The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 19

The next day, Deborah played the piano again. Her skill was quite impressive, and all the servants were captivated by her sound. Even Ashley, who usually looked at Deborah with suspicion, was taken in. According to him, “There is no distinction between high and low in music.”

And the marquis too. When Deborah was playing the piano, he showed up in the music room. Then Deborah switched to a gentle tune again.

Although the two did not exchange words, the marquis sat leisurely, enjoying the music and tea while looking at Deborah with gentle eyes. Deborah occasionally glanced back at the marquis. Martha, who was present, noticed the look in her eyes and thought, “Oh.”

There is an expectation behind it. It is very similar to the time when her husband presented a new dish to Martha for tasting and said, “Give me your honest opinion,” while secretly hoping to hear the word “delicious.” Martha wondered. What is Deborah expecting?

When the song ended, everyone present applauded.

“Wow, amazing. Miss Deborah is a master at the piano.”

“That’s nothing, really.”

Even when praised by the marquis, Deborah, who is always modest, does not break her usual lady-like smile.

Martha finds it increasingly puzzling. Didn’t Deborah want to be praised? Or does she need to receive more enthusiastic applause to be satisfied?

“I want to be of service to you, Your Grace, and everyone else, but this is all I can do.”

“This isn’t it. This is something only you can do in this mansion… That’s right.”

Marquis Sisley smiled.

“If Miss Deborah doesn’t mind, could you continue playing the piano occasionally? For example, once a week on a set day.”

“Eh…”

Deborah’s eyes widened. It was an unexpected request. What Deborah had hoped for was a way to alleviate the sadness the marquis was harboring. Thinking about what she could do, she played the piano, hoping to at least provide some comfort through music, but the marquis asked her to play regularly from now on. A joy beyond her expectations slowly spread in her chest. Deborah leaned forward and answered.

“……Yes! With pleasure!!”

At that moment, Martha thought, “Ah, so this is it.” Even if the others didn’t think that deeply, they must have noticed Deborah’s change. Shelly, Ashley, Mrs. Lauren, and the Marquis too. Everyone’s eyes widened, and they froze as if time had momentarily stopped.

It was, to put it metaphorically, the moment when a deep crimson rose, accompanied by a fragrant aroma, splendidly bloomed.

From the forced smile until then, her cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkled with joy, and her red, glossy lips parted.

Her voice was as lively as a child’s. She was not a perfect noble lady like a doll. She was a very beautiful, still young woman with a human soul.

“If this performance is to your liking, not just once a week, but every day!”

“……Every day, huh? That’s nice. But I hope it doesn’t become a burden for you.”

“This is a piece of cake for me.”

“I see. Then on days when there are no special tasks, let’s have you play before afternoon tea. That way, many of the staff can relax and enjoy your music during their break.”

“Yes!”

Deborah responds cheerfully, her joy evident in her voice, without noticing the surprise of those around her at her change.

When everyone was about to leave the music room, Marna quietly spoke to Mrs. Lauren. The two of them left Deborah with Shelly and stayed behind in the music room.

“What on earth is going on?”

“Ms. Lauren, it’s about Lady Deborah… Don’t you think Lady Deborah wanted a ‘role’ within this mansion?”

“Huh?”

“Lauren, you saw it too, right? Lady Deborah’s face just now. I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

Mrs. Lauren was also surprised by this. Her vivid, radiant smile. It wasn’t a full, beaming smile. Nevertheless, the contrast with her previous blank expressions and forced smiles, combined with her beauty, made it quite impactful.

“When she was praised for the piano, she was the usual Deborah, but the moment she was given the role to play, she changed completely. So, I wonder if she wanted a ‘role’…”

“Ah, indeed.”

Mrs. Lauren also understood. Deborah had a habit of suddenly pretending to be a maid or throwing herself into kitchen chores, which was unbecoming of a noble lady, and she was not only unaccustomed to these tasks but completely inexperienced. Moreover, she had also said this to Mrs. Lauren.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“If only I could manage this mansion as the lady of the house…”

“I feel guilty just sitting quietly and relying on everyone. I want to be able to help in any way I can.”

Deborah had been saying that all along, hadn’t she? We just couldn’t take her words at face value and thought it was strange or that there was some hidden meaning. Of course, it is strange. It’s rare for a former duke’s daughter and current marchioness to say she feels “sorry” for being treated like just another servant.

Their previous mistress, the late Magdala, was indeed a “rare” person. She would laugh and say, “Being a marquise doesn’t suit me!” and would casually talk to the servants. “Agriculture is the main source of income for the Sisley estate, right? Then I should work too!” She didn’t hesitate to get muddy while tilling the fields with the gardener and the villagers. However, this was simply because she came from a poor rural count family and brought her customs from before her.

However, Deborah is different from Magdala. Her beauty is indeed so unique that it can be said to be one of a kind, but her demeanor and behavior are those of a “not unusual” noblewoman… no, more like a model for everyone to follow. Yet, what comes out of her mouth is nothing but “unusual” things. It’s utterly mysterious. But what is most mysterious of all is…

“But that’s strange, isn’t it?”

“Huh?”

Confident in her own thoughts and slightly smug, Martha would soon find herself even more troubled by a new question. This was because Mrs. Lauren had said so.

“If you want a ‘role,’ isn’t being a ‘hostage’ enough? That’s the greatest value, after all.”

“Ah!”

Martha had gotten quite close. However, it was impossible to imagine that Deborah actually had no value as a hostage. Therefore, this question was completely beyond her understanding, and Mara felt like she was getting a fever from thinking too hard, eventually giving up on the matter.