I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 39

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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 39

 

He strode toward me.

 

“Make sure to take the escort with you wherever you go. I’ve given those instructions. Of course, the Marquis family’s guards are excellent, but you belong to me now, so I’m responsible for you. Understood?”

 

“Ah, yes. Your Highness. I’ll do as you say.”

 

I quickly bowed and turned around.

 

What was this about? Just because he was looking after me, my face grew hot and was about to turn red in an embarrassing way.

 

And…

 

That damn expression “my person” really confuses people in a strange way.

 

When Morgan calls me “my person,” I can’t shake off the strangely personal feeling that goes beyond just looking after his subordinates.

 

‘Sigh. The confession is the problem. Even though I rejected him, the lingering feelings remain…’

 

Like this, he slips through any gap whenever there’s a chance.

 

I touched my face with the back of my hand and hurriedly climbed into the carriage.

 

The carriage quickly left the Duke’s Household, leaving behind those who were seeing us off.

 

The path to the Marquis family divides into two routes: one that passes through the Duke’s private lands and the bustling district, and another that goes through a quiet forest path.

 

I naturally chose the route through the bustling district.

 

Since Morgan almost always travels on horseback, it’s rare for a carriage to leave the Duke’s Household. Therefore, this outing would surely attract people’s attention.

 

When the Duke’s carriage and escort arrive at the Marquis family, they would take notice of the relationship between the Manua Barony and the Duke’s Household.

 

This conspicuous event would surely reach Zelkova’s ears too. Then he wouldn’t dare include Manua in his wicked plans.

 

As expected, every time the carriage passed by, people’s gazes were drawn to it.

 

The large and magnificent carriage, escorts surrounding it on all sides, and the majesty revealed by the Duke’s crest prominently displayed.

 

I too had my mouth agape when I first saw the Duke’s carriage.

 

Wow, I could only think how amazing it was.

 

The luxurious navy blue base with restrained design, the exquisitely placed thin gold trim that added elegance, and the Duke’s crest that served as the carriage’s focal point.

 

The crest had a sword placed in the center, with Taran leaves similar to laurel leaves symbolizing victory and peace wrapped around it like vines.

 

On both sides of the sword, the divine beasts that the goddess Hirias was said to have kept according to the founding myth – a black panther and white panther – roared while guarding the sword.

 

The House of Yohaim’s belief that the absolute sword becomes the absolute shield.

 

The white panther and black panther represent life and death, labor and rest, which I learned while taking history lessons together with Fleur.

 

It’s a beautiful carriage that wouldn’t be out of place as a work of art.

 

With small flags symbolizing the Duke’s Household fluttering on both sides of the carriage, how could it not catch the eye?

 

Just riding in the carriage made my shoulders rise as if I had become something important.

 

‘So this is the taste of power.’

 

I wondered if this is why they say power isn’t shared even with one’s children.

 

When we arrived at the Marquis family under countless curious and envious gazes, the Manua Baron couple had come out to the main building’s porch to wait for their daughter.

 

“Welcome home, my dear.”

 

Mother Larishu hugged me and wiped away tears.

 

Father Onyx also patted my back, welcoming me and saying I had worked hard.

 

The child who had suffered from a deadly illness at the end of winter went to work as a nanny at the Duke’s Household before spring even came, and now showed her face in summer – how delighted and happy they must be.

 

Their warm welcome made my eyes well up and my nose tingle for no reason.

 

“Yes, Mother, Father. I’m back.”

 

Emma also waited for me to finish greeting my parents before welcoming me with a nasal voice.

 

“Miss, you’ve worked so hard.”

 

When the greetings were roughly finished, Father Onyx looked at the knights standing behind us and asked.

 

“But those who came with you seem to be from the Duke’s Household…”

 

“Ah. These are the escort knights His Highness assigned to ensure I travel safely.”

 

Then, a sturdy knight with a somewhat experienced bearing stepped forward and saluted.

 

“I greet Baron Manua and his wife. I am Herbort Rommel, Captain of the 4th Knight Order, who received orders from His Highness Duke Yohaim to protect Nanny Marisselle. These three are my subordinates assigned to close protection.”

 

Then the other three saluted the Baron couple.

 

If there’s close protection, that means there’s also distant protection.

 

‘Was I such an important person at the Duke’s Household? Assigning a 4th Knight Order captain as escort to a mere nanny?’

 

I was surprised too, but seeing the Baron couple with widened eyes and slightly open mouths, they seemed even more shocked than me.

 

‘No. Just how high is this man planning to elevate me?’

 

The feelings of pride and surprise were brief, as the excessive treatment made her feel rather anxious instead.

 

* * *

 

Having dinner with the viscount couple after such a long time, Marisselle found this moment truly peaceful and warm.

 

Even the sound of clinking utensils felt peaceful.

 

“Are you comfortable staying at the Duke’s Household?”

 

“Of course. Everyone there is wonderful, and they all treat me well.”

 

“Yes, I could see that. I could tell without you saying how you’re being treated at the Duke’s Household.”

 

Her father Onyx showed a pleased smile.

 

But at the end of his smile, there was a strange worry lingering.

 

Marisselle thought it was the heart of parents who were both happy and worried.

 

“You’ll just stay home this time, right?”

 

“Would you like me to stay home?”

 

“If it were up to my heart, yes. This is the first time you’ve come home since starting your nanny work. We want to monopolize you completely to ourselves.”

 

‘He says such sweet things.’

 

Marisselle’s heart felt warm and fuzzy.

 

“Then I’ll follow Mother and Father’s wishes and stay home this time. Hehe. I’ll have to send letters to Genti and Hereis saying I’ll see them next time off.”

 

Marisselle smiled brightly, and laughter bloomed throughout the meal, making it enjoyable.

 

After finishing the intimate dinner with her parents, Marisselle returned to her room.

 

Perhaps because this was the house where Marisselle was born and raised, as soon as she entered her room, she felt an unconscious comfort.

 

“Miss, shall I give you a massage?”

 

Emma, who had followed right behind, said.

 

“Oh? Should we? Then, please do, Emma.”

 

Marisselle flopped down on the bed spread-eagle.

 

“Miss, please wait just a moment. I’ll quickly prepare and come back.”

 

Emma was excited with joy at being able to serve her master after such a long time.

 

Marisselle lay on the bed looking up at the ceiling.

 

As she stared at it, she felt strangely out of place, left alone in the silence.

 

“This won’t do.”

 

If she continued lying like this, she felt like she would fall into melancholy.

 

Marisselle sat up abruptly and sat at her desk. Reading a book or scribbling something seemed like it would help chase away idle thoughts.

 

From among the few books stuck in her desk, she pulled out the thinnest poetry collection.

 

Rather than just reading, copying seemed like it would be more helpful, so she opened the ink cap.

 

Ting-

 

Huh?

 

The cap slipped from her grasp, bounced once on the floor, and spun around in place.

 

“Huh?”

 

But just as she was about to grab the cap, it started rolling away as if playing tag.

 

Marisselle kicked off from her chair and lunged in the direction the rapidly rolling cap was going, trying to catch it.

 

But by a hair’s breadth, it slipped past her fingertips and disappeared under the bed.

 

“Ugh. What a waste. If I’d been just a little faster, I would have caught it.”

 

Marisselle let out a sigh, and now she had to stick her hand under the bed to retrieve the cap, which was no ordinary hesitation.

 

‘In horror movies, something always comes out from under the bed…’

 

Surely nothing would actually come out, right?

 

She could just close her eyes tight and reach out, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

 

But strangely, she felt a bit worked up and stubborn.

 

Marisselle rolled up her sleeves and began neatly rolling up the bed cover that hung down.

 

Then she brought a candle to illuminate under the bed.

 

Among the dust clumped here and there, she could see the cap in one corner.

 

She set the candlestick on the floor, pressed her body as close to the floor as possible, and stretched out her right arm. Contrary to how it looked, the cap seemed to be lodged deep toward the head of the bed, barely within reach of her fingertips.

 

She pushed her body a little further inside. Finally, the cap was within her grasp.

 

But at her fingertips, she felt something else hard besides the cap. It felt like a book.

 

Marisselle pushed her body deeper inside and pulled out the object presumed to be a book along with the cap.

 

When I took it out, it really was a book.

 

The lid became an afterthought compared to the book that clearly looked like an ancient tome.

 

“What kind of book could it be to be shoved under the bed like this?”

 

Looking at the book’s title, it read ‘Methods of Handling Ancient Mana’.

 

“Was Marisselle interested in this kind of thing?”

 

Even searching through Marisselle’s memories, I couldn’t find any recollection related to this book.

 

‘What is this?’

 

Just then, the door burst open and Emma came in carrying a basket filled with incense, oils, and towels, along with a hot water kettle and basin.

 

“Oh my. Miss. What on earth happened here?”

 

Emma hastily set down her things and looked back and forth between the disheveled bedding, the exposed bed legs, and Marisselle, asking in shock.

 

But Marisselle paid no attention to Emma’s question and asked what she was curious about first.

 

“Emma. Do you know what this book is?”

 

Since Emma had served Marisselle closely as her closest aide, she seemed like she might know something.

 

“Ah… how did this book…”

 

Emma’s face turned pale as she looked up at Marisselle.

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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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