I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 53

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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 53

 

Since I had to wait for him to finish his training, I settled in the shade.

 

Leaning against a tree with my knees drawn up, I watched as each of his movements was so powerful and graceful that I found myself mesmerized.

 

With every movement, I imagined the shifting muscles and bulging veins, and I grinned to myself.

 

Watching a man devoted to sword training under the blazing sun was surprisingly quite romantic.

 

…How much time had passed?

 

“…?”

 

Suddenly his movements stopped. Then he spun around and was striding toward me with a frightening intensity.

 

Eek!

 

‘What! Why? So suddenly?’

 

Startled by his aggressive approach, I quickly lowered the arm that had been supporting my chin and reflexively jumped to my feet.

 

‘Wh-what-what?’

 

I thought he would stop at a reasonable distance, but he kept closing the gap.

 

Without realizing it, I flinched and stepped back.

 

Only then did he stop walking. Right in front of my face.

 

‘Phew…’

 

I looked up with a small sense of relief.

 

But, but…

 

There was a problem.

 

Drenched in sweat and radiating hot energy, he looked far sexier than when I’d been watching from afar.

 

‘Crazy.’

 

This was trouble. I needed to look away quickly, but my eyes wouldn’t budge as if they were glued with super glue.

 

Gulp.

 

I swallowed dryly.

 

Then a mocking voice came from above my head.

 

“Planning to keep stealing glances?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Like a guilty thief, I was startled and quickly turned my head away.

 

“Does turning your head make what you saw disappear?”

 

A cold voice.

 

Should I make excuses or admit it? My mind raced busily.

 

“N-no, Your Highness. Stealing glances? I was just waiting here quietly so I wouldn’t disturb you. And just now, my eye level was exactly at, at Your Highness’s chest area, so I just, just saw…”

 

I hoped that was a decent excuse, I really hoped so.

 

But he narrowed his eyes skeptically and stared down at me intently for a long while.

 

I was nervous.

 

But then he chuckled.

 

“Fine. Let’s say that’s what happened.”

 

Since he was letting it slide even though he knew better, I was secretly grateful.

 

“What’s that?”

 

“Ah! Porel packed this for me. You haven’t had lunch, have you? How about sitting here in the shade to cool down and have a bite?”

 

I held up the basket and smiled brightly.

 

Instead of answering, Morgan took the basket from me and sat down first.

 

“Sit.”

 

“Ah, yes…”

 

I quickly sat down and handed him a drink and towel first.

 

He quenched his thirst first and wiped his sweat with the towel while asking.

 

“So, what’s the matter? Is it urgent enough to come looking for me here?”

 

“Yes! Your Highness! Please help me.”

 

The main point just popped out.

 

Oops. That was too hasty. As expected, his frowning expression wasn’t good.

 

“What do you want me to help with?”

 

“Ah, first, I apologize. I spoke incoherently because I was too anxious. Um, and what I’d like to ask for… please tell me the list of knights from your knight order who are off duty at the end of September.”

 

‘Huh…?’

 

As soon as he finished speaking, Morgan’s atmosphere instantly turned sharp and fierce.

 

“Why do you need my knight order’s schedule?”

 

I must have thought too simply.

 

Matters related to the knight order are a very important part of the family’s military strength, yet I recklessly asked for their schedule first.

 

I was still hasty and disorganized.

 

‘This is why they say being impatient leads to ruin.’

 

I realized it anew.

 

And worry came first. Could this end with just an apology?

 

Would I have to leave without even being able to say what I originally intended to say…?

 

I decided to bow my head for now.

 

“Your Highness. I apologize. I was being incoherent again… I asked about the schedule not for any other reason, but because I couldn’t find a cavalier. I was just trying to ask one of Your Highness’s knights who might be off duty. I apologize once again for disturbing your peace of mind.”

 

Even so, his expression remained rigidly hardened and showed no signs of softening. And an uncomfortably long silence followed.

 

While waiting for him to speak, I was anxious. As I wondered whether I should tactfully get up or wait longer, his mouth finally opened with a short sigh.

 

“…Hah. So you’re asking me to tell you my knight order’s schedule just to find one cavalier?”

 

Morgan spoke as if he was dumbfounded.

 

‘Just one? Just one? It might be nothing to you, but how important is this problem to me. If you don’t want to help, then don’t.’

 

Not knowing my place, I momentarily flared up and poured out complaints inwardly.

 

“Your Highness… Just a cavalier? It’s important to me. It’s my once-in-a-lifetime debutante and my first time attending high society, but I can’t go without a partner. So in my urgency, I did commit a rudeness, but…”

 

In my sorrowful heart, I ended up blurting out the words, but feeling self-conscious, my voice trailed off.

 

He looked at me again with eyes that seemed dumbfounded.

 

‘Tch. Now that it’s clear I had no bad intentions, at least say something. Why are you just staring at me awkwardly…’

 

I must have lost my mind. My mouth kept opening on its own.

 

“…Please just tell me whether it’s possible or not, Your Highness.”

 

“What if it’s not?”

 

“Pardon? If it’s not… I’ll go see Teacher Caden, whom I’ve saved as my very last resort.”

 

‘Hic. What’s wrong with me. Did I say something wrong again?’

 

His atmosphere became unspeakably menacing, and I thought my heart would drop with a thud.

 

“Caden is not allowed! And there are no knights off duty that day either.”

 

“Pardon? But why isn’t Teacher Caden allowed?”

 

“He’s Fleur’s tutor. Not allowed.”

 

I was also concerned that Caden was Fleur’s teacher, but was this really something to speak about so unpleasantly?

 

A sorrowful feeling washed over me for no reason.

 

If the decision-maker says no, then it’s no. Though it’s sad, I quickly gave up.

 

Father doesn’t have time either. It can’t be helped. I’ll have to go alone.

 

“I understand. Then. I’ll take my leave first, Your Highness.”

 

Then Morgan seemed flustered as one eyebrow shot up and he immediately asked.

 

“What are you going to do?”

 

“Pardon? About what?”

 

“The cavalier.”

 

“Ah, I’ll have to go alone.”

 

Then Morgan stared at me intently with strange eyes as if looking at some bizarre creature.

 

That would make sense. I’d probably be the first woman to say she’d go to a debutante without a cavalier.

 

But what can I do? I want to experience the debutante.

 

When you don’t have teeth, you use your gums. It’s just a matter of being a bit embarrassed.

 

“There’s exactly one knight who’s off duty that day…”

 

“Pardon?”

 

I reflexively asked back in surprise.

 

‘There’s someone off duty? But you just said there wasn’t?’

 

“Whoever he is, are you thinking of making him your cavalier?”

 

“…As long as it’s possible, anyone would be fine.”

 

Without hesitation, I clasped my hands together and answered immediately.

 

He looked at me and chuckled, then added a word.

 

“There’s no backing out. That knight is someone who finds it hard to refuse a request once he’s accepted it.”

 

“Of course, Your Highness. Who is he? If you tell me his name, I’ll go see him right away.”

 

He chuckled again.

 

“There’s no need to look for one. He’s right before your eyes.”

 

“What? No, there’s no one in front of me except Your Highness…”

 

Did I misunderstand something?

 

No way… surely not.

 

“…By any chance, is that knight Your Highness…?”

 

I was left speechless.

 

How could this happen.

 

“As I said, I can’t back out. For whatever reason. I’ll handle everything needed as a cavalier myself, so you don’t need to worry about anything.”

 

After saying this, he picked up the basket and stood up first as if he wouldn’t listen to any objections, then began walking ahead with long strides.

 

“…”

 

Right, if everything went my way, it wouldn’t be the world.

 

Since it was already something I couldn’t change, I also got up from my seat and hurried after him, organizing my thoughts as best I could.

 

If Morgan was my cavalier, whether good or bad, he would certainly draw attention, but since I had the title of Duke’s Household nanny, there was room to block the possibility of rumors about a private relationship.

 

‘I just need to speak well.’

 

And it wasn’t all bad points.

 

Using Bohra, Kazuri would definitely attend the debutante ball and try to approach me at every opportunity, so in that regard, Morgan would be the best shield.

 

‘Right. Going with Morgan would be more beneficial than going alone.’

 

I ran after Morgan who was walking ahead and walked alongside him, saying:

 

“Your Highness! Then I’ll ask for just one day. From the day after the banquet, it’s free entry without a partner, so I’ll handle the rest myself!”

 

With my heart much lighter, I spoke with a bright smile showing my teeth.

 

Then he suddenly stopped walking and turned his gaze to me.

 

“3 days!”

 

“What? 3 days?”

 

‘What? Is he saying he’ll go with me for all 3 days? Oh no!’

 

That won’t do. If I go with Morgan even for the free entry days, rumors will inevitably spread in strange ways!

 

“I… I didn’t know Your Highness, who is so busy, would think of me and be so considerate. But I must respectfully decline.”

 

He frowned as if displeased.

 

“For someone who splits their time so carefully to take out 3 consecutive days, hmm… That’s not right. I have some sense of propriety too, Your Highness. One day is sufficient.”

 

He looked down at me intently and asked seriously.

 

“Is that really the only reason?”

 

“Of course, Your Highness. What other reason could there be?”

 

I spoke like a very excellent employee caring for their superior.

 

But little did I know this would be the root of trouble.

 

“Then there’s absolutely no problem. I happen to have an unprecedented 3-day vacation, and it’s exactly at this time.”

 

“What? Ah… Your Highness. That.”

 

An unexpected answer came from his mouth. Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, a 3-day vacation happening right now.

 

I was dumbfounded. What excuse could I use to stop this.

 

Anyone could see this was definitely flirting…

 

But I wasn’t in a position to accept it. This was truly an ordeal.

 

If Morgan would meet the female lead and clearly have no feelings for her or something, I might consider it.

 

But not now.

 

I had no choice but to decide to play a strong hand.

 

“Your Highness. 3 days won’t do. Moreover, if such a busy person shows their face with me for all 3 days, strange rumors will spread. It will block my marriage prospects.”

 

Based on the reactions he had shown so far, I expected a not-so-good response like being dumbfounded or incredulous, but he was surprisingly calm.

 

As if he had expected it. And then he showed a reaction that went beyond expectations.

 

He gazed into my eyes deeply for a long time, then carefully tucked my hair that was fluttering in the wind behind my ear!

 

‘Gasp. What… Why is he touching my hair…’

 

The movement was so natural, as if it wasn’t a conscious action, that I held my breath.

 

My heart began pounding wildly on its own.

 

‘No. This man. Has he gotten addicted to tucking hair behind ears? Why does he try to touch my hair whenever he gets a chance.’

 

“…Ahem.”

 

I tried to resolve this embarrassing situation with a cough, but instead had to face an even more bewildering situation.

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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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