About Becoming My Ex-Husband's Mistress - Chapter 92

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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 92. Making Himself Shrink
“….”
“I suppose I must tell you the truth.”
He seemed to believe I was lying.
I clasped my hands together and deliberated for a moment before nodding.
“What I’ve told you is the truth. You could verify it by asking Prince Wintem whether we spent that night together as a man and woman.”
Zerox’s brow furrowed slightly.
Rather than anger, his expression conveyed utter disbelief.
“…What?”
“The Grand Duke was hardly the ascetic type, I assure you.”
I twirled a strand of hair beside my ear with my finger.
My face burned at the thought of revealing such intimate moments to another, but I had no choice. It was better than becoming Zerox’s mistress.
“That night, I was the only woman to attend to the Grand Duke, and I received his generous favor.”
“….”
Zerox fell silent for a moment.
He seemed lost in thought, yet showed no sign of backing down.
Struggling for another approach, I recalled what Melissa had prattled on about regarding Zerox.
How remarkably small he was.
But that was information I shouldn’t possess. So my only recourse was to lavish praise upon Luderne’s masculinity and make him shrink before me.
“It was truly extraordinary.”
“…Extraordinary? In what way?”
I averted my gaze from Zerox and covered my mouth with my hand.
“I’m not sure I should say, but….”
“But?”
“But….”
“Don’t be shy. You can speak freely.”
“The size alone….”
At my words, his mouth snapped shut immediately.
“It was unbelievably magnificent. He gave me a night I shall never forget for the rest of my life.”
A flicker of discomfort crossed Zerox’s face as he flinched.
I pretended to be utterly oblivious, covering my flushed cheeks with both hands.
“That said, the Grand Duke doesn’t seem to love me. However….”
There was no helping it if I was to escape this crisis.
“I promised to fulfill his needs whenever he desired. That’s why I’ve been staying at his Town House, but unfortunately it burned down in the interim.”
“You’ve been staying at Prince Wintem’s Town House?”
Zerox’s eyes widened dramatically.
“Yes. Society calls it being a mistress. Your Majesty’s proposal is far more than I deserve, and I cannot refuse a direct command, but….”
I clasped my hands respectfully and bowed my head to him.
“Given my current circumstances, I fear my presence would only bring disgrace to Your Majesty’s reign, both internally and externally.”
I stole a glance at Zerox’s expression.
“Yes, I wasn’t aware of that. Had I known, I wouldn’t have suggested it.”
“There is no question of refusal, Your Majesty. I am infinitely grateful for your consideration.”
Zerox gave a light cough and nodded.
“I thought the Grand Duke was a monastic sort of man… but it seems that’s not entirely the case.”
At last, Zerox took a step back.
“Still, should you ever need assistance, do not hesitate to ask. I have no shortage of affection for the Kingdom’s finest designer.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Zerox mounted his horse and departed.
Watching his receding figure, I could finally draw a breath of relief.
It was then that Walter asked me.
“I hardly dare ask, but is the story I heard… truly accurate?”
“It seems to have turned out that way.”
“There appeared to be no prior interaction between you.”
Walter rubbed the back of his neck with one hand.
“It appears Your Majesty favors the aloof and alluring type.”
“It would seem so.”
A bitter smile escaped me unbidden.
I found myself thinking that had I known sooner, I would have adorned myself thus from the beginning.
As I turned, I realized Walter and I were not alone—the Knight who had kindly explained matters to me earlier still lingered, hesitant.
Appearing flustered, he bowed to me when our eyes met.
“Thank you.”
The Knight did not explain what he was grateful for.
But I understood.
I had advocated for arson without drawing upon his statement.
I could not predict what response Zerox and the Incident Officer would show if they learned what he had told me so candidly.
“It simply felt as though they were conducting the investigation with a predetermined conclusion. What use would there be in voicing an opposing opinion?”
Lifting his head, the Knight’s lips curved into a weary smile.
“The Incident Officer you mentioned earlier holds a higher rank, does he not?”
“He does.”
“I understand. Still, I wish to ask one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Is it true that I cannot enter the scene of the incident?”
The Knight rolled his eyes briefly before speaking softly.
“While the investigation is ongoing, that is correct.”
“How long will the investigation take?”
“Ordinarily, it concludes within a day, but…”
At that moment, a loud noise erupted from within the Mansion.
The Knight, turning his gaze toward the Mansion, let out a small laugh.
“There is a risk of injury, after all.”
“Could you perhaps verify matters on my behalf?”
“Please wait a moment.”
The Knight entered the Mansion and returned shortly after.
However, his expression was noticeably worse than when he had gone in.
“What’s wrong?”
The Knight glanced around first before lowering his voice.
“They’ve stacked charred debris above the suspected arson site.”
“….”
“And they’re blocking access with overnight patrols tonight. Since it mars the city’s appearance, they’ll erect barriers until the owner demolishes it.”
It was a measure that completely prohibited access.
“I’m afraid my efforts end here.”
The Knight then told me to stay strong despite the difficulty.
I thanked the Knight and returned to the Salon with Walter.
“I’ll guard the entrance.”
Walter opened the paulownia door for me instead. The murmur of noblewomen’s voices drifted out.
“Thank you, Walter.”
Beyond the service room, I could see Irina and Misha assisting Countess Dora and four other noblewomen with their beauty tea party.
They had planned to have tea time here before going to the Opera House.
But when I counted, one person was missing.
‘There should have been six reservations.’
One of them must have been late or cancelled.
At that moment, Countess Dora, who had noticed me, rose from the Sofa.
“Oh my, dear.”
Countess Dora had the special massage pack I had prepared in advance applied to her face.
The other noblewomen with the same massage pack on their faces also jumped up and asked me.
“Dear, are you hurt anywhere?”
“My goodness, we were so worried.”
The term “dear” that Madame Laber and Countess Dora used as a sign of affection had become the common way for the noblewomen to address me.
“I heard you’ve had one misfortune after another?”
I lifted the corners of my lips and bowed respectfully.
“I sincerely apologize for being late, and I’m grateful for your concern.”
The noblewomen’s eyes glistened with tears as they covered their mouths with handkerchiefs.
“To remain so composed despite such hardship.”
“Our dear has such a strong spirit despite her delicate frame.”
“Have you eaten?”
I thanked them again for their consideration and naturally guided the noblewomen to resume their conversation.
During the pleasant tea time and styling, the noblewomen engaged in various conversations, usually beginning with topics about the Opera or books.
But they soon moved to other subjects.
“Oh my, my husband must have time on his hands. Our wedding anniversary is in two weeks, and he’s personally overseeing the renovation of our marital bedroom.”
“We just got new horses recently. I told my son he hardly rides them, so why bring them in, but he wouldn’t listen. Apparently, it’s a gift to his mother from the company’s turnaround to profitability.”
It was boasting about husbands still loving them or children turning out well.
After one round of boasting had made its way through the circle, Countess Dora finally spoke.
“Sigh, everyone speaks only of good things. My daughter, on the other hand, lacks all sense of propriety.”
“Lacks propriety?”
At another noblewoman’s question, Countess Dora let out a small sigh.
“Well, you see, a fortnight ago, my daughter wanted to wear a cut diamond necklace from the Wintem Mine to a social gathering next week. Can you imagine?”
At Countess Dora’s words, everyone’s eyes widened.
“What? This month?”
“Doesn’t jewelry from the Wintem Mine require at least six months of waiting?”
“Precisely why I say she lacks propriety.”
As Countess Dora shook her head, the noblewomen added their sympathetic remarks one after another.
“Of course one wishes to give one’s daughter everything. But surely such a thing is simply impossible?”
“Indeed. The rarity alone makes the price exorbitant, and the waiting period is extraordinarily long.”
“Even Princess Cherni waited six months, or so I’ve heard.”
As I listened to their words, Countess Dora lifted her teacup with her left hand.
It was then that something caught my eye.

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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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