I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 45

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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 45

 

Herbot supported the collapsed Marisselle in his arms and pondered whether he should go to the Marquis’ residence or the Duke’s household.

 

But his deliberation was brief.

 

The Marquis’ residence was closer. For quick treatment, the Marquis’ residence would be better.

 

When they arrived at the Marquis’ residence, chaos ensued.

 

The Manua couple turned pale and trembled violently upon seeing their daughter unconscious in the arms of the escort knight.

 

“Quickly, call Rodrick!”

 

The Marquis shouted to the butler while guiding them to his daughter’s room.

 

As urgently as the command was given, the Marquis family’s physician arrived quickly and began examining the collapsed Marisselle.

 

“…Fortunately, there’s nothing wrong with her body. However, it seems she lost consciousness from some kind of shock. If she rests, her consciousness should return soon.”

 

Haah…

 

A small sigh of relief escaped from the Marquis couple’s lips upon hearing Rodrick’s diagnosis.

 

After carefully listening to Rodrick’s explanation, the Marquis couple left the sleeping Marisselle in Emma’s care and moved to the drawing room with Herbot.

 

“…Sir Herbot. Thank you so much for protecting our daughter. How can we ever repay this kindness… If you hadn’t been there, who knows what terrible thing might have happened again…”

 

Marquis Manua shed tears from both eyes, blaming himself for failing to protect his daughter once again.

 

‘Again?’

 

Herbot inferred from the word ‘again’ that there had been similar incidents before.

 

“Not at all. This was His Grace the Duke’s command. His Grace should receive the thanks.”

 

A person who could cry freely in front of others, unbefitting the head of a noble family.

 

Herbot saw Marisselle overlapped in his appearance, so unlike other nobles of the Empire.

 

“…I will personally thank His Grace separately. But still, I’m grateful to you, Sir.”

 

Onyx wiped his tears with his sleeve like a child instead of using a handkerchief.

 

The Marquis’ wife didn’t particularly restrain or give disapproving looks at his unnoble behavior.

 

‘It seems the young lady has been greatly influenced by her parents.’

 

Herbot, seated with the Marquis couple, began asking about his curiosities.

 

“If I may be so bold, has something like this happened before?”

 

“…”

 

“Ah, if it’s difficult, you don’t need to tell me. I’m only asking to better serve the young lady.”

 

Seeing Onyx’s flustered expression at the question, Herbot quickly added.

 

Onyx seemed to fall into thought for a moment, then continued his silence for a while. Then, as if having made a decision, a resolute will appeared in his eyes.

 

“The day our daughter collapsed a few months ago was also the day she had gone out to the port. I didn’t see it directly, but according to my wife, the child’s face had turned pale and she went straight to her room. We followed her out of worry, and the child collapsed immediately.”

 

“…”

 

“When I asked Emma, she also turned pale and cried, saying Marisselle had told her not to speak of it, but she didn’t know what to do. When I coaxed her gently, she said that day too, she had met Kazuri, the escort who accompanied them was subdued, and only Marisselle was left alone with Kazuri to hear some story before returning. After that, Marisselle came back and ordered silence about that day’s events, and then that incident happened.”

 

Herbot read an expression that seemed to be hiding something in Onyx’s eyes as he listened to the story.

 

He briefly pondered whether he should ask more or not.

 

“…I see. You must have been deeply distressed. Lady Marisselle is also an important person to our Duke’s household, so His Grace won’t take this matter lightly. So, if there’s something you’re hesitating to tell… Ah, if this is also difficult…”

 

Onyx looked at his wife Larishu and exchanged glances. Larishu opened her mouth.

 

“About a month before that incident, a marriage proposal came from House of Count Zelkova. We didn’t tell Marisselle.”

 

Herbot’s eyebrows rose.

 

“…Is there a particular reason you didn’t tell her?”

 

“…House of Count Zelkova has high influence and wealth, but their family traditions don’t match ours. And Marisselle wouldn’t be happy there either. Moreover, though our daughter has never spoken of it aloud, our child has someone else she likes. So… we chose a gentle refusal.”

 

‘Kazuri proposed? And the young lady has someone else she likes? Ha, I can almost hear my lord getting furious.’

 

Herbot squeezed his eyes shut and opened them as Morgan’s image came to mind.

 

“Originally, we had agreed to tell Marisselle everything on the day she collapsed, but that incident happened on that very day… Since then, we haven’t had many opportunities…”

 

“…And actually, today we were planning to tell our daughter about the marriage proposal, but this happened again…”

 

Onyx continued Larishu’s words and buried his face in his hands as if dejected.

 

As Herbot listened to the story, the moment when Marisselle collapsed came to mind again, and veins bulged at his temples.

 

How despicable Kazuri’s actions must have been was obvious without needing to hear or see.

 

Also, whether that marriage proposal was actually sent by the Count or if Kazuri had stolen only the seal to make it appear as if the Count had sent it was unclear. He was such a stupid yet cunning fellow.

 

That a mere Kazuri had toyed with the person his lord wanted to protect even by assigning the Shadow Knight Order was absolutely unforgivable. He felt like tearing him apart immediately.

 

“Please don’t worry. The Duke’s household will take responsibility for the safety of not only Lady Marisselle but also the Marquis family, ensuring such incidents never happen again.”

 

* * *

 

“…Therefore, Lady Marisselle’s return home will be delayed.”

 

“…”

 

Morgan’s expression twisted savagely after hearing the complete report.

 

The report included the unwelcome news that Marisselle had someone else she liked. But that was a matter for later.

 

Having finished his report, Liam quickly and silently concealed himself to resume his original duty as a shadow guard.

 

Morgan rose from his seat and went to the window.

 

Seeing the shining stars settled in the dark night sky reminded him of the day he had taken an evening stroll with Marisselle.

 

A quiet rage blazed in his eyes as he gazed at the night sky for a long while.

 

“…How dare they touch what’s mine without knowing their place?”

 

Clang clang!

 

Morgan rang the bell to summon Porel.

 

“When dawn breaks, send so many flowers, medicinal herbs, and food to House of Manua that anyone can see it’s excessive. And send Samuel along in the Duke’s carriage.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

As soon as Porel received the order, he gathered the servants and distributed the tasks to each of them.

 

The servants quickly scattered and moved in perfect coordination.

 

* * *

 

The next day.

 

Merchants delivering flowers, medicinal herbs, fruits, meat, and other goods lined up in a long row in front of the Marquis’ Residence.

 

All the delivered items bore the Duke’s Household name prominently displayed.

 

“Pass!”

 

Herbot stood at the front gate of the Marquis’ Residence, checking each delivery person’s goods one by one and having the marquis’ servants carry them inside.

 

Onyx was so astounded by what he saw that he asked Herbot.

 

“What is all this?”

 

Herbot mechanically continued his work while answering the marquis matter-of-factly.

 

“These are consolation gifts His Highness the Duke sent to the Marquis’ Residence for the young lady.”

 

“But still, this seems excessive…”

 

“Not excessive at all. This is actually a modest amount from His Highness.”

 

“What?”

 

‘If this is modest, then what on earth…’

 

Onyx was left speechless by the Duke’s Household’s spending and Herbot’s calm expression and proud response that backed it up.

 

“Marisselle has already awakened, but… this is…”

 

Onyx tried to continue his words but couldn’t, his mouth falling open again.

 

“Oh, no, all of that…”

 

A Duke’s Household carriage pulled by four white horses that were clearly fine steeds stopped majestically in front of the Marquis’ Residence.

 

Then a slender knight with glossy light brown hair and sparkling brown eyes stepped down from the carriage.

 

Following him, an elderly man carrying a leather bag also got out.

 

“Hey there, Herbot. You’re working hard.”

 

“Rino… even you?”

 

“Ah, I was worried about our Duke’s Household’s young lady, so I volunteered to come visit her. Haha.”

 

“…”

 

Rino leaned close to Herbot’s ear and whispered, subtly informing him of Morgan’s mood.

 

“Our Highness is very angry. Worried too, of course.”

 

Even without being told, this was already more than expected, but Rino’s deliberate mention meant that, as anticipated, this incident was not being taken lightly at all.

 

“Greetings, Lord Marquis. I am Rino Wetherin, aide to House of Yohaim. I have come to visit the patient on behalf of His Highness Duke Yohaim, along with the Duke’s Household physician. This is Samuel, the Duke’s Household physician.”

 

Onyx bowed slightly in surprise.

 

“Oh, this is so gracious of you… Please come in. Let’s go inside first.”

 

Onyx was dizzy from the consolation gifts and guests who could be considered a Duke’s Household delegation.

 

He called for Larishu to prepare for entertaining guests and personally guided them to Marisselle’s room.

 

He also summoned the Marquis Family physician to report Marisselle’s condition to Samuel, the Duke’s Household physician.

 

…Meanwhile, before Rino’s party arrived, Marisselle had been watching through her window the strange procession of endless flowers, medicinal materials, and food ingredients coming in, and had just told Emma to go find out what was happening.

 

Just as Emma returned and Marisselle was figuring out what was going on, Onyx entered with Rino, Samuel, and their party.

 

“Huh? Sir Rino… Physician Samuel…?”

 

Marisselle had seen the Duke’s Household’s splendid carriage stop among the strange processions.

 

But just then, flowers that had finished inspection were brought into her room, distracting her attention, so she hadn’t seen who got out.

 

She had only assumed that some more goods had been delivered.

 

But she hadn’t expected Rino and Samuel to come…

 

‘Morgan…, isn’t there a middle ground?’

 

Marisselle had to swallow her embarrassment inwardly.

 

Just then, before she could even finish her greetings, an armful of flowers was entering the room again.

 

Marisselle hurriedly called out to the maid who was setting down the flowers.

 

“Beth! That’s enough flowers now. If any more come in, I think I’ll get a headache.”

 

“Oh, yes. Miss. Then I’ll let the butler know.”

 

“Yes. Please do that.”

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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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