I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 52

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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 52

 

One day, just a month before the debutante ball.

 

Emma came with a letter from the Marquis’ Residence.

 

The letter was one that Hereise had sent to the Marquis Family. The content was that he couldn’t be my cavalier for the debutante ball.

 

He suddenly had responsibilities to take care of, and while he planned to leave in a week and stay there for about three weeks, it might take longer, so he couldn’t keep his promise.

 

Along with his apologies for not being able to keep his promise, he said he had asked a friend to help, so I should go and talk to him.

 

‘What the hell.’

 

What kind of bolt from the blue was this?

 

Having to find a cavalier again with only a month left.

 

At this time, partner arrangements were usually already finished, so finding one again would be quite difficult.

 

But what could I do? The one in need digs the well.

 

Fortunately, Hereise said he had prepared an alternative, so I immediately wrote a letter to Ronie, the second son of the Sonfiled County, and handed it to Emma.

 

“Emma. Go right away. Make sure to deliver it today and tell him to reply within a week if possible. Say that the Marquis Family will provide everything needed. Got it?”

 

“Yes, Miss! But… can’t I dress you up for your debutante ball? I want to attend to you… You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this day.”

 

Emma looked more than disappointed—she was on the verge of tears.

 

“Oh, Emma. Someone from Ludia Atelier is supposed to come that day.”

 

I hugged Emma and patted her while giving her some hopeful words.

 

“Instead, I’ll ask His Highness if you can attend to me all day. And when they’re doing my makeup, you can stand beside them and learn from watching the professionals work, right?”

 

“Yes, Miss. That sounds good.”

 

I continued to comfort Emma and walked her to the door.

 

“…?”

 

When I opened the door, a welcome little guest was standing right there.

 

“…Marisselle. Are you going out?”

 

“No. Young Master. Welcome. But what brings you here?”

 

Emma, who couldn’t leave because Fleur was standing at the door, greeted Fleur.

 

“Young Master. I greet you. I am Emma, the personal maid of Miss Marisselle from the Manua Barony.”

 

“I see. Nice to meet you. But what brings you here?”

 

Fleur spoke with a deliberately mature tone that didn’t match his clear, cute voice, trying to sound dignified.

 

“I came on an errand with a message from the Marquis Family.”

 

“Then, what’s that in your hand?”

 

Fleur asked with a subtle glance while keeping his hands behind his back.

 

“Ah! Young Master? Let me explain. Emma has to run an urgent errand for me…”

 

I gestured for Emma to hurry, and Emma politely greeted Fleur before rushing out.

 

“Please come in, Young Master. You’ve finished your lessons, right?”

 

“Yeah. History class is over, and next is common language class, but I still have time before it starts, so I came to see Marisselle.”

 

“Hmm. I see. You’re listening attentively and politely, right?”

 

“Of course. I’m working hard. But why did Emma come?”

 

Fleur asked with his clear blue eyes wide open and a face full of curiosity.

 

“Well… the friend who was supposed to be my cavalier sent a letter saying he can’t keep his promise. Instead, he asked his friend to help, so he told me to contact him. I just sent a letter.”

 

“R-really?”

 

Fleur seemed surprised and stammered.

 

Then worry clouded his big, clear eyes, and his pupils seemed busy rolling this way and that.

 

“Young Master. What’s wrong?”

 

“Huh? Oh, nothing. So who is this friend?”

 

“He’s a close friend of Hereise Youngsik, who was supposed to be my cavalier. His name is Ronie Sonfiled, the second son of the Sonfiled County. He praised him so much, saying he’s kind and handsome. Hohoho. Since time is urgent, I sent the letter first.”

 

“…I see. Marisselle? What if… that person also has circumstances and says he can’t do it?”

 

Fleur asked with an unusually serious expression for a child. Even though it wasn’t something a little kid should worry about.

 

“Hmm…”

 

I had naturally thought it would work out, but hearing him say it, it was a valid point.

 

‘He really is smart!’

 

Then what should I do?

 

I fell into deep thought.

 

The original owner of this body, Marisselle, wasn’t very social, so except for Hereise, she knew absolutely no other young men.

 

If even Ronie said no, it would truly be quite troublesome.

 

I couldn’t go with Father either. And I definitely didn’t want to skip the debutante ball.

 

‘What should I do?’

 

When no clever solution came to mind, I began to worry.

 

Just then, I faintly heard the sound of knights training in the distance. It was a sound I wouldn’t normally hear.

 

‘Ah! That’s right!’

 

“Hmm… I’ll have to ask one of the Duke’s Household knights who’s off duty that day. If that doesn’t work out, there’s father. And if that doesn’t work either… I really don’t want to, but I’ll have to go alone, won’t I?”

 

I smiled awkwardly.

 

“…What? Go alone? Isn’t that not allowed for a debutante?”

 

Fleur’s eyebrows shot up so high they seemed to pierce the sky, showing how shocked he was.

 

“I’ve never heard of anyone going with their father or attending alone. But what’s wrong with that? Whatever, I’ll be the first to try it. Hehe.”

 

When I spoke while grinning foolishly, Fleur got angry with an astonished expression.

 

“Then just ask Uncle!”

 

“Pardon?”

 

This time I was so surprised I thought my eyes would pop out.

 

“Ask that busy person? And His Grace the Duke won’t do. If His Grace becomes my cavalier, I’ll become the sworn enemy of every young lady in the Empire. I can’t take on such risks. I’d rather go alone.”

 

I waved my hands frantically, saying it absolutely wouldn’t do.

 

“For now, let’s wait for news from Youngsik Rino and think about it. Now, shouldn’t you be going, Your Highness?”

 

I pushed Fleur’s back, using his lessons as an excuse, worried he might keep pestering me to ask Morgan.

 

Fleur stopped abruptly at the door as he was leaving and asked me.

 

“Marisselle… it’s not because you dislike Uncle, is it?”

 

“Dislike him? It’s not like that. I can’t ask such a busy person for my personal matters. Moreover, His Grace dislikes such gatherings. I can’t be a burden to him. But I’m grateful for your thoughtfulness, Your Highness. Now! Please go quickly. You’ll be late at this rate.”

 

As I escorted Fleur to his classroom, I thought.

 

‘Right. There’s also Caden Ryder.’

 

The second son of a count’s family, handsome, and with a decent personality. The only concern is that he’s Fleur’s common language tutor…

 

Should I put him as the next candidate after Rino? Or after the knight?

 

Sigh. Either way, time is too tight.

 

If Rino doesn’t work out, there are only 2-3 weeks left. Asking anyone at this point would already be rude.

 

Thinking based on assumptions only gave me a headache without solving anything.

 

* * *

 

This is terrible! What I feared might happen actually happened. It’s truly a crisis.

 

A week ago, I received word from Rino that he could be my cavalier.

 

But just now, I received another message saying he couldn’t be my cavalier.

 

He broke his leg in an accident.

 

No. Why at this time of all times! Is this what it feels like to be driven to the edge of a cliff?!

 

Should I ask Caden? No, no. It wouldn’t be right to suddenly ask when I’ve said nothing until now.

 

He might find it difficult to refuse and reluctantly accept out of obligation. Then it could become awkward between us since we see each other frequently in the same space.

 

‘Then who should I ask? Is there really no one but the knight?’

 

I was anxious.

 

I sent Emma, who delivered the letter, back to the Marquis’ Residence, and headed straight to Morgan’s office.

 

Knock! Knock! Knock!

 

Could my arm feel this heavy just from knocking on a door?

 

‘Surely the knight won’t be unavailable too? Surely not, surely not…’

 

As negative thoughts kept creeping in and my heart grew heavier, there was no response from inside.

 

Knock! Knock! Knock!

 

I knocked again, but all that returned was silence.

 

Creak. Just in case, I slowly opened the door and looked inside, but only stillness lingered.

 

“Where did he go…?”

 

I had wanted to explain the situation to Knight Rino and ask for his help.

 

My heart only grew more anxious for nothing.

 

I went down to the first-floor hall with quick steps, almost running, looking for Porel.

 

Fortunately, Porel was in the left center of the hall, talking with a male servant.

 

The two talked briefly, then the man gave a light bow and went inside along the left corridor.

 

I quickly ran to Porel, afraid I might miss the chance with someone else.

 

“Hey. Porel! Huff huff.”

 

I must have run faster than I thought. I was out of breath.

 

“Ah. Nanny, hello. What brings you here in such a hurry?”

 

Porel asked with concern.

 

“Oh, it’s nothing special. Do you happen to know where His Highness Morgan is?”

 

“If you mean the master… he’s training at the backyard training ground behind the annex building.”

 

“Then what about Sir Rino?”

 

“Sir Rino has stepped out for a while. He’ll probably return around evening, or if it gets later, he might go straight home. But what’s making you seem so urgent?”

 

Though I said it was nothing special, my troubled expression must not have been hidden as Porel asked with worry.

 

“There’s something going on. How long until His Highness finishes training?”

 

“He’s been at it for quite a while now, so probably about half an hour.”

 

“Ah! Really? Then I’ll deliver anything His Highness needs.”

 

Porel looked at me intently, then smiled kindly and told me to wait a moment before heading toward the kitchen.

 

When he reappeared, he was carrying a basket with drinks, towels, and simple snacks.

 

“Take this with you. The master skipped lunch, so please take care of him, Nanny.”

 

I took the basket Porel handed me. Then Porel left with a mysterious smile whose meaning I couldn’t fathom.

 

‘…What was that smile about?’

 

I felt strange, but I didn’t have time to analyze the meaning of his smile.

 

According to Porel, the backyard training ground of the annex building was mainly used by Morgan alone, so going there might be disruptive, but now wasn’t the time to worry about that.

 

Seeing how Porel prepared food to send along, it probably wasn’t such a disruptive situation, so I’d have to endure this level of rudeness.

 

Had I been walking for about ten minutes?

 

Thwack! Whoosh! Slash!

 

The sound of wood striking wood. Then came the sharp sound of air being torn.

 

And soon, the person I was looking for came into view.

 

In the spacious training ground, he was alone, swinging his sword against a wooden dummy. Even to someone ignorant about swords, each movement seemed to flow like water yet had a certain precision that made it look beautiful.

 

Each time he swung his sword, the silhouette of his firm muscles showed through his wet shirt, and his fine black hair, smooth as silk, swayed gracefully. Sweat drops falling from the ends of his hair sparkled in the sunlight, scattering like lustrous little pearls, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

 

‘Wow… a sweating man can be this sexy…!’

 

It was the first time I felt this.

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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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