About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 61

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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 61. Everything Goes According to Plan
Melissa grew anxious, waiting for Zerox’s gaze to turn toward me. But he looked elsewhere, far beyond.
Melissa followed his gaze frantically.
It led to a balcony near one side of the second floor of the Banquet Hall, where Luderne Sellen and Brissel Mohr sat together on a velvet sofa in front of the balcony.
Soon after, Zerox turned his head and ascended to the third floor once more.
I had hoped he would meet my eyes one more time.
Zerox picked up a quill and wrote down a supporter’s name. Then he placed it in the ballot box.
Since he cast his vote before even watching the waltz, Melissa naturally assumed it was for me.
Yet doubt still lingered.
If he truly supported me, that ballot would have already had “diamond” written on it.
What did he write instead?
What if it wasn’t diamond?
As one anxious thought led to another, Melissa clenched her fists.
‘No, His Majesty would never do such a thing.’
At that moment, Count Veloda Genoma approached Melissa’s side and extended his hand.
“This is a time when you must manage your expression.”
He wore a forced smile.
“An unexpected competitor has appeared, which is certainly surprising, but His Majesty the King must have lent his support. There is no victory that can overcome power, so let us proceed.”
It sounded reasonable.
“…Yes. Once the voting ends, His Majesty will surely speak to me first, won’t he? Because I will be the champion.”
“Of course.”
At Count Veloda Genoma’s response, Melissa forced a bright smile and headed to the hall.
The contestants wearing colorful gemstone brooches on their left shoulders began waltzing with their partners.
As if they were the happiest people in the world, they all wore radiant expressions.
People in the Banquet Hall either watched the waltz or gathered in small groups to converse, then placed their tickets in the ballot box.
After the waltz ended, Melissa and Count Veloda Genoma also completed their voting.
Writing “diamond” for Matilda Bilsty’s portion as well.
Melissa’s nerves sharpened as she observed others voting.
Then Brissel Mohr came forward as the representative of Luderne Sellen’s faction and placed a handful of ballot papers into the ballot box.
The nobles gathered in that direction had also completed their voting.
About ten minutes later, another sofa with gold trim was placed near the ballot box.
A red carpet was laid on the staircase leading to the Banquet Hall.
Zerox descended from the third floor and sat on the gold-trimmed sofa. Behind him, the Minister of the Royal Household and Princess Cherni stood on either side.
Then the owners and designers of each salon, along with the contestants, gathered at the bottom of the staircase.
They stood facing Zerox.
The gazes of all the nobles who had finished voting were fixed in that direction.
When Zerox gestured with his hand, the Banquet Hall fell silent all at once.
“Begin the count.”
At the King’s command, a Master of Ceremonies pulled a ticket from the ballot box.
“Diamond.”
At those words, another Master of Ceremonies withdrew a single white rose from the colorful bouquets.
The rose was promptly fixed to the cork scoreboard with a ribbon-adorned pin.
Beneath the name of Eleonora Salon.
Seeing this, Melissa felt the tightness in her chest ease somewhat.
The Master of Ceremonies drew the next ticket.
“Diamond.”
Another white rose was placed beneath the name of Eleonora Salon.
Diamond was called four times in succession.
‘As expected.’
Melissa’s lips curved upward slightly.
Then a different gemstone emerged from the Master of Ceremonies’ lips.
“Ruby.”
This time, a red rose was adorned beneath another salon’s name.
The Master of Ceremonies, drawing the next ticket, maintained a brief silence before speaking.
“Citrine.”
Simultaneously, a subtle commotion rippled through the Banquet Hall.
Both Melissa and Count Veloda Genoma unconsciously bit their lower lips.
Even this slight disturbance made it immediately apparent—everyone in the Banquet Hall was curious about which salon had worn the citrine brooch.
A yellow buttercup was fixed to the cork scoreboard. It was Salon Raber.
The Banquet Hall stirred once more.
The Master of Ceremonies drew the next ticket and read it aloud.
“Citrine.”
Another buttercup was affixed to the cork scoreboard.
“Citrine.”
The next ticket was citrine, and the one after that, and the one after that—all citrine.
Though other gemstones like diamond, emerald, and amethyst appeared intermittently, as the counting progressed, only citrine fell from the Master of Ceremonies’ lips.
Before long, every nobleman in the Banquet Hall anticipated it—Salon Raber’s brilliant and overwhelming victory.
And by the time the counting concluded, everyone’s anticipation had transformed into certainty.
The cork scoreboard was nearly covered entirely with yellow buttercups.
Melissa reeled from shock and fury.
‘This is impossible! This cannot be!’
* * *
I had maintained an outward composure all along, yet since hearing Olivia’s performance, I had been inwardly delighted.
Everything unfolded as planned.
The moment her song ended, an unusual current swept through the Banquet Hall. The noblewomen who had been gathered and whispering hurried off in various directions.
‘Exactly as I anticipated.’
My leveraging of Baroness Meldear and Countess Dora’s influence was proving effective.
“If you find my abilities to your liking, would you help me?”
I had posed this question to both ladies during my last appointment, and made a particular request.
That they subtly spread word in their respective circles—that only those who voted for Salon Raber would receive priority reservations.
I added that if they didn’t need to help, but if they did, I would prioritize them as my VIP regular clients.
It was a sort of business proposition.
“Hmm, if becoming a VIP under Priscilla’s regular care is all it takes…”
Baroness Meldear had been anxious about her appointment schedule constantly not aligning, so she readily accepted my request.
However, Countess Dora, who had received styling from me, expressed satisfaction while also voicing her doubts.
“You’re meeting me for the first time today, and you have no reputation to speak of, yet you’re overflowing with audacity. Aiming for first place in your debut competition? For that, you’d need to be equally prepared. Even then, it might be difficult.”
Her tone was negative.
As Countess Dora gently stroked her chin with her finger, I asked with a somewhat sorrowful expression.
“Would it be impossible with my skill level?”
Countess Dora then startled and waved her hand dismissively.
“No, that’s not what I meant. Since it’s your first competition, I was just wondering if you could win. The King’s influence is so strong that it matters more than skill. Among all the salon staff I’ve met so far, you’re my favorite.”
Then she nodded and laughed.
“If my single word becomes the spark that changes even the winner of this competition… fine. Let’s give it a try. It’ll be fun to watch that unfold.”
As a result of my dealings with the two ladies, I had created a spectacle where noblewomen rushed to find Margaret standing in the corner of the banquet hall and competed to make reservations.
Margaret became busy with noblewomen presenting golden paper tickets inscribed with what must have been “Hwang Sujung.”
Meanwhile, after Olivia’s appearance, Melissa and Count Veloda Genoma stood frozen like stone statues.
Witnessing their shocked state, I felt myself becoming remarkably calm. Their reaction was a worthwhile gain.
‘Looking at it this way, it’s nothing special, is it?’
The tightness in my chest eased somewhat, and confidence bloomed within me.
‘Ah, now you two will be dancing in the palm of my hand.’
With that mindset, I even became relaxed. It seemed I could simply observe their behavior comfortably from here.
After the salon owners, designers, and competitors all gathered at the bottom of the voting hall stairs, it was the same.
Even with Melissa and Count Veloda Genoma nearby, I remained composed.
They wouldn’t recognize me anyway.
Melissa’s face, which I glimpsed, was flushed and pale in turns.
Count Veloda Genoma rubbed around his mouth with one hand, cold sweat beading on his skin.
‘Did they understand the meaning of the song Olivia sang?’
I speculated, but I couldn’t be sure.
In any case, their restlessness alone was exhilarating.
‘I haven’t even begun my revenge yet.’
For now, I had landed the first blow.
At that moment, the Chief Attendant held up the ballot box upside down.
“There are no more votes remaining.”
The King, sitting comfortably on the sofa, observed the flowers inserted into the cork score board and lifted one corner of his mouth.
“It’s so overwhelming there’s no need to count. Now I must present the awards.”
The moment his words fell, the Minister of the Royal Household held up a tray covered in silk bearing three golden trophies.
The King rose from the sofa.
“Salon Raber, come forward.”
Madame Laber was the first to step onto the red carpet stairs, followed by Olivia, the competitor, and the man who escorted her, walking behind Madame Laber.
Following them up the stairs were three staff members: myself, Irina, and Misha.
Madame Laber stood before Zerox and offered a respectful bow.
Behind her, Olivia and her partner lined up, followed by myself, Irina, and Misha in a single file. We bowed toward Zerox before standing at attention.
The Master of Ceremonies announced the recipient’s name in a loud voice.
“Proprietress of Salon Raber, Madame Laber.”
Zerox presented the golden trophy to Madame Laber.
“In recognition of Salon Raber’s significant contributions to the culture and advancement of high society, the Royal Household bestows upon you this golden trophy.”

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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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