About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 86

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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 86. We Must Feel the Same
A few hours earlier.
Click.
The soft sound of the door closing roused Luderne from his brief slumber.
“….”
I slowly closed and opened my eyes, then gently turned my body to gaze at the empty space beside me—the sheets still bore the faint warmth and wrinkles of her presence, which I grasped with one hand.
It was Priscilla’s place.
“Whether I’m left behind, or I leave, or whether I pretend not to notice.”
A barely audible whisper escaped between my lips that had been pressed shut.
“We must feel the same.”
My eyes twisted with anguish.
Even carving out my chest with a blade would hurt less than this.
I pulled the blanket close, inhaling her lingering fragrance, and clutched at my chest before breaking into a smile.
“…Priscilla.”
My ex-wife, who had transformed her appearance with remarkable makeup artistry, harbored no intention of sleeping beside me.
Even if her makeup wore away, I could pretend not to notice.
I myself was skilled at concealing my expressions.
Yet I was grateful.
I had been lost, uncertain how to find her or how long I would have to wait for the signal from the check—until this miraculous reunion fell into my lap.
When I first learned that Madame Laber, who operated the Red Light District, was exploiting Priscilla, I burned with fury, but that was the day my monochrome world transformed into color.
“…Your scent is too strong. I’m truly sorry.”
Priscilla’s distinctive alluring pheromone, her subtle body fragrance.
I could not have failed to recognize it—I had held her countless times, imprinting her essence upon myself.
Though I hinted that I had recognized her immediately, Priscilla seemed oblivious.
Rather, it appeared as though I were approaching another woman with interest, so she pushed me away.
But that was fine.
If she remained in this altered state, Priscilla would be safe from Eclite’s grasp.
I too could converse with her comfortably even under the watchful eyes of others.
That was why I was pleased.
Though I must feign ignorance and cannot reveal my heart in this reality.
I could embrace this love—yearned for, longed for, forbidden by the world—as something other than love itself.
I knew that I could not be forceful. Yet I had no intention of choosing my means carefully.
I desired Priscilla desperately.
I had also noticed that her heart had not changed.
She still loved me.
That was fortunate. Knowing that, I could press forward.
I would not hide my desire for her.
Even if we could not be husband and wife in name, if it became known in High Society that Priscilla—Priscilla of the Raber Salon—was the woman held by Prince Wintem, scarcely any man would dare make advances toward her.
Naturally, Priscilla’s standing in the Central Social Circle would expand further.
As her influence grew as the Raber Salon’s principal designer, she would be able to choose her own vengeance against those who had sought to kill me.
If by chance her nature made her too weak toward family to achieve revenge.
But if she still desired it….
Then I, who had been watching their conduct all this time, would step forward to handle it myself.
Or I could establish certain relationships by the time this curse began anew, and when crisis came, change my choice.
By then, I would bear a child and break the curse.
Luderne Sellen had planned it all alone like this.
After planning that far, I wondered if I should tell Priscilla about my situation and the truth.
Until Eclite appeared here.
He, who did not want Priscilla drawn into the power struggle, immediately changed his mind.
‘Ignorance is bliss.’
Luderne Sellen rose from his seat and dressed.
Priscilla would not return to the bedroom anyway.
If I left quietly, no one would know.
When I returned to the Town House, lights were on at the entrance despite the early dawn hour.
“I have been waiting for you, Your Highness.”
Butler Egardt immediately guided Luderne Sellen to the study.
Brissel Mohr and Walter rose from the sofa in the study where they had been sitting across from each other.
They bowed respectfully, but tension filled their expressions—a departure from their usual demeanor.
“You must be tired from staying out late, but what brings Brissel Mohr and Walter here at this hour?”
Luderne Sellen, narrowing his brows slightly, took a seat on the sofa.
Egardt immediately placed a teacup before Luderne Sellen and poured tea.
After Luderne Sellen took a sip of tea, he paused briefly to collect himself.
“Speak.”
With permission, Brissel Mohr opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, an opportunity has come.”
“An opportunity?”
“An urgent messenger arrived. He said to return with haste and left this. It is a return scroll that can transport up to two people to the Imperial Palace.”
Brissel Mohr withdrew a magical scroll from his breast and placed it on the table, then lowered his voice further.
“The curse afflicting His Majesty appears to be grave. Which means….”
Silence fell briefly in the study.
The deadline and solution to Menglow Breeze’s curse were known only to Luderne Sellen, his close associates, and Priscilla.
To bear a child of the one you love within seven years.
Thus, the male Emperor had no means to resolve the curse whatsoever.
Of course, the Emperor had not yet reached seven years of being completely paralyzed by the curse. But unlike Priscilla, who had conditions to suppress it, he had suffered from the curse continuously.
The fatigue alone would be different.
“Of course, he may overcome the crisis safely. But he has declared that he will designate whichever son is born first as Crown Prince.”
At Brissel Mohr’s following words, Luderne Sellen’s eyes narrowed.
The Emperor had not yet decided on his successor. In other words, issues regarding imperial succession would soon emerge.
“When I inquired about Prince Wintem’s whereabouts, they said he would be at the Imperial Palace, and that for fairness, they came here first. They said they would return directly to the Imperial Palace and deliver the news to Prince Wintem as well.”
Brissel Mohr clenched his fists tightly.
“He seemed completely unaware that the prince had slipped out incognito.”
The Emperor’s curse was classified as top secret, so only one messenger was entrusted with delivering such information. For the prince to learn of this news, he would have to return to the Imperial Palace of his own accord.
Luderne Sellen’s eyes deepened as he listened to the account.
If he arrived at the Imperial Palace first and persuaded the Emperor, it could be his chance to become Crown Prince.
When he first met Eclite, the size of his supporting faction had been different. That was why Eclite could govern as the Emperor’s regent.
To that extent, Luderne Sellen had initially felt somewhat intimidated, but now he too had formed a considerable base of support.
Money speaks louder than anything else.
In such circumstances, whoever held military authority over the Empire would likely have the advantage.
Brissel Mohr glanced at Walter before speaking to Luderne Sellen.
“It would be wise to complete preparations for strategies and tactics to respond in case of emergency before departing.”
Luderne Sellen nodded.
“Egardt.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Find out what state Eclite is currently in.”
“Understood.”
Egardt left the study.
Now it was time for a strategic conference to anticipate and discuss responses to the situations that would unfold.
It would certainly not be brief.
Around afternoon, after the conference had largely concluded, Egardt returned.
“My apologies for the delay. I was unable to meet with His Highness the Prince, but it appears he will be visiting a Salon shortly.”
“A Salon?”
A chill ran down Luderne Sellen’s spine.
This uneasy feeling might be mere paranoia, but he could not help but ask.
“Which Salon is he going to?”
“I was unable to ascertain that much.”
Brissel Mohr clenched his fist with an expression of delight.
“Excellent, Your Highness! Let us depart at once!”
But Luderne Sellen’s mind had gone blank.
What if Eclite had placed surveillance on Priscilla?
If she became endangered simply because she had been with me?
It could have been mere anxiety.
But the Eclite that Luderne Sellen knew was a man who harbored persistent malice toward me.
Luderne Sellen sprang from his seat and handed Brissel Mohr a return scroll.
“Take this and wait. Should I not return, come to the Imperial Palace with Sir Jester.”
“Pardon?”
“I may be returning together with Eclite.”
Brissel Mohr’s eyes widened.
“What? What do you mean by—”
But Luderne Sellen offered no further explanation. He hurried from the study, raising his voice.
“Is the carriage still outside?”
“Yes. The Coachman should be finishing up preparations soon.”
“Go at once and have him ready the carriage for departure.”
Egardt’s eyes widened in shock.
“Pardon?”
“At once!”
Startled by the unusually sharp tone, Egardt scrambled out the door in a flurry.
“Sir Walter, you come with me!”
Walter was equally bewildered, but he hastened to follow Luderne Sellen.
As they reached the mansion’s entrance, the Coachman—who had already received Luderne Sellen’s instructions through Egardt—was just about to climb back onto the driver’s seat.
“Step down.”
The Coachman descended from the seat with a confused expression.
Luderne Sellen seized the whip from the Coachman’s hand and vaulted onto the driver’s seat in one fluid motion.
“Sir Walter, sit beside me. I’ll explain as we go.”
The moment Walter settled into his seat, Luderne Sellen cracked the reins and set the carriage in motion.
“Hold tight. Hyah!”
The carriage lurched forward with gathering speed. Still, Luderne Sellen continued to lash the horses, driving them faster.
“Your—Your Highness! What is the meaning of this?”
“Listen carefully to what I say. This matter takes absolute precedence—nothing else matters.”
Walter sat rigid with tension, his full attention fixed upon Luderne Sellen’s words as they came.
Luderne Sellen issued commands to Walter in rapid succession while continuing to whip the horses, pushing them to greater speed.

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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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