I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 29

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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 29

 

“Sit there.”

 

Morgan finished his work at exactly the appointed time and came to the table.

 

Not long after sitting down, refreshments were prepared along with tea.

 

Marisselle had come prepared to wait as she always had until now.

 

But she was bewildered by the situation where not only was there no waiting, but tea was prepared right on time.

 

He had changed. Should she say that he had become more cunning in many ways, precisely since the day they went on the outing? Anyway, he was different from before.

 

But after that, he hadn’t breathed a word about anything related to the marriage proposal and was acting as if nothing had happened.

 

Of course, they might not have encountered each other during that time, but Morgan could have summoned Marisselle anytime he wanted to regarding that matter.

 

Even today’s incident at the library was like that. He was so nonchalant that one might wonder if the proposal had ever happened.

 

So she was momentarily confused.

 

“It seems Sir Rino left work early today.”

 

Morgan’s expression instantly hardened.

 

For Marisselle, it was a question that came out as simple courtesy from mere curiosity without any particular meaning, but Morgan found it difficult to accept as simple courtesy.

 

His nerves were on edge, wondering if Marisselle might be asking because she was interested in Rino.

 

Marisselle was puzzled seeing Morgan’s hardened expression.

 

‘He did this last time too, and now again this time.’

 

Marisselle couldn’t understand why Morgan was acting this way, but she decided not to ask about Rino’s departure next time.

 

“Your Grace. I hope there’s no misunderstanding. It’s not because I have any other intention, but as I mentioned last time, since the person who was always by Your Grace’s side wasn’t present, I was simply asking as a courtesy. I have no ulterior motive regarding Sir Rino.”

 

His hardened expression gradually relaxed.

 

‘Phew. Now his expression looks somewhat bearable.’

 

Morgan doesn’t know. How quickly the atmosphere turns menacing when he frowns just once.

 

Even if he knew, he probably wouldn’t think of fixing it.

 

Once the tea had steeped properly, Morgan dismissed the maids as he had done last time.

 

Marisselle had no choice but to pour the tea.

 

This time, unlike last time, it was herbal tea. After savoring the aroma once and taking a sip, her stomach warmed up and she felt as if the fatigue throughout her body was gently melting away.

 

“Did Your Grace choose this tea?”

 

“Do you like it?”

 

“Yes. It’s perfect tea to drink at night. I feel like my fatigue is being relieved.”

 

“That’s fortunate.”

 

Morgan also brought the tea to his lips and tasted a sip.

 

“So. What’s the reason you wanted to see me?”

 

It’s good that he always cuts to the chase and gets to the point.

 

It was unfamiliar at first, but now it’s good that they both save time.

 

“I requested this meeting to ask for three things. The first is that the young master is now stable enough to receive heir education, so he needs a private tutor.”

 

“Wait. There’s no need to bring in a private tutor. I’m planning to enroll him in the Imperial Academy for the September semester.”

 

Morgan set down his teacup and rejected the first request.

 

Marisselle calmly continued speaking as this was the answer she had expected.

 

“Your Grace. Academy enrollment is too early. That’s why my second request is to delay Academy enrollment by one semester.”

 

“The reason?”

 

Fleur would adapt well to the Academy even if he went now. Because he’s receiving love from many people.

 

But the important thing is that if he goes to the Academy now, he’ll get caught up in the kidnapping incident.

 

Marquis Zelkova was definitely planning something.

 

She had to block the very opportunity that would cause the plan to fall through.

 

Thanks to Marisselle entering the Duke’s Household as a nanny, they might be having a headache because they can’t use the Manua Barony as a card to pin the kidnapping crime on.

 

Or they might have already found another family to replace Manua.

 

What was certain was that if they dragged Manua into it, the chances of catching their tail would increase.

 

Because they also knew that since Marisselle became the Duke’s nanny, the Manua family would become a major surveillance target of the Duke.

 

Therefore, if they dragged the barony into the crime, the mastermind would be exposed quickly, so using the Manua Barony as a means for the crime would carry great risk.

 

For Marisselle, it was important that the barony didn’t come under suspicion, but Fleur’s safety was also extremely important.

 

She couldn’t tell the real reason why Fleur’s Academy enrollment had to be postponed.

 

So she had to stake her position as the nanny who was assisting Fleur at the closest distance and negotiate based on Fleur’s condition.

 

“The risk is still too great for forming relationships with strangers. The people within the Duke’s Castle are fundamentally friendly and also safe. But the Academy is different. There will definitely be those who harbor hostility. Although the young master is recovering quickly, it’s still not sufficient for that. That’s why we need time to prepare through an external private tutor. You can think of it as a transition period.”

 

Morgan crossed his arms and closed his eyes, lost in thought.

 

Even with his eyes closed, he looked handsome.

 

‘Even with his eyes closed, his handsomeness can’t be hidden.’

 

Marisselle thought now was the time and comfortably indulged in admiring the male lead’s attractive silhouette.

 

‘When else would I get to appreciate this if not now.’

 

Just then, he slowly half-opened his eyes, looked down at Marisselle, and raised the corner of his mouth.

 

“Is stealing glances a hobby of yours? Or perhaps a specialty?”

 

His voice, low and resonant with one corner of his mouth raised, seemed both amused and mocking, creating tension.

 

She wanted to protest that it was a misunderstanding, but this time she had indeed been stealing glances.

 

“I’m sorry….”

 

“Since you’re not denying it, I suppose you were actually stealing glances this time.”

 

“….”

 

“How honest. Anyway. I’ll trust the governess’s judgment regarding your first and second requests. Finding a tutor and delaying Academy enrollment won’t be major problems. And Fleur is a clever child.”

 

Morgan’s response carried pride in Fleur.

 

And above all, he trusted Marisselle’s judgment.

 

Since she was someone who cherished Fleur more than anyone, she would have reached a conclusion that benefited Fleur.

 

Morgan was newly surprised. That he was trusting someone so completely like this.

 

And Rino’s advice had also played a part.

 

If he was going to grant Marisselle’s requests anyway, he should do so without complaint and earn her favor.

 

Marisselle found Morgan’s reaction, different from usual, unfamiliar.

 

He wasn’t his former self. There was no nitpicking, no catching onto her words and dragging them out.

 

Marisselle felt exactly like she was talking to a different person.

 

“Your Grace? You’re not too tired, are you?”

 

She wondered if he might be too tired and speaking carelessly only to say something different later, so with inner anxiety, she asked while studying Morgan’s expression.

 

Morgan looked at such Marisselle as if she were being ridiculous.

 

“Suddenly?”

 

“…You might say something different later….”

 

“What do you take me for.”

 

Morgan frowned deeply.

 

“What’s the third one?”

 

“Ahem.”

 

Marisselle cleared her throat and spoke with a solemn expression.

 

“The third request I wish to make is for Your Grace to participate in child-rearing for the young master’s sake, and for the Duke’s Household’s sake. Not every day, of course.”

 

Morgan paused at the word child-rearing.

 

“Child-rearing is your responsibility. Yet you’re asking me to participate in child-rearing. Do you think that makes sense?”

 

Morgan’s reaction was cold.

 

However, since it was a reaction she had fully anticipated, Marisselle continued her next words without hesitation.

 

“Your Grace. The child-rearing I mentioned is not full-time child-rearing. I’m speaking of opportunities to build bonds so that the young master can like Your Grace and identify with you.”

 

“Identify? You mean becoming like me?”

 

“That’s right. People are bound to reproduce what they take in with their eyes. Isn’t the Gerneum Count’s son a good example? Someone who so hated his father’s violence ultimately ruined himself with violence too, didn’t he? It was the result of taking in his father’s conduct with eyes of hatred. That’s how important it is to have good examples taken in with the eyes.”

 

Marisselle’s words made sense. He too knew well the saying that there are no bad sons under good fathers.

 

If parents were trash, their children were usually trash too.

 

Marisselle continued as if driving in the final nail.

 

“Your Grace. Since Your Grace is a good example as a ruler, there is no better teaching material than Your Grace for successor education.”

 

Morgan inwardly felt his shoulders puff up with pride.

 

The very fact that Marisselle evaluated him as an excellent ruler sounded like praise.

 

‘Crazy bastard. Getting all puffed up over words like this….’

 

He was self-deprecating but didn’t dislike it. Rather, he was having foolish thoughts about wanting to hear words of praise from her more often.

 

‘They say love makes you a fool.’

 

He never dreamed he would be like this.

 

“Then. How exactly does this child-rearing thing work?”

 

Marisselle subtly gauged Morgan’s mood.

 

“Well, the thing is. Your Grace would need to set aside some time….”

 

Marisselle trailed off.

 

Because she knew very well that time was the one thing Morgan found hardest to wager.

 

Sure enough, his expression hardened.

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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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