I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 79

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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 79

“Well… if it were me, I think I would first look into how the nobles who have grown in power expand their influence. After all, money is power, and it becomes both sword and shield. So I think I would first find and block their money sources, then devise ways to make their money keep leaking out.”

“Oh. How?”

After hearing her words, the Emperor’s eyes lit up even more as he leaned toward Marisselle.

“First, I’d need to understand the structure of their income, right? Trade specialties and distribution, merchant group operations, farmland, etc., for each source of income. And then I’d examine their related connections. After that, I’d institutionalize policies that seem so trivial they’d scoff at them, then strike them from behind. That way, I’d legally cut off their income sources one by one. When money decreases, their room to maneuver would narrow accordingly.”

“For example?”

“For example, something like land reform.”

“How would you carry out land reform?”

‘Wow. This Emperor really wants to get everything for free. At this rate, there’ll be no end to this.’

Marisselle had some ideas, but it seemed like this wouldn’t end even by dawn, so she decided to deflect appropriately.

“Your Majesty. I apologize, but nothing more comes to mind.”

The Emperor frowned and raised his eyes suspiciously.

Then, the Crown Prince also seemed to catch on and cast his net.

“Then, it would be good if you could think about it and tell us when we meet next time.”

“…You seem to be giving me too big an assignment, Your Highness. I don’t have such ability. You seem to be evaluating me too highly.”

“Is that so? I don’t think so. Aren’t you underestimating yourself too much?”

“…No.”

After a short answer, Marisselle deliberately focused on her food and cleaned her plate completely.

She figured if she kept eating, they wouldn’t talk to her anymore.

‘I’ll need to take digestive medicine first when I get home.’

Both the Emperor and Crown Prince seemed to understand Marisselle’s feelings and stepped back without asking further.

“Miss Marisselle. Today was truly enjoyable. I hope we can meet often.”

The Emperor dabbed the corners of his mouth with a luxurious napkin and rose from his seat.

“I am honored.”

Marisselle also stood up. And she bowed respectfully until the Emperor left the dining room and disappeared.

“Let’s go too. It would be nice to have another cup of tea, but that would make it too late, so let’s save the tea for next time.”

“Yes… Your Highness.”

Marisselle left Baekpyo Palace where the Emperor resided with the Crown Prince and arrived where the Royal Household carriage was waiting.

The Crown Prince extended his hand. Marisselle placed her hand on his and said her farewell.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. Thank you so much for today’s invitation. Then…”

Then the Crown Prince tilted his head slightly as if puzzled.

“We’re riding in the carriage together, aren’t we?”

‘…? Together?’

“Pardon?”

She was so surprised that her voice came out squeaky.

“Isn’t it natural? Sending a lady home alone on such a deep night. That wouldn’t be proper conduct for a man.”

“…”

She was speechless. For a moment, she couldn’t think of any particular reason to refuse.

‘My parents will be shocked. They’ll obviously be awake waiting for me.’

It was truly quite troublesome.

Though it was night, there were still eyes watching. Moreover, the Royal Household carriage was far too conspicuous.

And what about the Royal Knight Orders?

She couldn’t refuse and it was maddening.

‘Why is nothing going as I want?’

Right now, just Morgan alone was overwhelming, but if rumors about the Crown Prince spread too…

Just thinking about it was depressing.

Marisselle reluctantly smiled and boarded the carriage with tears in her eyes.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince’s consideration is as vast as the ocean.”

Marisselle boarded the carriage with the Crown Prince and prayed inwardly again and again.

‘Please don’t make me talk. Please don’t make me talk.’

Fortunately, the Crown Prince didn’t bring up any troublesome topics.

He asked about everyday things like the past debutante ball, Fleur’s well-being, and Marisselle’s parents’ health.

And the Crown Prince couldn’t ask more even if he wanted to.

Because Marisselle’s eyelids slowly and heavily went up and down a few times, then slid down and didn’t come back up.

Marisselle leaned her head against the carriage window and slept, but whenever the carriage jolted slightly, her head would tilt left and right, bumping against the window repeatedly.

Renegade quietly moved to the seat next to Marisselle and carefully placed her head on his shoulder.

And he smiled with satisfaction.

After traveling for a long time, the carriage arrived at the Manua Barony.

Marisselle showed no signs of waking up.

Renegade strangely found himself wanting to stay like this a little longer. However, Renegade’s secret desire was not fulfilled.

The Manua Viscount Couple, who had been eagerly waiting for Marisselle, had already come out beyond the gate upon seeing the carriage.

“What a pity…”

Renegade muttered to himself.

“Lady Marisselle.”

Renegade carefully called to wake Marisselle.

“…Mmm.”

In her sleep, Marisselle grabbed Renegade’s arm and burrowed deeper into his shoulder.

Renegade was flustered by Marisselle’s unexpected behavior. But he didn’t dislike it.

No, rather, it was a strangely thrilling feeling.

‘What is this?’

Suddenly, he felt heat rising to his face, making it feel flushed.

“Ahem.”

He cleared his throat once and woke Marisselle again.

“My lady. We’ve arrived home.”

“…?”

Marisselle’s eyes snapped open and she lifted her head abruptly.

And she opened her eyes wide and looked around her surroundings.

She was inside the carriage.

“Your… Your Highness, why are you next to me…”

Renegade spoke calmly with an expression as if it was nothing special.

“You kept dozing off and banging your head against that window over there. I specially lent you my shoulder for a bit.”

Then he smiled benevolently with curved eyes.

‘Oh no… how long did I sleep?’

She sighed.

‘Don’t you have any sense of caution…?’

This was already the second time she had fallen asleep in the carriage due to exhaustion.

‘I really want to cry.’

“Let’s get out. The viscount couple is already out waiting.”

“Yes? Ah, yes… Your Highness.”

Marisselle dutifully gathered her bundle of documents and got out with his escort.

“Gasp!”

The viscountess covered her mouth.

The Crown Prince had escorted her home.

The viscount couple couldn’t contain their shock.

They unnecessarily adjusted their clothing and rushed over to pay their respects to the Crown Prince.

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince, the small sun of the Empire.”

The Crown Prince gestured to the couple and said.

“Raise your heads.”

“Yes.”

The couple raised their heads.

“We are truly grateful that you personally escorted our daughter home safely, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

Though they spoke these words out of courtesy, their hearts were full of worry.

They had hoped to live enjoying simple happiness, but strangely, everyone she got involved with was either a great noble or royalty.

“Thanks to Your Highness, I arrived safely. Thank you. Then, I pray to Goddess Hirias that you have a safe journey back.”

“Thank you. I had a pleasant time today, Lady Marisselle.”

The Crown Prince smiled brightly.

But strangely, regret and reluctance remained, making it difficult for his feet to leave easily.

“I’ll send another invitation as soon as possible. I hope that day comes quickly.”

“…Yes. Your Highness the Crown Prince. Then…”

Marisselle bent her knees and lightly lifted the hem of her skirt to curtsy.

He looked back with regret and reluctantly moved his heavy steps toward the carriage.

Marisselle and the Marquis couple bowed once more to the Crown Prince who had boarded the carriage and remained standing until the carriage disappeared from view.

Finally, when the carriage disappeared, the Marquis couple asked worriedly.

“What on earth happened? Do you know how shocked we were when we suddenly heard during the day that you were taking the royal carriage and arriving at night?”

Father Onyx pressed her with surprise and worry, but his voice was gentle.

“I’m sorry, Father. His Highness the Crown Prince said he would show me around the Imperial Palace Library, and then I had some materials I wanted to find, so I searched until late, and then I ended up having dinner with His Majesty the Emperor again. I couldn’t refuse, so this happened. It wouldn’t be right to return to the Duke’s Household at this late hour…”

“Well, nothing unusual happened, right?”

“Of course!”

Marisselle said emphatically. Then Mother Larishu, who had been quietly watching from the side, spoke.

“I’m glad nothing happened. It’s late at night now, so let’s go inside and rest, and talk tomorrow.”

“Still, it’s nice to see Mom and Dad’s faces like this!”

Marisselle giggled and linked arms with Larishu and Onyx.

“Damn it!”

As Marisselle and the Marquis couple went inside, the man who had been hiding and watching this entire situation jumped down from a tall tree and roughly cursed.

He had only intended to confirm that Marisselle returned home safely, but he ended up seeing Marisselle sleeping while leaning on the Crown Prince’s shoulder. An unjust anger surged within him.

It was an anger he couldn’t vent to anyone.

He tried to console himself by saying that it was enough that Marisselle had returned home safely, but it was futile.

“Everyone return.”

“Yes!”

The Shadow Knight Order that had moved secretly together withdrew from the Marquis’ Residence at Morgan’s retreat order.

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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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