About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 43

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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 43. I Had to Leave
‘First, I had to survive no matter what.’
Just because I’d regressed didn’t mean I dreamed of living some grand life. But I had no desire to die again because of Melissa and Count Veloda Genoma.
And… I wanted to save Luderne Sellen.
After finishing my meal, I tidied my hair into a neat updo, draped a cardigan over my shoulders, and made my way down to the beach.
I sat perched on a rock, gazing out at the azure sea while my thoughts churned endlessly.
Within the Sellen Barony, Luderne Sellen and I had merely fulfilled our marital duties out of obligation.
To continue the lineage.
In other words, he had never loved me, nor had he ever truly cared for me.
Yet when I reflected on those past days, he had done so much for me.
When we were together, he was a dependable husband in financial matters. Whenever he went to the battlefield, he prepared emergency funds for me.
After his status was erased by death, our legal relationship dissolved, and I too lost my identity pass, leaving me stranded with nowhere to turn. Yet despite being cursed, he had offered his own cooperation in his way.
Thinking it through to that point, I realized the reckless decision had been mine.
I said I would bear a child to survive, but a child born of love with someone I cherish—that felt like a dream.
But what an ordinary child that would be.
Upon birth, they would become both imperial royalty of the Doerban Empire and royal blood of the Arde Kingdom.
I turned over the information Sir Jester had given me once more.
I had three years left.
And thanks to Sir Jester’s help, for the next year and a half, I wouldn’t need to share a bed with Luderne Sellen.
‘A child born between two people who love each other…’
I wasn’t certain it would happen on schedule, but if it occurred within three years, that would suffice.
I simply needed to forget Luderne Sellen and fall in love with another man. As long as that man loved me in return…
In theory, breaking the curse wasn’t an impossible feat.
Sir Jester came to mind first as a candidate.
Since he had already revealed his feelings, all I needed to do was love him.
But I soon shook my head.
‘If I could have loved Sir Jester, I would have done so long ago. I’ve watched him for four years, after all.’
I loved Luderne Sellen too deeply for it to work.
Even if I fell for someone new, that person could not be close to Luderne Sellen. My resolve would crumble the moment I saw him, no matter how hard I tried to redirect my heart.
In other words, I could not view anyone on this island as a romantic prospect.
‘To increase the probability of meeting a man who isn’t bound to this place, and to prevent Luderne Sellen’s death through my own efforts…’
The conclusion became clear.
I had to leave this island.
‘And they say the heart grows distant when you don’t see someone.’
By keeping my distance from Luderne Sellen, my feelings would cool. In that state, I would seek out an attractive man and learn to love him.
That way, I wouldn’t be unfair to whoever I came to love next.
‘Then the city would be the better choice.’
Parting with the islanders I’d grown fond of pained me, but it was unavoidable if I wanted to survive and save Luderne Sellen.
“Sigh…”
In the end, the identity pass issue—which had become my constant obstacle—drew a weary sigh from me.
Long ago, not long after I became Luderne Sellen’s mistress, I once asked him if he could provide me with a new identity pass.
His answer was simple.
“Are you asking me to commit a crime?”
It was hopeless.
He only said he would look into reissuing my original identity pass if I wanted it.
‘But if I get my identity pass reissued, I’ll have to live as the wife of Count Veloda Genoma. Even if I return like that, there’s no way I could move freely as I wish.’
My family home was a place I never wanted to return to again.
When I thought of what they had done to me, fury still surged within me.
‘Revenge wouldn’t even be enough.’
Since I couldn’t leave the island and had to stay, I abandoned any hope of finding a way out long ago, but as long as I didn’t encounter them, I could probably live like this indefinitely.
‘Is there a good solution?’
That was when it happened.
“Are you Priscilla?”
I turned around at the unfamiliar voice.
A gaunt woman with navy hair and heavy, thick makeup stood before me.
White smoke rose from the long cigarette holder in her hand. Her revealing dress exuded a certain decadent charm.
The woman, who had arrogantly looked down at me with a sweeping gaze, drew her crimson lips into a long smile.
“Your hairstyle looks simple, but the styling is quite distinctive. It doesn’t suit this island.”
The fact that she spoke casually from our first meeting suggested she held considerable status.
But her condescending attitude displeased me, so I rose from my seat.
Standing face to face, the woman was slightly shorter than me. She naturally looked up at me.
I looked down at her and asked.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Thea Laverre. People call me Madame Raber. Pleased to meet you.”
It was a name I felt I’d heard before.
I nodded once, but I couldn’t remember who she was. Because of that, I became cautious.
“What brings you all the way here?”
“I heard there’s a very skilled young lady on this island, so I came to verify it myself.”
“….”
“You don’t need to be so guarded. The person who told me about you is Irina.”
Then it came back to me.
“I heard she became roommates with someone this year. They’re both healthy. Oh, and Irina received an offer from Madame Raber, the director of the Royal Theater Company, and transferred to a position styling performers. It’s called the Laverre Salon. She said the salary is better too.”
“Ah, you’re Madame Raber, the director of the Royal Theater Company?”
“That’s right. That’s me.”
She took a drag from her cigarette with evident satisfaction.
“On my way here, I noticed the styling of those who received your touch was truly exceptional. So I came to scout you as a designer for our salon.”
I listened to what she had to say for a moment.
My work would be to style the models competing in the Royal Elegance Contest.
“I’m the director of the Royal Theater Company, but I’m also the owner of the Laverre Salon. I want to achieve good results in this competition. But honestly, I don’t have talented personnel skilled enough to surpass the Eleonora Salon.”
After consideration, Madame Raber decided to have her staff recommend talented individuals.
Along with the promise that if the recruited talent proved exceptional, she would offer the recommender a substantial incentive.
And so Irina had recommended me.
She said there was someone on Heril Island with truly exceptional skills.
“Not just a recommendation either—she praised me with shining eyes.”
Madame Laber had even come to find me herself after hearing about it, ready to take me away on the spot if I impressed her.
It was a timely opportunity for me, who had been thinking of leaving the island anyway.
But there was one problem.
My identity pass.
“I’m grateful for the offer. However, there is a complication. When I arrived on this island, my identity was revoked due to certain circumstances.”
I had to say that much. But I could never mention that I had become the wife of Count Veloda Genoma.
Yet Madame Laber nodded readily.
“Ah, if that’s the case, don’t worry. Someone of my standing can resolve that easily. I always keep a spare legitimate identity pass that can have a name inscribed on it immediately.”
It was a truly astonishing answer.
“Isn’t that illegal?”
Her response was a scoff.
“If I followed all the laws in my line of work, my range of operation would become far too narrow.”
She said she occasionally encounters commoners like me—talented individuals without identity passes.
She always kept a couple of identity passes on hand that could be used immediately for their public activities.
“I believe you have more than enough talent to achieve the results I desire at the Royal Elegance Contest.”
She said I only needed to work for her until the contest concluded.
The contest was about a month away.
If I could do just that, and she would provide sufficient incentive based on my performance, it seemed like a reasonable arrangement.
But I made one additional request.
That once I left the island, I wanted to live with a new identity. That she keep my personal information absolutely confidential.
Madame Laber agreed readily.
“The Quindel Ship will arrive at the harbor in four days at dawn. Will you come to the port then?”
“I will. Thank you for everything.”
“I’m glad we understand each other so well. The feeling is mutual.”
We concluded our conversation and shook hands.
Only after the handshake did I realize Walter had been standing behind us.
Walter spoke hesitantly, looking flustered.
“I’m sorry. I heard you were ill and bedridden, so I came by out of concern… I ended up overhearing without meaning to.”
* * *
Four days later, at dawn.
I stood before the mirror after tidying my home thoroughly.
Now was the time to pour all my skills upon myself.
I refined my skin texture and applied a light red shadow across my eyelids. I drew my eyeliner bold and thick, and didn’t forget to lift the outer corners slightly.
After filling my lashes with mascara, I groomed my brows and added color to my cheeks with blush.
I deepened my lips with red lipstick, then picked up the curling iron I had heated.
With each movement of my hands, my jet-black hair fell in luxuriant waves and cascades.
I was pleased with how well the hair dye I’d applied before bed yesterday had turned out.
After changing into a pale green dress, I checked my reflection in the mirror once more.
The innocent-looking Priscilla with her honey-blonde hair was gone. In her place stood an unfamiliar young woman with feline eyes.
I considered adding a beauty mark beneath my eye or near my lips, but decided against it. This level of transformation was already natural enough without such embellishments.
No one would recognize me.
I stared at my reflection for a long time, taking deep breath after deep breath. I was afraid, uncertain, and honestly unsure if this was even the right choice.
‘Madame Laber claims to be the director of the Royal Theater Company, but given that peculiar decadent atmosphere of hers….’
It was risky to voice aloud, but she could very well be a major player in the entertainment underworld.
‘This could be dangerous.’
Yet I couldn’t simply let this opportunity to escape the island slip away.
She had no connection to Luderne Sellen whatsoever, and she possessed the perfect conditions to get me off this island.
‘To prevent Luderne’s death and break my curse, I must leave this island.’
So there was only one thing I could tell myself.
“Everything will be fine.”
After repeating those words to myself several times, I picked up the packed travel bag I’d prepared.
But the moment my feet crossed the threshold, my body went rigid.
A towering frame, broad shoulders.
Someone was standing outside.

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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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