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Chapter 35
“Annoying.”
Morgan frowned.
As Kaden Ryder finished his introduction, Maricel smiled at him, and Kaden returned the smile.
Even though they both knew it was just the customary exchange of greetings, Morgan felt a surge of displeasure.
But Kaden was different. He was looking at Maricel with a distinctly romantic interest.
The thought of those insolent eyes harboring ill intent made Morgan’s blood boil, and he had a fierce urge to pull them out and throw them away.
And there was something else—Maricel had smiled politely, as one usually does, but it wasn’t just a formality. That thought made him anxious and unsettled.
What if she actually gave him attention? What if she saw him as a man?
‘Surely, she doesn’t have a thing for some parasite like him.’
By all appearances, Kaden was far from a parasite; he was a fine young man.
But in Morgan’s eyes, he looked like a pest.
Morgan glared at Kaden for no reason and finally spoke.
“Alright. That’s enough greetings. Coordinate the schedule with Maricel. Maricel, inform me once it’s set. That will be all. Good work.”
“Yes…”
Maricel answered, eyes wide.
Her name, which had never properly been spoken aloud before, now came from his mouth for the first time—right in front of several new people.
Though her name was officially hers and could be used, hearing it from him felt oddly personal.
Her face heated instinctively, and she touched her cheek. Fortunately, there was no real warmth.
‘Hah… this is quite strong.’
Her heart might start pounding if she lingered on it too long, so she quickly addressed the group.
“Shall we sit and discuss the schedule?”
She rang a bell, requesting refreshments suitable for both Fleur and the adults.
Fleur also sat at the large round table.
“Um… will the young lord also participate in the meeting?”
Riley Rendon hesitated for a moment before asking.
“Yes… since these are the lessons the young lord will receive, I thought he should attend and offer his opinions.”
Maricel answered cautiously.
“Oh… yes, that makes sense…”
Riley spoke shyly, a little embarrassed.
“Of course. As the main participant, he shouldn’t be absent. Haha.”
Elias Xavier added with a gentle smile, looking remarkably kind.
Veronica said nothing, simply observing Maricel, her gaze filled with an unmistakable curiosity.
Kaden, too, watched Maricel with intense interest.
It was their first time conducting a lesson-related meeting with a child involved.
Veronica was curious—Maricel had effortlessly secured the position of nanny for the grand ducal heir.
They knew she was the only daughter of the Manuah marquis family, had reportedly changed after a serious illness, and, of course, she was beautiful.
How could someone with such looks not appear in society? Any man would be captivated.
Her presence exuded a unique charm, unlike any young noblewoman in the empire.
And who would ever think to include a child in a meeting of adults?
Even if the child were the grand ducal heir, meetings were traditionally for adults only in the empire.
No one dared to challenge that.
Yet she included the child so naturally and without hesitation.
Even from their expressions, it was clear how much respect the young lord received as an individual.
The answer was already evident from this single event.
And Morgan’s gaze upon Maricel spoke volumes.
‘The grand duke will never let her go.’
“Very well. Shall we hear the young lord’s opinions?”
Veronica gathered her brief contemplation and spoke.
“Yes. Please share which subjects you would like to have and at what times, young lord.”
Kaden added.
Fleur placed his index finger on his chin, furrowing his brows as he pondered deeply.
“I…”
He expressed his opinions openly and honestly.
The four excellent tutors listened carefully and coordinated their schedules as best they could.
Even though it took a long time, Fleur showed no signs of boredom, absorbing every word.
‘He’s going to be something remarkable.’
How could a child focus so intently without being distracted by adult conversation?
He had the makings of a leader.
‘A prodigy from the start, indeed.’
Maricel had to let go of the prideful notion that her own efforts alone had made Fleur grow so well.
“Then I think we can conclude today’s meeting. What do you think?”
“It’s a shame, but I suppose so.”
“Yes. There will be more opportunities to meet in the future.”
“It has been an honor meeting you today.”
“I look forward to what comes next.”
Elias, Kaden, Riley, and Veronica each gave short remarks, then rose and left.
Maricel and Fleur walked with them to the entrance.
Elias, Riley, and Veronica bowed lightly as a farewell and departed the ducal residence.
But Kaden bowed politely to Fleur and extended his hand to Maricel.
He intended a gentlemanly greeting.
Maricel had no reason to refuse, so she took his hand.
Kaden held her hand and pressed his lips to the back of it, gazing at her mysterious violet eyes.
His gray eyes studied hers intently, trying to read her.
But Maricel’s mind was occupied with an entirely different thought.
‘I haven’t washed my hands… he’d better move his lips away quickly.’
She muttered internally that these knightly or gentlemanly greeting kisses weren’t exactly hygienic.
Having a man’s lips touch bare hands didn’t feel particularly pleasant either.
She thought further: if someone she disliked did this, it would be horrifying.
‘This greeting is really unpleasant. But I suppose I’ll just have to deal with it in this world.’
While Maricel was internally complaining about imperial etiquette, Morgan, deeply focused on his work, heard the noise from beyond the window and stood up.
“The schedule must be set by now.”
He watched the group outside the window with arms crossed, emotionless.
Just as everyone began leaving, he noticed Kaden linger, approach Fleur and Maricel, and kiss Maricel’s hand.
Morgan immediately felt the urge to jump down and strike that filthy mouth.
But he couldn’t.
Was it because of the dignity of being a grand duke?
No. He was afraid of Maricel disliking him.
‘Hah… I shouldn’t have left that guy in here.’
As his worry came true, he regretted it again.
He felt uneasy, as if he had brought trouble into the house.
‘It’s fine… still, I’m stronger than him. Maricel likes my body, after all.’
Even as Morgan spoke the words aloud, he felt shame and self-disgust.
How could Maricel focus only on his body and not his face? And how could he love a woman like that so intensely?
It was beyond comprehension. He could only accept it.
After Kaden left, Morgan tried to sit and focus on work again—but he couldn’t.
He couldn’t stop thinking about that pest kissing Maricel’s hand.
He stood abruptly.
Running a few laps in the training yard seemed the only way to clear his mind.
He strode out and flung the door open in anger.
“Eh?! Wha—”
Maricel, who had been about to knock, was caught off guard by the suddenly opening door and nearly fell forward.
Instinctively, Morgan caught her effortlessly with one arm.
Maricel, expecting to tumble, clung to his solid arm and let out a relieved sigh.
Morgan’s lips twitched as he looked at her in his arms, inexplicably light and clear-hearted.
‘Is this supposed to feel this good?’
At that moment, Maricel stepped away from his arm, regained her balance, and said,
“Your Highness, thank you. I really thought I would have fallen.”
She scratched her neck awkwardly, smiling softly.
‘…?’
Morgan’s heart thumped violently. She had only smiled… yet it struck him like a star embedded in his chest.
“Your Highness, are you uncomfortable?”
Seeing his flustered expression and lost gaze, Maricel asked with concern.
“Oh, no. But… what’s going on?”
Darn it. He hadn’t meant to speak such foolish words…
He wanted to ask if she was okay, if she had been hurt…
Morgan felt utterly pathetic.
“I came to give you a quick word, but if you were about to leave, I can come back later.”
Maricel said casually.
…Come back later.
That was unacceptable.
