About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 49

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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 49. A New Identity
Walter broached a rather unexpected topic.
“I have a shop in the Capital as well.”
“Pardon?”
He pointed in a particular direction with his finger.
“Over at the Plaza.”
…
“Misha told me to come to the Capital, so I was thinking it might be time to check on things. The Capital branch’s sales have been slipping lately, and I figured I should pay it some attention.”
“Since Priscilla is heading there anyway… let’s go together.”
“Ah, so that’s why you said that back then.”
“Exactly.”
Walter wiped his palms against his trousers, then extended his hand toward me.
“I won’t tell anyone who you really are. Feel free to stop by for a meal whenever you’d like.”
I accepted the handshake he offered.
“Thank you. Take care of yourself.”
The carriage brought us to the front of a five-story red brick building.
‘Royal Troupe Laber…’
A sign bearing the word “Royal” hung prominently, and the building itself was in excellent condition.
Yet the atmosphere surrounding it felt peculiar.
Six men in black suits stood guard at the entrance—burly and imposing, with an air of thuggery about them. Several bore scars across their faces.
Madame Laber’s words came unbidden to mind.
“Our staff may seem intimidating in appearance, but they’re gentle souls. As long as you follow the guidance given, nothing untoward will happen.”
Was this truly safe? Unease crept over me.
The Coachman lowered the luggage from the carriage roof, handed it to the men guarding the entrance, then gestured for me to proceed inside the building.
“You may enter now.”
The door opened.
A dimly lit but elegant vestibule came into view.
After hesitating briefly, I took a step forward, and two burly men carrying luggage followed me inside.
The one carrying Madame Laber’s luggage moved first.
“Wait here.”
After a brief moment, a thin woman in an evening dress approached.
“Welcome. I’m Margaret, who works at the Salon front desk. I’ve been instructed by Madame to guide you, so please follow me.”
As we ascended to the second floor, a dance coach’s voice could be heard.
“One, two, three, two, two, three. Extend your legs further.”
“Aaaaaah―”
From the upper floors came the sounds of singing and instrumental practice.
Seeing it was a legitimate theater company, I finally felt somewhat reassured.
Margaret opened a large door midway along the second-floor corridor. Beyond it lay a long connecting passage without windows.
“This is the passage connecting to the Salon building.”
After walking for some time, she opened another door, revealing a quiet and brightly lit corridor.
“The basement and first floor are the Casino. The second floor is the Salon, and the third through fifth floors are the Hotel. Oh, the interior is all connected, but each section has its own official entrance. We’re currently using the staff route. I’ll show you the Salon entrance later.”
The moment the door to my room opened, I glimpsed blue curtains drawn tight and a bed beyond.
Though it was called a Hotel, the atmosphere was indistinguishable from a modest single-room Inn.
“Here’s your room key.”
Margaret, who handed me the key, pointed toward one end of the corridor.
“There’s a shared bathroom and bathing area over there. You’ll find a water pitcher and basin in your room, so you can bring simple washing water if you need it.”
She then gestured toward the opposite direction.
“That’s the restaurant. It’s available for both Hotel guests on the third floor and staff. Since you’re staff, you won’t need to pay separately—just show your identification badge.”
“….”
“You’re free to move about elsewhere, but never go to the fourth or fifth floors alone without an escort. There’s no one specifically guarding the entrance, but regardless of status, a woman absolutely cannot go up there unaccompanied.”
Those were the suite rooms where high-ranking nobles stayed.
“Some staff occasionally sneak up hoping to catch a noble’s eye—honestly, becoming a mistress makes life easier. But once you’re actually up there, everything changes completely. You won’t become a mistress; you’ll just become a plaything. Don’t do it.”
She emphasized that becoming a noble’s plaything meant far more than a single night of recklessness.
“The fourth and fifth floors operate under extraterritorial authority granted by His Majesty, so truly extreme depravities occur there. Reckless nobles who abuse their power and status are the ones who frequent it. Even if you’re ground to death there, no one will be held accountable.”
She warned me repeatedly not to enter that place, even by accident.
“The soundproofing is excellent. So try not to open your windows at night. When you sleep, always use the additional lock on the door.”
Margaret spoke without pause as she inspected the room’s facilities.
“The maids assigned to the third floor come from the Slums. They’re prone to theft, so put your belongings in the wardrobe and lock it securely. If you need to send a letter or go out, just let me know. Do you have any other questions?”
“Not right now.”
“Then rest up, and I’ll see you at the Salon tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Margaret.”
Margaret disappeared along with the burly man who had set down my bag.
“….”
Staring at the closed door, I sat on the bed for a moment and pulled out my identification badge.
A new identity.
‘Yes. I’m going to live a new life.’
The beginning didn’t feel particularly auspicious, but I had gained a measure of freedom.
Once the contest ended, my circumstances would surely improve.
With hope swelling in my chest, I sprang up and eagerly drew back the curtains, flinging the window wide open.
Surely the sight of a clear blue sky and an expansive view would lift my spirits even more.
But I was immediately at a loss for words.
Hotel or not, the view was of the Slums.
I could see several men arguing loudly in the alley below.
“You there! You’re dead!”
“Are you letting go of this or not?”
“….”
I closed the window. And following Margaret’s advice, I carefully stored my belongings in the wardrobe.
If I wanted to achieve my goal without losing what I had….
‘I really need to keep my wits about me.’
* * *
The next morning, early.
I followed Margaret’s guidance toward the Salon on the second floor.
I was attending Madame Laber’s morning briefing held in the lobby.
As I walked along the spacious corridor, various rooms naturally came into view.
A series of doorless chambers stretched before me.
Glancing inside, I found myself in an extraordinarily luxurious powder room. The interior was quite spacious, with dedicated areas for grooming and fitting.
One wall was dominated by an expansive window, framing a meticulously maintained park and the magnificent Royal Palace beyond.
Tables and sofas were arranged as if inviting one to take an elegant tea while gazing out at the view.
A stark contrast to my own room, which overlooked the Slums.
“The view is truly lovely.”
Margaret let out a soft laugh at my words.
“The difference in window placement is quite significant.”
Margaret, walking ahead, gestured toward the powder room’s entrance as she spoke.
“There are curtains installed inside. If absolutely necessary, you can draw them across the entrance. Should you need to call a front desk attendant, simply pull the bell cord. Do you see it?”
I could see bell cords installed throughout the space.
“Pull that, and I’ll come. And this here is the second-floor lobby where the front desk is located.”
Before Margaret could finish speaking, she bowed respectfully. Madame Laber and her staff stood in the lobby, which was far more expansive than the powder room.
Irina was among them.
Upon seeing me, Irina appeared somewhat bewildered.
“Come over here and stand.”
Madame Laber gestured toward me with a flourish of her cigarette holder.
“Everyone should know a new staff member has arrived. Introduce yourself.”
Curiosity flickered in the eyes of the Salon staff.
“This is Pree, an exclusive designer who will be competing in the Royal Elegance Contest, and she’s starting work today.”
The moment she finished speaking, I felt a chill in their gazes.
Irina, in particular, made no effort to conceal her hostility.
“What’s with those looks? You’re displeased that a newly hired designer is being sent to compete in the Royal Elegance Contest?”
At Madame Laber’s words, everyone lowered their eyes.
“Then you should have defeated the Eleonora Salon in last year’s Royal Elegance Contest. You’re all incompetent yet full of greed. Tsk!”
Madame Laber’s expression hardened as she issued her command.
“If you don’t want to be fired, cooperate fully.”
The staff members all bowed their heads in unison.
“Understood.”
“Good. Now everyone get to work. You, come with me.”
The staff dispersed to their respective positions.
Madame Laber, walking ahead, pointed with her cigarette holder toward an empty powder room.
It was close to the lobby, more ornate than the other powder rooms, and twice as spacious.
“This is your workplace. My Study is in the room with a door at the end of the corridor. Let’s go there and finish our conversation.”
Madame Laber’s Study was not significantly different from any other study I had seen.
We sat facing each other on sofas with a table between us.
“Well then, shall we discuss our strategy for the Royal Elegance Contest? How can we defeat the Eleonora Salon?”
I needed to involve myself actively in this competition. It was the path to seizing both victory and vengeance—two birds with a single stone.
“Since it’s decided by vote, we must increase the number of people actively supporting this salon. With limited time remaining, provide me with information on key clients and potential ones.”
I shared my other thoughts with Madame Laber as well.
Madame Laber listened quietly, nodding at the necessary points.
She responded enthusiastically, especially regarding providing me with the information I needed and laying the groundwork—the part about needing to meet influential figures in high society.
“People with the kind of influence you’re talking about have their salon appointments booked quite late. But I do have information on them, so I’ll give you that first.”
We then discussed several other matters.
It was when I felt we had covered enough ground.
A knock sounded from beyond the door, followed by a familiar voice.
“Madame, may I come in?”
Reclining against the single-seat sofa, Madame Laber lit her long cigarette holder and crossed her legs.
“Yes. Come in.”
The person who entered through the door was Irina.

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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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