I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 38

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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 38

 

We focused our attention on the child’s mouth, wondering what words would come from Fleur’s lips.

 

But Fleur asked a question instead of giving an answer.

 

“What is the difference between Emperor Achievement-centered and event-centered approaches?”

 

Xavier stroked his chin with a rather surprised expression and widened his eyes.

 

“Oh! That’s an excellent question, Young Master.”

 

Fleur concentrated on Xavier’s words and stared at him intently.

 

“Emperor Achievement-centered approach is written from the emperor’s perspective. You can learn more details about the emperor’s intentions and such. And event-centered approach allows you to understand the background, process, and results of events. Therefore, you can see various perspectives. Now! What do you think? Which choice would you make, Young Master?”

 

“Hmm, then…”

 

Fleur fell into thought again, and Xavier waited for him leisurely with eyes full of curiosity.

 

Only after some more time had passed did the child’s tightly closed mouth finally open.

 

We focused our gaze on Fleur’s mouth again.

 

“Then, please teach me with an event-centered approach. But also add the emperor’s perspective to those events. You can do that, right? Since Teacher Xavier is such an amazing person!”

 

“Heh heh heh. I feel like I’ve been outmaneuvered. Young Master. You are very wise indeed. Heh heh heh.”

 

I was surprised too. I had only thought about choosing one of the two, but I never thought of requesting both…

 

‘He really is clever.’

 

He was already receiving heir education before coming to the Duke’s Household, so that influence must be significant, but not everyone who receives heir education turns out like that.

 

Xavier laughed a bit more heartily and answered Fleur spiritedly.

 

“Of course! Young Master. For this Xavier, it’s as easy as eating cold porridge. Now then, shall we embark on a journey starting with the founding myth, the very beginning of the Helman Empire’s history? Heh heh heh.”

 

Then Xavier showed his good-natured smile once more and began the lesson in a storytelling manner with “Once upon a time~”

 

Strangely, the history of the Helman Empire began with war and plague.

 

Originally, the land of the Helman Empire was inhabited by the Hers who worshipped Phoenix, the god of war, and the Remans who worshipped Hirias, the god of healing, living together in alliance.

 

The two gods loved and cherished each other while governing the country well. But when Inferon, the god of plague, came between them, their relationship gradually deteriorated.

 

Claiming that war goes well with plague, Inferon lured Phoenix and drove a wedge between Phoenix and Hirias, making them fight each other.

 

Phoenix won the war, but Inferon always stayed by his side, causing plagues.

 

Eventually, Phoenix killed Inferon to make up for his mistakes and left Hirias behind.

 

Hirias decided to overcome the pain of betrayal and separation from her beloved and care for her people, the Remans.

 

But unable to abandon the people left behind by Phoenix, whom she once loved, she cared for the Hers as well, establishing and ruling the Helman Empire.

 

This is the founding myth of the Helman Empire, and it’s said that whenever plague struck, the goddess Hirias would use her healing powers to save the country.

 

But Hirias, unable to forget her beloved, left to search for the vanished Phoenix. When she departed, she chose those who were virtuous and pure enough to contain divine power, shared her abilities with them, and left.

 

The people of Helman shed tears as they saw off the goddess, called those who received the goddess’s power saintesses, and made them the first emperor to rule the country.

 

Initially, the saintess’s abilities manifested mainly in the women of the Royal Household.

 

But as generations passed, saintesses appeared in places other than the Royal Household, and even that has stopped – no saintess has appeared in the last 100 years.

 

That would mean they’ve become that corrupt.

 

Xavier also added that the Empire’s people have been anxious since no saintess has appeared for 100 years.

 

I found the founding myth of the Helman Empire quite interesting.

 

I don’t think it was mentioned in the original work, but even if it was, it might not be in my memory since it wasn’t my interest.

 

Anyway, it felt like watching a love drama from Roman mythology.

 

Also, even though Xavier spoke quietly, he had a strange, bewitching charm that drew people in.

 

I thought this must be why he received commendation, and I couldn’t help but praise Morgan’s recruiting ability.

 

Thanks to Morgan, I got to hear such an interesting history lecture and was very satisfied.

 

And I also understood why the saintess Gabriella was so revered in the original work.

 

The union of the saintess that all the Empire’s people had waited for 100 years with the Duke’s Household, called the Empire’s sword and shield, couldn’t help but be a blessing for the Empire.

 

So Crown Prince Renegade would have tried to accept Saintess Gabriella as crown princess despite her low status.

 

‘Right. The sub male lead Crown Prince also liked Gabriella, didn’t he?’

 

Golden hair that shone like the sun and green eyes that seemed to hold an armful of verdure.

 

And what was it? Her eyes were said to be wet with sorrow? And her skin was pure as white jade, etc.

 

Anyway, there were parts that described the female lead using metaphors like sunlight and trees, evoking symbols of healing.

 

Isn’t that the image of a goddess just from imagination? If such a woman also possessed tremendous divine power, that would be a goddess indeed.

 

It would have been worth Morgan falling for her. No, not just Morgan, but all men would fall for her.

 

When my thoughts reached this point, bitter feelings somehow rose up.

 

Whether it was envy toward Gabriella, or because my own situation was pitiful.

 

Someone is desperately struggling to survive when faced with a deadly fate, while someone else is revered according to the will of the original creator.

 

It was fun and enjoyable from a reader’s perspective, but now that I stood at the crossroads of survival, she was merely an object of envy.

 

If I had possessed Gabriella instead, I would have boldly and freely accepted Morgan’s confession.

 

‘Hah. This is bitter too.’

 

Once bitter thoughts took hold, they led to one after another, threatening to drag me into self-pity.

 

“Ugh. Bad thoughts, begone!”

 

I shook my head vigorously from side to side.

 

“Marisselle, why… are you doing that? Are you… okay?”

 

Fleur, who was sitting next to me, turned his head in surprise and looked at me with concern.

 

Xavier, who had been diligently continuing his lecture, also stopped speaking and looked at me.

 

‘Oh no…’

 

I had been so deeply lost in thought that what I meant to say only in my mind had accidentally slipped out.

 

Feeling embarrassed and awkward, I scratched my head unnecessarily and smiled uncomfortably.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry. Ahaha. Professor, your lecture was so interesting that I guess my imagination got carried away for a moment. Ahaha.”

 

Xavier, as if accustomed to such situations, simply laughed good-naturedly with his eyes crinkling.

 

‘Ugh…’

 

I hung my head low from the lingering embarrassment.

 

“Hehehe. It’s quite alright. Rather, I’m honored. To think my class was that interesting – this really makes teaching worthwhile. I’d like to ask you to observe my classes whenever you have time, if that would be alright with you. Hehehe.”

 

‘What? He wants me to keep observing?’

 

I snapped my head up.

 

And without even having time to maintain my composure, I immediately said:

 

“Oh my! Professor, would that really be okay? I was actually just about to ask if I could attend your classes, so thank you, Professor.”

 

I was so delighted that Xavier had brought up exactly what I wanted first. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

 

“I like taking classes together with Marisselle too.”

 

Fleur looked at me with a bright smile. Xavier also immediately responded positively with his characteristic hearty laugh.

 

After class ended, I asked Xavier if he had any spare textbooks I could have.

 

He readily agreed to bring one to the next class with his hearty laugh.

 

* * *

 

In the peacefully flowing days, the day finally arrived when I would have my first day off.

 

Fleur, along with Morgan, Porel, Jeffrey, and Abilene, all came out to see me off.

 

It was indeed a momentous day – my first day off since entering the Duke’s Household and the first time I’d be separated from Fleur.

 

‘But still, this is too much.’

 

It was so excessive that it was embarrassing.

 

But I felt good.

 

At least Head Maid Mary had said her goodbyes earlier…

 

“Marisselle… you’re definitely coming back, right?”

 

Anxiety flickered in the little prince’s eyes.

 

Despite my repeated assurances, it seemed it wasn’t enough.

 

“Oh my. Of course. How could I go anywhere leaving behind such a cute, lovable, and precious young master? I’ll definitely come back, so don’t forget the promise you made with me.”

 

I bent my knees to match Fleur’s eye level and earnestly asked him to take good care of himself.

 

‘So this is the joy of raising a child.’

 

This small life that absolutely needed me.

 

Fleur was the embodiment of lovability itself, to the point where I wondered if there could be another life form on Earth that radiated such powerful light.

 

“I’ll buy you a present when I come back.”

 

I cupped my hands around my mouth and whispered so only Fleur could hear.

 

Fleur’s bright eyes sparkled with determination as he nodded vigorously.

 

Such a send-off for someone who wasn’t going on a long journey but would return in just two days and one night.

 

No matter how I thought about it, it was embarrassing. I said goodbye to Porel, Jeffrey, and Abilene in turn, and finally reached Morgan.

 

“Your Highness. I’ll have a good trip. It’s just one day away before I return, yet you’ve even assigned me an escort…”

 

“That’s the proper treatment for a nanny of the Duke’s Household, so I hope you won’t feel burdened.”

 

“Yes… Then, I’ll have a good trip.”

 

I bent one knee in a proper bow, then turned my back.

 

“…Marisselle!”

 

Just then, Morgan called out to stop me.

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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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