I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 54

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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 54

 

“Are you worried about causing a scandal with me right now?”

 

As he said this, he slowly scanned my face with his eyes, then carefully stroked my hair as if handling a child before continuing.

 

“If you have a scandal with me, it’ll actually open up better marriage prospects.”

 

“Huh?”

 

I was dumbfounded by how earnestly he was spouting such nonsense.

 

“Men burn hotter when they have competition, you know. Even if they weren’t interested before, when a strong guy shows up next to them, suddenly she looks so much more valuable. That’s just how men’s psychology works – they go crazy chasing after her. So a scandal with me would actually be a good thing in the marriage market.”

 

It made some sense, so I found myself nodding in agreement, but….

 

No way, so you’re going to pull this blatant manipulation so openly and sweetly like that?

 

I was speechless and dumbfounded, but for a different reason.

 

‘Is this man always like this?’

 

Now I’m starting to wonder if this is even the same person I used to know.

 

No matter who he was, I couldn’t give him any leeway. The risk was too great because there was no telling how things might go wrong at some point if I did.

 

It was unfortunate, but I had no choice but to speak more firmly and decisively than before.

 

“No, Your Majesty. I don’t need any matchmaking or anything like that. I’ll find my own partner. So just give me one day. Please. Well then.”

 

I politely greeted them and quickly dashed away to escape the situation.

 

I fled the scene immediately, so I couldn’t see clearly, but I think I caught a glimpse of his flustered expression.

 

“Do you have any idea how hard I worked to become a cavalier… You have no clue.”

 

Morgan dunked his head all the way into the large bathtub, then pulled it out while muttering to himself.

 

“Just one day, you’re asking? No, that won’t work. Do you know how hard I worked for those three days…?”

 

Morgan frowned as he remembered Maricel, who had stubbornly refused.

 

“And what, my marriage prospects are blocked? Everyone else is dying to have me… Sigh.”

 

The more Morgan thought about it, the more irritated he became, so he grabbed Pogeurok’s head and shoved it all the way underwater again before pulling it back out.

 

Still, the frustration wouldn’t go away.

 

The Empire’s debutante ball is hosted by the imperial family and consists of banquets held over three days.

 

The first day is when young ladies who have just turned twenty meet the Emperor for the first time, standing before him escorted by cavaliers.

 

Everyone wants to become a cavalier since it’s a golden opportunity to see the emperor up close and make a face-to-face impression.

 

And the remaining two days are free admission where you can freely enjoy the banquet.

 

‘They were definitely planning to get rid of me and look for a groom.’

 

The more I thought about it, the more outrageous it seemed.

 

“Ha! The Empire’s finest man is right beside you, and you’re going to look elsewhere? I can’t let that happen, Miss Maricel.”

 

Morgan smiled wickedly and slowly slicked back his wet hair.

 

About a month ago. The Briggs Barony.

 

“Honey. Take a look at this.”

 

Baron Briggs handed his wife a letter from the Grand Ducal House of Joachim.

 

“That’s right, but isn’t the timing too early? Moreover, they specifically designated Hereise as the person in charge. The Duke has never done this before.”

 

“That’s true. That place is where success and failure are stark, so families needing achievements desperately fight for it.”

 

“And another strange thing is that the date Hereise must leave and the duration of stay are also specified. Doesn’t this mean not to return until the stay period is over, even if the work is finished?”

 

Baroness Briggs fell into thought for a moment.

 

Though the letter was phrased as a suggestion, this was practically an order. And they said the Duke’s Household would provide everything needed.

 

The barony had absolutely nothing to lose. But why? Why did the Duke specify Hereise? For that job, her husband was far more capable than their son.

 

Was there some reason Hereise shouldn’t be here?

 

What was scheduled for Hereise within a month?

 

The social club? No, that wasn’t it. That was a regular meeting.

 

Ah!

 

Baroness Briggs clapped her hands together.

 

Marisselle. He had received a cavalier request from Marisselle. She remembered him making a fuss two months ago about needing to get clothes tailored.

 

Recently, when Marisselle had collapsed, the Duke had conspicuously sent an enormous procession of consolation gifts to the Manua Barony.

 

Combining that day with now, the answer was clear: the Duke had his heart set on Marisselle and didn’t want Hereise to be Marisselle’s cavalier.

 

“Honey. I think we should send Hereise as the Duke suggested. That would be best.”

 

“Did you find something out?”

 

The Baron asked with a curious expression.

 

The Baroness nodded and told her husband what she had speculated.

 

“Ah! That could very well be. Let’s not tell Hereise about this, and give him an important responsibility. This is a good opportunity to see that boy’s abilities, and it’s a very good chance for us. Marisselle is truly a precious child to us in many ways.”

 

* * *

 

Two weeks ago. Sonfiled County.

 

A gift and letter arrived from the Duke’s Household.

 

“Honey. May I open the box first?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Count Handfield said casually.

 

The Countess opened the box with eyes full of curiosity.

 

“…!”

 

As soon as she saw the contents of the box, the Countess screamed like a young girl and clapped her hands, making a fuss.

 

“Oh my!! Oh my! Honey. This, this, how wonderful, how wonderful. Such a precious thing. Oh my, what should I do, honey.”

 

The lady took out the fan from the box and examined it thoroughly from all angles, not knowing what to do with her joy.

 

And rightfully so, as this fan was made only once a year and was the number one item on every noblewoman’s wishlist of treasured possessions.

 

It was exquisitely embroidered with gold and silver thread on silk, with beautiful patterns and gems embedded on both sides of the fan ribs. And pink feathers fluttered at the end of the fan, creating an elegant yet cute atmosphere.

 

Moreover, since the fan was made only from rare materials, its scarcity value was high. Furthermore, it wasn’t something you could have just because you had money, which added to its value.

 

Why wouldn’t it be so? How special it was to know that no one else in the Empire had the same fan as yours.

 

Who wouldn’t be excited about something like this?

 

“How is it, honey?”

 

The Countess opened the fan with a snap and waved it elegantly.

 

Count Handfield looked at his wife as if dumbfounded.

 

“Well now. Do you like it that much? Then I’ll read the letter.”

 

The Count broke the wax seal of the letter and began reading.

 

“…?”

 

The letter’s content was strange, so the Count squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again, wondering if he had read it wrong.

 

Dear Count Handfield. I heard that your second son, Roni Handfield, is scheduled to have a leg fracture and must unavoidably decline being the cavalier for Lady Marisselle, the governess of the Duke’s Household. The Duke’s Household feels responsible for this and sends heartfelt condolences. P.S. I hope the compensation was sufficient. -Morgan Ergana Johaim.

 

The letter was very short, but its content was extremely bizarre.

 

His perfectly healthy son’s leg was scheduled to be fractured… and the Duke’s Household would take responsibility…

 

The Count fell into thought for a moment.

 

In other words, this meant telling Roni to break his promise to be Lady Marisselle’s cavalier.

 

Otherwise, it could mean they would actually break his leg, or if not that, then they would have to return the gift.

 

Who could go against the leader of this ducal territory?

 

Moreover, since his wife was so delighted, the Count thought he had no choice but to persuade his son Roni.

 

“Honey. Please take a look at this letter.”

 

The Countess quickly read through the short letter, thought for a moment, then exchanged glances with the Count.

 

“Honey! I’ll persuade Roni. The gift aside, it would be troublesome to displease the Duke over something like this.”

 

“…Yes. Let’s do that.”

 

In the end, Roni became an unwilling sacrifice and was forced into seclusion for a month.

 

* * *

 

Finally, the long-awaited debutante day had dawned.

 

Marisselle woke up at the crack of dawn and received a fragrant oil bath and massage.

 

Emma had come the day before and completed all the necessary preparations.

 

Emma had given her a fragrant oil bath and massage with oils good for fatigue recovery from the night before, saying she needed to sleep well.

 

She also prepared tea that was good for sleep, truly ready to pour her soul into her master’s debutante.

 

Thanks to that, Marisselle woke up after a very good night’s sleep.

 

Her skin looked moist, fair, and full of vitality.

 

“Indeed, people should live being loved. Thanks to Emma’s care, look how firm this skin is! Emma! Thank you.”

 

Marisselle had just finished bathing and was looking in the mirror with just a towel wrapped around her, admiring herself.

 

“Oh my. Miss, you’re being so embarrassing. It’s all because you’re beautiful and pretty, Miss. You are my pride and joy! You know that, right?”

 

Emma smiled proudly with a giggle.

 

“Since we have time before Team Bronte arrives, please sit down for a moment. I’ll give you a bit more leg massage. You’ll have to stand all day today.”

 

Emma continued speaking while carefully massaging from Marisselle’s toes upward with dedication.

 

“If only the shoes had arrived a little earlier, I could have broken them in more so you could wear them more comfortably. That’s a bit regrettable.”

 

“But since we broke them in even a little yesterday, won’t it be okay?”

 

Marisselle spoke hoping to ease Emma’s regret even a little.

 

Knock knock!

 

“Governess. Team Bronte has arrived.”

 

“Ah! Yes. Please guide them to the Atrium Room first. I’ll be right there.”

 

Emma stopped the massage and Marisselle headed to the Atrium Room in her chemise.

 

Upon entering, Bronte greeted them warmly with a cheerful voice.

 

“Oh my! Lady Marisselle! Your skin condition is so good! Makeup will really take well. Ho ho ho.”

 

Bronte exclaimed excitedly upon seeing Marisselle’s skin condition.

 

Then she winked at Emma as a way of thanking her for taking good care of the model.

 

Emma smiled shyly as if embarrassed.

 

And as Marisselle sat on the stool chair, she began applying makeup starting with the base with quick hand movements.

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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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