About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 66

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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 66. Melissa’s Invitation
Word was that he had pulled some strings with the Grand Duke’s House’s head maid.
I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but the mention of the Fourth Floor suggested it was no trivial matter.
‘Could it be Anne, the woman I saw on the Island? Or someone else?’
Whatever he’d done, using a maid meant he was after internal information.
The target was likely Luderne Sellen.
It would be wise to keep an eye on matters related to him.
That was when Margaret entered.
“Miss Priscilla, these have arrived for you.”
What she presented were party invitations embossed with gold leaf.
Among them was Melissa Bilsty’s invitation.
A house party in a week’s time, with polite words asking me to grace the occasion with my presence—I couldn’t help but let out a scoff.
The rest were from people I didn’t know well, aside from Countess Dora. Each requested my attendance at their respective mansion parties.
The party dates varied from tonight through a week hence, with Countess Dora’s gathering scheduled last.
Her invitation carried a personal note expressing her wish that my first foray into high society would be at her event.
She promised to introduce me directly to the nobility of the social circles.
‘A week from now…’
Looking again, the date coincided with Melissa Bilsty’s party.
I considered Countess Dora’s influence, her intentions behind the invitation, and my relationship with Melissa Bilsty, then spoke to Margaret.
“Would you send a reply thanking Countess Dora for the invitation?”
* * *
Three days after Priscilla accepted Countess Dora’s invitation, that evening.
Luderne Sellen was attending a grand soirée at a certain Marquis’s Grand Mansion.
After concluding a light business conversation with the Marquis in one corner of the spacious hall, he and Brissel Mohr were alone when Count Dora approached.
“Let us share a drink, Grand Duke Wintem.”
The House of Dora had never been particularly close to Luderne Sellen, but they had originally been loyal to the late Queen Hilda Arde.
After Zerox inherited the throne—though not overtly—they had grown closer to the anti-King faction, so Luderne Sellen gladly accepted his invitation.
Count Dora snapped his fingers, summoning a servant holding a tray of champagne.
Just as Luderne Sellen, Brissel Mohr, and Count Dora took their first sip of champagne, the voices of noblewomen conversing nearby reached their ears.
“My goodness! You must be so fortunate, madam.”
“Oh, she actually declined my invitation.”
“But madam, you’ve only just met—would she really come?”
“Countess Dora, I’m truly envious.”
“I hear you two are quite close?”
“Have you had many conversations with her?”
Countess Dora’s lips curved upward with unmistakable pride.
“Of course. Despite being a commoner, her refinement is simply extraordinary—I’m genuinely astounded every time we speak.”
“Oh, if I’d known, I would have made more effort to visit there myself.”
“Could I be introduced to her as well? I’m simply dying to meet her.”
The conversation carried an unusually animated tone of genuine envy, and Luderne Sellen turned his gaze in that direction.
Six noblewomen were engaged in conversation, and all eyes were fixed upon Countess Dora.
Countess Dora fanned herself with a smile.
“That’s why I’m telling you now—just come that day. The other ladies were absolutely delighted when I said I’d introduce them to you. And you know, Madame Laber will be attending as well, and that model has agreed to perform a song.”
Exclamations erupted.
“Oh my goodness!”
“How wonderful, Countess Dora!”
Other noblewomen who had been quietly eavesdropping on Countess Dora’s group began to whisper among themselves.
“Did you hear?”
“Oh dear, what should I do? I already promised to attend Count Bilsty’s daughter’s party that day.”
“If I’d known, I would have accepted Countess Dora’s invitation instead.”
“Why must Count Bilsty’s daughter’s party overlap with this one?”
“I’m glad I haven’t sent my response yet. I still have three days to reply, don’t I?”
The noblewoman who said this shook her shoulders slightly with anticipation.
Another lady, watching this with a sullen expression, soon seemed to make a decision and folded her fan.
“Well, I suppose I’ll have to say something came up and I can’t attend.”
At those words, yet another lady readily nodded in agreement.
“Then so shall I. House parties are casual affairs anyway. It’s quite common to decline if something else comes up, isn’t it?”
I wondered just whom they were so eager to meet that the ladies were making such a fuss.
As I gazed at them with curiosity, Brissel Mohr noticed first and spoke.
“It seems they’re referring to the designer and model from Laverre Salon, who recently won the competition.”
“Ah.”
Now I remembered and nodded.
That day, I had written Hwang Su-jung’s name on my ballot as well. Everyone around me who saw me write her name followed suit.
They showed each other their ballots and praised my discernment, saying they had been thinking the same thing.
Unlike them, who had their own purposes, my reason for choosing Hwang Su-jung was simple.
The difference in skill was simply too obvious to anyone.
Count Dora, who had been listening to the noblewomen’s conversation just as I was, lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Since we’re on the subject, how would it be if Grand Duke Wintem attended our house party?”
I rarely attended the small house parties that occurred simultaneously.
So I hadn’t even responded to any of the invitations—not from Count Dora, nor from any other house party.
Matters of networking and business could be discussed adequately at larger gatherings.
“I’m not sure.”
At my lukewarm response, Count Dora lowered his voice considerably.
“This is something I’m telling the Grand Duke in confidence, but with this recent victory, His Majesty the King has become more favorably disposed toward Laverre Salon. Madame Laber is said to be receiving discreet investment.”
One of my eyebrows lifted slightly.
“The stated purpose is salon expansion, but is that truly all?”
Count Dora rubbed his thumb and forefinger together with a knowing smile.
“Black money is as dangerous as it is profitable, wouldn’t you say?”
* * *
Zerox was supposed to attend Melissa’s social gathering today.
Melissa had therefore specially summoned Elenoa to style her from head to toe.
“There, all finished, Miss Bilsty.”
The elderly Elenoa, her blonde hair pinned up and blue eyes framed by spectacles, departed from Melissa’s Town House only after completing several hours of styling work.
With wishes for a delightful party.
Melissa stood before the full-length mirror and inspected her appearance once more.
This time, rather than teasing the front strands, she had pressed them flat against the scalp. The croissant curls were swept to the right and gathered into a voluminous arrangement.
Her gown was a deep crimson bell-line dress with a plunging neckline. The skirt cascaded in overlapping layers like flower petals, creating an opulent effect.
As Melissa continuously admired herself, a satisfied smile graced her lips.
She was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.
At the same time, she made a silent vow.
‘Elenoa truly is the best. With this appearance, even The King will fall under my spell again today.’
Just then, Count Veloda Genoma entered.
Melissa twirled before him for his inspection.
“How do I look?”
Count Veloda Genoma applauded lightly.
“What need for words? Today you exude both charm and enchantment.”
At his praise, Melissa’s lips curved upward in delight.
“I’ve made up my mind completely. The moment he arrives, I’ll make him forget all about that woman.”
At that moment, Matilda Bilsty entered, dressed in a blue gown.
“Melissa, the party preparations are complete.”
Melissa nodded.
By now, a considerable number of guests should have arrived. She needed to go greet them.
Yet Matilda’s complexion appeared troubled.
At the questioning look in Melissa’s eyes, Matilda’s brow furrowed slightly.
“The thing is… everyone seems to be running quite late.”
Melissa checked the wall clock.
The clock read seven in the evening—precisely the party’s start time as written on the invitations.
“That can’t be right.”
Melissa opened the window to inspect the garden behind the Town House.
The garden for the social gathering was beautifully arranged.
Above the elegantly set tables lay spirits and delicacies, along with countless lanterns and decorative flowers illuminating the night.
There were sufficient musicians for entertainment and servants and maids for service.
Yet only three guests had arrived. There should have been at least fifty.
Moreover, if the early arrivals had conversed amongst themselves, the atmosphere might have improved, but the three stood awkwardly apart, unable to engage with one another.
‘What on earth is happening? It’s as if…’
Melissa’s brow creased as memories surfaced.
The atmosphere resembled that time when she first came to the Capital and invited the nobility—when no one had deigned to acknowledge her.
Melissa stepped out of the room and opened a window in the corridor. Leaning out, she surveyed the street below.
Matilda and Count Veloda Genoma likewise peered out their respective windows.
“Look, carriages are approaching.”
Several carriages approached in the distance.
Count Veloda Genoma let out a soft chuckle.
“I see. It appears today was rather delayed.”
The first carriage to draw near bore a design that Melissa Bilsty recognized well—it belonged to one of the families invited to tonight’s party.
Upon confirming this, Melissa Bilsty exhaled in relief.
“Perhaps everyone had their reasons for the delay? I should go greet our guests.”
Melissa Bilsty hurried down to the first floor.
Yet the moment she stood at the wide-open entrance, words escaped her.

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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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