I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 57

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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 57

“Oh my! Over there, isn’t that Duke Morgan?”

“Where, where? Oh my, you’re right… What? Then, the woman who came with him, could she be… that Duke’s nanny?”

“Probably so, right?”

“Wow! To think I’d see a Duke come as a cavalier in my lifetime.”

As Mariselle and Morgan entered the banquet hall entrance, quiet commotion arose here and there.

“But… the lady next to him is prettier than I thought.”

When one lady reluctantly gave Mariselle a grudging compliment on her beauty, a young nobleman nearby tactlessly corrected her as if talking to himself.

“Not ‘prettier than you thought,’ she’s very pretty, isn’t she?”

“Hmph! Youngsik, are you really saying another woman is pretty right in front of me like that?”

The lady snorted and rolled her eyes.

“No, I didn’t mean it that way…”

Youngsik broke out in a cold sweat trying to appease his sulking partner after stating the facts.

There were many such young noblemen.

But conversely, there were also young noblemen who envied Morgan and desperately tried to guard their partners.

Nevertheless, the ladies harbored hope as they looked at Morgan, who was making his first appearance at a debutante ball.

Wondering if they might get to have a word with him, or share a dance.

“But don’t those two look strangely well-matched? This must be quite upsetting for Marquis Bohra’s daughter.”

Meanwhile, those who had long given up on vain dreams spoke of other matters.

“Indeed. She was the object of all the young men’s admiration, her nose reaching the sky, but now it’ll probably shift to Lady Mariselle. Or perhaps it already has. Ho ho ho.”

Just then, the attendant announcing entrances struck the floor twice – thud! thud! – and called out loudly.

“Lady Mariselle Manua and Duke Morgan Ergana Yohaim are entering!”

Since debutante balls centered around the ladies, there was a custom of calling the lady’s name first regardless of rank, so Mariselle’s name was announced first.

Those experiencing for the first time a name being called before Morgan’s, except for royalty, murmured again at the novelty.

“Oh my, it sounds so strange to hear Duke Morgan’s name called second.”

“Indeed. Lady Manua would be the first woman to have her name called before the Duke’s. How enviable. Tsk.”

The attending ladies couldn’t hide their envy, wishing it had been their names called first.

Moreover, when they saw Morgan smile softly with pride as Mariselle’s name was called first, the hall stirred once more.

“Oh my! This is the first time I’ve seen Duke Morgan smile!”

“Oh my! Me too…”

The ladies each covered their reddened faces with their hands and let out small screams.

People flocked to Mariselle and Morgan, who had finished their entrance receiving all attention, like magnets drawing iron.

“Oh my! Lady Mariselle. It’s our first meeting. Nice to meet you. I’m Kieran Arthur from House of Baron Arthur.”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you. I’m Mariselle Manua.”

‘Wait? Kieran Arthur? I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere… Where was it?’

She racked her brain earnestly.

‘Ah! That ill-mannered coachman!’

House of Baron Arthur.

The coachman who had caused the carriage accident on the day Mariselle submitted her nanny application to the Duke’s Household was from House of Baron Arthur.

‘So I’m meeting that coachman’s master here.’

Kieran Arthur had quite a lively impression, matching her reddish curly hair.

After Mariselle received the greeting, others also rushed to greet her like a bursting dam, thinking now was the time.

After mechanically receiving all the greetings, her lips began to twitch with spasms.

‘At this rate, I’ll collapse from exhaustion before even having an audience with the Emperor.’

“That’s enough greetings.”

Morgan stepped in to protect Mariselle, who was rapidly becoming exhausted.

“Ah…”

Those waiting for their turn reluctantly had to give up their spots with disappointment.

“…go.”

“…Where to?”

Morgan gestured toward the terrace with his chin and extended his hand.

“Hah, that wench finally appeared and took Morgan’s side. Does she think she can steal my place and get away with it?”

Bohra, who had been watching Morgan and Mariselle’s every move since they entered the banquet hall, ground her teeth and glared at her brother Kazuri.

‘Ugh. Pathetic fool.’

Although he had no choice but to come along for the meeting with Morgan, he was a blood relative who was of no help whatsoever.

Kazuri was busy satisfying his own desires rather than helping his sister.

Today, Marisselle was incredibly beautiful.

She should have already become his by now, but his insides churned seeing some random bastard escorting Marisselle around.

‘Hmph. What does that nobody think he is. Right. There should be one or two obstacles to make the conquest worthwhile. Marisselle, you’re destined to become my woman anyway. It would be better not to struggle pointlessly. Heh’

Kazuri let out a sinister laugh, revealing his filthy desires.

“Interesting.”

Crown Prince Renegade, who had been silently watching all of this from the second floor, smiled with raised lips as if finding it intriguing.

Even from a distance, it was obvious that Morgan was looking at Marisselle as a woman, and that the Zelkova siblings were jealous of the two.

“Marisselle…”

The Crown Prince left with a meaningful smile to have an audience with his father, Emperor Gottfried.

* * *

Ding-a-ling!

Just as Marisselle and Morgan had taken a brief rest and emerged from the terrace, the chamberlain rang the bell. It meant the Emperor was entering.

“His Majesty Emperor Gottfried Remal Caldmion and His Highness Crown Prince Renegade Remal Caldmion are entering.”

Those who had been freely enjoying refreshments and conversation stopped what they were doing and stood facing the central staircase where the Emperor and Crown Prince would descend.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Soon after the chamberlain struck his staff against the floor three times, the Emperor and Crown Prince appeared with half a step between them.

The attendees all bowed in unison, showing respect to the Emperor and Crown Prince.

“Raise your heads.”

Emperor Gottfried spoke to the audience with a dignified voice. The imposing presence befitting an emperor could be felt.

Then he swept his eyes over the audience and began reciting a solemn opening address.

“The grand 600-year history of the Helman Empire, as you all know, was built through the toil and sacrifice of countless people. You too, like your ancestors, must devote yourselves to the Empire and…”

“…”

“…Therefore, I hope that you will enjoy this banquet comfortably.”

After the Emperor’s tense and tedious congratulatory speech ended, the Emperor and Crown Prince moved to the specially prepared royal platform, and the Emperor already wore a bored expression as if finding it tiresome.

Gentle music began to flow, and the young people scattered to eat, drink, talk, or freely enjoy the party in their own ways.

“Your Majesty. How about resting for a while until the audience time?”

Crown Prince Renegade asked subtly, worried about his father’s health.

However, the Emperor rejected the suggestion, saying that at times like this, they needed to show that the royal family was strong.

“Today won’t be too boring. Hasn’t that Morgan fellow come as a cavalier. That Morgan.”

Upon seeing Morgan’s face, the Emperor completely erased the bored expression he had initially worn and instead showed signs of pleasure.

Then he added a word to his son with gleaming eyes.

“Watch that young lady who came with Morgan carefully.”

“Yes.”

Renegade answered while following Morgan with his eyes as he brought food to Marisselle.

Morgan was emanating killing intent to prevent any man from getting close to Marisselle.

‘Ha! Does my cousin make such expressions too?’

Renegade found it strange to see Morgan making human-like expressions after always seeing him expressionless and cold like metal.

“Mariselle Manua…”

Curiosity about Marisselle arose – what kind of woman could she be to draw such expressions from Morgan?

She wasn’t just a simple governess.

‘Hmm… And it’s one-sided, not mutual… How interesting.’

Renegade let out a peculiar laugh.

Thanks to this, the boring and uninteresting banquet seemed like it would become fun for once.

While leaning back in his chair, languidly tilting his champagne glass and closing his eyes in boredom, the melody of the music changed.

A tune announcing dance time.

At the bustling movement and murmuring of people, different from usual, Renegade opened his closed eyes.

Morgan and Marisselle stood in the center of the hall. And they began stepping to the melody like any other couple.

“…?”

‘Smiling?’

It was already surprising to see him dancing with someone who wasn’t family, but smiling too.

And on top of that, those varied expressions.

For the first time in a while, Renegade felt like Morgan seemed human.

‘Ha, looks like he stepped on her foot this time.’

Ha, really. What was this that he kept watching? Renegade clicked his tongue.

The two were making a fuss like lovers, bickering back and forth with their gazes and expressions.

The song ended. Now it was time to change partners and dance.

Marisselle curtsied gracefully and was about to return to her seat when Morgan caught her wrist.

And she remained in the center of the stage.

Countless nobles and young lords stared at them with wide eyes.

Finally, the noble ladies thought they had a chance to dance with Morgan and the young lords with Marisselle, but Morgan was stubbornly standing his ground.

No one could stand up to that formidable gatekeeper.

Their eyes were so full of disappointment and bewilderment that it was overflowing.

The music changed.

Morgan extended his hand. Marisselle reluctantly placed her hand on his with a sulky expression.

The music flowed and they began dancing again, and like that, Morgan held onto Marisselle and danced four songs.

When the fourth song ended, Marisselle was already exhausted and making a tearful face.

“…Interesting. Isn’t that marking territory? Who would dare even set foot there?”

Renegade watched the repeatedly disappointed gazes of the young lords who were looking for opportunities to dance with Marisselle and quietly shook his shoulders in laughter.

“Well then, shall I go pay my respects to our leader?”

Renegade chuckled and stood up. Then he walked steadily toward Marisselle and Morgan.

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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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