The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 31

At her family home, the Mauzy Ducal House, Deborah was expected to be perfect in every way to become the crown princess. From a young age, she studied hard and learned proper manners. If she made a mistake, she was criticized, but even if she did things perfectly, she was never praised. From her parents and brothers, all she ever heard was, “This much is only natural for you.”

To her father and brothers, Deborah was not a beloved daughter or sister. She was merely a tool to secure a place in the royal family. And because she was just a tool, they could easily cast her aside and send her out of the country.

The former crown prince, Aaron, was the same. Even when he treated her arrogantly, Deborah played the role of a devoted fiancée. …Did Aaron see through her act? Or was it simply his natural foolishness? She would never know. But he never once spoke kind words to her, treating her like a convenient tool.

Deborah was never so dull as to be unaware of all this.

She deliberately pretended not to notice. No matter what was said to her, no matter what happened, she would not let her heart be shaken. Behind her beautiful, polite smile, she became an unfeeling tool. Since she was just a tool and not treated as a person, she had no value unless she was useful. At some point, she began to believe that she was someone who would never be loved by anyone.

That was why she tried to be even more perfect and composed so that she wouldn’t be seen as worthless. And when Aaron broke off their engagement, she made sure to secure her remaining value to the Mauzy family, ensuring they would not completely abandon her.

But then—

“…Lady Deborah, let’s pretend I never heard what you just said.”

At Swallow’s words, Deborah snapped back to reality and immediately tried to dismiss what he said.
“No, you must listen to me!”

It was a tone completely different from the hesitant way she had been speaking at the Sisley estate. There was no doubt in her voice. She spoke as a noble lady addressing a servant—someone who would not and could not be denied. At this moment, she had reverted to the emotionless doll she had been in her homeland.

However, Swallow remained unfazed. He, too, had slipped back into the role of the kindly old butler.

“I believe you are not in a calm state of mind right now, my lady. Your health should come first. Once your body recovers, your thoughts may become more positive. Let’s talk about this again another day.”

“…”

Deborah fell silent. She was healthy—but she could not say that, not in more ways than one. The old butler took her silence as agreement.

“Then, if you have no other requests, I shall take my leave.”

Saying this, he opened the door and called for Shelly, who was waiting outside.

“Shelly, Lady Deborah seems to be quite weak. She may be exhausted.”

“What?!”

Shelly rushed inside and, upon seeing Deborah’s pale face, immediately understood.

“Oh no! Lady Deborah, you mustn’t push yourself! Please, get some rest!”

She gently fluffed the pillow and carefully laid Deborah down. Then, holding one of Deborah’s hands, she spoke cheerfully to encourage her.

“I’m in charge of watching over you tonight. I’ll be here the whole time, so you don’t have to worry!”

“Eh…”

At the warmth of Shelly’s hand, Deborah was reminded of the past. The only person who had ever held her hand when she was truly sick was her nursemaid.

Unlike her nursemaid, her own family—who shared her bl00d—had never once stayed by her side or shown concern.

All they ever said was, “Stay away, or you’ll spread the illness,” or, “Get better quickly and catch up on your studies.”

The mask of the emotionless noble lady she had shown to Swallow crumbled. Her voice trembled slightly as she called Shelly’s name.

“She… Shelly…”

The people here were different. They saw Deborah as a person, not a tool. Even if she made mistakes, they forgave her with a smile. They told her she didn’t have to force herself to smile. When she was sick, they worried about her.

Even though she was of no use to them. Even though she came from an enemy nation that should have been despised.

Tears spilled from Deborah’s eyes once more.

“Th…ank y…ou…”

“You’re very welcome!”

Outside the door, Swallow heard Deborah’s tearful words. Without making a sound, he gently closed the door and left.

“…”

He briskly walked down the corridor and soon found the current head butler.

“Ashley, where is Lord Gary?”

“He has already retired for the night to prepare for tomorrow.”

“I see.”

After confirming there was no one around, Swallow dropped his formal tone, speaking like a retired butler.

“…Sorry, Dan.”

“I told you to stop calling me that!”

“Well, I just wanted to apologize for misjudging you the other day. No wonder you were having a hard time.”

“Are you talking about Lady Deborah?”

Swallow’s face twisted into a strange expression—both confused and somewhat amused.

“What is with that young lady? She looks perfect. She’s not just smart—she’s above average, really. But she has this ridiculous sense of self-sacrifice. No wonder people in her country call her ‘the kind-hearted saint who became a hostage of her own will.’”

“That’s what I’ve been saying! That strange attitude of hers is just an act. She must be planning something.”

“No.”

Swallow shook his head.

“I think Lord Gary’s view is more accurate. It’s not that she’s plotting something—rather, something has happened that makes her unable to show her true self. That guilt only fuels her self-sacrificial behavior.”

“Something happened? What do you mean?”

“Who knows?”

“Ugh! You always do this! Stop making fun of me!”

The old man chuckled—not a polite, practiced laugh, but a genuine one.

“Sorry, sorry. I wasn’t making fun of you. I don’t understand it either.”

“Even you don’t?”

“You give me too much credit. Just because I’m old and have plenty of life experience doesn’t mean I know everything.”

With that, he took a breath and spoke again.

“I’ve never met anyone like her before. She keeps her face perfectly expressionless, like a doll. And yet, deep inside, her emotions rage like a child’s.”