I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 35

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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 35

 

‘How annoying.’

 

Morgan frowned.

 

As Caden Ryder’s introduction ended, Marisselle smiled toward Ryder. Ryder smiled back as well.

 

Even though he knew it was just the usual exchange of greetings, it didn’t sit well with him.

 

But Caden was a little different from Marisselle. He was looking at Marisselle with the eyes of a man viewing a woman.

 

A fierce desire arose to pluck out those insolent eyes harboring dark intentions and throw him out immediately.

 

And another thing – even though Marisselle had smiled as a mere courtesy, he couldn’t say that was all there was to it, which made him anxious and restless.

 

What if Marisselle showed interest in that bastard, what if she saw him as a man – such thoughts plagued him.

 

‘Surely her taste wouldn’t run to such a pretty boy like that.’

 

Anyone could see that Caden wasn’t a pretty boy but a handsome young man.

 

But that’s how he appeared in Morgan’s eyes.

 

Morgan glared at Caden for no reason and opened his mouth.

 

“Now. Let’s leave the introductions at that. Discuss with Marisselle to coordinate the schedule. Marisselle, you inform me of the coordinated schedule. Well then. Good work, everyone.”

 

“Yes…”

 

Marisselle answered with widened eyes.

 

Her name, which had never been properly called before, flowed from his lips for the first time.

 

And her name was called in front of several new people.

 

Marisselle was certain her name was indeed Marisselle and it was a name that could be called officially, but when he called it in this setting, it somehow felt strangely intimate.

 

Her face seemed to be heating up for no reason, so she brought her hand to her cheek.

 

Fortunately, she didn’t feel any warmth.

 

‘Hah. This is quite powerful.’

 

Marisselle felt like her heart might start pounding at this rate, so she quickly opened her mouth to address the group.

 

“Then shall we sit down and discuss?”

 

Marisselle rang the bell to request refreshments suitable for Fleur and adults.

 

Fleur also sat at the spacious round table.

 

“Um, will the young master also be participating in the meeting?”

 

Reiley Rendon hesitated for a moment before asking.

 

“Yes… Since these are lessons the young master will be receiving, I thought he should also participate and give his opinions.”

 

Marisselle spoke carefully.

 

“Ah, that’s, that’s right…”

 

Reiley spoke shyly as if embarrassed.

 

“That’s right. He’s the main character of the lessons, so he shouldn’t be left out. Heh heh heh.”

 

Xavier, who added his words with a gentle smile, looked infinitely kind.

 

Veronica gazed at Marisselle without saying anything. But in those eyes was an undeniable curiosity.

 

Caden was likewise looking at Marisselle with great interest.

 

Having a young child involved in a meeting about lessons was a first experience for all of them.

 

Veronica was curious.

 

About Marisselle, who held the position of Duke’s Household nanny that had seen so many come and go.

 

She knew she was the only daughter of the Manua Barony, and had heard rumors that her personality changed after suffering from a fever.

 

She had also heard rumors that she was pretty, and indeed she was pretty.

 

How could someone with such beauty not show her face in high society?

 

Wasn’t she the type of woman that men wouldn’t leave alone?

 

Moreover, she had a different atmosphere from other young ladies of the Empire, with a special quality that could be felt.

 

Who on earth would think to include a young child in an adult meeting?

 

No matter that the child was the heir to the Duke’s Household, it was an unspoken rule of the Empire that only adults participated in meetings.

 

No one had ever thought to overturn this.

 

But she had included the child so naturally and matter-of-factly.

 

Just from his expression, one could tell how much the young prince was respected as a human being.

 

The answer had already been derived from this one action.

 

And the Duke’s gaze as he looked at Marisselle.

 

‘The Grand Duke will absolutely never let Marisselle go.’

 

“Good. Then how about we hear the young master’s opinion?”

 

Veronica concluded her brief contemplation and offered her suggestion.

 

“Yes. Please tell us which subjects you’d like to study and at what times, young master.”

 

Caden added his words.

 

Fleur placed his index finger against his chin and fell into such deep contemplation that slight wrinkles formed between his brows.

 

“I am…”

 

Fleur expressed his opinion honestly and without reservation.

 

The four excellent teachers listened to Fleur’s opinion and coordinated their schedules as much as possible to reach a conclusion.

 

Despite it being quite a long time, Fleur listened attentively to their words without showing any signs of boredom.

 

‘This kid is really going to achieve great things.’

 

How could a child focus on adult conversations without getting distracted even once?

 

He was a child born with the qualities of a leader.

 

‘As they say, those destined for greatness are different from the start.’

 

Marisselle had to let go of her arrogant belief that Fleur was growing well solely due to her own abilities.

 

“Then it seems we can conclude today’s meeting here. What do you think?”

 

“It’s regrettable, but it seems we must.”

 

“Indeed. There will be days when we meet together again.”

 

“It was an honor to meet you today.”

 

“I look forward to what lies ahead.”

 

Xavier, Caden, Reiley, and Veronica each left brief remarks in turn, and soon they rose from their seats.

 

Marisselle and Fleur walked with them, escorting them to the foyer.

 

Xavier, Reiley, and Veronica lightly bowed their heads to bid farewell to Fleur and Marisselle before leaving the Duke’s Mansion.

 

However, Caden politely bowed at the waist to Fleur and extended his hand to Marisselle.

 

He intended to give a gentleman’s greeting.

 

Marisselle had no particular reason to refuse, so she extended her hand.

 

Then Caden took Marisselle’s hand and kissed the back of it.

 

With his lips still pressed to the back of Marisselle’s hand, Caden gazed into her mysterious violet eyes.

 

His gray eyes intently tried to read the violet ones.

 

However, Marisselle’s mind was occupied with completely different thoughts.

 

‘I haven’t washed my hands, so hurry up and pull away.’

 

Marisselle inwardly grumbled that greeting customs like knight’s kisses or gentleman’s kisses were really not acceptable from a hygienic standpoint.

 

Having a man’s lips touch her bare hand didn’t feel particularly pleasant either.

 

Marisselle thought further.

 

If someone she disliked gave such a greeting, it would probably give her goosebumps.

 

‘This greeting method is really awful. But I suppose there’s no choice while living in this world.’

 

While Marisselle was voicing her internal complaints about the Empire’s greeting customs.

 

Morgan, who had been concentrating on his work, stood up at the sounds coming from beyond the window.

 

“It seems the schedule coordination has ended.”

 

Morgan watched the sources of the commotion beyond the window with indifference, his arms crossed.

 

Just as he was about to turn away after seeing them all leave one by one.

 

He saw Caden remaining at the end, approaching Fleur and Marisselle.

 

And he extended his hand and kissed the back of Marisselle’s hand.

 

Morgan wanted to immediately jump down and cut off that filthy snout.

 

But he couldn’t do that.

 

Because of his dignity as a Grand Duke?

 

No. It was because he was afraid of being hated by Marisselle.

 

“Hah. I shouldn’t have chosen that bastard.”

 

When his concerns became reality, he regretted it once again.

 

It felt thoroughly unpleasant, as if he had brought trouble into his house.

 

“It’s okay… Still, I have a better body than that bastard. Marisselle at least likes my body.”

 

Even as Morgan spoke these words aloud, he felt ashamed and pathetic.

 

How was it that Marisselle was only interested in the rest of her body excluding her face among everything she possessed, and how was it that he liked such a woman this much?

 

It wasn’t something he could understand. It was simply something he had to accept.

 

When Caden left, he finally turned around and sat down, trying to focus on his work again, but he couldn’t concentrate.

 

He kept remembering that gigolo-like bastard kissing the back of Marisselle’s hand.

 

He shot up from his seat.

 

It seemed like he’d only be able to shake off these thoughts if he went and ran a few laps around the Training Grounds.

 

He strode out and angrily flung the door wide open.

 

“Huh?! Whoa…”

 

Marisselle, who had been holding the door handle and was about to knock, couldn’t resist the force of the suddenly opening door and was pulled inside, losing her balance and about to tumble forward.

 

In that instant, Morgan reflexively caught Marisselle as she fell toward him with one arm, supporting her effortlessly.

 

Marisselle, who had thought she was going to fall completely, clung to his solid arm and let out a sigh of relief—”Phew.”

 

The moment Morgan saw Marisselle in his arms, his lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

 

As if he had never been troubled at all, his mood became incredibly clear and bright, and the corners of his mouth naturally lifted.

 

‘Is this really something to feel so good about?’

 

Just as he was thinking this, Marisselle gently freed herself from Morgan’s solid arm, regained her balance, stood up straight, and said:

 

“Ah! Your Highness. Thank you. I really thought I was going to fall flat on my face.”

 

She scratched the back of her neck sheepishly and grinned broadly.

 

‘…?’

 

Morgan’s heart began to pound violently.

 

She had simply smiled… but it embedded itself like a star in Morgan’s eyes, in his chest.

 

“Your Highness. Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

 

Seeing his flustered expression and his eyes that seemed lost, Marisselle asked worriedly.

 

“N-no. But what brings you here?”

 

Oh no, that wasn’t the graceless thing he had meant to say…

 

He had meant to ask first if she was okay, if she was hurt anywhere…

 

Morgan felt utterly pathetic.

 

“I came because I have something to tell you briefly, but if you were about to go out, I’ll come back later.”

 

Marisselle said casually.

 

…Come back later?

 

That wouldn’t do.

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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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