About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 57

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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 57. Pregnancy, I’ll Grant It Willingly
Luderne Sellen’s teeth ground together audibly.
“Even if I must become a demon, I’ll finish this within two years. After that, I’ll grant you all the pregnancy you’ve desired.”
Brissel Mohr found himself at a loss for words.
Just months ago, this man had trembled at the threats of the Emperor and Prince, unable to even speak of his former wife—yet now he had transformed so completely.
As Brissel searched for the reason behind Luderne’s change, he recalled the several portraits that had been arranged on his desk moments earlier.
Perhaps the catalyst was that there were now quite a few plausible candidates among them.
The situation had progressed to the point where he might find himself forced into marriage without any means of escape.
Or perhaps he had already undergone this transformation when Priscilla departed.
As Brissel continued his deliberations, they arrived at the heavily locked entrance to the underground chamber.
At Luderne’s gesture, Brissel quickly produced the key and opened the door.
Descending the stairs, they emerged into a dim, moisture-laden basement.
Upon entering, several buckets filled with water came into view, along with rope, a horse whip, and various weapons and blades hanging from the walls.
A burly man standing in the shadows bowed respectfully to Luderne and straightened his posture.
Beside him sat a middle-aged, bald man, beaten nearly to tatters, bound to a chair.
Bernard Heser.
He was the proprietor of the Heser Trading Company, which, though modest in scale, conducted business with numerous establishments.
A man whose hobby was indulgence in vice, he frequented every entertainment establishment in the Capital, until a decade ago when gambling debts forced him to sell his only daughter—an act that finally brought him to his senses.
From that point forward, he had labored diligently.
Then he became involved in the ventures that Luderne had invested in, and upon witnessing the substantial capital, his old vices resurged like a plague.
Rather than devoting himself to the enterprise, he had hidden away and squandered portions of Luderne’s funds on debauchery.
For this transgression, he had been captured and was now imprisoned in this basement.
“G-Grand Duke! I’ve truly erred! I must have lost my senses!”
Bernard cried out with every ounce of his strength.
“I repent most deeply! I’ve already signed the documents transferring all my assets—please, I beg you, spare my life!”
At those words, Luderne removed one black glove and struck Bernard’s cheek with a vicious slash.
Crack!
“Ugh!”
The sharp sound and Bernard’s groan echoed through the basement.
Slap!
The sound of another strike across his cheek rang out.
After delivering three more blows in succession, Bernard’s head dropped downward.
He had lost consciousness.
“Walter.”
At Luderne’s call, Walter emerged from the shadows.
His stern expression matched Luderne’s as he too wore black gloves upon his hands.
Walter lifted a bucket filled with water and poured it over Bernard.
“Ngh….”
Bernard’s eyes opened once more.
“How far have we progressed.”
Walter answered Luderne’s question.
“At first, he came at me with audacious claims about receiving a court judgment. So I broke his ankle. Then he signed away all his property rights. If you want more, I can sever his wrists or extract his organs.”
Luderne nodded at the brutal words delivered without the slightest change in expression.
“True, having him surrender his assets won’t solve everything. Compared to my investment, it’s merely a drop in the bucket. Still, that’s a sound approach.”
As Luderne agreed, Bernard was startled and cried out urgently.
“Y-Your Grace! The Arde Kingdom has laws! You can’t simply do that without a proper c-court judgment!”
When Luderne’s eyes narrowed, Bernard pressed harder with his voice.
“I admit my wrongdoing—please hand me over for trial! Let me receive the judge’s v-verdict, ugh!”
Luderne struck Bernard’s cheek once more with his gloved hand, cutting his words short.
“Brissel Mohr, this man seems unfamiliar with the law. What would happen if we granted his request?”
Brissel Mohr answered without hesitation.
“Your Grace holds citizenship in both the Doerban Empire and the Arde Kingdom. Therefore, you may choose which nation’s court system to utilize.”
Luderne regarded Bernard with a chilling gaze.
“If I select Doerban Imperial law, fraud alone would be compounded by charges of deceiving the imperial family—certain execution. And I would determine the method of execution.”
Luderne’s eyes drifted momentarily into empty space before one corner of his mouth curled upward.
“He’d come to view dying now as a mercy.”
“Hieeeeeek!”
Only then did Bernard begin pleading desperately.
“I-I was wrong! I’ll do whatever you command! Please, grant me one more chance!”
“If I give you a chance, will you truly do whatever I ask?”
“I will! I swear it on my life!”
Luderne stared at Bernard for a moment, then removed his leather gloves. He withdrew the magical scroll he had brought earlier.
“This is a magical scroll. If you break your oath, your head will explode—but since you’ve sworn on your life, you shouldn’t have any reservations.”
* * *
The next day.
Anne, visiting the Raber Salon innocently, encountered Melissa Bilsty at the casino on the basement level.
As Melissa had anticipated, the casino was devoid of patrons.
“I told you to come here because the drinks sold at the casino are delicious, but it seems the staff happens to be off today.”
With those words, Melissa led Anne up to the fourth floor and suggested they enjoy tea quietly there, guiding her through a concealed passage.
Upon reaching the entrance to the fourth floor, Melissa feigned sudden surprise.
“Oh my, where is my mind? I left something at the casino.”
“Really? Then I’ll go fetch it right away. What item is it?”
Melissa gently stopped Anne, who was turning to leave.
“No, I’ll go myself. It’s Room 402, and I left it unlocked—you go in and wait. Don’t enter any other rooms. It would disturb the resting guests.”
“Yes, I understand.”
As Melissa headed back to the first floor, Anne opened the door to Room 402.
A powerful fragrance struck her nostrils first.
‘Does the young lady of Count Bilsty prefer such a strong scent?’
Entering the room, Anne surveyed its interior.
The expansive suite was decorated entirely in red and black—walls, floors, and furnishings alike—creating an extraordinarily opulent atmosphere.
It matched the fragrant aura that permeated the room.
Yet despite the midday hour, the curtains were drawn, and the only light came from a single candle burning on the nightstand, casting the entire space into shadow.
‘I should brighten this room before Melissa Bilsty arrives.’
With that thought, Anne strode deeper inside and pulled back the curtain.
“?”
Behind the curtain was not a window. A large wooden painting hung there instead.
“What on earth…?”
Then she heard a sound from behind her.
Anne naturally assumed it was Melissa.
“Ah, Miss Melissa Bilsty, it seems the wall is behind the curtain. I should turn on the lights…”
But before she could turn around, a rough hand yanked her backward. Something cold and sinister pressed against her neck—unmistakably cold metal.
A man’s low voice sounded.
“Who are you to barge into my room without permission? Do you have a death wish?”
* * *
Some time later, the door to Room 402 opened.
The one who emerged from the dark room was Anne, adjusting her clothing.
“You’re quite useful. I think I’ll remember you next time.”
The low voice seemed to have improved in mood somewhat.
“If you happen to think of me, feel free to come again. I’ll grant you special permission.”
With those words, the door to Room 402 closed.
Staring at the closed door, Anne’s tension dissolved, and she slid down the wall to sit on the floor.
She remained dazed for a moment, then wrapped her arms around herself.
She couldn’t believe it.
I had come to meet Melissa. I entered the room she had told me about.
Yet suddenly, I was seized by a strange man and surrendered my chastity.
And I was the one who initiated it.
Of course, I had revealed from the start that I was a maid of Prince Wintem’s household. I had even told him I entered this room on Miss Melissa’s orders.
I thought surely the man would lower his weapon then.
But the man merely cut me off sharply, asking how I dared speak another’s name.
Then he informed me that the fourth and fifth floors of Raber Salon were extraterritorial grounds.
He said that even if I truly were a maid of the Grand Duke’s house, once I set foot here, there would be no problem killing me.
The sheer murderous intent made me terrified. My skin crawled.
When I begged him to spare my life, saying I would do anything, the man released me and spoke.
He said his mood had been thoroughly ruined by the interruption, and I should do whatever it took to improve it.
He said if my efforts succeeded in lifting his mood, he would let me go.

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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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