About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 54

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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 54. Lies
A bewitching woman who monopolizes the favor of the powerful.
What an enchanting image that was.
I wondered if I might later become queen and keep Luderne Wintem Grand Duke as my lover—or perhaps the reverse, becoming his grand duchess while sharing forbidden love with the king.
Neither option displeased me.
I rather enjoyed the thought of the two of them fighting over me.
If they were to beg for my affection simultaneously, it would be nothing short of perfection.
Then Count Veloda Genoma came to mind.
Of course, Count Veloda Genoma had his uses in various ways—particularly in matters of the night.
But if I could grasp both the king and the grand duke, I would discard him without hesitation.
Or perhaps I could keep him as a knight at my side and toss him scraps from time to time?
He had been a complete stranger to me once.
But he was the man I discovered when a fortune teller who visited one day gave Melissa Bilsty and Matilda Bilsty a convenient pretext to eliminate Priscilla.
Without me, he would have spent his entire life impoverished in some rural corner with nothing but an empty title.
He knew this well, and so he remained loyal to me.
Thus, when Melissa Bilsty became so popular that she received invitations to every party in the Arde Kingdom, I made a vow.
After Count Veloda Genoma and the king, I would seduce Luderne Wintem Grand Duke as well.
When I first saw Luderne at a banquet in the capital after making that vow, I doubted my own eyes.
He was not entirely unfamiliar to me.
More precisely, my heart seemed to drop.
Though years had passed and my memory had grown hazy, the Grand Duke resembled Priscilla’s dead husband.
Even his name was the same.
“How could I possibly remember every detail of some man who died years ago? Besides, he’s a different person. The atmosphere is completely different.”
To Melissa Bilsty’s doubt, Matilda Bilsty dismissed it carelessly, saying that made no sense.
But Melissa Bilsty grew uncomfortable facing the grand duke.
Because I was the one who killed Priscilla.
Of course, Matilda Bilsty’s assertion that Baron Sellen could not possibly be the Grand Duke was also correct.
Baron Sellen had fallen in battle long ago.
On a whim, Melissa Bilsty searched for a portrait of Luderne Sellen. Comparing it to the portrait would settle the matter.
But that method proved impossible.
Baron Sellen’s Estate, where the portrait would have been kept, had already been disposed of by Count Veloda Genoma, who converted it to money.
Recalling this fact, Melissa Bilsty finally felt relief.
“If he were the same person, Count Veloda Genoma could never have received the inheritance itself.”
Still, I thought it best to double-check. The resemblance was too striking.
So at an outdoor banquet where I first encountered Luderne, I asked.
“Haven’t we met somewhere before?”
At Melissa Bilsty’s coquettish question, Luderne’s eyes widened for a moment before he let out a hollow laugh.
“A tired line. First time seeing you.”
That brief moment between the two of us was captured by a photographer’s camera and spread through the newspapers.
And it was none other than the smile of the Grand Duke.
Luderne Sellen, as known in high society, rarely engaged in conversation beyond business matters.
Even when he did indulge in personal discourse, his demeanor was oppressively arrogant and condescending.
This held true regardless of whether his conversation partner was King Zerox or Princess Cerni herself.
Yet when Melissa Bilsty spoke to him, a photograph capturing the corners of his mouth lifting appeared in the newspapers.
Even the notoriously cold Prince Wintem treated Melissa differently—displaying tender responses to the flower of high society.
Such a perception was hardly unreasonable.
Through this incident, Melissa Bilsty’s influence in high society expanded considerably.
Having reaped substantial benefits from a single black-and-white photograph, Melissa felt increasingly reassured.
‘That’s right. My memory must have distorted over the years. Baron Sellen had a reasonably handsome face, but not to this extent.’
Melissa had gained another realization at that moment.
She should exploit the journalists to the fullest and see Luderne more frequently.
‘The more often we meet, the deeper our intimacy will grow.’
After that, Melissa deliberately initiated conversation with him more often.
Since he was such a cold man, she was careful to avoid any awkward silence, deliberately choosing moments when King Zerox could observe and hear.
She would comment on how beautiful the weather was today, or mention rumors that the macarons served at the upcoming tea time were exceptionally delicious.
These were remarks that would seem inconsequential even if Zerox overheard them.
Each time, Luderne Sellen would lift the corners of his mouth, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at me.
That expression seemed closer to mockery than affection in Melissa Bilsty’s eyes.
‘Could it be because of my lower status?’
However, the other nobles focused solely on the fact that he had lifted the corners of his mouth.
And the more Melissa and Luderne Sellen appeared together in the newspapers, the more noble ladies sought to befriend her.
“What were you discussing with His Highness the Grand Duke? The atmosphere seemed quite pleasant.”
Through their reactions, Melissa gained yet another realization.
‘Could it be that Prince Wintem actually treats me with a gentle smile, but his expression simply isn’t expressive enough for it to appear that way?’
Then I must certainly be misinterpreting things.
A thrill ran through her.
‘That’s it! Prince Wintem is interested in me. He’s simply avoiding words that might give His Majesty cause for suspicion.’
Having reached this conclusion entirely on her own, Melissa began fabricating stories with an angelic smile to the curious nobles.
“He mentioned there’s a beautiful villa in the Wintem Territory. He asked how I’d feel about visiting it together sometime.”
It was hardly surprising that astonishment filled the faces of the noble ladies.
“My goodness! Does that mean…?”
“It seems His Highness the Grand Duke wishes to become something special to the young lady.”
“They say he’s terribly cold, but could he have special feelings for her?”
Melissa then laughed shyly.
“No, that’s not it. He was simply mentioning that such a villa exists. Besides, it’s quite far away… I’m perfectly content with His Majesty’s affection alone. And His Highness the Grand Duke is aware of my relationship with His Majesty, so he certainly didn’t mean anything by it.”
She harbored no fear of her fabrication being exposed.
No noble lady possessed the audacity to question Luderne Sellen about the truth.
After all, they could barely exchange a single word with him.
Thanks to this, Melissa Bilsty’s standing expanded regardless of the truth, and her confidence grew with each passing day.
In any case, whenever she spoke to him, Luderne Sellen responded. If they continued meeting like this a few more times, she might even be able to seduce him.
Perhaps history would be written the day I visited his mansion.
‘If that happens today, I could also secure votes at the Royal Elegance Contest in three days. They’ll certainly lend me their support.’
Melissa clenched her fist, thinking of the many nobles of the Arde Kingdom who followed Luderne Sellen through business relations.
‘If I bring them all to my side, I can secure over 40% of the votes at the Royal Elegance Contest.’
Unlike last year when I won with 23% of the votes, this time I could win by an overwhelmingly large margin.
With that kind of victory, no one would dare challenge the abilities of the Eleonora Salon or my beauty.
But then Melissa’s feet began to ache, and fatigue crept in.
‘Why is this taking so long?’
I should have worn lower heels if I’d known this would happen.
Melissa checked the wall clock. More than thirty minutes had passed since the maid went upstairs, yet there was still no word.
‘Is she out of her mind?’
She looked around more carefully.
There was a round chair without a backrest in one corner—a waiting seat for servants to use while they waited for their master.
As Melissa hesitated between sitting in the servant’s chair or not, the butler Egardt appeared before her.
“My apologies for the long wait, Miss Melissa Bilsty. I shall show you to the Reception Room.”
“Where is the Grand Duke?”
“He was in a meeting, so word of your visit was only just delivered to him. He is coming right away.”
“Well, if he was in a meeting, there’s nothing to be done. I did arrive quite suddenly, after all.”
Melissa quickened her pace.
The butler Egardt’s directions had been accurate.
Before Melissa had even sat on the sofa in the Reception Room, Luderne Sellen and his aide Brissel Mohr entered.
Melissa was brimming with anticipation.
A sense of victory surged through her as well.
‘Hehe! He came rushing out the moment he heard the news. He must have been waiting for me, just as I thought.’
First the King, now the Grand Duke.
It was perfect.
‘Getting support at the Royal Elegance Contest will be very easy.’
Melissa held a pure gold potted plant in one hand and offered a respectful greeting from the start.
“Good day, Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
“What brings you to visit, Miss Bilsty?”
Melissa studied Luderne Sellen’s expressionless response. He was strikingly handsome, but his face appeared as indifferent as always.
With his dark hair casually swept back, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, he exuded masculine charm and seemed perfectly at ease.
Melissa gazed at his broad shoulders, then imagined the firm musculature hidden beneath the shirt.
Would the beast sleeping within those trousers be the same as the King’s, or different?
She wanted to find out.
“I saw someone moving into what they say is the largest and most beautiful mansion in this Town House. I wondered who the owner was, and they told me it was Your Highness the Grand Duke Wintem.”
Melissa glanced around the interior of the Reception Room before turning to Luderne Sellen with an innocent, radiant smile and speaking in a clear, melodious voice.
“Now that I’ve come inside, it’s even more wonderful than I imagined. Truly a beautiful place. I’ve been wanting to see it for so long.”
Luderne Sellen gave a single nod with an expressionless face.
“I see. Well, I’m busy, so I’ll take my leave now. Since you’ve seen what you wanted to see, you should head back as well.”
His tone suggested he was questioning why she had come for such a trivial matter.
Luderne Sellen issued the order to dismiss her without even turning around, and left.
At his response, Melissa Bilsty’s eyes widened in utter bewilderment.
Soon, the butler Egardt bowed respectfully to Melissa Bilsty.
“Then I shall see you out.”
“Wait a moment.”
Melissa Bilsty showed Egardt the pure gold planter she held in her arms.
“I brought a gift for my visit—are you telling me to leave like this? Won’t you even offer me a cup of tea?”
“His Grace does not accept visits outside of scheduled appointments or merchandise unrelated to business. This time, as he had been waiting for quite some time, he granted you an audience. However, for future visits, please make a formal appointment beforehand.”
Melissa Bilsty was ushered out of the mansion.
The pure gold planter, which had never left her hands because no one had offered to carry it for her, remained clutched in her arms.
It had all transpired in less than three minutes from the moment she set foot in the Reception Room.

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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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