The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 36

“Welcome, Lord Cornell.”

Swallow greeted the man who stepped down from the carriage with polite courtesy. More than ten other servants also gathered at the entrance to welcome him.

“Hmph.”

Count Cornell Supreme glanced around. The Marquisate of Sisley was near the border, and the marquis himself often humbly described it as a countryside estate far from the royal capital. However, among the nobles in this region—at least compared to the Supreme family—the marquis’s mansion was splendid.

Not only was the exterior and the garden well-maintained, but the interior was also furnished with elegant and refined decorations, all polished and cared for. In contrast, the Supreme estate suffered from a lack of harmony due to his wife’s impulsive shopping habits, which also strained their finances. As a result, they could only afford four visiting servants and one live-in servant. The difference was stark.

Cornell used to grumble behind the scenes, saying, “Couldn’t he spare a bit more money for us? We’re cousins, after all.” But now, things were different.

(Soon, this place will be mine!)

With a smug expression, he puffed out his chest and strode into the mansion. Once inside the marquis’s office, he dropped into a chair and even propped his feet up on the desk.

His manners were far from refined, but Swallow remained silent, lowering his gaze slightly.

“Hey, bring me some wine.”

“Yes, here it is.”

Swallow had already prepared wine and some light snacks. It was a usual request. Cornell took a sip of the wine and let out a satisfied sigh.

“Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve had this taste. I haven’t had any ‘duties’ recently, after all.”

Duties? He did nothing but boss around the servants, indulge in fine food and drink, and neglect his responsibilities—yet he had the audacity to speak as if he worked hard. Swallow swallowed his true feelings and kept a polite demeanor.

Young Master Ashley Dan was competent but lacked cunning due to his youth. Entertaining Cornell with a friendly smile as Swallow did now would be difficult for him. Luckily, Cornell had been kept away from the mansion for a while and remained unaware of Swallow’s retirement. For now, Swallow could continue to act as the head butler.

“Lunch has also been prepared.”

“Ah, bring it quickly.”

“Understood.”

As Swallow turned to leave, Cornell called out to him.

“Oh, by the way, bring me the Mammut hostage.”

For once, Swallow couldn’t immediately respond with a “Yes.” He froze.

“…Do you have business with the lady?”

“She married into the marquis family, yet she still hasn’t greeted me, the steward of this land. I’m generously willing to let her make up for this rudeness by pouring me a drink. I’m a gentleman, after all.”

Swallow’s smile vanished. Gentleman? What Cornell truly wanted was to humiliate Deborah, a former duchess, by making her serve him like a tavern girl—just to satisfy his petty pride and ego.

And he dared to act high and mighty simply because she was a hostage from a neighboring country while he was the marquis’s steward.

“Unfortunately, my lady has been unwell and bedridden since yesterday.”

“What a conveniently timed illness.”

“It is true. She was even unable to see her husband off this morning. You may greet her another time.”

“…Hmph. Fine, just bring the food.”

“Please wait a moment.”

Swallow smoothly exited the room, suppressing the urge to sneer. He wasn’t lying. Deborah had indeed been ill the previous day. Madam Lauren mentioned she had recovered that morning, but it was also true that she hadn’t been able to see the marquis off. And as for “another time,” that could be as far in the future as necessary.

The Marquis of Sisley had strictly instructed Swallow to keep Cornell away from Deborah. It was obvious that his womanizing cousin would take an interest in the woman praised as the most beautiful in the neighboring country.

(If only this visit ends quickly…)

Sighing softly, Swallow made his way to the kitchen. He had secretly hoped Cornell would come tomorrow instead.
Vit had scoffed at the idea, saying, “No way. That steward is practically drooling, waiting for his ‘duty’ to begin.”

So the chef had prepared a grand dinner in anticipation. Unfortunately, Vit had been right.

A steward, by definition, was responsible for governing the land in the lord’s absence. To prevent corruption, the kingdom required all stewards to be officially recognized by the noble council.

In the previous marquis’s time—Gary’s father—the role had been held by his brother, the previous Count Supreme.

He had dutifully performed his responsibilities, so when both families changed generations, the stewardship was passed down. Unfortunately, Cornell had not inherited his father’s diligence.

As a result, the Supreme estate was already declining. Cornell blamed his wife’s extravagant spending, but he was the one who chose such a woman. And if he had taken his duties seriously, the estate wouldn’t be in such dire straits. Swallow found it absurd.

Yet, getting rid of him wasn’t so simple. He was a state-appointed steward, and on top of that, he had fathered three sons and a daughter due to his womanizing ways.

The Marquis of Sisley had no heir. If things remained unchanged, one of Cornell’s children would inevitably be chosen as the successor.