worry. Stay at the Estate tonight, and I’ll have it ready for you to move in tomorrow.”
“Pardon? Is that even possible?”
I was taken aback by his words.
At that moment, Sir Jester chuckled and glanced at Egardt.
“Repairs are the landlord’s responsibility, aren’t they, Egardt?”
“…Yes?”
Egardt looked bewildered.
“That’s right, Egardt. Priscilla won’t be purchasing this house—she’ll be renting it. And the monthly rent on this island is determined by the building’s floor area, isn’t it?”
Sir Jester emphasized each word with deliberate force.
Egardt’s eyes widened, and he nodded in agreement.
“Yes, that’s correct. In fact, this house has the cheapest monthly rent. And if you’re taking on a tenant, we’ll need to handle the repairs on our end. But the repairs alone will require some time. Considering everything, perhaps a month?”
Sir Jester cut off Egardt’s words.
“Perfect. Then we’ve decided on this house! Leave the repairs to me, and Egardt, you handle the contract documents. Priscilla will stay at the Wintem Estate tonight, and come back tomorrow afternoon to see it again. If you’re satisfied, you can move in.”
I was utterly stunned.
“What color would you like for the exterior?”
I answered without thinking—white.
“Do you have a preference for furniture color? Design?”
“Anything serviceable will do. We could simply furnish it with whatever’s available in the town market, couldn’t we?”
A bitter smile escaped me. I wasn’t in a position to be particular about such things.
* * *
At Sir Jester’s insistent urging, I spent the night in a guest room at the Wintem Estate, and the following afternoon, I returned to the dilapidated house in an open carriage.
The moment I saw the house, I couldn’t hide my astonishment from a distance.
How had they managed to complete all of this so quickly?
Around the brick house that had seemed on the verge of collapse, a wooden fence had been constructed, and the brick exterior walls had been refinished in white.
In front of the house, there were traces of what appeared to be a substantial bonfire.
Judging by the considerable heap of ashes and the wisps of smoke still rising, they had burned the collapsed furniture as kindling.
“There you have it—the white house you wanted. Would you like to go inside?”
Sir Jester proudly grasped the newly installed white wooden door handle and pulled it open.
The door, with its smooth wood grain, opened silently and smoothly.
“See? The door doesn’t fall off anymore. Ha ha.”
Unlike yesterday, window frames and doors now existed, and the wooden walls inside had been painted a soft olive green.
A dining table, tables, rocking chairs, a sofa, a bed, a console—all the furniture I had thought I’d need to purchase was already in place.
Yet no matter how I looked at it, this wasn’t furniture available in this village. These were elegant new pieces that belonged in a noble’s mansion.
It was difficult to believe that just yesterday, this space had been filled with dust and broken, worn furnishings.
“The work is now complete.”
Near the newly constructed stove and fireplace in the kitchen, two workers who had just finished sweeping up the dirt bowed respectfully to Sir Jester.
“Excellent. Everyone rest well, and I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood, Sir Jester.”
Egardt, watching the workers depart, couldn’t conceal his amazement.
“It’s truly remarkable. To think it could change so much in a single night. Moreover, the furniture placed here appears to be items we’ve never seen on this island.”
“We happened to have some items arrive yesterday. Would you like to see the rest?”
Sir Jester opened the kitchen cabinet. Inside, new dishes were arranged neatly.
He then showed me the bedroom where bedding was already prepared, the storage room that had been converted into a bathroom, and even the toilet.
The more I looked around, the more astonished I became, my mouth falling open of its own accord.
All the basic necessities had already been prepared.
The only things I needed to bring were my clothes and some ingredients.
“Good heavens, this was possible in just one day? And they say magic has disappeared…?”
At my exclamation, Sir Jester’s lips twitched upward before he rubbed beneath his nose with a finger.
“It just so happened there were plenty of workers at the Mage Tower construction site.”
Only then did his earlier words to the workers—that he’d see them tomorrow—come back to me.
“Don’t tell me you adjusted the Mage Tower’s construction schedule because of this house?”
If that were truly the case, I would feel terrible about it.
Yet Sir Jester himself seemed quite pleased as he looked around the interior.
“Well, the Mage Tower can afford to be delayed a few days. Besides, this feels like something I could do as much as I wanted.”
Then he suddenly stopped, staring at one of the walls.
His expression seemed so entranced that I couldn’t help but ask.
“Sir Jester? What’s wrong?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————