IGMDSML 24

 Chapter 24

The entire ride in the carriage, Morgan didn’t say a word, maintaining the same posture he had assumed at the start.

Perhaps it was better this way. Speaking might give him away, and with Fleur beside him, that wouldn’t be ideal.

Although he had chosen a place near the Grand Duke’s estate, it seemed like no time had passed before the carriage stopped.

There was a tapping sound from the coachman’s seat.

“Your Highness, we have arrived.”

The accompanying guards also signaled through the window that they had reached the destination.

“Prepare yourselves.”
“Yes!”

The ten or so guards who had come along began securing the carriages, horses, and unloading the outing supplies.

Morgan put on his coat and stepped out of the carriage first.

“Prince, please come this way.”

Maricel handed Fleur over to Morgan first.

Morgan naturally took Fleur in his arms.

The knights standing nearby formed a tight perimeter, almost overprotective, surrounding Fleur, the heir to the Grand Duke’s house.

It was Maricel’s turn. Just like when she got into the carriage, Morgan reached out his hand.

This time, Maricel gracefully placed her fingertips on his hand without hesitation.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Maricel felt strangely proud, as if she were a noble lady being formally escorted.

Receiving the Grand Duke’s escort was no small honor.

As the Grand Duke’s governess, she was thoroughly enjoying this privilege.

It wasn’t what she had aimed for, but she thought that someday it might make for a funny story to tell.

After all, judging by his appearance alone, he was a protagonist-worthy character:

A sculpted face, tall stature, and strong build.

Anyone escorted by him could boast about it.

Maricel pushed aside her brief admiration and took the final step out of the carriage, holding Morgan’s hand.

Then, a gust of wind whipped her skirt around, and she accidentally stepped on it.

‘Oh no!’

As she lost her balance, she instinctively pulled her hand from Morgan’s and stretched both arms forward.

Unfortunately, her arms weren’t enough to regain her balance—they were only to prevent her face from hitting the ground.

It was already too late to save her balance.

The split-second instinct was to protect her face.

Fleur’s expression showed shock, almost horror, at the scene.

The knights nearby frantically reached out their hands.

Why did these moments always seem to happen in slow motion? She felt utterly embarrassed.

Just as she thought she would hit the ground, it felt as if she were riding a Viking ship upside down—the ground arched forward and back.

There was no pain. Maricel simply dangled from Morgan’s firm arm as if she were hanging laundry.

“Phew.”

She exhaled in relief, glancing at the shifting ground.

‘Thank goodness. My face is safe.’

She couldn’t ruin her pretty face; that would also ruin Fleur’s picnic.

She turned to the owner of the strong arm that had become her lifeline.

Morgan’s sculpted face, his blue eyes reflecting the sky, looked down at her with a mix of surprise and relief.

‘Huh?’

Maricel’s thoughts stuttered like a buffering video.

She had expected him to scold her, but his reaction was unexpected.

“Uh… Your Highness… thank you.”

His arm was so large and strong that even when her stomach pressed against it or her ribs touched it, she felt secure.

Morgan carefully held her slim waist with both hands as he set her down on the ground.

Then, words she never imagined escaped his mouth.

“Are you alright?”

Maricel’s eyes widened to their fullest.

Heat rushed to her cheeks, and her heart began pounding.

“Ah… yes. Your Highness. Thanks to you holding me, I’m fine.”

She didn’t know if it was out of surprise, the comfort of his arm, or his unexpected kindness.

But one thing was certain: her face was surely burning red.

She turned her head, not wanting Morgan to see her flushed face.

“Alright. Then let’s go.”

Despite Maricel’s racing heart, Morgan’s response was calm and straightforward.

Fleur, who had been watching, spoke up, worried:

“Maricel, are you okay?”
“Yes, of course.”

Fleur tilted his head and asked again:

“Your face is red. Are you really okay…?”
“Oh, haha, yes. I’m just embarrassed and startled,” she whispered into his ear.

Fleur finally relaxed and smiled.

He spoke with pride, as if he had personally saved Maricel:

“I’m too small to protect you by myself, so your uncle will do it instead, just like now. You said you want to stay where we are, with me and uncle. Don’t worry. Your uncle will protect you.”

He seemed to genuinely believe he was her uncle, and he was her uncle.

“Now, let’s go, Maricel.”

Fleur held one hand of Maricel’s and one of Morgan’s, smiling with satisfaction.

The location Morgan had prepared had a small lake in the center, surrounded by an open grassy area.

A large willow stood near the lake, with low shrubs and flowering trees gathered nearby.

There were no large trees or bushes around, so a small number of guards could handle security.

Moreover, it was the Grand Duke’s private land, off-limits to outsiders.

Fleur ran straight to the lake, delighted with the surroundings.

Maricel chased after him.

“Prince, please slow down a bit.”

Suddenly, Fleur stopped.

“Maricel, there are dandelions here. White dandelions.”
“Ah! Really.”
“Let’s show uncle. Let him blow them too.”
“Okay, Prince.”

Fleur searched for white dandelions to give Morgan.

The little boy’s hands gradually filled with the delicate flowers.

“Is this enough?”
“Yes. Uncle would get bored waiting alone. Let’s go, Maricel.”

Maricel held Fleur’s tiny hand, humming softly as they headed to Morgan.

Morgan sat under the large willow, one knee up, his arm resting on it, looking effortlessly composed.

He looked like a living painting.

‘Wow. Truly a male lead. If only he weren’t taken…’

Maricel couldn’t help but admire him.

But he was like a painting she couldn’t touch—beautiful, but untouchable.

In this world, she had to survive without altering the original story, especially the love between the main male and female leads.

She needed to rely on the Grand Duke’s house until they were safe from Zelcova’s demons and their family was secure.

Showing any interest in the male lead could drastically change the story.

Morgan was naturally tempting just by existing, so she had to be careful.

“Uncle!”
“……!”

Morgan slowly turned his head toward Fleur’s call.

“Uncle, look! This is a white dandelion. If you blow it like this, see? It flies so beautifully. Maricel taught me. You try, Uncle.”
“Alright. It’s beautiful.”
“Here, Uncle.”

Fleur handed Morgan a dandelion, his little eyes wide with excitement.

Morgan blew gently, sending it flying. Fleur’s face lit up as if he had the whole world.

He handed Morgan another one.

Morgan smiled gently.

‘Hmm. Seems like today is the right day to bring this up.’

Watching Morgan’s fatherly smile, Maricel decided to speak up about what she had been planning to suggest for some time.

Together, Maricel, Fleur, and Morgan blew the dandelions toward the lake.

The flowers floated on the wind, heading toward the water’s edge.

Fleur noticed a dandelion about to land on the water:

“No! Dandelion! That’s not land. Fly farther, farther! You can do it! Don’t fall in the water.”

He cupped his hands like a trumpet to cheer it on.

The dandelion floated up on a gentle breeze and drifted far away.

“Wow!”

Fleur bounced up and down, clapping his hands with excitement.

‘Such a cute kid.’

Maricel laughed wholeheartedly at his adorable enthusiasm.

She turned to see Morgan’s expression and met his eyes.

He smiled brightly—not for any hidden meaning, but simply because the child was lovely, and perhaps, “You feel the same, don’t you?”

Morgan smiled back at her.

He realized he could no longer deny his feelings for Maricel.