About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 81

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 81. What Kind of Madness Is This?
“Your Highness asked how the Grand Duke was faring.”
At Zerox’s reconfirmation of Eclite’s question, Luderne Wintem opened his mouth with a resigned expression.
“I have… no confidence.”
Zerox burst into hearty laughter immediately.
“Then either Your Majesty or I will be the victor. My hand is quite strong this time.”
At Zerox’s signal to proceed, the Dealer urged everyone to reveal their cards.
Zerox flipped his hand over first with confidence.
“Full house.”
The moment he spoke, Eclite laughed and revealed his cards.
“Your Majesty was rather unlucky.”
Zerox stared at Eclite’s cards with eyes wide as saucers.
It was a straight flush.
The moment I saw both their hands, intense stress crashed over me. I even found myself thinking it might be better to die.
“Since the Grand Duke said he had no confidence, then I am victorious.”
Eclite, grinning with swagger, licked his lips and gazed at Olivia, Melissa Bilsty, and me.
“Well, I merely said I had no confidence.”
Luderne Wintem, speaking again, revealed his cards one by one.
After the two and three of hearts came the ten of spades.
Then the jack, queen, and king of spades.
As Luderne Wintem’s cards were revealed one by one, the smile gradually faded from Eclite’s face. Zerox’s pupils began to tremble as well.
“…I was certain to lose.”
Luderne Wintem looked directly at both of them and flipped over his final card.
In that instant, my entire body erupted in goosebumps. It felt as though time itself had stopped.
Silence hung heavily over the table for a long moment.
The black ace of spades commanded the space with brilliant intensity.
Luderne Wintem, having surveyed us with his gaze, opened his mouth.
His low voice resonated through the space.
“Royal straight flush.”
The Dealer cleared his throat carefully.
“Luderne Wintem Grand Duke, Your Highness has achieved victory.”
All the chips stacked on the table were placed before Luderne Wintem.
I exhaled in relief. It felt as though I could finally breathe again.
‘Thank heavens… truly a blessing.’
I would not be at the mercy of Zerox or Eclite.
Zerox and Eclite, having lost, looked utterly dumbfounded. Yet both rose from their seats obediently as promised.
“Truly unexpected, but all three of you shall entertain the Grand Duke who has won the wager.”
Before his departure, Zerox’s command—trivial though it seemed, yet impossible to refuse—drew an involuntary sigh from me.
Melissa Bilsty, Olivia, and I were to entertain a single man together.
What kind of madness is this?
Olivia seemed somewhat anxious, but the moment her eyes met Luderne’s, her face flushed shyly. There was no real displeasure in her expression.
“Well, the situation has become rather delicate, hasn’t it? Wouldn’t you agree, Grand Duke?”
Melissa Bilsty kept glancing at Luderne’s expression, swallowing nervously again and again.
“Still, since it is your command, there’s nothing we can do about it, is there?”
At those words, Luderne exhaled a short breath through his nose.
“Yes. The three of you must entertain me. Then I suppose you’ll do whatever I ask.”
Melissa immediately bowed her head toward Luderne.
“For the Grand Duke’s pleasure, I shall serve with all my heart.”
Following Melissa’s action, Olivia hesitated before bowing her head to Luderne as well.
Luderne nodded and gestured to the Dealer.
“Have the chips stored away. And there should still be people waiting outside. Check who’s there for me.”
The Dealer, who went out and returned as instructed, whispered to Luderne.
Luderne nodded.
“Good. Tell them all to come in.”
Soon the Dealer brought in the waiting people.
They were Egardt and Brissel Mohr, Luderne’s close associates, along with Walter.
And Count Veloda Genoma and Matilda Bilsty, Melissa’s close associates, were there as well.
Luderne spoke to the bewildered Count Veloda Genoma and Matilda Bilsty.
“You’ve worked hard. Return home with the young lady of Count Bilsty.”
“Pardon? Your Highness?”
It was Melissa who answered immediately.
“Return home? But I was prepared to serve the Grand Duke’s pleasure with all sincerity….”
Luderne raised his hand, cutting off Melissa’s words.
“Your safe return home is my pleasure. Now go and rest.”
Then Luderne pointed to Olivia and spoke to his own associates.
“I’ll make my own way home, so Brissel Mohr, Egardt, and Walter—please ensure this lady’s safe return.”
The three men bowed respectfully.
Olivia, though startled, soon offered a polite greeting and followed the three men out.
As Luderne saw the people off, his expression remained unchanged.
Now that I thought about it, Luderne had only participated in the game because of Zerox and Eclite’s insistence. So naturally, he had never intended to amuse himself with women from the start.
Relieved, I bowed respectfully.
“Then, Grand Duke, I shall take my leave as well.”
Once he gave his permission, my business for the day would be finished.
“Wait a moment.”
But contrary to my expectations, Luderne pulled a pouch of gold coins from his pocket and handed it to the Dealer, who was tidying up the table.
“You’re truly skilled.”
The Dealer smiled broadly and tucked the pouch Luderne handed him into his pocket.
“Thank you. Please signal me whenever you need my services.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
As I listened to their exchange, a question arose in my mind.
It felt like a setup, as if everything had been orchestrated.
Thinking back more carefully, I wondered if it was even possible for such a hand to appear at the most critical moment.
The man who had tapped the Dealer’s shoulder turned his gaze toward me.
“How long does it take to reach your residence?”
“It’s close. About ten minutes on foot.”
Of course, once he left, I planned to summon the escort employed by Madame Laber.
“Then gather your belongings. It’s late—I’ll see you home.”
“No, really. I can call for an escort once I go downstairs.”
I was startled and waved my hand in protest, but Luderne had already begun to move.
“You’ve worked hard as my partner tonight. It’s the least I can do.”
As I hesitated, my eyes met the Dealer’s. He gestured urgently for me to go.
Almost without thinking, I grabbed my clutch and followed Luderne out. The first floor was still bustling with people enjoying drinks and gambling.
At the casino entrance, I could see Madame Laber exhaling cigarette smoke and issuing instructions to her staff.
The moment she saw us, she set down her cigarette holder and approached with evident delight.
“I’ve heard the news from His Highness. And I saw that Olivia and the young lady of Count Bilsty’s household were leaving as well.”
Madame Laber’s eyes gleamed.
“The 5th Floor is always prepared. Shall I show you the way?”
Madame Laber clasped her hands together.
“You must be a bit intoxicated by now… Wouldn’t it be better to rest?”
“Do I appear intoxicated?”
“Your voice sounds rather drowsy.”
Luderne chuckled softly and took a slow breath.
“The intoxication is starting to set in, so it’s not a bad option.”
Luderne looked at me.
I felt his gaze deepen in that moment.
The meaning of the 5th Floor.
A private, discreet suite room where no one could disturb us.
As I imagined a space where only the two of us could exist, memories flooded back.
His broad, firm body holding me close.
The depth of our intimate connection.
I swallowed hard.
Without realizing it, my mouth went dry. Just thinking about it made my lower abdomen tingle with anticipation.
I found myself hoping he wouldn’t refuse Madame Laber’s offer.
I wanted him to embrace me willingly.
I missed his scent, his warmth.
Yet at the same time, I desperately hoped Luderne would refuse without hesitation.
Because right now, I was not Priscilla—I was someone else.
The thought of Luderne holding another woman instead of me was unbearable.
Then Luderne spoke.
“Shouldn’t I ask for her opinion as well?”
It was my answer to him.
Not permission, but I was disappointed—though I was grateful it was a conditional refusal rather than an outright one.
At the same time, I found myself laughing at my own conflicted thoughts.
Even I didn’t know what I wanted.
After a brief moment of hesitation, I pressed my lips together and shook my head.
Luderne Sellen immediately nodded in acknowledgment.
“So you have no interest in the 5th Floor. Return home, then.”
“Ah….”
Madame Laber exhaled a single sigh, regarding me with a mixture of disappointment and genuine exasperation.
But there was nothing to be done about it.
And so I ventured out into the pre-dawn streets alongside him.
As the Casino receded into the distance, the crowds thinned rapidly.
Walking in silence beside Luderne Sellen with a modest gap between us, I found myself torn between asking and remaining silent.
“You seem to have something on your mind.”
He was watching me intently.
‘His perception is sharp.’
“Perhaps, at the Casino….”
I began to ask but then closed my mouth again.
‘No matter what, I can’t just ask if he was colluding with the Dealer.’
Then Luderne Sellen answered first.
“How much do you think I invested?”
At his words, questions spilled from my lips unbidden.
“From where? From when?”
“What do you think—from where?”
“….”
His counter-question made me pause and consider.
From the beginning? Or from the Territory Conquest Game? The final game? Or the ultimate match?
As I walked quietly, eyes darting in thought, Luderne Sellen asked first.
“Did I perhaps interfere?”
“Interfere?”
“Your opponent was the Prince of the Doerban Empire, after all. Looking back now, I wonder if I may have robbed you of a golden opportunity….”
“Absolutely not!”
Startled, I quickly shook my head in denial.
Luderne Sellen’s eyes widened slightly.
Only then did I feel the heat rise to my face, realizing my voice had risen without my intention.
“I was truly relieved that the Grand Duke won.”
“Is that so? I’m glad to hear it.”
Luderne Sellen’s lips curved upward in a slow smile.
After walking a while longer, we arrived at my darkened Mansion.
It was time to part ways.
Luderne Sellen, having examined the mansion once, asked a question.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————