The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 1

At the Marquis de Sisley’s mansion in the neighboring country, where I was brought as a bride, completely disregarding my own will.

Deborah was sitting on a sofa across the table from the owner of the mansion in the parlor. In front of her were beautiful tea sets, fragrant black tea, and delicious-looking sweets. Just by looking at this, one might think she was being welcomed.

…but.

“Miss Deborah”

“Yes”

“I will never love you. You know it, but you are a hostage of our country.”

Deborah had just met the man who would become her husband and was hit with harsh words, accompanied by a smile. The words came from Marquis Gary Sisley, who was 13 years older than Deborah and a ruggedly handsome man with a well-suited light brown beard.

Until she came here, Deborah was completely convinced that she would be married off to a lecherous, greasy old man with a round belly and be used as a plaything. However, she was utterly taken aback by the Marquis of Sisley’s handsome appearance, followed by his words.
…No, even if he looks like a handsome older man on the outside, on the inside, he’s still a lecherous old man, and I might end up being his plaything. Deborah pondered for a moment on how to bring it up, touching her cheek with her fingertips and tilting her head.

“Miss Deborah, is something wrong?”

“Um… I’m very sorry to bring this up, but…”

“What’s up? Go ahead and tell me.”

The Marquis of Sisley narrowed his sky-blue eyes gently. His voice and manner of speaking contained a warmth that seemed to ease the tension. Feeling this, Deborah decided to boldly ask her question.

“You just said that you won’t love me.”

“Ah”

The marquis replied briefly, exuding a nuance that it was only natural, and took a sip of tea.

“Does that mean that while our hearts will never truly connect, our bodies will at least come together?”

“Whoa!?”

At Deborah’s words, the marquis spat out his tea, his eyes going from white to black… no, blue, and he started coughing.

“Mr. Gary!”

“Master!”

The butler and the woman in a maid outfit, who had been waiting, rushed over. The butler rubbed the back of the coughing marquis, while the woman glared at Deborah, offering a handkerchief to the marquis’s lips.

“You, what have you done! Those words are an insult! To call my husband… like a beast!”

“……No, it’s fine. Mrs. Lauren.”

The Marquis de Sisley let out a sigh. Then, with a wry smile, he turned to face Deborah.

Three laugh lines were etched at the corners of his eyes.

“Miss Deborah, I told you earlier. You are a hostage. If I were to harm a hostage, their value would greatly decrease. Besides, I only love my deceased wife. That’s why I was the right person to take care of you.”

“Well, so that’s how it was.”

Deborah blinked rapidly with wide-open eyes, and with an expression that seemed utterly innocent, she made an excuse interspersed with a little lie.

“There are indeed many couples in the world who have children even without love, but I found it a bit strange to speak so openly about it from the very first meeting. I am very sorry.”

After apologizing, Deborah continues her questions to the marquis.

“Then, it seems that the Marquis and I will have a white marriage.”

“Oh, that’s right. It’s not just that. You can’t walk around freely, and you can’t easily contact your homeland. Of course, your family and friends can’t visit you either.”

“……Yes, I understand.”

Deborah nodded. Her gray eyes were as beautiful as glass beads, but they seemed to be looking far away, making it impossible to read her emotions. However, in reality, her heart was troubled and suffering from the marquis’s words, but she was determined not to let the people of this country perceive it.

“Then, let me show you to your room. …But first, Mrs. Lauren.”

“Yes”

“You just called me ‘you’ earlier. Using such words is not like you at all.”

The middle-aged maid mixed a slight bitterness into her Noh mask-like face.

“I appreciate how well you have served Maggie. However, from today, this Miss Deborah has become my wife. Is it selfish of me to wish for you to serve her in the same way?”

“……Understood.”

Mrs. Lauren bowed respectfully to Deborah. However, she carried a cold air about her.

“Lady Deborah, I am Lauren, the head maid. Please forgive me for the great rudeness I committed earlier.”

“No, it’s only natural because I also said something strange.”

“Excuse me. Then, I will guide you to your room.”

Mrs. Lauren leads the way to the door. Deborah stands up and gives a graceful greeting to the Marquis.

“Well then, excuse me. Marquis Sisley, I look forward to working with you from now on.”

“Ah”

When the two left the parlor, the marquis and the butler who remained opened their mouths while staring at the closed door.

“Ashley, what did you think?”

“…Would it be alright if I said something that might be a bit inappropriate?”

“Ah, I don’t mind.”

“She’s an outrageous vixen, isn’t she?”

Marquis Sisley burst out laughing and broke into a smile.