I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 33

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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 33

 

“It seems like it’s been a while since you sent a letter.”

 

Porel said in a gentle voice as he took the letter from Marisselle.

 

“That’s right. Butler Porel, I’m such an unfilial daughter. I should have sent news first, but I was too thoughtless.”

 

“From the nanny’s perspective, you might think that way. But as for the Duke’s Household, we can only be grateful to you. Thanks to your efforts, the young master recovered quickly. I hear a tutor will be found soon, so won’t you have some free time then? You’ll have time to go out for a while.”

 

When Porel spoke with gratitude and apology, Marisselle smiled brightly and asked something she was curious about.

 

“Has the tutor been decided? What kind of people are coming?”

 

Instead of giving an immediate answer, Porel made a strange smile that tilted his head and said:

 

“It would be better to hear that directly from His Highness. He’ll probably call for you soon.”

 

Then Porel smiled brightly and walked away with the letter.

 

‘Huh? What’s that about?’

 

At the time, I didn’t understand Porel’s smile, but I finally understood its meaning when I met Morgan.

 

For some reason, Morgan called me not to his study, but to the first floor meeting room.

 

“Here. These are the tutor candidates. I’d like you to look them over and give me your opinion.”

 

He spread out the documents of the tutor candidates in front of me.

 

There were a total of 4 subjects: history, common language, grammar, and composition.

 

Even at a glance, these were people of renowned caliber in the Empire.

 

Especially for the history subject, it was a name I had heard before – Elias Xavier, who was now retired but had served as an Academy professor whom everyone respected.

 

He was the second son of Marquis Curtlet’s Household, but was famous for serving as an Academy professor with his brilliant mind and receiving the surname Xavier and a baronetcy in recognition of his achievements.

 

This kind of person is a tutor candidate? Not a confirmed appointment?

 

This is why they say Duke’s Household, Duke’s Household.

 

Wow- no wonder Morgan’s self-esteem reaches the sky.

 

I newly understood the shock Morgan must have received when his marriage proposal was rejected.

 

‘To think I received a marriage proposal from such a man.’

 

My shoulders naturally straightened with pride.

 

If it weren’t for survival, I would have found it hard to find a reason to refuse.

 

With that level of wealth, power, and looks, even non-existent affection could develop.

 

Who would refuse, I wondered.

 

I tentatively decided on Elias Xavier for history and looked at the candidates for other subjects.

 

Not one of them was lacking in terms of experience.

 

The more I looked, the more I thought how lucky I was.

 

To be occupying a nanny position with no experience.

 

‘I’m destined to live.’

 

I was thinking to myself when I suddenly felt like I was being too presumptuous and quickly stopped the thought.

 

Anyway, all the candidates’ careers were impressive. There was nothing to fault.

 

Then the only thing left was what criteria to use for selection.

 

Wouldn’t it be good to have various age groups and diverse genders?

 

“Your Highness, in my opinion, for history Baron Elias Xavier, for common language Caden Ryder, for grammar Reiley Rendon, and for composition Baroness Veronica Zevia would be good.”

 

“What are your selection criteria?”

 

“First, all their careers are impeccably excellent, so I used gender and age as criteria.”

 

The people I chose were: for history, 57-year-old Baron Xavier; for common language, 27-year-old Caden Ryder, second son of Count Ryder’s family; for grammar, 23-year-old Reiley Rendon, eldest daughter of Marquis Rendon’s family; and for composition, 42-year-old Baroness Veronica Zevia.

 

“Do you really need to arrange things so systematically?”

 

Morgan’s voice sounded a bit sharp, as if there was something he didn’t like about it.

 

“Your Highness, you asked for my opinion, so I simply gave my opinion. Any of these would be fine. I trust Your Highness’s judgment. I only added my comment because I judged it would benefit the young master from a diversity perspective.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Morgan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

 

As if thinking deeply, he slightly furrowed his brow and tapped the armrest of his chair – tap – tap.

 

He took a moment to contemplate like that.

 

Eventually, as if he had made a decision, he straightened up from his chair and began sorting through the documents on the table one by one.

 

Looking at what he selected, it matched the people I had mentioned.

 

“Let’s go with these people.”

 

I was surprised. It seemed like my opinion had been completely reflected. So I was curious.

 

“Your Highness. May I ask the reason for this decision?”

 

The answer that came from his mouth without a moment’s hesitation was this.

 

“Because our opinions align. I was just worried about one person, but when you presented the diversity aspect, I decided to set aside my personal concerns.”

 

‘Huh? Personal concerns?’

 

What kind of nonsense was this now?

 

I was curious about who had caused him to have personal concerns, so I casually asked.

 

“Which subject were you concerned about…”

 

“…”

 

He just stared at me intently, never satisfying my curiosity in the end.

 

‘Is he worried I might develop prejudices?’

 

Instead, he only said what he wanted to say and tried to get up and leave.

 

“Let’s start the lessons from next week.”

 

I hurriedly called out to stop him as he was about to leave.

 

“Your Highness!”

 

He stopped walking and turned around.

 

“…What is it?”

 

“Well… about my time off…”

 

I swallowed dryly and smiled brightly as I talked about the time off I hadn’t been able to use.

 

But his reaction seemed uncomfortable somehow.

 

I thought his uncomfortable reaction was due to Fleur.

 

“Your Highness. You don’t need to worry about the young master anymore. Rather, now is the time to practice being apart little by little. If you stay too close, anxiety might actually grow larger.”

 

He fell into thought for a moment. His brow furrowed again.

 

“Sigh-. During your time off, you’ll naturally stay at the Marquis’ Residence, right?”

 

“Probably so? I’m planning to see my parents and spend time with them for a while. And after that, I’ll probably meet friends and such.”

 

It might be my mistake, but after hearing everything, his blue eyes seemed to be filled with melancholy.

 

“I’ll assign you an escort when you go to the Marquis’ Residence.”

 

What? Was he frowning because he was worried about me?

 

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

 

I offered my thanks. But strangely, his eyes were still shadowed.

 

“Your Highness. Are you perhaps worried that I might reveal the Duke’s Household affairs when I go to my family home?”

 

When I asked carefully, his face instantly turned cold.

 

“Why would you suddenly say such a thing?”

 

“No, it’s just that Your Highness’s face seemed to be filled with worry. I wondered if you were concerned that the Duke’s Household affairs might be revealed to outsiders, so I asked.”

 

Then, Morgan approached as if incredulous, closing the distance between us until he was right in front of me.

 

And he slightly lowered his head to meet my eyes and growled lowly.

 

“What do you take me for? You’re already my person. What am I supposed to do if I can’t trust you?”

 

Gasp!

 

‘No, why, why is he suddenly being so menacing…’

 

I unconsciously held my breath at the intimidating atmosphere.

 

My heart pounded like a herbivore placed before a predator.

 

It was the same fear I had felt when I first met him in that marketplace.

 

He stepped closer, narrowing the distance further. Eyes facing each other at close range.

 

But strangely, his eyes clung to me persistently in a way that didn’t match the intimidating atmosphere, which was confusing.

 

My heart was still pounding relentlessly.

 

I barely managed to collect myself and stepped back, placing my hand on my chest to calm my heart.

 

“Uh… Your Highness. I’m sorry…”

 

Then strangely, the persistent and cool gaze lost its strength and returned to normal.

 

And then he roughly ran his hands over his face.

 

The face that his large hands swept down showed a crumbling expression.

 

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you…”

 

His voice was filled with regret and self-reproach.

 

I couldn’t understand all of Morgan’s reactions, but one thing was certain: he hadn’t intended to frighten me.

 

Well, even I would feel hurt and upset if someone said they couldn’t trust me.

 

Thinking about it carefully, it was completely understandable from Morgan’s perspective.

 

“No, Your Highness. I was being thoughtless. I think I would be upset too if I heard such words.”

 

I felt sorry.

 

Just as I was wondering how I could make him feel better.

 

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but because it’s dangerous once you leave the manor…”

 

His unexpected words surprised me.

 

‘He looked so deadly serious because he was worried about my safety?’

 

As if he thought this excuse wasn’t enough, he continued speaking.

 

“So… I was just worried. I hope you won’t misunderstand.”

 

And then his ears and nape turned red.

 

Then he quickly bolted from his seat and left as if he were being chased by something.

 

Left dumbfounded, I had to stare blankly at the door he had gone through for quite a while.

 

‘What on earth just happened?’

 

Was honestly saying he was worried about me such an embarrassing thing to do?

 

The clumsy side shown by someone who always seemed overflowing with confidence was quite a fresh shock.

 

Moreover, the sight of him fleeing with his ears turned red was very impressive.

 

‘Kind of cute.’

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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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