The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 64

Before visiting Marquis Sisley’s office, Deborah stood by the northern window and silently confessed to Magdala.

Of course, she didn’t speak out loud. She simply clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and spoke in her heart.

_(I’m sorry. I’m about to do something terrible. But I believe this is the best way to avoid hurting the marquis and the people of this house. Please forgive me…)_

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The word “love” printed at the edge of the novel reminded her of the first day she arrived at this house. The words that Marquis Gary Sisley had first spoken: “I will never love you.” And her own response: “There are married couples who have children even without love.”

That was when she came up with this idea. With a firm expression, she spoke to her husband in name only.

“You once said that this house has no heir, didn’t you? If that’s the case, having a child wouldn’t be a bad thing for you, Marquis.”

If she carried the marquis’s child, no one from her homeland would dare to forcibly take her back. Forcing a pregnant woman to return would endanger both mother and child, and separating them after birth would also be seen as cruel.

Moreover, if her child became the heir of the Sisley family, her father would likely see more value in using that connection rather than killing her.

Of course, she had no intention of letting that happen.

“The child’s education will be entirely in your hands, Marquis. You don’t have to consider me or my homeland’s interests at all, no matter what my father may say.”

“Miss Deborah, but you…”

She interrupted him for the third time. She had spent the entire afternoon preparing responses to anything the marquis might say.

“Please, use me as a tool for the sake of the Sisley family and for peace.”

“…!”

Marquis Sisley opened his mouth as if to speak but then closed it again. Perhaps he realized that no matter what he said, she would have an answer ready.

Then, he stood up from his chair and sat down beside her. He reached out and gently pulled her into a light embrace.

“!”

Deborah squeezed her eyes shut and stiffened. The scent of the marquis filled her nose, and her heart pounded loudly. She was aware of that, but she didn’t realize that her body was trembling slightly, making her beautiful red hair quiver.

“Ha… haha.”

A breath of laughter escaped from right above her. When she opened her eyes in surprise, she saw the marquis’s chest moving with his quiet chuckles.

“Hahaha… Honestly, you never cease to surprise me. Just when I thought I knew what you’d say…”

Gary Sisley laughed as he reached out his free hand and gently stroked her head as if handling something precious.

“You’re dressed so stiffly, your face is pale, and your whole body is tense. It’s obvious that you’re forcing yourself into this despite not wanting it.”

“I’m not forcing myself!”

“Is that so? It just seems to me like your father or brother ordered you to seduce me.”

“! T-That’s not it! If anything, it’s the opposite! This is my own will…”

“The opposite?”

“Ah!”

Deborah instinctively covered her mouth. A hand touched her chin, lifting her face. The marquis, still holding her, looked directly into her eyes. His sky-blue gaze made her cheeks and ears grow hot.

“What do you mean by ‘the opposite’? That letter said you were instructed to return to your homeland, didn’t it? But I didn’t believe that for a second.”

“That… um…”

Deborah’s face turned bright red as she stammered. She was frustrated with herself. Normally, she would be able to stay calm and respond appropriately. She had come here after carefully thinking through everything.

But now, her heart was racing, her bl00d felt hot, and nothing was going the way she planned.

Was it because of his eyes, as deep and endless as the sky? Or was it because of the gentle way his hand moved from her chin back to her hair, stroking her head and cheek once more?

_(Ah…)_

At that moment, Deborah realized something.

This was what she had always wanted.

Until now, she thought she was seeing an ideal father or brother figure in Gary Sisley. But that wasn’t it.

She was probably in love with him.

Instantly, she squeezed her eyes shut again, placed both hands on his chest, and pushed him away. The marquis widened his eyes in surprise but soon gave a troubled smile. The corners of his eyes crinkled.

“See? You really were forcing yourself.”

“I wasn’t!”

“Miss Deborah, I told you—I want you to be honest. Of course, it makes sense that you wouldn’t want an old man like me.”

“That’s not true!”

She shook her head like a child, refusing to look at him. Then, she murmured softly.

“…That’s not it…”

Her voice had clearly changed. It was no longer cold and stiff, but warm and filled with emotion.

“Please… don’t be kind to me.”

“Why not?”

“B-Because… I’m not someone worthy of kindness.”

“Hmm? I don’t think so.”

Marquis Sisley patted her head again.

“To me, you are very much worthy. It has nothing to do with whether you’re a hostage or not. If you seem to be struggling, I naturally want to be kind to you.”

“…Ugh.”

She buried her face in her hands.

The marquis once again pulled her into an embrace and gently stroked her back.

“Last time, you left this house without telling anyone because you were troubled. And now, you’ve once again been thinking things over all by yourself. That worries me.”

“Ugh… ugh…”

Holding the trembling Deborah in his arms, hearing her stifled sobs, he thought to himself—he wanted to comfort and spoil her as much as possible.

_(…In moments like this, you remind me so much of Maggie.)_