I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 12

“Put Fleur to bed and stop by my room for a moment.”

“Pardon? What for- surely nothing has happened…?”

Marisselle grew anxious for no reason.

But contrary to Marisselle’s worries, the words that flowed from Morgan’s mouth were quite affectionate.

“It’s nothing to worry about, so just come by.”

“Yes… Then I’ll see you in an hour.”

Marisselle politely saw him off and approached Fleur.

“Young Master. Come here.”

When Marisselle spread her arms, Fleur ran over and threw himself into her embrace.

Marisselle held Fleur tightly and rocked him, speaking as if she found him adorably irresistible.

“You did very well, Young Master. You were so wonderful!”

* * *

Duke’s Office.

I had hoped that today I could take care of business right away without waiting, but as expected, it was futile.

‘But what did he call me for?’

He clearly said it wasn’t anything bad, so I’m not too worried, but I can’t help being curious.

‘How long will I have to wait today… Sigh.’

Marisselle swallowed a sigh inwardly.

And while waiting, she began to scan the interior of the study with her eyes.

The bookshelf that occupied one wall had many books inserted, though it was hard to see what kind they were.

They said the Duke’s Household had a library rivaling the imperial one, so there really must be a lot of books.

That day when he asked how I knew that unheard-of child-rearing method, it would have been real trouble if I had answered carelessly.

Surely… he hasn’t read all the books in the manor? Surely… no, right…!

‘If he’s read all those books, he’s not human… Right, if Morgan were a white-haired old man now, maybe. But he’s only twenty-four, so reading all the books in the library would be impossible. Besides, he’s always busy…’

Marisselle was resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought with furrowed brows.

“What are you thinking about so deeply that you don’t notice someone coming and are frowning?”

“Pardon?”

Marisselle was startled and reflexively tried to stand up from her seat.

“No need to get up.”

Morgan, who had returned to being the meticulous earthly handsome man, approached and sat down as he spoke.

But this was trouble. As soon as he sat down, his solid, muscular thighs that looked ready to burst caught her eye and captured her attention.

‘Hah. Have I been possessed by a lustful demon? Why are this guy’s thighs suddenly catching my eye and causing a fuss?’

With a slight exaggeration, his thighs looked thicker than her own waist.

To that extent, his body looked toned and solid.

‘I need to look away quickly. Marisselle!’

She heard an urgent cry from within herself.

But her eyes paid no heed and remained fixed on those solid thighs like a horse’s muscles.

‘No…!’

Another scream arose within her. If she looked any longer, something really terrible could happen.

Nevertheless, Marisselle’s eyes paid no mind and slowly turned away as if reluctance was dripping from them.

But it was understandable that her eyes wandered.

It was the first time she had directly observed such solid thighs at close range.

In her previous life it was patients or children, in this life she was a homebody. Even the thighs of that player she dated in her previous life, if you could call it dating without hurting her pride, were extremely ordinary.

‘It’s because it’s my first time, right? As time passes, I’ll get used to it and won’t stare blankly like this, right?’

Marisselle hoped she wouldn’t act like this next time and covered her embarrassing inner thoughts with an unnecessary cough.

“Ahem. I don’t see Sir Rino. Did he leave work early today?”

“Why are you curious about that?”

A rather sharp reply came back.

“Oh, just… I’ve only ever seen him with Your Grace, there’s no particular reason.”

Only then did Morgan push a small velvet box toward Marisselle with a softened expression.

Marisselle, who had been following his fingertips with her gaze, looked up at him when his hand stopped.

“Open it.”

Marisselle kept her gaze on Morgan while her curiosity got the better of her, and her hand moved toward the box.

Click. She opened the box.

‘What is this?’

Inside the box was a hairpin that looked quite expensive, densely studded with amethysts and blue sapphires.

‘But why is he giving this to me?’

She was puzzled as to why Morgan was offering this to her.

From the circumstances, it seemed like it was for Marisselle herself, but she shouldn’t get ahead of herself.

Then perhaps he wanted to give it to someone and was seeking some kind of advice?

But the female lead isn’t supposed to appear yet…

What could it be?

Marisselle decided to ask directly.

“Are you giving this to me?”

“That’s right. It’s yours.”

“Why?”

She had a feeling that would be the case, but why?

“Performance bonus.”

“Performance bonus? What performance bonus? I haven’t even worked here for a month yet.”

“Fleur is talking, isn’t he.”

Morgan said matter-of-factly.

“Ah…!”

The moment Marisselle heard the reason, her shoulders immediately perked up with pride.

‘Right. That’s huge. I deserve it. Though I never imagined getting a reward. This boss knows how to handle employees.’

But she thought the performance bonus seemed a bit excessive. And why a hairpin instead of money?

“I’m grateful that you value my work so highly. However, it seems a bit excessive for a performance bonus.”

“Keep it. I’m giving it because you deserve it. Perhaps… would you prefer to receive money instead?”

“What? Oh. No, not at all. It’s beautiful and I like it. Ahaha.”

After he had gone to the trouble of preparing and giving it to her, she couldn’t very well ask for money to his face.

Marisselle laughed awkwardly and quickly waved her hands dismissively.

Then she looked at the hairpin in the box again. Looking at it once more, it was truly beautiful, like the Milky Way had been transplanted from the night sky.

‘The kitchen staff worked hard too… I should treat them to something.’

“Your Highness. Thank you.”

Marisselle smiled brightly.

Morgan felt a tickling sensation around his heart at Marisselle’s radiant smile.

It felt somewhat embarrassing, and was difficult to describe.

But what was certain was that he liked seeing Marisselle’s smiling face.

“By the way, whoever prepared this has amazing taste. It’s so beautiful.”

“Ahem. Is that so.”

Morgan cleared his throat. Then came an awkward expression.

He acted like someone who had been robbed of praise he should have received.

Marisselle had an intuition.

He didn’t choose it himself.

“Ah! And personally, I’m more moved by the shining heart of the person who prepared the gift than by the jewels themselves. Hohoho. In that sense, thank you once again, Your Highness.”

A flattering remark.

His face relaxed.

Snicker. Marisselle smiled inwardly and thought.

‘Either Porel or Rino must have prepared it.’

But to Marisselle, who had actually prepared it didn’t really matter. She was grateful that someone had put thought into it.

‘Now that the business seems finished, should I get up?’

Marisselle hurriedly stood up, worried that her private audience with him might drag on too long.

“Your Highness. Thank you. Then I’ll take my leave now so as not to keep Your Highness from your busy schedule.”

But Morgan stopped Marisselle with unexpected words.

“Tea will be coming soon. Have some before you go.”

“What? Aren’t you busy, Your Highness?”

“Today’s work is all finished, so have some tea before you go.”

“Yes? Yes…”

Marisselle, who had been awkwardly getting up, had no suitable excuse to make and couldn’t refuse, so she plopped back down in her seat.

‘Hiiing. I’m doomed.’

What am I supposed to talk about with my boss in the middle of the night, just the two of us!

Would tea even go down my throat while sitting on pins and needles like this?

Marisselle shed tears inwardly.

* * *

Morgan had some free time for the first time in a while. To be precise, he had cleared his schedule for today.

Meeting Fleur. And after that, giving Marisselle a gift and having tea together.

This was the last item on his planned schedule for today.

But Marisselle was trying to hurry out with just the gift, and his plan was about to fall through.

He felt both flustered and indignant.

In a way, her reaction was natural. He was always busy, and she was just trying to get up quickly out of consideration for him.

It was just that she didn’t know his feelings.

So he had hastily stopped Marisselle.

But the moment he spoke up, he was inwardly anxious that Marisselle might refuse.

‘If she refuses, what words will I use to stop her?’

When he was with her, things often happened that were beyond his expectations. But strangely, he didn’t dislike that.

Morgan always wanted to be alone with her whenever he had the chance.

So he wanted to confirm the true nature of why he was acting this way.

Today was exactly that day.

Even if she refused, he had to somehow stop her.

“I noticed you seemed to like rose tea before, so I had them prepare rose tea. Is that alright?”

Marisselle doubted her own ears.

‘Rose tea? He has such a delicate side?’

“Of course. I drink anything well as long as it doesn’t have a very bitter taste.”

“I see… Then what other things do you like?”

“Other things I like? Do you mean food?”

“Anything.”

“As for food, there’s nothing I particularly dislike. But there’s also nothing I especially like either.”

“Then, do you like reading books?”

Marisselle flinched for a moment.

Wondering if this might be a trap question like the previous one about child-rearing secrets.

“When I feel like reading, I read day and night, and sometimes I don’t even glance at them. It varies each time.”

Marisselle answered evasively so she could escape appropriately.

“Do you like reading books, Your Grace?”

“What do you think?”

He turned the question back to Marisselle with expectant eyes.

Marisselle faced a dilemma. What was with those expectant eyes?

Whatever answer she gave, he would probably ask for reasons. What should she do?

Marisselle lowered her eyes and fell deep in thought.

Right. What’s there to think about so complicatedly?

“I think you would like them. Even if you disliked books at first, you must have encountered books frequently and extensively while receiving heir education for the Duke’s Household. Through this process, you would have realized the benefits and enjoyment of books. Otherwise, I don’t think there would be so many books even in your study. People tend to keep what they like close by.”

Morgan slightly raised the corners of his mouth after hearing her answer.

‘Was that a satisfactory answer?’

“That’s a reasonable deduction.”

“Am I right?”

Morgan lightly rubbed his chin and fell into thought for a moment.

He thought about it for the first time. Whether he truly liked books.

As she said, from when he began receiving heir education in earnest, books were not a choice but an indispensable duty to become the head of the family.

To lead the duchy, he had to possess both knowledge and ability.

Putting down books was a product of laziness and disqualified him as a family head.

He didn’t find reading books tiresome or dislike it. But was he happy while reading? That wasn’t the case either.

There were times when he was happy… When he was very young, sitting on his mother’s lap and looking at fairy tale books together.

‘I used to sit with Sister…’

Morgan felt a bitter smile form as a long-forgotten memory from ages past was summoned.

“Well. Books have been an obligation since I was designated as heir, and no one ever asked me if I liked books, so I’ve never thought about it. But hearing what you say, it seems I don’t dislike them.”

If she had answered simply, he probably would have said nine times out of ten that for a family head, books are an obligation. There’s no liking or disliking about it.

But she had answered with sincerity even to his casually thrown words.

‘Was that why?’

The fact that he himself had thought seriously and answered to such a light question was surprisingly new to him.

Meanwhile, Marisselle felt disappointed after hearing Morgan’s answer.

“Your answer was ‘I don’t dislike them’…”

‘What a shame!’

I had reasoned it out quite earnestly, so I was confident it was the answer.

Why am I disappointed by this when it’s not even a test?

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