I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 22

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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 22

2nd floor living room.

I was reading fairy tale books and playing drawing games with Fleur.

“Wow. Young master, your drawing is so wonderful.”

“Mm, Marisselle’s drawing is pretty too.”

While we were immersed in coloring and busy praising each other’s good work, noisy sounds came from outside.

Dozens of knights were dismounting from their horses and unpacking their travel gear.

I could see attendants leading horses toward the stables, and servants busily receiving and carrying the knights’ luggage.

Then I saw Rino’s figure near the foyer.

‘He returned safely.’

I was glad.

“Young master. Sir Rino has returned with the knights. Shall we go downstairs to greet them too?”

“Is that okay? Won’t uncle scold us?”

“Hmm… I don’t think he would. Young master, you are the rightful heir of House of Ergana Yohaim. So I think greeting the knight order would be fine…”

“…”

Fleur was cautious. He didn’t immediately agree or move just because I said it would be okay.

He had received rigorous heir education at the marquis house, and this often showed in ways like this.

The habit of thinking from the position of an heir rather than a child.

“I think if young master says a word of appreciation for their hard work, it would give the knights strength too. If you’re really worried, how about asking uncle first?”

“Yes. That would be good. Is uncle on the 1st floor? Or in his study?”

“Let’s visit the study first together. If he’s not there, we can go down to the 1st floor and make it seem like we happened to see the knight order naturally.”

I smiled reassuringly telling him not to worry, took Fleur’s hand, and knocked on Duke’s Office door.

But no sound came from inside and it was quiet.

“Seeing how quiet it is, His Highness doesn’t seem to be inside. Let’s go downstairs.”

“Okay.”

The child replied cutely.

When we passed the end of the 1st floor stairs covered with red carpet and reached about the middle of the wide Central Hall, I saw Morgan walking from the Interview Room direction.

“Uncle.”

When Fleur called Morgan happily, Morgan approached us with slightly faster steps.

“Is something wrong?”

Fleur nodded his head.

I could see Morgan’s eyes curve gently.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Um, uncle, where are you going now?”

Fleur asked surprisingly skillfully and cleverly.

I could see the calculation behind it – if uncle’s destination was where he wanted to go, he would naturally ask if he could go together.

‘Clever.’

Sometimes I was startled enough to mistake whether a sixty-year-old grandmother had entered a six-year-old body, and this wasn’t the first or second time.

“I heard the knight order returned, so I’m going to see them.”

“Then, uncle. Can I come with you too?”

Morgan looked surprised, one eyebrow raised.

“You want to come with me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a reason?”

“Because they worked hard for the Duke’s Household, I want to greet them and say thank you.”

“How?”

Fleur pondered how he should greet them, then soon confidently gave his answer.

“Like uncle does.”

“Hahaha. How clear.”

Morgan seemed quite pleased with Fleur’s answer.

‘See, that’s what I mean. So bright. Oh my baby. So adorable I could die.’

I felt proud and happy for no reason. I wanted to hug him and pat his bottom, but I held back with all my might.

“Well then, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Fleur answered firmly and followed Morgan, and Morgan walked slowly to match Fleur’s stride.

“Your Highness.”

“My lord.”

When the knights saw Morgan appear, they showed proper respect and gave knight salutes with their right fists pressed to their chests.

“Yes. You’ve worked hard.”

“Your Highness. Ronan. I have returned safely after carrying out your orders. I’ll finish unpacking and give my report shortly.”

“Do that.”

The man who identified himself as Ronan, with short sky-blue hair and ash-gray eyes, finished his brief greeting to Morgan and then turned his gaze to Fleur and me standing nearby.

Morgan noticed Ronan’s gaze and gave Fleur a look indicating it was fine to greet him.

“You’ve worked hard.”

When that adorable and cute voice was heard, Ronan and the other knights’ eyes widened in surprise.

They looked at each other with expressions that seemed to ask, “Did we hear that wrong?”

“Not at all. Thanks to Young Master’s concern, we were able to return safely. Thank you.”

Ronan and the knights gave Fleur the same formal salute they had offered to Morgan.

“Mm.”

Fleur smiled brightly and looked up at Morgan.

Morgan patted Fleur’s head affectionately.

‘Good, good. Now we can gradually move on to the next stage of child-rearing.’

It seemed like quite a bond had formed between Morgan and Fleur.

As I was watching Morgan and Fleur with satisfaction, I strangely felt someone’s gaze. It was Ronan.

“Your Highness. Might this person be the Young Master’s nanny…?”

“That’s right.”

As soon as Morgan finished speaking, I picked up the conversation and curtsied slightly in greeting.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Mariselle Manua.”

“I’m Ronan Pillow, Captain of the 3rd Knight Order. I pay my respects to Lady Mariselle.”

When he extended his hand, I naturally offered the back of my hand.

Ronan bowed his head to kiss the back of my hand according to knightly etiquette.

But suddenly, another hand abruptly interjected between Ronan’s face and the back of my hand.

“…?”

Ronan and I simultaneously turned our heads following the hand.

What’s going on?

The owner of the hand at the end of our gaze was none other than Morgan, the dignified master of the Duke’s Household.

Moreover, he was emanating an intimidating atmosphere as if this situation greatly displeased him.

‘Why…?’

There was no reason to block the greeting. Nothing was rude about it. It was just a customary greeting.

“Not a lady, but a nanny. So there’s no need for a knight’s greeting.”

A cold, low voice like an untimely frost.

‘What, if I’m a nanny I can’t even receive a knight’s greeting?’

It was absurd. But what could I do? If the employer says so, I have to comply.

I quickly resigned myself and organized my thoughts, but Ronan didn’t seem to be doing the same.

Judging by his expression, he appeared quite confused, unable to grasp the situation.

“Ah. Yes. I understand.”

Ronan scratched his head and rolled his eyes trying to understand the situation, then suddenly opened his mouth toward me.

“You are beautiful.”

“Pardon?”

“You are beautiful. Truly.”

When Ronan smiled awkwardly and confirmed it again, my face flushed hot.

It seemed like words he blurted out awkwardly due to the unexpected situation, but I still felt good about it.

“Thank you, Sir Ronan. Those aren’t unpleasant words to hear.”

Without realizing it, a shy smile spread across my face as I offered my thanks.

Ronan was quite handsome. Moreover, his gray eyes seemed naturally melancholic, making him a person who drew one’s gaze.

He was someone with a mysterious charm that made you want to keep looking when you gazed into his eyes.

When such a person says you’re beautiful, even if it’s just flattery, it makes your heart flutter. Probably nine out of ten would be as shy as I am, right?

As I was brushing my hair behind my ear out of unnecessary embarrassment, I accidentally made eye contact with Morgan.

‘Sigh. What could be displeasing him now to make him act like that?’

His expression was beyond frowning—it was menacing.

‘Huh? Even Fleur?’

This is the first time I’ve seen Fleur make such a frowning, sulky expression.

‘What? Does the compliment about being beautiful really not suit me that much?’

I felt defiant. I was determined to at least thank the person who said I was pretty.

I extended my hand to Ronan, requesting a handshake.

“Please take care of me.”

Ronan stared at my outstretched hand for a moment, then reached out his arm to take it.

But once again, the handshake didn’t happen. Just as he was about to grasp it, Morgan interfered again.

“That’s enough now, take Fleur inside.”

‘What the hell. Why is this guy acting like this?’

As Morgan’s incomprehensible actions continued one after another, I too frowned.

Ronan suddenly looked dazed, then I could see the corners of his mouth slightly rising as he chuckled.

‘Finally, Ronan has reached enlightenment about his lord’s tyranny.’

I felt sorry for him.

“Marisselle, let’s do that. Let’s go inside quickly.”

‘Huh?’

Fleur also seemed to be in sync with Morgan, urging us to go inside quickly.

“…?”

While I was frantically trying to understand this absurd situation, Fleur pulled my hand more forcefully.

“Yes, yes… Young Master. Let’s go inside.”

I had no choice but to quickly bid farewell to Ronan and leave.

“Young Master, let’s go slowly.”

“Ah! I see. Understood. Then let’s hurry.”

Fleur showed a relieved expression as if he was finally at ease. Taking advantage of the moment, I spoke as we climbed the stairs.

“Now that Sir Rino has returned, we can plan a picnic with Uncle.”

Fleur climbed the stairs energetically while asking with a serious face.

“Marisselle. Do you want to go on a picnic with Uncle too?”

“No. I’m asking if you want to go on a picnic with Uncle too.”

What does this mean? I pondered for a moment.

Could he be worried, thinking I’m planning to send just him and Uncle on the picnic?

“Of course. Naturally. If Young Master is going, I’ll naturally go too.”

“Of course. Naturally. If you’re going, then I’m definitely going too.”

“No. I’m asking if Maricel wants to go on a picnic with uncle too.”

Wow. If I express my honest feelings here, Fleur will obviously be sad. What should I say? I was troubled.

“Well, probably everyone in the world would want to go on a picnic with Uncle. He’s His Grace the Grand Duke, after all. And since he’s the uncle that the young master likes, why wouldn’t I like him too? Of course I’d want to go on a picnic with the young master and Uncle.”

I tried to put it delicately and beat around the bush, but I wonder if they understood what I meant.

Then Fleur’s face suddenly lit up with joy as she hopped up the stairs like a rabbit.

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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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