The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 54

“Learn embroidery from Deborah here. Come to this mansion once or twice a week at a set time and day. We will prepare the necessary tools and materials.”

“Wait, wait a minute!”

The father and son were both stunned, their eyes widening in shock. The mother, too, covered her cheeks with both hands in surprise. But after a moment, as if realizing something, she cautiously spoke.

“…My lord, are you saying this child should do embroidery? Tom has never done needlework before!”

“Yes, but it doesn’t have to be only him. A family member can come in his place, or even join him. Two or three of you can learn together if you’d like. However, all the adults in the household already have daily tasks to attend to, don’t they?”

The marquis’s words hit the mark. The three of them tensed for a moment before exchanging awkward glances. The father sighed and spoke.

“…It’s true. Tom’s older siblings all have their daily duties. My wife and I also have farm work, so we don’t really have time to sit around doing embroidery…”

“Then, it’s decided that he will do it?”

“But he’s a boy! A man doing embroidery won’t work out!”

“Well, you won’t know until you try. If it doesn’t work out, he can switch places with his sister.”

“Why are you so insistent on embroidery…?”

The father looked puzzled, but the marquis simply smiled.

“There are a few reasons. First, Deborah here is a skilled embroiderer. If you learn from her, you’ll be able to make whatever you like—handkerchiefs, hat decorations, anything.”

“Well… that’s true, but…”

“Secondly, I just received some information yesterday. Embroidered dresses are starting to become popular among the high-ranking nobles in the royal capital.”

“Huh? And that means…?”

Their faces clearly showed confusion. The fashion trends of the nobility had nothing to do with commoners like them—normally.

“The trends among the royal family and high-ranking nobles eventually spread to the lower nobility, then to wealthy merchants who cater to them, and finally, they often become popular among the townspeople as well.”

“I see…”

Since the parents were primarily farmers, trends and merchants were foreign topics to them. But as the marquis continued, they finally began to understand.

“…In other words, high-quality embroidered fabric is likely to sell well in the near future. If you learn embroidery now, you’ll be able to take advantage of that trend.”

“!!”

“A… Ah!”

Tom’s family had many children, and despite working hard together, they were still struggling with poverty. The marquis and Deborah were offering them an opportunity to earn extra income outside of farming.

“So, it doesn’t have to be just him. Any of you can learn embroidery, or all the women in the family can learn from Deborah. However, Deborah seems to have another idea in mind.”

Saying this, the marquis gave Deborah a quick wink. Startled by the sudden shift in attention, Deborah blushed faintly, her cheeks tinged with pink. Hesitantly, she spoke.

“Um… It’s true that embroidery is not common among men. But there are men who do needlework for a living.”

“Huh?”

Tom’s family had never heard of men working with a needle. However, as they looked around uncertainly, their eyes all landed on someone standing behind Deborah. Following their gaze, Deborah turned and saw Shelly, who was grinning and struggling to suppress her smirk. She raised her hand slightly.

“Um, may I answer?”

“Of course, Shelly. Do you know the answer?”

“Yes! Shoemakers!”

Shelly answered proudly.

“There was a shoemaker in my neighborhood when I was little. I once got to see his workshop! He would punch holes in tanned leather and sew the pieces together with thick needles and thread. That’s tough work that requires a man’s strength!”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Encouraged by Deborah’s confirmation, Shelly puffed out her chest in pride. But actually, that wasn’t the answer Deborah had in mind.

“…But there’s another example—tailors.”

“Tailors?!”

“There’s no way someone as uneducated as us could do that!”

The mother protested—not out of defiance, but because the idea seemed too daunting. However, Deborah simply smiled gently.

“Is that really the case? He’s still young. If he learns reading, writing, math, and embroidery now, wouldn’t he have a good chance of becoming a tailor’s apprentice when he grows older?”

“!?”

Tom’s older siblings were already near adulthood and had settled into their jobs. Even if they learned embroidery now, it would only be a side job at best. But Tom still had a future full of possibilities.

“Besides, I’ve heard he’s already working as a butcher’s errand boy. If he can handle that responsibility, he might be able to do other jobs as well.”

“…”

It was an unexpected suggestion—but it wasn’t impossible. The parents were left speechless.

Deborah turned to Tom once more.

“Of course, if you truly wish to become a butcher’s deliveryman in the future, then let’s forget this conversation ever happened.”

“…”

The boy had been in shock throughout the conversation. He blinked several times, his eyes fluttering rapidly. Then, his gaze slowly lowered, and he clenched his hands tightly against his trousers.

Everyone, including his parents, the marquis, and Deborah, silently watched him.

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I knew it was a strange suggestion…”

“No! That’s not it! I’m sorry!!”

Deborah was cut off again.

“I… I was mean to you… But… thank you…”

His voice trembled as he spoke. His face was flushed red, and his eyes were on the verge of tears. His mother hugged him tightly, her own eyes welling up as she turned to Deborah.

“…Madam, this is a truly generous offer. But wouldn’t we just be spoiling him?”

“Ah, fufu.”

Deborah let out a small chuckle.

“Spoiling him? I think you might be misunderstanding something.”

Mrs. Lauren’s eyebrow twitched. Deborah’s expression had changed—it was the same mischievous look she had when she teased Shelly and Anne that morning.

“If he learns embroidery from me, I don’t think you’ll see it as spoiling anymore.”

“Huh?”

“You see, in my homeland, all my teachers were extremely strict. It was expected that I would excel in everything. If I failed, I was harshly scolded.”

Everyone was too stunned to speak.

The people of the marquis’s household, in particular, felt a strange sense of understanding. Deborah’s exceptional skills in piano and embroidery, her flawless handling of Prince Riold’s sudden visit, and even her disappointment when she failed at simple servant tasks—it all made sense now.

“So,”

Deborah smiled sweetly.

“If I become the teacher, I’ll be very strict. In fact, you might want to run away.”