The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 61

**”To My Beloved Sister”**

Ashley slowly read the letter aloud.

*”Deborah, has it been nearly four months since you left for the neighboring kingdom? Not a day passes without our family thinking of you. How have you been?”*

Marquis Sisley observed Deborah’s reaction. However, she listened to Ashley’s words without the slightest change in expression, like a lifeless doll.

*”I hope you’re not suffering. Without you, our home feels dark and cold, as if the light has been extinguished. My dear sister, you were the shining red gem at the heart of our duchy.”*

The corner of Deborah’s lips curled up slightly. With her cold expression, it looked like a sarcastic smile… but only for a fleeting moment. She soon returned to her emotionless state. Marquis Sisley wondered if he had imagined it.

*”I remember the first time you had to go far away for official duties. Do you remember what I told you when you looked so anxious? I was so relieved when you came back safely. But now, the day you can return still feels so far away.”*

Ashley read the letter mechanically, suppressing his emotions, yet the words carried the deep affection and worry of an overprotective brother.

*”It’s not just our family. Many people in our territory and even in the royal capital are waiting for your return. Father, our siblings, and I are doing everything we can to bring you back. Please hold on a little longer.”*

After finishing the letter, Ashley took a quiet breath and added, “That is all.”

“…Thank you. I will write my reply now.”

“Alright, here you go.”

Marquis Sisley took out stationery from a drawer and placed it beside a pen. Lady Lauren stepped forward and handed them to Deborah. She even placed the pen directly into Deborah’s hand, as if assisting a child or an elderly person with limited mobility.

This overly cautious action puzzled not only Deborah but also the marquis and the head butler. However, the moment quickly passed without further thought.

Deborah swiftly wrote a concise reply.

*”Dear Brother Ozma, I have read your letter and felt your concern. I am very happy now. Please do not worry.”*

The marquis raised an eyebrow slightly as he read it.

“Is this all?”

“Yes, I believe this is enough.”

Considering the passionate tone of Ozma’s letter, her response was strikingly brief—almost indifferent. However, the marquis chose not to press the matter further.

“Then, I will have this delivered to the border.”

“Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

After expressing her gratitude, Deborah left the office. As soon as the door closed, the marquis turned to the butler.

“Ashley, what did you think?”

A faint breath escaped from beside him. It was probably a quiet chuckle.

“It reminds me of when Lady Deborah first arrived at this estate. If I recall correctly, I called her a ‘terrible vixen.’”

“…Ah, that’s right.”

“She wasn’t as intense as back then, but I do think her demeanor today meant something.”

“You think so too?”

The marquis felt a mix of relief and regret in confirming his suspicions.

Deborah had once mentioned that she had been subjected to strict education by her father since childhood. Because of that, her ability to express emotions had been stifled. Yet recently, she had started to break out of that shell—if only slightly. However, today, she had reverted to her old, expressionless self when faced with her brother’s letter.

Marquis Sisley had always believed that her arrival in this country was partly her own decision but mostly her father’s will. Given her beauty and intelligence, she could have easily secured a political marriage within her homeland.

And yet, the letter stated that they were working to bring her back.

*(Does he regret sending her away…?)*

Some citizens had been demanding the return of the “abducted saintess,” and their voices seemed to have grown louder due to the recent poor harvests.

Or perhaps all of Deborah’s actions had been a deception, and she was indeed a spy. Her words, *”Please do not worry,”* might have been a hidden message—implying that she had successfully infiltrated the Sisley household.

*(…No, that doesn’t seem right either.)*

Gary Sisley closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again. No matter the angle, something about Deborah’s behavior felt inconsistent. It was as if a crucial piece of the puzzle was missing… or deliberately hidden.

—

At that moment, the office door opened, and Lady Lauren entered.

“Ah, Mrs. Lauren. What is it?”

“Well, it’s about Lady Deborah.”

“Did something happen to her?”

“Oh, no. She’s with Shelly now. It’s not a major issue, but I thought it best to inform you.”

“What is it?”

“Earlier, Lady Deborah seemed very unsettled.”

“Unsettled…? Well, it’s not surprising if she was shaken by an unexpected letter from her homeland.”

“No, it was different. I believe it started while she was reading the letter. So… I took her hand.”

The marquis now understood the meaning behind Lady Lauren’s earlier behavior. She met his gaze directly and spoke.

“Her hand was ice cold. So cold that I feared she might faint.”

—

“Shelly, I’m returning to the marquis. Please take care of Lady Deborah.”

“Yes, Mrs. Lauren.”

Watching Lady Lauren leave, Deborah felt relieved. It was impolite to think this way, but if it were just Shelly, she could proceed with what she needed to confirm—without being noticed.

“Shelly, I received a letter from my brother.”

“Oh, really!?”

“And… it made me feel nostalgic. It’s selfish of me, but I’d like to try on one of my old dresses.”

“Oh, that’s not selfish at all! I’d be happy to help!”

With Shelly’s assistance, Deborah changed from her usual simple dress into an opulent gown. She selected a few pieces of jewelry as well, transforming into a stunningly radiant figure.

“Wow, Lady Deborah! You look absolutely breathtaking!”

“Hehe, you flatter me.”

“No, I mean it! You’re truly beautiful!”

“Thank you.”

Smiling, Deborah walked to the window. As Shelly turned her back to tidy the jewelry box, Deborah seized the moment. She touched the ruby ring on her left hand, pressing the gemstone firmly. A small *click* sounded as the hidden clasp unlocked. She then pulled the stone, and it moved easily, revealing a secret compartment.

*(Ah…)*

Deborah barely stopped herself from gasping.

The unfamiliar ruby ring from the jewelry box had a hidden mechanism—designed to conceal small objects. Inside were three tiny black pills.

She recognized them.

*”I remember the first time you had to go far away for official duties. Do you remember what I told you when you looked so anxious?”*

There had been a hidden message in Ozma’s letter. His affectionate words masked the truth, embedded with information only she could understand.

Ozma’s true intention—

He was ordering her to take these poison pills and end her own life.