The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 40

After that, the discussion between Marquis Gary Sisley and his mother, the former Marchioness, became quite heated. However, in the end, the marquis remained firm in his decision.

“I will never divorce Maggie. I won’t take a concubine either. If we need an heir, we can adopt one from the Supreme Earl’s family.”

The Marquis of Sisley adored his wife and had no intention of letting her go. The former Marchioness was exasperated. “I have nothing more to say,” she declared, packed her belongings, and left the estate.

Now, she lived in a room at the marquis’s residence in the royal capital. However, she no longer actively engaged with other nobles as she used to. Instead, she led a quiet life. Even so, whenever there were unavoidable social events hosted by the royal palace that the Marquis of Sisley had to attend, she accompanied him in Magdala’s place.

“If Maggie shows up, those gossip-loving busybodies will definitely pester her with questions like, ‘Do you still not have children?'”

Right before leaving for the royal capital, the marquis explained this to Daniel as the reason for not bringing his wife along. Daniel felt as if he had been thrown into a deep pit of regret. Even the former Marchioness, who had always been strict with Magdala for the sake of the marquis’s household, had ultimately withdrawn her demands and was supporting the couple from the shadows.

(And yet, I was such a selfish person…)

That time, when he thought Magdala might be divorced—when she called him “Dan”—his heart had soared. A woman he believed he could never have… he had dared to hope she might somehow fall into his hands. And this was the result.

Magdala had seen through his shameful thoughts, and he had only pushed her further into a corner. Since that day, she had been avoiding him. She did not openly show hatred, but she deliberately emphasized the relationship between mistress and servant. She also never allowed them to be alone together. Magdala would never again feel comfortable by his side.

Daniel wished he could simply disappear.

“Hey, Dan. Come with me for a moment.”

Later, he was called by Swallow and led to a quiet place. Swallow usually maintained the perfect demeanor of an old, kind butler. However, when alone with Daniel, he often spoke more casually. It was a sign that he cared for the younger man and had high hopes for him. But today, despite his relaxed tone, his eyes were sharp.

“You confessed your feelings to the mistress, didn’t you?”

“…You noticed?”

“Of course, I did. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Mrs. Lauren and even the marquis himself probably realized it too.”

“The marquis!?”

Daniel’s face turned pale. Swallow looked at him with a complicated expression.

“We all believed you would be able to control yourself and keep your feelings hidden. This is disappointing.”

“…”

“I know a noble family looking for skilled young servants. With your diligence and abilities over the past four years, you’ll be welcomed there. Shall I introduce you?”

Daniel bit his lip and hung his head.

“…Yes, please.”

“Then, once the marquis returns from the capital, I’ll proceed with the arrangements.”

After that, Swallow, forcing a cheerful tone, added with a teasing remark.

“Come on, if you work at an estate closer to the royal capital, you’ll surely meet a lovely girl. By the time you return here… you’ll have forgotten all about your first love.”

“! Swallow… Do you mean I can come back?”

“Of course. If I believe you’re ready.”

This wasn’t a dismissal. The head butler had simply judged that if Daniel and Magdala remained in the same household, they would both continue to quietly torment themselves.

Until Daniel could put his feelings for Magdala to rest, he would live apart from her. With that, the Marquis’s household would regain its peace—at least, that was the plan. But an unexpected interference shattered that expectation. At this time, the Marquis of Sisley was away at the royal palace.

“Someone! The mistress—!”

Daniel had never heard Mrs. Lauren scream like that before. Her face was so pale it seemed all the bl00d had drained from it as she ran toward them.

“The mistress is gone!!”

She clutched a simple note in her hand.

“Please, I beg you. Divorce me. Don’t look for me.”

—Magdala.

It was clearly written in her handwriting.

“Oh, this is my fault. I only took my eyes off her for a moment…!”

Daniel and Swallow calmed the hysterical, sobbing Mrs. Lauren and managed to get the details out of her.

Just earlier, the acting governor in the marquis’s absence, Earl Cornell Supreme, had visited Magdala’s room to greet her. With a sneering grin, he had said:
“I owe you my thanks. Thanks to you, my son will be the next marquis.”

Cornell’s eldest child was only three years old. When he proposed that his son be adopted into the Sisley family, he was more than happy to agree. However, he had also added:
“But don’t you think it’s cruel to separate a young child from his mother? Let’s wait until he’s a little older before bringing him over.”

Most likely, that was only half the truth. The other half was that he intended to brainwash the child, ensuring that he would obey him completely. That way, Cornell could control the marquis’s household himself.

Magdala had been devastated by Cornell’s words and had locked herself in her bedroom, weeping. Seeing this, Mrs. Lauren had stepped away briefly to prepare a soothing drink for her. But when she returned, all that remained was the note—Magdala had vanished.

Hearing this, Daniel felt his entire body boil with rage. He had never experienced such clear, murderous intent before. Of course, it was directed at Cornell. But also, at himself.

If he had kept his love for Magdala buried, she might have returned to Ollie’s home. But now, she couldn’t. She would know that Daniel would come after her. That’s why she had written, “Don’t look for me.”

He had taken away her last place to escape.