The Virtually Exiled Duke’s Daughter Is Troubled When Her Fiancé in a Neighboring Country Says, "I Will Never Love You" - Episode 7

It has been five days since Deborah arrived at the Marquis de Sisley’s mansion.

(Ah, it’s all coming to an end…)

The final stitch, a single scoop. And that’s it. However, while she might take care to do it neatly, the thought of deliberately dragging it out for time does not cross Deborah’s mind. Time is finite, and she has always been taught to be swift and perfect from a young age.

So, Deborah quickly finished the last stitch, secured the thread at the back, and handed the embroidery she had been engrossed in to Mrs. Lauren.

The lady cuts the remaining thread with scissors. Out of consideration that it would be bad if Deborah were to get hurt, she is not allowed to use the scissors.

Deborah was astonished, thinking, “What can such a small pair of scissors do?” But, well, if she held them and stabbed them into her chest, she could indeed threaten her own life.

If I really wanted to, it would be more certain to jump out the window.

The lady spreads out the finished embroidered cloth to show it off. The design features two blue birds perched on a branch of yellow roses. She even took the time to surround it with laurel leaves, but eventually ran out of space to stitch and completed it.

(Well, what should we do……)

Deborah was at a loss for what to do with her time. It was no wonder. Until now, she had been busy with her training as the crown princess and accompanying Prince Aaron on his official duties.

Even during the three weeks when she was under house arrest in her room at the duke’s residence, Deborah had been reading history books and materials about various territories, practicing dance, and playing musical instruments.

For her, who did all these not for enjoyment but for self-improvement, having a few days where she didn’t have to do anything was a rare and long-forgotten experience.

“Um, Mrs. Lauren”

“Why is that?”

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

“What do you mean by ‘something’?”

Deborah tried to speak as cheerfully as possible, but perhaps that only stirred Mrs. Lauren’s suspicions, as a hint of doubt crept into her voice.

“Both you and the Marquis have been treating me so well, it’s almost too much. At this rate, I’m not a hostage but a guest. Is there anything I can do to be of service to you?”

Indeed, Deborah is right.

The Marquis de Sisley said I couldn’t walk around freely, but it’s actually more freedom than I had at the Mauzy Duke’s family home just before. As long as I have Mrs. Lauren accompanying me, I’m allowed to walk around the mansion and even stroll in the garden.

As expected, it was not allowed to speak to the merchants or messengers coming in and out of the mansion, but there was no particular prohibition against speaking to the people inside the mansion.

When Deborah cheerfully greeted the servants, although they were often confused or cold and didn’t welcome her very warmly, most of them did respond to her words. They took care of her needs and meals without any complaints.

Deborah felt somewhat guilty, partly because she was hiding the fact that she had no value as a hostage.

That said, I can’t exactly tell the truth either.

If they find out that the hostage has no value, what will happen next? Some of the Volks citizens who learn the truth might become enraged and kill her. If that happens, the Mammut side will make a big fuss about the murder of the hostage, either starting another war or refusing to pay post-war reparations.

The “truth” that Deborah spoke of could easily be dismissed by Mammut… no, Deborah’s father and brother, as her having lost her mind during her life as a hostage and saying nonsense.

Deborah thought that although it was to protect herself, more importantly, she couldn’t let this story leak out to maintain peace between the two countries.

“Could it be that you intend to imitate us maids?”

“Wow!”

At Mrs. Lauren’s words, Deborah placed her hand on her cheek in surprise, but immediately thought this.

(It might be a good idea. After this hostage life ends… if I survive, that is. If I can’t return to the duke’s family, it would be troublesome not to have a skill.)

“I don’t know anything, so I think I’ll have to learn everything from scratch. If that’s okay with you, I’d love to.”

With a smile as beautiful as a fairy queen, Deborah smiled, and Mrs. Lauren’s eyes widened slightly… just a tiny bit, and her lips were drawn into a thin line.

They probably felt a chill.

“…It’s just a joke. Lady Deborah, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Oh, Mrs. Lauren is the type to make jokes, isn’t she?”

Mrs. Lauren’s mask-like face momentarily cracked, but it quickly returned to normal as she said this.

“Then, how about a book?”

“Well, is that okay?”

“Yes, I will deliver a few later.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Lauren.”

Even though she is currently useless at the marquis’s residence, Deborah lit a light of hope in her heart, believing that by reading books and accumulating knowledge, she might be able to be of some use in the future.

…However, the three books handed to her by the head maid were all pure entertainment novels, unlike anything Deborah had read before.