About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 35
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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 35. Missing the Point
“Yes. I’ve read about it in books. They say if you get caught by something like that, you suffer terrible pain or cough up blood.”
“Which book did you read that in?”
From the romance novels of the world before I returned.
…but I couldn’t say that aloud.
“It was so long ago that I can’t remember which book it was. But perhaps he used magic that would trigger a curse….”
Sir Jester paused in thought for a moment, tilting his head slightly.
“That does sound plausible, but I’ve never used magic that would trigger a curse.”
The fact that Sir Jester had used time-related magic came to mind.
Again, I found myself wondering if it could be.
Perhaps this man was somehow connected to my possession and regression.
“What if a future version of you used such magic?”
“A future me?”
“Yes. You said you could use regression magic, right? The kind where you can’t recall it even if you try because it hasn’t happened yet?”
Sir Jester’s gaze shifted from me to his food. He simply continued eating in silence.
Seeing his reaction, I felt embarrassed. It seemed my imagination had simply run away with itself.
After finishing his meal, he wiped his mouth and finally nodded.
“I don’t know what magic it is, but my future self used magic that would trigger a curse, and every time I try to recall anything related to it, I face restrictions.”
“?”
“It might be a clue. Before the magic disappeared to this extent, my magical power felt like it was growing day by day. If that’s the case, then there’s a place I should verify.”
He checked the time and rose from his seat.
“Since the place I need to visit is in the Empire, it could be quite a while before we meet again. I’m not sure when that will be.”
He gazed at me intently for a moment, then smiled with a hint of regret.
“Given the nature of this matter, I need to investigate. I’ll also look into the curse. Until next time, then.”
I saw Sir Jester off.
I watched his receding figure as he walked down the darkened path, lamp in hand, then returned inside.
‘I never imagined I’d be able to live in such a clean house.’
Then I recalled something Anne hadn’t finished saying.
Anne had started to say something about “the Capital’s master furniture craftsman” but trailed off. It seemed to suggest that the furniture in this house was no ordinary piece.
As I pondered this, my head tilted of its own accord.
Did Luderne Wintem Grand Duke really furnish a tenant’s house with a master craftsman’s work?
* * *
The next morning.
I first checked whether the Tavern door had opened.
The door remained firmly shut. I thought he would return today, but it seemed he was delayed.
My next destination was the Inn.
I thanked the Innkeeper, who expressed her disappointment, and retrieved my few belongings.
“Congratulations on finding a new house. Will you be having a housewarming party?”
I nodded readily. There was no harm in getting along well with the people here.
I considered an appropriate timeframe for the housewarming and suggested a suitable date and time.
The day I had mentioned was when the curse’s influence would begin to surge in earnest. However, based on my past experience, it seemed I could endure for several days as long as Luderne Sellen was not nearby.
After the housewarming party, I would be so exhausted that I’d fall into a deep sleep without noticing the discomfort. Then I could hold out a bit longer.
The Innkeeper beamed widely.
“The timing is perfect. I’ll definitely come.”
I stopped by other shops to purchase the necessary groceries and clothing, then returned home.
After that, I made sandwiches for lunch, then washed my clothes and the bedsheets that had been soaked with Sir Jester’s perspiration, hanging them on the clothesline installed in the front yard.
“Phew… all done.”
Though tired, I felt refreshed as I wiped away the faint beads of sweat on my forehead. The freshly hung laundry fluttered gently in the pleasant breeze tinged with the scent of the Sea.
‘The sky is clear and the sunlight is warm, so everything will dry nicely.’
When I turned my head, I could see the horizon glimmering brilliantly in the sun’s reflection.
The beautiful azure Sea and white sandy beach, white waves crashing against the rocks with their rhythmic sound.
Standing quietly and gazing at that scenery, I suddenly felt the reality of my transformed life.
That a new life had begun.
Of course, it wasn’t the form I had desired.
I didn’t know when I could leave, but on the premise that Luderne Sellen would remain, I had to stay on this Island until my curse was lifted.
I found myself counting the days. The remaining time until his body would be needed again.
When I could no longer endure, I would have to seek him out again to ease the curse.
To press my flesh against his…
The soft, hot, and perfectly formed lips that had kissed me came unbidden to mind.
The body packed with firm muscle and his magnificent manhood as well.
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed his gaze was different when he focused solely on me.
My heart raced. Even though it was due to the curse, I found myself anticipating what would happen in a week.
In that moment, a subtle sensation stirred in my lower abdomen. It was a familiar feeling by now, but this time it wasn’t because of the curse.
‘No, get a hold of yourself!’
I was startled and slapped both my cheeks sharply with my palms.
Luderne Sellen had abandoned me, after all.
He had become someone of such high status that I could barely dare to claim a place beside him.
Yet I was still drawn to him.
‘I’m insane!’
After slapping my flushed cheeks several more times, I made a resolution.
Even if the curse’s effects appeared at ten-day intervals, if I endured well, I could still hold out for several more days.
It had been that way before.
‘That’s why I deliberately set the housewarming party date that way, isn’t it? Endurance can become a skill, so I’ll hold out as long as possible. Only when it becomes truly unbearable should I seek him out.’
In the meantime, it would be fortunate if Sir Jester found a more effective way to alleviate this.
‘I’m just having indecent thoughts because I’m idle. I need to find something to do.’
I headed back to the Village.
At the General Store, I purchased a hand cart, spade, hoe, hammer, rake, gloves, and several other tools.
I was planning to cultivate a garden in front of the house and build a small chicken coop as well.
“This should be enough.”
Just then, I noticed hair combs, various ribbons, hand mirrors, and scissors displayed on one shelf. There were also some cosmetics in small quantities.
‘Hmm, the income from working at the Tavern alone won’t be enough….’
Now that I thought about it, there was no styling shop on this Island.
With such a small population, opening a proper shop would be difficult, but occasionally cutting people’s hair or styling it in exchange for payment seemed like a reasonable idea.
I placed combs, ribbons, scissors, and tinted cosmetics into my basket.
Then I spotted a curling iron in the corner of the display.
It was an old-fashioned type heated over fire, but the moment I saw it, I felt such delight that I quickly added it to my basket as well.
After loading everything I’d purchased onto a hand cart, I left the General Store.
As I rolled the cart toward home, I spotted three children by the roadside.
The first thing that caught my eye was a Young Girl, appearing to be around five or six years old, with somewhat tangled brown hair that was thick and long and frizzy.
A girl with a black bob cut who appeared to be in her mid-teens had clearly paid attention to her hair care—her locks were lustrous.
And finally, a girl with red hair in twin braids.
That girl holding books in both hands was none other than Misha.
“Ha, you don’t even know your place. Do you really think someone like you could go somewhere that requires someone of my caliber?”
I had been about to greet Misha warmly when I lowered the hand I’d raised. The short-haired girl speaking to Misha had such a sharp, cutting tone.
Misha’s shoulders were slumped.
The youngest girl placed both hands on her hips and echoed those words.
“Yeah! How could someone like you go there?”
Then she pressed herself against the short-haired girl’s side.
“Only our big sister gets to go to such amazing places!”
A satisfied smile played at the corners of the short-haired girl’s mouth as she looked at the Young Girl.
That smile transformed into a sneer the moment it turned toward Misha.
“I find it absolutely repulsive to breathe in the same space as someone as filthy and poor as you, reeking of alcohol.”
With those words, the girl snatched the book from Misha’s hands and tapped Misha’s head with its edge.
“So don’t even think about applying to the Salon. If you show up, I’ll chase you away with a needle.”
I didn’t know the full context, but that girl’s behavior was contemptible.
I waited for Misha to stand up to that violent conduct and talk back. But Misha merely hung her head, her spirit completely crushed.
The short-haired girl, who seemed to relish the sight, lifted her chin high and spoke with her arms crossed.
“Who knows? If you serve as my personal Mute Maid until I leave this Island, I might reconsider.”
“Me too. Me too, big sister.”
The short-haired girl pointed at the Young Girl whining beside her.
“She’ll be a Mute Maid too.”
At that, the Young Girl lifted her chin high and crossed her arms.
“A Mute Maid too!”
There was no malice in the Young Girl’s expression. She was simply mimicking her older sister’s behavior.
Misha clasped her hands together and fidgeted nervously.
The cheerful demeanor she’d shown at the Village Library, the bright greeting at the Wintem Estate—none of it was visible now.
Unable to bear watching this, I pushed the hand cart closer to them.
“Hello, Misha.”
The gazes of all three girls turned toward me.
Misha’s and the short-haired girl’s eyes widened in surprise, while the Young Girl’s eyes began to shimmer with tears.
That was when I caught sight of the title of the book the short-haired girl was holding.
‘Creating Noblewoman Hairstyles?’
It was a book Misha had borrowed from the Village Library before.
Only then did I recall the conversation I’d had with Misha.
“I’m studying beauty and cosmetics. Next year, when I turn seventeen, I plan to go to the Capital and work at the Eleonora Salon.”
“It’s the most famous salon in the Capital, and apparently many upper-class ladies visit. You can see so many beautiful dresses, and the junior staff are even allowed to eat the leftover desserts after tea time. Isn’t that exciting?”
“Irina dreams of becoming a salon designer too. She’s arrogant though, always saying that working at that salon is above her station.”
It seemed this short-haired girl must be that friend Irina.
“Wow, the princess is here.”
The Young Girl was the first to speak.
The Young Girl tugged at the hem of the short-haired girl’s skirt and pointed at me.
“Sister, she’s prettier than you. The prettiest in the whole world.”
The short-haired girl’s brow furrowed.
I smiled warmly first.
“Hello. I’m Priscilla. I’m friends with Misha here.”
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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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