Chapter 15
“Stop talking nonsense.”
Morgan narrowed his eyes at Rino.
‘That sly bastard. What do you mean you were just drawn here while taking a walk? And you desire her?’
Even as Morgan cursed Rino inwardly, he felt relieved.
He had arrived at the exact moment Rino was trying to flirt with Marisel.
‘I knew this would happen.’
As Morgan stood glaring at Rino, Marisel hurriedly offered her own chair and urged him to sit.
“Oh! Lady Marisel, a new chair will arrive soon—”
“I’m a nanny! Not a lady.”
Morgan found it extremely irritating that Rino kept calling Marisel “Lady.”
“Heh. Understood. Nanny Marisel, the chair will be here soon. Please don’t worry.”
With that, Morgan pulled a chair and sat down right beside Marisel.
“Ah. Your Highness, please try this. I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”
Unlike with Rino, Marisel felt slightly uneasy when Morgan joined them.
“Why are you cutting the meat with scissors?”
“Ah. Today’s meat tastes best when cut with scissors. If it’s uncomfortable, I can prepare it again—”
“That’s unnecessary. I only asked because I’ve never seen this method before.”
Morgan disliked the way Marisel seemed uncomfortable around him.
‘Why is her attitude different with Rino?’
And he did not like the thought of Marisel leaving her seat to fetch new utensils.
Of course, someone else could go—but knowing her personality, she would insist on going herself.
“Huh? Butler Porle is bringing chairs—but not one, two? How did he know…?”
As Abelin stood up and spoke, Jeffrey quickly ran to take one of the chairs.
“Your Highness, you have arrived?”
Porle spoke as if he had been expecting Morgan.
“Place one chair here for Marisel to sit, and the other beside Rino.”
It meant Marisel would sit next to Morgan, and Porle would sit beside Rino.
Porle smiled faintly and placed the chair beside Rino and Mary before sitting down.
The atmosphere grew somewhat stiff with the arrival of the highest authority in the household, but Rino and Fleur looked pleased.
Rino seemed quite entertained by Morgan’s reaction, and Fleur was happy seeing his uncle and Marisel sitting side by side.
That night, Fleur went to bed earlier than usual.
He must have loved the party so much that even in sleep, he wore a smile.
He had said he would lie down for a moment before washing, but he fell asleep immediately. So they decided to skip washing him for the night.
Missing one wash would not cause any trouble, and it did not seem worth waking him from such deep sleep.
Thanks to that, I was able to wash early and finish my day sooner too. A win-win situation.
In any case, letting Fleur be the main character of the party had been an excellent decision.
He enjoyed it far more than I expected. He looked so happy…
My chest swelled so much I nearly cried.
There had been an unexpected situation when Rino and Morgan appeared, but overall, it was quite successful.
However, someone who I thought would leave quickly stayed for a full hour.
‘Wasn’t he busy…?’
Hmm… he had clearly been working. It was hard to understand how he could suddenly spare an hour. And strangely, he only stood up when Rino did.
‘Wait! Don’t tell me… does he like men…?’
Ah! No. In the original story, he fell madly in love with the female lead.
What a ridiculous thought.
‘Still, if he can suddenly spare one hour, doesn’t that mean he could secure two hours in advance?’
That was definitely a good sign.
I had been waiting for a chance to bring up the idea of a picnic. It seemed more possible than I thought.
‘I should ask Porle or Rino to arrange a meeting.’
But what did Rino mean when he said the more he got to know me, the more he desired me?
Just when I was about to ask him, Morgan appeared, and I couldn’t.
‘He’s never helpful.’
I can’t just go find Rino and ask him about that one sentence.
‘Could it be… that he likes me?’
Rino is certainly charming. He always smiles, understands women’s hearts, is kind, gentle, and socially skilled.
The problem is that he clearly has the traits of a playboy.
Which means he might not be reliable as a husband.
In my past life, I already experienced a man who was kind to everyone.
Of course, I was foolish enough to believe he was only kind to me.
So when someone like Rino approaches me, I can’t help but feel cautious.
It’s true—I have prejudice.
In my past life, after being strung along twice, I became too scared to date.
Sigh. The aftereffects were severe.
I naturally trust people easily, so at least I avoided something worse. But the wounds remained.
After that, I questioned everything, doubted everything, and sometimes constantly asked “why.”
Even though I’ve decided to live a new life now, it isn’t easy.
I feel like I won’t be able to date freely until I’m at least twenty-four.
But in this world, twenty-four is almost considered an old maid.
Well, they say even a straw sandal has its pair. I suppose I’ll have someone meant for me. I want to believe that.
If not, there’s always political marriage according to custom.
Seeing Marisel’s parents, who prioritize her safety and happiness above all else, that might not be so bad.
‘Wait. Should I ask what Marisel’s parents think of Rino?’
If they approve, maybe it’s fine?
…But honestly, asking that feels awkward. What if they think I’m interested in Rino and start pushing for marriage?
‘Ah, missing the chance to confirm it is frustrating in many ways…’
Heh.
‘What’s wrong with me? I must be living comfortably to have such luxurious thoughts.’
I laughed at myself.
Nearly three weeks passed after the party, and I did not see even a glimpse of Morgan.
During those three weeks, I successfully separated bedrooms from Fleur—but what kind of business trip lasts three weeks?
They said the southern outskirts were far away, and just traveling back and forth would take at least a week.
Still, he was supposed to return tomorrow. I should ask Porle in advance to arrange a meeting.
Just as I thought that, the first floor became unusually noisy.
‘What is it?’
Peeking down from the second floor, I saw Porle rushing toward the entrance, followed quickly by the servants.
“Did something urgent happen?”
I hurried down the stairs.
As I stepped off the last stair and looked up, Porle and the servants were lined up formally on both sides of the entrance.
At the same time, Morgan was handing his gloves and coat to Porle.
‘Wow! He’s back!’
I was so glad that I hurried over and joined in greeting him.
“You’re back?”
“…?”
But his reaction was cold. No—it even seemed displeased.
‘What? Did I make a mistake?’
I glanced at Porle.
Porle looked startled and troubled.
I immediately realized something was wrong.
“…Ah, Your Highness. I was simply happy to see you. Please forgive my rudeness.”
The only thing I could think of was that I had spoken too casually instead of using formal honorifics.
But strangely, his expression grew even colder.
On top of that, he looked at me with contempt and asked,
“Did you do it on purpose, knowing it was rude?”
“What? Absolutely not. I was truly just glad to see you. I will use proper honorifics from now on.”
“Honorifics?”
“Yes. I said ‘You’re back?’ instead of ‘Have you returned safely, Your Highness?’ Wasn’t that disrespectful?”
Morgan stared at me as if trying to bore a hole through my face.
I didn’t even know what I had done wrong. Under his cold, piercing gaze, I felt embarrassed and wronged.
I barely managed to suppress my mixed emotions when, thankfully, he withdrew his contemptuous stare, instructed Porle to prepare a light meal, and strode toward his office.
‘Phew…’
A sigh of relief escaped me.
The servants looked at me with pity. As time passed, embarrassment and humiliation slowly welled up, and I felt like crying.
‘What on earth did I do wrong?’
If he had just told me, I could apologize and fix it.
I felt unfairly treated and hurt.
After he completely disappeared from view, I grabbed Porle and asked,
“Porle, what did I do wrong?”
“Well… that is…”
Porle hesitated briefly, then leaned close and whispered the meaning of my action into my ear.
“What?!”
I was shocked the moment I heard it.
That behavior was something only the lady of the house would do.
All my hurt and resentment vanished instantly, and I understood Morgan.
‘Oh my goodness. No wonder his expression turned sour. He had every reason to look at me like that.’
But how could that simple greeting be interpreted that way?
Thinking back, the Baron and Baroness Manua did act like that—but I didn’t know only married couples were supposed to do so.
It seemed that the original Marisel had also been completely ignorant about such matters.
I had always declared I had no interest whatsoever—what must he think of me now?
He must believe that although I say I’m not interested, I’m secretly scheming for the Grand Duchess position.
How embarrassing. I wish I could crawl into a hole.
What if he suspects that the picnic plan for Fleur is also some kind of scheme?
That can’t happen…
Am I going to get kicked out?
No. Absolutely not!!
I must clear up this misunderstanding as quickly as possible.
“Um… Porle?”
“Yes. Please speak, Nanny.”
“I truly didn’t know it had that meaning. I don’t want His Highness to misunderstand me as a shameless woman aiming for the Grand Duchess position. I want to clear this up quickly. As you know, my heart is only focused on taking good care of Young Master Fleur, right?”
“Of course. I know that very well.”
Porle’s gentle affirmation felt incredibly comforting—like gaining an army of support.
“Thank you, Porle. For believing in me. So… could you arrange a meeting so I can clear up the misunderstanding?”
“Do not worry, Nanny. I will inform His Highness. And I hope the misunderstanding will be resolved smoothly.”
