I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 30

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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 30

 

Marisselle hurriedly presented a solution before Morgan’s expression could harden further.

 

“Your Highness? You don’t need to feel burdened at all. Just exactly one hour per week would be sufficient. For the first while, I’ll be by your side to assist and show you what to do. If you need it, I can assist you anytime.”

 

Morgan lifted his teacup and took a sip of tea, giving himself time to think.

 

One hour per week. It wasn’t exactly unburdening, but it also wasn’t such a burdensome amount of time either.

 

Marisselle had used her head well. Both the time frame and the way she framed it as being for successor education. She had set up a situation that was difficult to refuse.

 

And once a week would also be time to meet with Marisselle regularly.

 

If he used this time well, he could make Marisselle’s heart turn toward him.

 

Morgan hid these inner thoughts and spoke as if he were showing great magnanimity.

 

“Since it’s you saying this, Marisselle, I’ll trust you and participate.”

 

Marisselle’s half-believing, anxious heart melted away like snow at his acceptance.

 

On the other hand, being recognized by someone known for having high standards and being meticulous made her shoulders rise with pride.

 

Marisselle rubbed the tip of her nose with her finger in embarrassment as she spoke.

 

“Thank you, Your Highness. As expected, Your Highness has an excellent ability to choose good things.”

 

Morgan recalled hearing similar words before.

 

It was what she had said to him on the day he decided to hire Marisselle as a governess.

 

He let out a chuckle.

 

‘She certainly thinks quite highly of herself.’

 

“Looking at you, it seems you evaluate yourself quite highly.”

 

“Hahaha. Is that so? Isn’t it because Your Highness agrees with that assessment that you trust me?”

 

Marisselle threw back a counter-question that implied ‘you agree too, don’t you.’

 

Marisselle certainly wasn’t a typical woman of the Empire.

 

If she were ordinary, no matter how much she lived together in the grand ducal residence, she wouldn’t think to face the Grand Duke so bare-faced.

 

Tonight she felt somehow different from other times, so Morgan carefully observed her face throughout their conversation.

 

As a result of his careful observation, what was different about her was a dress in more casual attire than usual and a face without makeup.

 

Whether she wore makeup or not, her jade-white skin glowed and was beautiful.

 

‘I’m probably the only man who has seen Marisselle’s face without makeup, right?’

 

He felt a strange certainty.

 

Seeing a woman’s face without makeup would only be possible between married couples in the bedroom…

 

He fell into imagination while looking at Marisselle’s clear face.

 

Her just emerging from the bathtub, wrapped only in undergarments, entering the bedroom toward him while still holding moist droplets.

 

Then he would pull her waist close to him and trap her in his embrace – such imagination.

 

When his thoughts reached this far from just Marisselle’s bare face, Morgan felt self-deprecating again.

 

‘Crazy bastard, just how far are you planning to imagine.’

 

Then Marisselle asked with concern.

 

“Your Highness. Are you perhaps ill? Your face has turned red… Shall I call a physician?”

 

Morgan became embarrassed at Marisselle’s words, like someone caught doing something bad.

 

“No, it’s just a bit warm, so there’s no need to call a physician. Rather, when should I start participating in childcare?”

 

Morgan hurriedly changed the subject while drinking the completely cooled tea all at once.

 

“How about starting from next week?”

 

“Then, let’s set the time starting next week, and notify in advance on days when there are changes.”

 

“Yes. That sounds good.”

 

Marisselle, whose mood improved as things went more smoothly than expected, showed her white teeth and smiled brightly.

 

Morgan found that sight pretty too, making his chest area tingle.

 

* * *

 

2nd floor living room.

 

“Young master. This game requires a good sense of balance. It’s simple, so you have a chance of winning.”

 

Marisselle was conducting last-minute special training for victory in the upcoming Jenga game with Morgan.

 

The Jenga she had requested from Porel was completed a few days ago, and Fleur had been engaging in special training with Marisselle every day.

 

They prepared Jenga in various sizes, and among them, they focused on practicing with the small-sized Jenga that would be advantageous for Fleur’s small hands.

 

This was based on the calculation that Morgan’s hands would be large and clumsy, putting him at a disadvantage.

 

Knock knock-

 

“Nanny Marisselle. His Highness has arrived.”

 

Marisselle and Fleur quickly stood up to greet Morgan as he entered.

 

“Welcome, Your Highness.”

 

“Uncle~”

 

Fleur’s voice rose high, excited with anticipation.

 

“Susanna. Could you prepare some drinks and snacks here?”

 

“Yes, Nanny.”

 

Susanna smiled brightly and left the room, saying she would quickly go prepare them.

 

This week, it was Susanna’s turn to attend to Fleur.

 

The maid attending to Fleur now changed on a weekly basis.

 

This was a measure Marisselle had implemented for Fleur’s social development.

 

She judged it would help his social development since people have different personalities even when doing the same work.

 

While Fleur was stabilizing, she had handled most of his care herself, and after he stabilized, she gradually introduced new people.

 

At first, Fleur had been very guarded. But gradually his wariness dissolved, and he adapted wonderfully just as Marisselle had trusted he would.

 

Now he could greet and converse with anyone without hesitation.

 

Morgan had received reports that the attending maids changed periodically, but this was the first time he actually saw Fleur being so comfortable.

 

“Uncle, this way-”

 

Just then, Fleur urged Morgan along, pulling him toward where the Jenga was.

 

Marisselle also helped according to Fleur’s signal.

 

“Yes, Your Highness, please come this way and join us. This is the young master’s favorite game these days.”

 

Marisselle dropped all formality and drew Morgan in.

 

“How do you play this?”

 

Morgan plopped down on the floor following Fleur.

 

“The young master will explain that to you.”

 

When Marisselle gave Fleur a meaningful look, Fleur nodded confidently with assured eyes.

 

“Uncle. You stack these little sticks up neatly like this. Then you decide the order and take them out one by one. But if the tower falls while you’re taking them out, you lose.”

 

Having finished his explanation, Fleur looked at Marisselle triumphantly.

 

His expression saying ‘I did well, right?’ was so cute and lovable that she wanted to squish those chubby cheeks with both hands.

 

“Oh my~! Our young master explained that so well. It was absolutely perfect~ Young master~!”

 

She said while executing a high-five.

 

Then a cheerful ‘clap’ sound filled the living room.

 

Morgan watched the two of them with a stunned expression.

 

“Huh? Uncle, do you want to high-five too? Then Uncle, spread your hand like this.”

 

Thinking Morgan was envious, Fleur taught him how to high-five.

 

Morgan reflexively raised his hand.

 

Fleur immediately slapped his palm hard against Morgan’s palm.

 

Sure enough, a crisp ‘smack’ sound resonated through the living room.

 

Fleur was already excited to the fullest just from this. He laughed so brightly and innocently like a child who owned the world, and Marisselle felt a gentle emotion stirring deep in her heart.

 

“Uncle. Now let’s start.”

 

The game began with Fleur’s signal.

 

Fleur went first, then Marisselle, and Morgan went last.

 

She had expected Fleur to win at least the first game.

 

Since Marisselle had secretly made it difficult for Morgan’s turn.

 

But Morgan broke through all the obstacles and won anyway.

 

Then he won the second, third, and all the subsequent games as well.

 

When Fleur lost the first time, he steeled his resolve. The second time, he steeled his resolve again. The third time he steeled it too, but his energy was flagging. The fourth time, his face turned red and blue. By the fifth time, his eyes were getting moist as if tears would soon flow.

 

Marisselle decided that drastic measures were now needed.

 

She quietly called over Morgan, who was obliviously happy about winning everything.

 

“Your Highness? Could we have a brief conversation over there?”

 

Marisselle’s voice was gentle and her eyes smiled warmly, but her mouth wasn’t smiling, making it eerie.

 

Morgan was startled seeing Marisselle like that.

 

“Why?”

 

Morgan asked obliviously.

 

“There was something I needed to tell Your Highness, but I forgot something… It will only take a moment.”

 

Marisselle answered, subtly and timidly biting her teeth slightly so it wouldn’t show.

 

“Young master, I’ll step away for just a moment and come back.”

 

Marisselle gave the little champion space so he could secretly wipe away his tears.

 

Then Fleur, as if he had been waiting, sniffled and smoothly wiped his tears with his sleeve.

 

Moving to a corner of the living room, Marisselle narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth toward Morgan.

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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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