The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 37

Ashley couldn’t hide his confusion. The woman in front of him also showed a hint of confusion on her face, just like he did. It was as if he were looking into a mirror. Even though they were completely different people.

“…Um, I think I’ll pass after all.”

The red-haired beauty averted her gaze and spoke to Lauren, the head maid. Ashley was there because Lauren had asked him to be.

“…I wouldn’t want to trouble Mr. Ashley.”

(Huh? What does she mean by ‘trouble’?)

The young butler was irritated, but he held it in, tightened his facial muscles, and forced a smile.

“It’s no trouble at all. I don’t think I’m worthy of being Lady Deborah’s dance partner, but I would be honored to help with practice.”

However, she was also an expert at fake smiles. It seemed she had seen right through Ashley’s act.

“No, this is just my selfishness… I would feel bad forcing you to go along with it.”

After a quick glance in his direction, she lowered her eyes. Ashley felt even more annoyed. He disliked how she went out of her way to say such things.

“So, you admit it’s selfish?”

“Mr. Ashley!”

Lauren raised her voice, scolding him. Ashley usually respected her, but he refused to back down on this.

“If you understand that, then why not just say outright, ‘Indulge my selfishness’?”

“Oh my.”

Finally, Deborah met his gaze, blinking her gray eyes as if she were genuinely surprised. That made Ashley’s irritation reaches its peak, and before he knew it, his anger boiled over.

“Is being indirect and playing coy the proper behavior of a noblewoman? I wouldn’t know, being just a countryman.”

Even as he spoke, another voice in his head was screaming, Stop. You’re going too far. But his tongue wouldn’t stop. His growing doubts and frustrations about Deborah had been piling up, and now, they had finally burst.

But did venting them make him feel any better? No, it didn’t.

(I messed up…)

Cold sweat formed on Ashley’s forehead. His master, the Marquis of Sisley, had strictly instructed him to treat Deborah with the utmost respect. And yet, he had just hurled insults at her in his master’s absence. This wasn’t just a mistake—it was a serious offense that could cost him his position.

He had been up since early morning, preparing for Count Cornell’s arrival, arranging for a messenger horse without raising suspicion while Swallow entertained him. Maybe that had put him on edge. But being frustrated was no excuse. As the head butler, he should have had better self-control. Ashley lowered his head, ashamed of his own immaturity.

But then, an unexpected response came.

“…I’m sorry. That wasn’t my intention, but I suppose it did come across that way. I apologize.”

“Lady Deborah!”

Ashley looked up in shock at the same moment Lauren tried to stop Deborah from bowing.

“No! Lady Deborah has nothing to apologize for! Mr. Ashley, apologize to her immediately!”

Ashley instantly placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply.

“I deeply apologize! I will accept any punishment!”

A bead of sweat ran down his face. No matter how much he apologized, no punishment could take back what he had said.

(I should have known that better than anyone…!)

Ashley clenched his teeth, overwhelmed by regret. He didn’t know how long he remained that way. It felt like an eternity, though in reality, it was probably less than ten seconds. Then, Deborah’s calm voice reached his ears.

“…No, I am a hostage. I have no right to be selfish, let alone punish anyone. Besides, I truly was at fault. Mr. Ashley kindly offered to be my dance partner, but I hesitated too much.”

(What does she mean…?)

The rustle of fabric entered his ears, and the hem of an elegant dress appeared in his lowered view. Deborah had stepped closer. Reflexively, Ashley lifted his head, only to find her standing within dancing distance.

The closer he looked, the more her face seemed flawless in its beauty. Yet, she wasn’t wearing her usual emotionless expression or her practiced smile. Instead, there was a faint, bittersweet emotion in her eyes.

Maintaining that expression, she stepped even closer and whispered in a voice so soft that even Lauren wouldn’t hear.

“Mr. Ashley… no, you hate me, don’t you? Or rather, you hate all people from Mammut. That’s why I thought holding my hand for a dance would be unbearable for you.”

At that moment, it felt as if Ashley had been struck by lightning.

Because her words were exactly right.