I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 17

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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 17

“No! Ah, perhaps the gift should come first as Your Highness said. I waited three weeks desperately to talk about the gift, and even committed a breach of etiquette. Still, if we’re prioritizing tonight’s agenda, clearing up the misunderstanding comes first. I was so worried that the accumulated misunderstandings might get me kicked out. Though I’m relieved it’s resolved now…”

‘Kicked out? My, she certainly went far with that thought.’

Morgan frowned as he listened to her words.

“So, what gift does Fleur want to receive?”

“Well, that is… he said he wants to go on a picnic… with his uncle.”

“A picnic?”

His expression showed bewilderment.

‘As expected, is it not possible? It won’t work, but we absolutely must go on that picnic.’

“Your Highness. Just two hours, no, even one hour would be fine. I’ll handle all the preparations. You just need to show up.”

‘Just show up?’

A mischievous smile played at the corners of his mouth.

He could simply say he understood and accept, but tonight he didn’t feel like doing that.

‘The thirsty person should dig the well, after all.’

Morgan felt confident he could extract something from Marisselle.

“You must desperately want to fulfill Fleur’s wish, right?”

Marisselle innocently nodded her head vigorously.

“You know how difficult it is for me to make time, right? Especially during the day.”

Again, Marisselle blinked and nodded in agreement.

“Of course I know. That’s why I’m making this difficult request.”

“Then shouldn’t there be a price for it?”

“Pardon? A price?”

“From what I see, you seem to have promised to fulfill his wish. It wasn’t even Fleur who asked directly, but you who asked first, so it’s your wish. Am I wrong?”

‘No way. How is he making such twisted logic sound so convincing?’

Marisselle was dumbfounded.

So, he’ll do it but not for free? Something like that?

He already knew. When it came to anything related to Fleur, she would go through fire and water.

He was grateful for that, yet it didn’t sit entirely well with him.

Though there was no reason to be displeased, it bothered him like a hangnail on his fingertip.

“…You’re right, Your Highness. Then, what should I pay as the price?”

‘There, I knew this would happen.’

He had expected it, but when his expectation didn’t miss the mark, his stomach strangely seemed to twist.

‘Is it because she seems excessively blind when it comes to Fleur? Or because that devotion isn’t directed at me?’

He was confused.

‘Never mind. I’ll figure that out later, gradually.’

“Ha, acting so fearlessly when you don’t even know what I might demand as payment.”

“It’s not that I’m fearless, but that I’m asking about Your Highness’s intentions. After hearing it, if it’s something possible, the deal is made, and if not, it can’t be helped. I’ll have to find another way.”

After hearing her out, Morgan looked at Marisselle with disbelief, as if he’d been caught off guard.

‘Oh my. Did that sound like I’d grant anything you want? How adorable.’

Though she hadn’t intended to catch him off guard, seeing his bewildered expression seemed to ease some of his pent-up frustration.

When Marisselle grinned, his expression changed like someone who had bitten into an unripe persimmon.

“And I said that because I know Your Highness cherishes the young master, so I thought you wouldn’t make unreasonable demands.”

‘Better apply some balm too.’

Marisselle added a soothing word while chuckling inwardly.

Just as Morgan knew Marisselle, Marisselle also knew Morgan.

In some ways, perhaps Marisselle knew him better. Why? Because she knew the original story.

Even though he acts so gruff, he’s a man who would give his liver and gallbladder to his woman.

‘Sigh. The female lead is so lucky. To receive such love from a man who has everything, even giving his liver and gallbladder.’

While someone else had only been strung along… bitter feelings rose again.

“What? Are you scared I might demand something impossible? Why do you look like that?”

“Oh no, it’s not that. I was just thinking about something else for a moment…”

“You’re thinking about something else in front of me?”

“No, well, it wasn’t really thinking about something else, but more like thinking that Your Highness has a bit of a tsundere tendency?”

“What? Tsun… dere?”

His expression twisted fiercely.

‘Huh!’

Marisselle covered her mouth with her hands.

Only then did she realize what she had inadvertently said.

‘Ah. Why am I like this.’

“Ah, Your Highness, what tsundere means is… someone who appears strict and cold on the outside, but has a lot of affection inside. That’s exactly how Your Highness appears to me.”

Was it a mistake to hastily try to explain?

His expression had become even more fierce than before.

Where did it all go wrong? I really want to cry.

“So you’re saying that I. That is, that I. Appear cold on the outside, but like you on the inside?”

‘Huh? What is he talking about now?’

“Pardon? Your Highness, what do you mean by that…”

“Didn’t you just say that? That I appear strict and cold on the outside but show affection toward you on the inside.”

His voice was icy.

Oh no!

This is really serious. I left out the crucial subject.

“Ah, I’m sorry, Your Highness. I was trying to say that’s how Your Highness appears toward Young Master Fleur, but in my haste I left out part of what I meant to say, which seems to have caused a misunderstanding. I apologize once again…”

Marisselle bowed her head deeply.

‘I must be cursed today! Otherwise there’s no way I could make so many mistakes in a row.’

But despite her apology, Morgan didn’t soften his expression.

‘Surely he won’t fire me over something like this? No, wait. He might. I keep getting on his nerves.’

What should I do now?

Really, today is just one of those days when nothing goes right…

For now, it seems like leaving quickly would be the best way to prevent further mistakes.

“Your Highness. I will absolutely make sure there are no more misunderstandings in the future. And I have truly never once had such improper thoughts as Your Highness liking me…”

“Stop!”

Marisselle tried to make one final explanation before getting up, but Morgan cut her off sharply.

‘Haah… I guess this is the end…’

Marisselle thought that Plan A of surviving under the Duke’s Household’s protection was over, and she would inevitably have to move on to Plan B without the Duke’s Household’s protection.

Just then.

“One week! Help me with my work during that time.”

“Yes. I’ll pack my things within a week… Pardon? You’re not firing me but asking me to assist with work?”

‘What kind of sudden turn is this?’

Today is really a strange day.

He let out a short sigh and lightly ignored Marisselle’s words.

“Rino will be away in a few days. Help me with work in Rino’s place then.”

“Ah… Your Highness. Then what about Young Master Fleur…?”

“Come when Fleur is sleeping. Work until 12 o’clock.”

“I’m not sure if I have the ability to help with Your Highness’s work…”

“I won’t give you anything big. Just sorting documents, so anyone can do it.”

“Ah, yes. Then I’ll do as you say. So when might the picnic promise with Young Master Fleur be after Sir Rino returns…?”

Staring intently at Marisselle as she trailed off, Morgan thought.

‘Is this really the same woman who thought she was about to be fired just now?’

She was quick to change tactics.

She would act confident, then immediately become submissive when crisis came to get through it. Then when opportunity arose, she would immediately seize it. Like a skilled hunter.

Was it natural talent?

‘If I think about it properly, it was obviously about Fleur without any room for misunderstanding, so why did I get so worked up?’

And the explanation she offered was even more displeasing.

‘And why would it be an improper thought for me to have feelings for her?’

Every woman wants him to have feelings for them.

Perhaps his pride was hurt that the woman closest to him had not even the slightest bit of interest.

He was confused whether that was why his mood was such a mess.

Seeing Marisselle’s expression crumble, he had hastily offered conditions for fear she might mention being fired again, and sure enough, the scenario of being kicked out had played in her head.

‘Am I such a terrible employer?’

Then again, considering all the nannies who had come and gone, it was a reasonable thought from Marisselle’s perspective.

Those who forgot their main duties and coveted the Grand Duchess position were all driven away.

All the women he had met so far tried their best to impress him somehow, but she was the complete opposite.

Due to her behavior today, he had briefly suspected whether her previous actions had been calculated moves to secure the Grand Duchess position. But there were too many inconsistencies for that to be the case.

“I’ll make time as soon as Rino arrives.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. The young master will be so delighted.”

Marisselle clasped her hands to her chest and smiled like a young girl.

‘She always smiles like that when it comes to Fleur.’

“Then, please let me know once the date is decided.”

Just as Marisselle was about to finish speaking, she clapped her hands together as if remembering something important.

“Ah! And I… Since Your Highness is someone who goes out frequently, you must know many good places to safely take a child on outings, right?”

Marisselle spoke in a roundabout way.

“So you want me to scout locations and report back?”

“Pardon? Report? That’s absolutely not necessary. If you could just recommend some places, I’ll go survey them myself.”

Morgan stared at Marisselle silently and then frowned.

“There’s no need for that. I’ll decide on the location and let you know.”

“Ah! Your Highness really is so caring.”

For a moment, Marisselle worried that Morgan might misunderstand again and quickly added:

“Oh, when I said caring, I meant caring toward Young Master Fleur. I’m sure you already know that, but just in case…”

She cautiously read the room while rattling off her hasty explanation.

“I know.”

Morgan frowned with an irritated expression.

‘Sigh. What kind of day is this, really.’

Marisselle sighed as if all her energy had been drained.

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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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