I Was Marked as the Grand Duke Male Lead’s Stepmother - Chapter 80

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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 80

“Why are you in such a hurry?”

Baroness Larishu spoke with a sulky tone, feeling disappointed at her daughter’s haste to return to the Duke’s Household.

“It was originally a day off, but I had already promised to return to the Duke’s Household. Our adorable young master must be eagerly waiting, and His Grace Morgan would obviously be displeased. How inconsiderate would it be if I stayed too long at the Main Estate before returning?”

“This mother doesn’t understand. It’s not like you did it on purpose, so why would it be inconsiderate to stay leisurely at the Main Estate for a while? Is the Duke really such a petty person?”

I linked arms with my mother Larishu and rubbed my face against hers, acting cute.

“Mother… I’m uncomfortable because of it. His Grace Morgan isn’t a petty person. It’s because I’m sure he’s worrying about me.”

Larishu spoke in a gentle voice, pretending to be defeated by her daughter’s charm.

“It’s good that the Duke cherishes you, but I’m honestly a bit worried. Yesterday with the Crown Prince too…”

“Don’t worry. I know what you’re concerned about.”

Larishu quietly expressed her concern that her daughter might get caught up in the power struggles of the High Nobles.

‘Mother. Sometimes you get swept up in unwanted situations even when you stay still. If I’m going to get swept up anyway, wouldn’t it be better for me to choose?’

I smiled brightly to reassure her.

Larishu doesn’t know what kind of world this is, so it’s natural for her to think staying quiet would keep things peaceful.

But there’s one flaw that led to House of Manua’s downfall.

Even though they must have known from various cases that there are many evil people in the world, since they had never harbored evil thoughts themselves, they couldn’t escape the belief that everyone else would be like them.

In other words, they viewed the category of evil people too narrowly. The mistaken thought that even demons would be human-like.

To survive in this harsh world, you need to know how evil people can become.

They say ignorance is a sin, and without knowledge, you perish. Manua was too ignorant about evil. That’s why they fell.

I can’t let that happen. If the opponent comes at me with evil intentions, I should at least defend myself.

But with villains like Zelkova, defense alone isn’t enough.

As they say, you can know ten things by seeing one. Zelkova won’t change easily.

I need to make the first strike for me and my family to survive.

‘I have a lot to do when I get back, Mother.’

“Next time I come, I’ll make sure to have plenty of time. Please tell Father too.”

“Alright… Still, it’s good to see my daughter’s face like this. If you ever have any difficulties, come anytime. This place is your home.”

“I will, Mother.”

Father Onyx had left early in the morning for work, and Emma was also on leave visiting her hometown, so only Mother saw me off on my departure.

* * *

“Marisselle. Why didn’t you come home yesterday and went to Marisselle’s house instead?”

“Well, yesterday His Majesty the Emperor suddenly asked me to have dinner together, so it got late. I wasn’t in a position to refuse. You were worried, weren’t you?”

“Yeah. I was worried. But was the Crown Prince there too?”

“Of course. His Highness the Crown Prince even gave me a tour of the Royal Library. It was absolutely magnificent. My jaw just dropped!”

“You liked it that much? …I want to go see it too.”

“Just wait exactly 10 years. The Duke’s Household has a Royal Library access permit, so when you’re about 16, you’ll be able to go by yourself.”

“That’s a long time to wait…”

Fleur hung his head with a slightly dejected expression.

“But Marisselle, was the Crown Prince handsome?”

“Of course. He was very handsome and interesting.”

Fleur’s eyes widened, then the corners drooped as shadows fell across his face.

“…More than Uncle?”

“Huh? …Oh, both of them are handsome. They’re the Empire’s most popular men. And they each have different charms, so comparison is impossible.”

Then Fleur asked again with a serious expression.

“Then who do you like more, Marisselle?”

Anxiety settled in the child’s eyes that were clear as the sky.

“Young master… Are you asking because you’re anxious that I might leave because I like the Crown Prince?”

Then tears welled up in the child’s eyes, enough to fall at any moment.

I hugged the child tightly in my arms.

“Young master, I’m someone who has sworn loyalty to the Duke’s Household. I won’t suddenly leave you behind or anything like that, so don’t worry.”

“…Okay.”

The child buried his face in my shoulder and shed tears, answering in a trembling, wet voice.

I gently pulled the child away from my embrace and wiped his tears while speaking.

“Everyone repeats farewells and meetings. We too might have a day when we part ways someday. But that’s not today. Not tomorrow either. So don’t worry. Understood?”

Fleur quietly nodded his head.

Seeing him so anxious just because I was away from home for one day without notice made my heart ache.

And I was also subtly concerned about Morgan.

I headed to his study to personally deliver the news that I had returned safely to Morgan.

* * *

Morgan had already prepared refreshments upon hearing the news of my visit.

“Try this. It’s a new Hoesan tea that just came in, and I heard it has a wonderful aroma.”

“Yes.”

He seemed calmer than I had expected.

‘Hmm… This is nice?’

Both the taste and aroma. The refreshing quality of herbs and the sweet taste of fruit lingered on my tongue. The color was also a sunset-like orange that was pleasant to look at.

“Mm… The aroma is lovely and I like how a subtle sweetness rises in the taste.”

Morgan also closed his eyes while savoring a sip of tea.

But his closed eyes carried a heavy and sad energy.

“Your Highness? Is something wrong?”

He remained silent for a while with his eyes closed, then continued speaking haltingly in a voice that seemed choked.

“Something wrong…? …There was. Did you enjoy your meal with the Emperor?”

“Ah… It was a meal with the Empire’s highest dignity, so rather than enjoyable, I think ‘honorable’ would be a more fitting expression as a citizen of the Empire.”

“That sounds like you’re saying it wasn’t personally enjoyable.”

“Yes! Personally, it was difficult. He asked some troubling questions too.”

He looked at me directly and asked in a calm but guarded voice.

“What kind of questions were they?”

“…What you said at the debutante ball. I thought it was just a polite remark, but he asked if I wouldn’t consider becoming a royal nanny for the grandchild to be born next year.”

“…Damn old fool.”

He muttered lowly. Though he mumbled quietly to himself and it wasn’t clearly audible, it sounded to my ears like he was cursing the Emperor.

“And then?”

“I declined.”

At that, his tense expression softened somewhat.

“What other questions did he ask?”

“Um… He asked about the reason I accompanied you instead of Lord Rino regarding the Monsan District matter, and I briefly told him the facts. Then the Emperor asked me what I would do about nobles who build up enough power to threaten the Royal Household.”

‘…?’

His eyes instantly turned sharp. And coldness dripped from his voice.

“So. What did you answer?”

I didn’t think I had made any particular mistake, but his reaction seemed so serious that I hesitated to answer.

But I told him exactly what happened.

“Hah. That cunning old fool.”

‘…?’

An unexpected reaction.

I thought he would at least raise his voice… After creating such a menacing atmosphere, just ‘cunning old fool?’

I never thought the word ‘old fool’ would come from his mouth.

It felt somewhat deflating yet strangely familiar.

“Marisselle.”

“Yes, Your Highness! Please speak.”

“Don’t carelessly offer your opinions from now on.”

“Pardon? Your Highness. What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what I said. Don’t provide insights with just your bare words.”

‘Wait. Are you saying my opinions have value worth trading?’

“Your Highness. Do you really see me as a strategic asset?”

I asked excitedly with elation.

But unlike my excited state, he looked at me intently with the heavy, calm demeanor of someone submerged in deep depths, and answered.

“…More than that.”

‘Huh? But why does he have the same expression as Fleur?’

I was a bit flustered by his fluctuating emotions that I had never seen before.

His deep blue eyes met mine. Deeply and intently, as if searching for something hidden in my eyes.

‘What is it? Is there really some big problem he can’t talk about?’

“Your Highness… Is something wrong? It might not be much help, but sometimes just talking about things can make your heart feel lighter even if it doesn’t solve anything. So if I’m acceptable, I’ll listen. And I’ll keep what I hear secret for life. Please tell me what’s making you so sad.”

His expression and atmosphere looked so precarious that I couldn’t help but worry. So I meddled beyond my place.

He listened to my words without taking his eyes off me. And at the same time, hesitation about whether to speak or not appeared in his eyes.

“…Then, would what I say be something you heard but didn’t hear?”

He asked quietly in a voice that seemed choked.

“If Your Highness wishes it.”

“Then, would you listen to what I have to say and give me some advice? I think you, Marisselle, would be able to provide the most insightful guidance.”

“Of course, Your Highness. I hope my advice will be of help to you.”

I was inwardly relieved that he was asking for help.

On the other hand, I was also happy that he was opening his heart and trusting me.

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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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