I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 8

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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 8

“Now, shall we start the main event? Over here~!”

Marisselle stretched her neck long and plucked a fluffy white dandelion that was blooming softly, then handed it to Fleur.

Fleur was startled and his eyes widened in surprise.

“It’s okay. It won’t die just from being picked. It will grow again next spring.”

Marisselle picked one for herself too, took a deep breath, and blew hard on the dandelion – whoosh.

Then the white dandelion floated gently upward on the wind under the warm sunlight.

Fleur watched the scene in fascination.

A winged flower flying far away on the wind.

His heart was pounding.

Fleur gazed endlessly at the flower carried away by the spring breeze.

In the eyes of the child receiving the spring wind with his whole body, there was no longer any emptiness to be seen.

Instead, only the clear sky was reflected there.

Marisselle felt so moved that tears almost welled up in her eyes.

“Young master, please try it too.”

Fleur gazed quietly at the white dandelion in his hand, then soon blew hard – whoosh.

Then Fleur’s dandelion also floated up like Marisselle’s and began to dance.

Fleur took a deep breath and unconsciously murmured.

“Beau…tiful.”

‘Huh?’

Marisselle was momentarily surprised and doubted her own ears. It had definitely come from Fleur’s mouth.

An overwhelming emotion suddenly surged up.

However, worried that Fleur might be embarrassed, she tried to stay calm without making a fuss.

Marisselle naturally struck up a conversation, hoping the child might speak again unconsciously.

“Right? I think it’s beautiful every time I see it too. The dandelion that flew away on the wind will take root somewhere and bloom again. That’s how dandelions live their lives…”

“…”

Fleur’s voice was not heard again.

‘It was such a cute voice though…’

It was disappointing. But it was okay. The curtain of hope had just begun to rise.

Marisselle stood up, dusted off her skirt, and extended her hand.

“Well then, shall we explore the garden more in our own way?”

* * *

“Emma. I think it’s time to change clothes now. Please prepare about 8 outfits each in pink and blue tones.”

Marisselle was applying the principle of consistency in clothing, food, and shelter for Fleur’s stability.

When a child is anxious, changes should be minimized as much as possible and the same daily routine should be maintained.

As part of this approach, Marisselle had prepared several green dresses, said to calm the mind and body, and changed into them daily.

However, as Fleur became much more stable, there was no longer a need to apply the clothing routine, and the days were getting warmer, requiring lighter clothes.

While preparing new clothes, she wanted to add some color variation, so she asked Emma.

Emma was assigned to the room right next to Marisselle’s and was granted the right to freely move between the Duke’s Household and the Marquis Family.

She served as a connecting bridge between the Marquis couple and Marisselle.

It was Morgan’s consideration, thinking of Marisselle who had declared she would voluntarily give up her days off for the time being, and the Marquis couple’s concerns.

* * *

Marisselle suggested tea time to Fleur as a slight variation to their simple daily routine.

It was with the calculation that perhaps Fleur might have another opportunity to speak naturally, like during their last garden walk.

Refreshments were prepared in the rotunda in one corner of the garden where spring flowers were in full bloom.

A lovely child with blue eyes that seemed to hold the clear sky and silky black hair like the night sky descended.

How could he be so pretty, handsome, cute, and lovable?

He was a child who matched so perfectly with the peaceful scene of drooping willows and fluttering roses in the gentle breeze.

She felt like she could spend all day just admiring him.

“Wow- the cookies look really pretty and delicious. How do you make cookies like these?”

Marisselle couldn’t help but admire the pretty and appetizing-looking cookies.

In his previous life, Haetak had tried making cookies but never succeeded even once. He was decent at making other things, but he was particularly terrible at baking.

So he concluded that cookies were meant to be bought, not made, and never attempted it again after that.

‘Wait. This might be fun to try making with Fleur?’

Maybe in this life he’d have golden hands for cookies, or at least silver hands? Plus, Fleur might naturally start talking while making cookies.

“Young Master. Have you ever made cookies before?”

Fleur shook his head without hesitation.

“Then, would you like to try making cookies with me?”

When Marisselle spoke with sparkling eyes, Fleur’s eyes lit up.

But soon the corners of his eyes drooped sadly.

“Don’t worry. I will definitely. Absolutely. Make sure to get His Grace the Grand Duke’s permission. Come on! Let’s promise!”

Marisselle extended her right hand with only her pinky finger out.

Fleur looked back and forth between Marisselle’s hand and face, showing confusion about what it meant.

Marisselle grinned as if telling him not to worry.

“Like this, when Young Master’s pinky finger and my pinky finger hook together, it means we’re making a promise.”

Despite the explanation, Fleur hesitated at this unfamiliar ritual. He worried about what might happen if he didn’t keep it.

Then Marisselle smiled again to reassure him.

“This is just like my pledge to Young Master that I’m confident, so no one gets punished or anything, so you don’t need to worry.”

Only then did Fleur hook his pinky finger.

As soon as their fingers hooked, Marisselle raised Fleur’s thumb to touch her own thumb, pressed firmly like a stamp, then smiled and shook vigorously. Following the vigorously shaking arm, a smile curved across Fleur’s face like drawing an arc.

* * *

Late at night, in front of Morgan’s study.

‘Should I knock? No, should I wait a little longer?’

Marisselle kept repeating the motion of almost knocking on the door, then backing away about 2 meters, then returning to the door again.

‘He said he hates being disturbed during work, so I can’t risk triggering his bad temper and having this fall through.’

But then again, how long should she wait? All night? Then what about Fleur?

Marisselle paced in front of the study, unable to reach a conclusion easily.

“Your Grace Morgan!”

“Why are you annoyingly using formal speech again?”

Meanwhile, Morgan snapped back at Rino’s words irritably without taking his eyes off the documents.

“Let’s wrap this up. I want to go home early today too. My mother will forget what her son’s face looks like.”

“Since when have you acted like a son? Stop whining.”

“I want to go home early today, so I told the nanny Marisselle. I said Your Grace would have time available right at this hour today.”

“What?”

“When I went to see Porel during the day, he was talking with nanny Marisselle. She said she had something to discuss with you about Fleur. When she asked about timing, I told her to come at this time. Right now she’s outside, deeply conflicted about whether to knock or not – it’s quite pitiful to watch.”

“There’s still more work left.”

“Your Grace the Grand Duke, sir. Meet with the nanny first and do the rest later. It’s not right to keep a lady waiting.”

Rino urged him cheekily.

Morgan was displeased with Rino for creating this situation on his own and then making it his fault.

‘That cunning bastard.’

But strangely, he didn’t find what Rino had done annoying or unpleasant.

Even though he had committed the work interruption that Morgan hated most.

‘I wonder what interesting story she’ll tell today.’

Instead, the corner of his mouth lifted with anticipation.

But he didn’t realize he was smiling.

Morgan threatened Rino as if reluctantly giving permission.

“Tell her to come in as you leave. And I’ll remember this incident.”

“How petty to remember something like this. I’m going. And take it easy and get some rest today.”

Rino left with those caring words.

The moment the door opened, Rino’s eyes met with Marisselle’s, who had her right hand raised, about to knock.

Rino smiled warmly with crinkled eyes.

His bright brown hair and bright brown eyes that matched so well created a mysterious atmosphere.

Should it be called friendly yet searching, with playful curiosity mixed in?

Marisselle offered a customary greeting with a gentle smile on her lips.

“Good evening, Sir Rino. You’re working hard so late into the night.”

“Yes. Thanks to having a workaholic master, I live not knowing whether it’s time to come to work or go home every day, but today thanks to the nanny, I know for sure it’s time to go home.”

Seeing Rino grinning as he said this, Marisselle almost let out a laugh but quickly swallowed it and responded.

“His Grace must keep you close because you are so capable.”

At that, Rino leaned down close and whispered in Marisselle’s ear.

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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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