About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 83

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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 83. What Flavor Would You Be?
I was bewildered.
No matter how fashionable the Salon had become, King Zerox had never made a reservation here before.
“The existing afternoon appointment is a noblewoman’s tea time with nail art, so Irina and Misha should be able to handle it,” Margaret said, reciting Madame Laber’s instructions verbatim before guiding me to another service area.
The moment I stepped into the Salon’s service room with its velvet curtains drawn back, a wave of vertigo washed over me, and I swallowed hard, clasping my hands respectfully before me.
“Welcome to our establishment. I am Priscilla, a designer at Laverre Salon.”
At my formal greeting, the man who had been gazing out the expansive window turned to face me.
Black hair. Blue eyes.
It was Eclite Doorban.
“I’ve heard quite the reputation about your work. Word is the Doorban Empire is expanding its Salon operations.”
Eclite dragged a finger across his chin once. A faint shadow of stubble was visible.
“I don’t particularly need grooming at the moment… but I had something to verify, and I wanted to assess your skill firsthand. So give me a shave, would you?”
I settled Eclite into a leather-backed chair.
As I reclined the seat and applied shaving cream, an unease crept over me.
Those inscrutable blue eyes were gazing up at me with relentless intensity.
After drying my hands and retrieving the razor, I ventured a careful suggestion.
“Your Highness, you may rest comfortably during the shave. I’ll wake you when I’m finished.”
One corner of Eclite’s mouth lifted.
“…I’d rather not.”
“…”
There was no choice. I could only pretend not to notice his gaze and move my razor hand with diligent efficiency.
‘Finishing quickly is the best course of action.’
Then Eclite reached out and touched my cheek. Disconcertingly.
“Looking at you like this, you really are beautiful.”
As I froze in shock, what followed was deeply unsettling.
“Your scent is certainly lovely. You look so delicious that I understand why he lost his mind and devoured you.”
“…Pardon?”
“Don’t even think of denying it. I’ve already received reports that he couldn’t keep his hands off you from the moment you left the Mansion. Why else would I be here?”
Heat flooded my face.
At the same time, the realization that I’d been under surveillance sent a chill down my spine.
Eclite ran his crimson tongue across his lips.
“Now I’m curious myself. What flavor would you be?”
As his fingertips traced down my jaw, I quickly stepped back.
“This is inappropriate, Your Highness.”
“Inappropriate? That’s not something you can say to me. Besides, aren’t you supposed to be a veteran—the Salon’s prized asset?”
Eclite rose slightly and turned to look back, gesturing to his chin.
“Shouldn’t you finish the shave properly, regardless of what I do?”
A sinister glint appeared in those blue eyes.
“The other Salon staff serve me just fine even when I openly grope their breasts. They’ll do nude service whenever I ask.”
“The other salon staff members serve customers just fine even when I openly grope their chests. They’ll do nude services too if you just ask them, right?”
I wanted to throw him out.
But the one who made the reservation was Zerox, and my client was the Empire’s prince.
I pressed my lips together, then forced my mouth into a smile.
“As you said, I need to finish the shave properly first. Besides, I’ve never performed that kind of service before.”
But what came back was a leering laugh.
“Why not try that kind of service now? I’ll pay you well enough that it won’t be free labor.”
I wanted to slap that ruffian across the face with all my strength.
I was filled with the urge to shout that I didn’t need a customer like him, to tell him to get out immediately.
“And who knows? If the taste is unforgettable enough, you might even become the mistress of the Doerban Empire’s prince.”
At his shameless, boundless rudeness, I held up the straight razor in my hand.
“I apologize, but I’m currently holding a razor blade.”
“…What?”
“This blade is extremely sharp and dangerous, you see.”
Eclite’s eyes narrowed.
“…Are you threatening me?”
I quickly shook my head.
“No. I’ve only had one male client so far. Since I’ve never performed that kind of service before, I’m worried I might make a mistake if something unexpected happens.”
“…”
“If I accidentally left a scar on such beautiful skin, it would be a terrible tragedy.”
I forced a laugh.
“Even my life wouldn’t be sufficient apology for that, would it?”
“…”
“If I keep thinking such frightening things might happen, I won’t be able to perform at my best.”
After studying me for a moment, Eclite leaned back in the chair.
“Then let me wait a bit. I’ll prepare myself mentally while you finish the shave.”
The crisis seemed to have passed. I exhaled in relief, placing my hand on my chest.
But when I brought the razor close again, he was still staring at me intently. It seemed like he might say something reckless again. It was unnerving.
I picked up the shaving cream again.
“My apologies. The lather has dissipated, so I’ll reapply it. You mustn’t move now.”
As I spread shaving cream along his jawline, I deliberately opened my eyes wide.
“Looking closely, I see there’s stubble near your lips as well. For a meticulous and perfect shave, I’ll need to apply more cream, so you mustn’t open your mouth.”
Once I finished speaking, I covered his mouth with shaving cream.
So he couldn’t say anything at all.
Eclite’s pupils dilated at my action. But I pretended not to notice, pressing the razor gently against his jawline as I spoke even more softly.
“You absolutely mustn’t move. Do you understand?”
Fortunately, he remained still.
I finished the shave safely and tidied his disheveled hair from lying down.
“There, all done.”
Eclite, who had been examining his face in the mirror from various angles, eventually nodded.
“Your skill is certainly excellent. Even though you barely touched my hair, it’s very neat. You’d be qualified to work as a court beautician.”
“Thank you for your patronage. Please visit us again.”
I smiled warmly and pulled the bell cord.
Margaret appeared with the ledger in hand.
“Thank you for using the Raber Salon. Were you satisfied with our service?”
Margaret’s closing remarks were welcome.
Eclite, however, looked at me with an expression of utter disbelief and let out a derisive snort.
“Service that tries to send me away on a whim? How could that possibly satisfy me.”
Margaret’s eyes widened as Eclite gestured dismissively.
“I haven’t finished receiving service yet. Our conversation isn’t over.”
“Pardon?”
Margaret checked the ledger with a bewildered expression.
“You had reserved a shaving service, but… it hasn’t been completed?”
Margaret cautiously studied my reaction.
I composed myself and opened my mouth carefully.
“The reserved service has been completed….”
But I could say no more. Eclite had stepped forward and seized my throat roughly with one hand.
“Ugh!”
My breath caught as pain shot through me. As he tightened his grip, my feet barely scraped the ground, my body lifted upward.
“How bold. Does a commoner like you understand who I am?”
His tone made it clear he would not let this pass.
“Have the lobby staff close the curtains and leave. I have words for the designer. No matter what sounds you hear, no one is to approach.”
Margaret fidgeted anxiously at his curt command.
“Turns out you’re a citizen of the Necari Territory. The more your resistance irritates me, the higher the probability the designer dies, wouldn’t you say?”
Margaret gasped in shock and quickly bowed before backing away.
“P-p-please, I beg your mercy.”
Soon the curtain fell closed.
Alone in the sealed space, Eclite hurled me to the floor.
“Agh!”
The impact of hitting the ground was sharp, and I coughed several times.
Eclite withdrew a cigar from his inner jacket pocket, lit it, and then pushed me back down as I tried to rise, settling his weight onto my abdomen.
The unexpected violence and his heavy weight crushed the air from my lungs.
Fear seized me and I twisted my body.
“Your Highness, you’re too heavy. Please stop this.”
But Eclite did not move.
“The feel of flesh against my groin is quite pleasant… If you’re curious how women I touch end up suffering, keep squirming and tempting me like that.”
The blood drained from my entire body.
I searched my mind for anyone who could help me.
Luderne.
No one else came to mind.
But even he was not present in this place.
‘I can’t win against this threat.’
Eclite gazed down at me with casual composure as he lit a cigar.
“Answer my questions obediently, and you might just walk out of here unscathed.”
In the end, I drained the resistance from my body.
“Good, you’re being docile now. Excellent. From this moment on, don’t you dare avoid my eyes.”
He stubbed out the cigar he’d just lit against the floor.
More precisely, against the floor slightly to the left of my head.
Even more precisely, against my disheveled hair.
The acrid stench of burning protein filled the service room.
That action revealed it to me—his true nature, something the novel had never described.
He was far more than just an arrogant prince.
‘He was a madman.’
Or perhaps a psychopath.
“Now then, I’ll ask the questions, and you’ll answer truthfully.”
Eclite opened his mouth with evident delight.

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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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