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Chapter 05
“I’m doomed.”
That thought hit Marisel the instant she heard Porre’s words.
Sigh. How could things go so wrong… all at once?
Her heart raced for reasons other than fear—it was almost like it wanted to cry.
Lino, who had been laughing heartily, gestured toward Marisel, who looked utterly defeated. His hand flicked between her and the full-length mirror. That snapped her out of her daze.
“Ah!”
She gave a small greeting to the mirror and faced it squarely.
Gasp.
How long had I been asleep?!
Her hair was disheveled. Tiny glimmering droplets clung to her lips.
She really wanted to cry. Just when she was supposed to look her best, this mess of a state!
Even when the sky falls, there’s a way out. Pull yourself together. Focus.
Marisel quickly tidied her appearance in the mirror and braced herself mentally.
Then, with renewed resolve, she stood before Morgan.
“Marisel Manua, I pay my respects to Your Excellency, Grand Duke.”
Her sudden shift in demeanor left the three observers in varied states: Morgan clicked his tongue, Lino looked briefly surprised before bursting into giggles again, and Porre stood dumbfounded, mouth and eyes wide.
“I… merely hope to rely on Your Excellency’s broad mercy while I experience the comfort and generosity of the Grand Duke’s household.”
She lifted the hem of her dress slightly and bowed.
Hmm? Why hasn’t he said anything yet?
Adjusting her posture, she looked up at Morgan. His low, icy voice pierced her ears.
“Sit there.”
Ugh!
The gaze, the imposing aura, the physique, the voice—exactly as she had remembered.
Ha… Marisel the homebody, not knowing she’s facing the top of the estate! What was I thinking?!
If Marisel had known more about the Grand Duke beforehand, she might not have messed up so badly. Utter disaster.
Wait! No… Morgan must know that the one he met that day is today’s interview candidate!
A flicker of hope surged. It wasn’t over until the end. Give it my all.
“State three reasons why you should become the nanny of the Grand Duke’s household.”
“Uh… yes… yes, sir…”
Marisel faltered for a moment at the sudden, direct question but quickly composed herself and answered from the household’s perspective.
“First, it benefits Prince Fleur. He is likely suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and selective mutism, requiring careful, continuous care.”
“Post-traumatic stress disorder? Mutism?”
Morgan furrowed his brow.
“Yes! These are symptoms that can arise after traumatic events or under extreme stress.”
“And you can resolve that?”
“It’s possible, if the conditions are right.”
“And if the conditions aren’t?”
“Then it’s impossible—but I know the conditions needed for healing.”
Morgan considered this, then asked for the second reason as a sign of tentative approval.
“Second, it benefits me, Grand Duke.”
“Benefits… you?”
A scoff escaped him, and the slight asymmetry of his smirk pricked at Marisel’s pride.
“Yes! Because I have zero interest in Your Excellency. That means Your Excellency will have no trouble or nuisance caused by me.”
Morgan’s frown deepened. It should have been a compliment, yet it somehow irritated him. Women’s flattery had been a constant annoyance since childhood—even nannies striving to please him over Fleur had been dismissed.
Could it be his tone and attitude that make it sting?
Oblivious to his inner thoughts, Marisel moved to the third reason.
“Third, I will be a firm cornerstone for the bright future of the Grand Duke’s household. Raising Prince Fleur well ensures a bright future for the household and, ultimately, the empire.”
She beamed, congratulating herself on a solid answer.
But Morgan didn’t let up.
“And on what basis can you guarantee that?”
Marisel took a deep breath.
“Skill comes from knowledge and experience. I am a well-prepared nanny with both. You’ll see once I put it into practice.”
She smiled confidently; it was the truth. Her knowledge of child rights and care, nearly unknown in this place, was extensive from her past life.
Morgan, however, doused her optimism with a chilling question.
“I heard you mostly stayed at home. How do you have both knowledge and experience? Are you deceiving me?”
Wait… he already knew I was a homebody?
Marisel panicked; she had relied too heavily on past-life experience.
“While at home, I studied numerous books on children and anthropology. At family gatherings, I was usually in charge of caring for the younger relatives. They all liked me very much.”
She added slight embellishment, hoping it sounded convincing.
Please… work!
Morgan’s suspicion remained as he pressed on.
“And what advantage do you have as a nanny?”
A trap question, perhaps.
Hmm… say it’s for the household only, and they’ll call it a lie. Say it’s for personal gain, and they’ll call it selfish.
Marisel paused to sound sincere, then answered:
“My advantage is my experience as a nanny in the Grand Duke’s household.”
“Experience as a nanny…”
Morgan muttered, almost sarcastically:
“Has the Viscount house really fallen that far?”
He mocked her former household immediately.
“Oh! No, I simply wish to marry someone I love. As a noblewoman, I would have to marry anyway when the time comes. Having a job gives me time.”
Marisel, flustered, spun her rationale quickly to fit her original view on marriage.
“Still talking nonsense, aren’t you?”
“Nonsense…?”
She finally understood—he meant she was a pampered noble trying to avoid her marital duties.
He’s right in this world…
But coming from someone at the pinnacle of power, it felt unfair.
“Depending on perspective, one might be full or hungry. I cannot choose my birth, so I simply make use of the opportunities available.”
Heat rose to her cheeks as she spoke, but she kept her composure.
“Repeating the same words as before, I see.”
“Before…?”
“A few days ago, in the marketplace.”
“Gasp!”
Marisel hadn’t expected that day’s incident to resurface here.
“I—I apologize. I did not know Your Excellency was present at the time…”
She bowed her head low.
“I think you would have done it even knowing,” Morgan remarked.
Her heart sank. She couldn’t lift her head.
Silence stretched. Her dry swallow echoed like a tragic overture.
She dared a glance at Morgan—his expression had gone cold, more like ice than anything human.
Ha… I’m doomed.
Then—
“Two days.”
“Yes… two days—what? Two days?”
“Can’t you understand? Prepare and be ready within two days.”
Marisel’s face lit up at last.
“Yes! I will be prepared within two days!”
A smile she couldn’t hide spread across her face.
Doomed! Wait… I’m… accepted! Momentarily.
She straightened her shoulders, brushing off her fear, and bowed to Morgan with respect.
“Thank you. Truly, your discernment is remarkable.”
“Pffft!”
Lino, who had been quietly observing, burst out laughing.
Marisel straightened fully, looking at him. Laughing to the point of tears.
Wait… what exactly is so funny?
She turned back toward Morgan, trying to understand his expression. A face like she’d bitten an eraser?
Then Lino giggled again.
“Our Excellency’s discernment is indeed remarkable. Heh heh heh.”
