The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 44

A little while ago…

Hearing the commotion outside the door, Deborah and Lady Lauren exchanged glances. It seemed that Ashley, Swallow, and another man—whose voice she didn’t recognize—were arguing. Deborah had a hunch that the unknown man must be the Marquis’s cousin. Instinctively, she stepped closer to the door.

“You mustn’t, Lady Deborah.”

With perfect timing, Lady Lauren smoothly blocked her path.

“But…”

The unusual tension outside made it impossible for Deborah to simply back down. As she hesitated, Ashley’s voice rang out through the door.

“I won’t let you hurt my lady ever again!!”

“!?!”

Deborah and Lady Lauren looked at each other once more. This time, a hint of confusion flickered across their otherwise expressionless faces.

Lady Lauren was puzzled by Ashley calling Deborah “my lady.” But for Deborah, that wasn’t the issue. Having endured countless insincere social interactions in the past, she instantly understood that in front of Count Cornell Supreme, it would be best to fully act the part of the Marquis’s wife.

What caught her attention was the phrase “ever again.”

(…Does that mean the previous lady was hurt?)

At that moment, she realized why she had been told not to leave the room and what Lady Lauren meant when she said, “I believe the master does not wish for you to meet that man.” She had already sensed that the people of the Sisley estate did not think well of Count Supreme, but she hadn’t expected such a past. Deborah was quietly surprised.

And once again, she thought about how unpredictable life could be.

In Mammut, she had been a duke’s daughter and the crown prince’s fiancée. Her beauty and refinement made her a role model and the envy of other noblewomen. Yet, no one had ever truly loved her.

On the other hand, Magdala—who had been cherished by many and seemed to have lived without much hardship in the Sisley estate—might not have had it so easy after all.

“Oh my, things have gotten quite lively here.”

At that moment, Deborah froze upon hearing a familiar voice from beyond the door. A deep, calm, and warm voice she could never mistake. It belonged to Gary Sisley, the Marquis, who should have left for the royal capital early that morning.

When she glanced at Lady Lauren, the woman looked slightly uneasy. The ironclad guard she had put up earlier had loosened just a bit. Seizing the opportunity, Deborah slipped past her, unlocked the door, and pulled it open.

A heavy metallic clang echoed in her hand. At the same time, from the gap in the opening door, she heard a faint voice: “…and you…”

As the door slowly swung open, Deborah’s eyes widened at the sight before her.

A man she had never seen before stood there.

His slightly plump figure and sagging jaw made it hard to believe he was younger than the Marquis. But judging by how Swallow—breathing heavily—and Ashley—who had collapsed to his knees, seemingly drained of strength—were right next to him, he could only be Count Supreme. Their disheveled clothing suggested they had been in a scuffle. And the only reason it had stopped was because someone who wasn’t supposed to be here had arrived.

“…My lord, welcome home…?”

“Ah, Deborah, I’m home.”

Her husband in name, the Marquis of Sisley, smiled gently.

“Gary, y-you… why are you here!?”

Cornell shouted, his voice shaking with anger. But the Marquis dismissed his outburst like a passing breeze.

“Why am I here? It’s true that I set off for the royal capital this morning. But my main goal was to consult with someone.”

He turned to the man beside him, who was dressed lightly and wore a cloak. Despite the tense atmosphere, the man remained calm, smiling as he nodded.

“But by sheer coincidence, I learned that the very person I needed to meet was heading this way for a falcon hunt in the neighboring territory. So, I changed my plans and decided to welcome him to my home instead…”

The Marquis’s voice dropped noticeably lower. His usually gentle sky-blue eyes now gleamed with a sharp, dangerous light.

“And this is what I come back to. Count Cornell Supreme, I’ve received numerous reports that you’re neglecting your duties as magistrate. But I never imagined you were physically assaulting my servants as well.”

“Ah… no, that’s…! He defied me, even though he’s just a servant…!”

The Marquis cut off Cornell’s excuse without hesitation.

“They are my servants, not yours. They act on my orders. Who is the one defying whom?”

“Ah…”

“And I clearly heard it. The head butler said, ‘I won’t let you hurt my lady.’ You reek of alcohol in the middle of the day. Were you planning to barge into my wife’s chambers?”

“No, that’s…”

Cornell tried to offer another excuse, but he fell silent.

At some point, the Marquis’s usual polite smile had disappeared, and a deep crease had formed between his brows. A quiet yet intense anger radiated from him.

“Ah…”

Cornell finally started trembling. Seeing this, the man beside the Marquis let out a small chuckle.

“Heh, Sisley, this is the first time I’ve seen you display your anger so openly. But I must say, this man is truly awful. The stench of alcohol alone proves he’s neglecting his duties as magistrate.
You might as well dismiss him right here.”

“W-what…!? You’re just an outsider! How dare you speak out of turn!? I am a magistrate appointed by the kingdom! What right do you have to interfere!?”

It seemed Cornell adjusted his attitude depending on who he was speaking to. Despite the fact that the man was the Marquis’s guest, he judged him by his simple clothing and assumed his rank was lower than that of a Count. With a newfound arrogance, Cornell snapped back.

The guest, however, merely widened his eyes before laughing again.

“What’s so funny!?”

“Ah, I’ve always wanted to say this at least once… Do you not recognize my face?”

“Huh!?”

“Heh, still don’t get it? But it wouldn’t be any fun if I just told you the answer. Lady of the house, do you recognize me?”

All eyes turned to Deborah.

For a brief moment, she hesitated. But she quickly composed herself, stepped forward gracefully, and lowered her head in a perfect lady’s bow.

“It has been a long time. I am honored to see you again, Your Highness, Prince Riold Shard Forks.”

“Indeed, it has been too long.”

Everyone except the Marquis and Deborah was utterly stunned to learn that the simply dressed man was actually the kingdom’s second prince.