The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 38

“Everyone, good work! I brought lunch!”

“Maggie!”

The sparse blue wheat swayed in the wind.

Standing in the vast green fields, a young woman in an off-white dress looked even more dazzling under the bright sunlight.

She carried two large baskets and ran towards Daniel and the others, who were working in the fields. Her smile was as radiant as the sun.

“I think today’s bread turned out well!”

“I’m looking forward to it!”

“The last one was burnt on the outside and raw on the inside.”

“Ahh, don’t remind me!”

“Hahaha!”

The adults teased her, making her blush, but she still laughed cheerfully. At the same time, she skillfully spread out a cloth under the shade of a tree and began taking out the lunch from the baskets.

The eleven-year-old Daniel watched her with a smile.

To an outsider, she might seem like just another farm girl or a servant working for some noble family. In reality, she was the daughter of the region’s lord—a true count’s daughter.

Magdala Ollie did not act like a noble because the Ollie family was poor.

This land had never been fertile, making farming difficult. On top of that, the region was surrounded by mountains, causing frequent storms.

Magdala’s grandfather, the previous Count Ollie, had tried to improve the land and irrigation. To fund these projects, he invested in what he thought was a promising opportunity, trusting an acquaintance. But it turned out to be a scam, worsening the family’s financial situation.

They had to dismiss most of their servants. The family members took care of everything themselves, from household chores to maintaining the estate and even farming.

Even then, they could not repay all their debts.

In the end, to protect their most important asset—the Ollie territory—they had to sell their second most valuable possession: the Ashley family’s viscount title and estate, which had been inherited by a branch of the Ollie family for generations.

Daniel’s father, who was originally supposed to inherit the Ashley title, had to give it up. Instead, it was sold to a wealthy merchant—Daniel’s uncle—who had married his father’s younger sister.

Daniel’s father smiled and said,
“It’s better than selling the Ollie estate. If we lost this land, many people would suffer. Besides, I was never suited to being a noble. I prefer working in the fields with everyone. But, I’m sorry, Daniel. Unlike me, you’re a smart boy.”

“That’s not true, Father. I like our life now.”

His father assumed Daniel was just being considerate and gave him a sad smile.

“You really are a kind boy.”

He patted Daniel’s head, but Daniel had spoken from his heart.

After losing their home, they moved into a smaller house near the Ollie estate, living alongside Magdala’s family.

Daniel saw Magdala, his cousin, as his real sister.

“Here, Dan. A little extra for you.”

As they sat under the tree eating lunch together, Magdala broke off half of her bread and handed it to him.

“But then you won’t have enough!”

“It’s fine. You’re still growing, so you need to eat more!”

“But you’re only three years older than me!”

As the two argued, the adults around them laughed.

“Oh well, here.”

“Go on, eat.”

“We can’t let the kids go hungry, can we?”

One by one, they each tore off a piece of their bread and gave it to Daniel and Magdala.

Daniel’s face lit up with joy.

He loved the warm-hearted people of this land. He loved the Ollie family.

He truly believed that wealth and titles didn’t matter, as long as they were happy.

…That’s what he thought.

Magdala looked like a completely different person in her white dress.

She had turned sixteen, and Daniel’s aunt, now the Viscountess of Ashley, had prepared the dress for her.

“Even a poor noble family should let their daughter experience a debutante ball.”

With that, she and her husband took Magdala away in a carriage to the ball.

Looking back, Daniel realized that his uncle and aunt might not have done it out of pure kindness.

The new Viscount Ashley, a former commoner, had bought his title and noble wife to expand his business. He probably saw Magdala as another opportunity to build connections with the aristocracy.

And his plan worked.

A powerful noble, Marquis Sisley, proposed marriage to Magdala.

“This is just selling her off,” Daniel muttered as she prepared for her wedding.

Magdala laughed brightly and stood beside him.

At some point, Daniel had grown taller than her.

“No, Dan. I’m marrying by choice. I’ll never get a better offer than this.”

Marquis Sisley’s proposal came with financial and material support for the Ollie family.

Not only did he provide money, but he also sent workers to resume the long-stalled irrigation project. He even offered information to help improve the farmland.

Even so, Daniel couldn’t accept it.

“This is just like what happened with Aunt. You’ll be stuck dealing with those aristocrats for money.”

“Maybe so, but…”

Magdala hesitated, and Daniel watched her closely, hoping she might show some regret.

But instead, her cheeks flushed, and she fidgeted before whispering,
“The marquis said I don’t have to socialize if I don’t want to. He’s very kind and… wonderful.”

“!!”

Daniel was stunned.

And then, realizing his own reaction, he was even more shocked.

Without a word, he turned and left.

“Dan? I still have more to tell you. The marquis—”

Magdala’s voice followed him.

Usually, her voice felt like a warm blanket.

But now, it felt like a heavy weight pressing down on him.

Dragging his feet, he made his way back to his room and closed the door.

Leaning against it, he felt something warm run down his cheeks.

“Sis… Maggie…!”

Only then did he finally understand.

He had never seen her as just a sister.

He loved her as a woman.