I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 72

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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 72

“Now that you’ve come to see the field directly, did you learn something?”

“Ah, yes. I learned a lot. Thank you, Your Highness.”

“That’s good. And since you’re already out, is there anywhere else you’d like to go?”

“Huh? Do you mean Your Highness would take me there?”

“Well, would I be asking if I meant for you to go alone?”

‘Ugh. There he goes again. The annoying Morgan is back.’

“Then, you’ll go with me to all the places I want to visit?”

“For the most part.”

“Hmm… Then Your Highness, since you said this Monsan Region is where the lowest class people live, I’d like to see other areas too.”

“….”

He’s silent.

‘Was that too much to ask?’

“Why do you want to see only such rough places?”

“Is it not allowed?”

“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but I’m not particularly inclined to. I’m also curious why you insist on going.”

His doubt was perfectly reasonable. Ordinary nobles wouldn’t be interested in the lives of the lower classes.

But I couldn’t say ‘I need field research to secure my survival,’ so I had to find another suitable excuse.

“I’m Your Highness’s aide now, aren’t I? To assist you well, I need to know the estate’s situation. And although I’m not receiving heir education yet, I should start preparing mentally. For that, shouldn’t I know the lives of the estate’s people, which is the foundation? So this is a very good opportunity for me. Still, if Your Highness says no, I’ll go back like this. …Really, is it not possible? Your Highness?”

I smiled sweetly with a slightly coquettish voice, as if pleading.

“…Sigh. Fine, let’s go.”

He let out a small groan-like sigh and reluctantly agreed.

‘Why is he like that? We visited where the lowest class people live, and nothing happened…’

I couldn’t understand what he was worried about.

I could only think it might be the knight’s wariness – just because this place was fine doesn’t mean that place would be too.

“Maison! We’re going to the Shersey District.”

“Yes! My lord!”

When Morgan gave the order and turned his reins, the knights all changed direction in unison.

‘Wait. The Shersey District? But that’s a commercial district?’

I was puzzled why he was going to the bustling commercial district when I asked to see the lives of ordinary lower-class people.

But I couldn’t ask. The horse was running so fast that it was hard to even open my eyes properly, let alone speak.

Still, throughout the ride, whether from the cool wind or the speed, my chest felt refreshingly clear.

After riding for quite a while, we arrived at the commercial district.

From here, there were too many people to go fast, so we could slowly look around the streets.

Flower shops, bakeries, butcher shops, general stores, tool shops, jewelry stores, and so on – truly various shops lined both sides of the street.

People bargaining, people browsing, children’s cheerful laughter all blended together, making it feel quite peaceful.

“Your Highness. But why did you come to the Shersey District, which is the bustling district?”

I finally asked why Morgan came to the Shersey District, different from my request.

“….”

He’s silent again.

‘What’s this?’

Just as I was thinking it strange, he turned into a side street.

As we entered the alley, he cleared his throat quietly.

“You’ll understand soon.”

“Yes…”

As he said, I stayed quiet. After going a few more minutes like that, a village came into view.

Still, it looked better than the Monsan District.

‘To think there was such a village behind the shopping area…’

The village formed a stark contrast with the neatly organized shops, and objectively it was clearly better than the Monsan District, but the feeling made it seem similar.

“Your Highness, I didn’t know there was such a residential area behind the commercial district.”

“You can consider this the average life of commoners.”

I nodded.

We went deeper into the village, and the faint sound of children playing could be heard from afar.

And as we went a little further, children began gathering one by one from who knows where.

Children in shabby clothes and dirty appearance. Not much different from the Monsan District.

However, rather than hiding, the children approached with bright, curious eyes.

To the children’s eyes, people dressed in fine clothes like princes, riding magnificent large horses fit for royalty, and not just one person but several appearing—it would certainly be fascinating.

More children gathered, and they showed no intention of moving aside.

A situation where both people and horses could become dangerous.

“Get out of the way—”

When one knight tried to shout at the children, Morgan stopped him.

“Enough.”

Morgan dismounted from his horse. Then he helped me down as well.

Following Morgan’s lead, the knights also dismounted one by one and held their reins.

It seemed they intended to walk with their horses due to the danger.

I dismounted and stared intently at him as he held the reins.

In this shabby, foul-smelling place, in this alien space that didn’t suit him, he alone was shining.

Such a person had chosen inconvenience to respect and protect commoner children who were at the lowest level among the lower classes.

In my eyes, he appeared as a strong person who knew how to control his power rather than wielding it carelessly.

Once I clearly recognized what kind of person he was, he looked different to me.

A person with a strong and beautiful inner nature.

Truly a desirable person—someone I would have tried to pursue if not for the original story.

‘There I go again.’

My heart began to race again.

It was a warning signal.

A person I shouldn’t even test the waters with since I can’t have him.

‘If I fall for someone like this, I’ll only hurt myself.’

I calmly suppressed my emotions and reasoned with myself.

Then I turned my attention to the children. Their eyes were filled with longing.

“Your Highness. The children seem fascinated by the horses—how about letting them touch them once?”

He stared at me intently. After seeming to consider for a moment, he spoke to the knights.

“Maison. Help the children safely touch the horses.”

“Yes! My lord.”

I lent a hand as well. To ensure safety and order, I drew five long lines and had the children line up along each one.

“Now. You’ll take turns touching the horses. But you can only touch them if you follow the rules well. If even one person breaks them, you won’t be able to touch the horses at that very moment. That means the other friends won’t get to touch them either. Can you do it?”

“Yes!”

The children nodded in unison and raised their voices.

After Maison finished explaining the precautions, a small child asked:

“…Can we ride the horses too?”

“Hey! We should be grateful they’re letting us touch them—be quiet!”

Perhaps the little one’s older brother scolded the child.

I looked at Morgan and asked with my eyes if it was possible. He made a troubled expression, then asked me:

“Marisselle… you do realize you’ve been making several unreasonable requests today, don’t you?”

“Ah! Yes, Your Highness. I’m grateful for that.”

“Good. Then you should be able to grant me one request today without complaint.”

Though I was slightly worried, I couldn’t bear to ignore the children’s expectant eyes, so I nodded.

“Maison. Let the children who want to ride the horses.”

“Yes.”

Maison and the other four knights bowed their heads.

Children lined up in front of Morgan as well. I had included Morgan as a hands-on learning instructor.

But Morgan helped the children touch and ride the horses without complaint.

“Wow!”

Each child let out exclamations of joy.

That’s when I saw it. Morgan and the knights wearing subtle smiles.

And what surprised me was that the children were more orderly than expected.

Of course, part of the orderliness came from Morgan and the knights managing the mounting and dismounting, but no children begged to ride longer.

Here I saw a glimmer of hope.

Don’t they say you can see the parents by looking at the child? With education, their lives would surely change.

Finally, all the children had finished their horse experience. A small happiness washed over me seeing the children’s joyful expressions.

I smiled brightly at Morgan and moved only my lips without making a sound to convey my thanks.

Then he showed a startled expression before covering half his face with his hand and muttering.

“…Haa. Smiling like that while only moving your lips is cheating…”

“Pardon?”

I asked back, wondering if I had heard correctly. But he brushed it off saying it was nothing.

‘I must have misheard…’

My heart almost started pounding dangerously again.

“Now, is this enough?”

“Ah, yes. Your Highness. It’s enough.”

“That’s a relief.”

He answered briefly and showed a faint smile. Then he looked back at the knights.

“Maison. Clean up and let’s return.”

“Yes!”

The knights cleaned up the surroundings and mounted their horses.

Before mounting my horse, I asked the children.

“Children, did you have fun? We’re going to leave now. I hope today remains as a good memory for you all.”

“Yes. It was the best day ever.”

“That’s right. Will you come again next time?”

“Well… if there’s a reason to come, we might come again, right?”

“I hope you come again.”

“Me too!”

The children each expressed their disappointment.

“Now, the person who gave us this happy memory today is Grand Duke Morgan Ergana Yohaim, who takes care of our estate. Come on! Shall we all give our thanks?”

“Thank you, Grand Duke.”

The children each raised their voices to greet him.

Morgan responded by looking over the children with warm eyes.

“Let’s go now.”

He helped me mount the horse, then got on himself and turned the horse’s head.

I looked back in panic. I could see the disappointed faces of the children. Thinking this wouldn’t do, I shouted.

“Children! The Grand Duke is just shy because it’s his first time receiving such greetings. It’s not because he dislikes you! Take care!”

Then I looked at Morgan.

“No. How can you just leave without saying anything? The children will be hurt. You know, just one word would have been enough!”

“There, there you go again. Looking at you, you tend to lose your senses when it comes to children. And taking care of the estate is a natural duty as a lord. It’s not something to be praised for.”

“No. How can a person live only by duty? You should also receive praise and live for the satisfaction of doing well.”

‘Ah! Does this person not need it because he has too many things to be proud of…?’

I was about to add something at the end but swallowed it back.

“There is someone I want praise from too.”

“Really? Truly? Your Highness? Who on earth is that person?”

“There is.”

“Your Highness. Please tell me. I’m so curious. Is it someone I know too?”

“Don’t try to find out. It’ll become troublesome if you know.”

“Who will find it troublesome? Me? Or Your Highness?”

“…”

He pressed his lips tightly shut and maintained silence as if telling me not to ask anymore.

‘Who could it be that he’s putting up such a wall? Surely… it’s not me, right?’

Suddenly remembering that time when he asked for praise too, I also stopped prying further.

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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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