Deborah, possessing a beauty so perfect it seemed almost artificial, had her engagement broken off by her fiancé, the Crown Prince, at a party. Though a series of fabricated testimonies were presented, Deborah refuted them, shutting them down. However, she was then slandered as a woman clinging to the position of Crown Princess, weakening her standing.

(It can't be helped. This is a necessary loss.)

She resigned herself to the situation, cleared her name of the false accusations, but accepted only the annulment of her engagement.

However, Deborah's misfortunes didn't end there. Her father and brother cast her aside, using her as a bargaining chip with the royal family to secure their family's prosperity.

She was pitifully forced to marry as the second wife of a Marquis in a neighboring country. It was exile by another name.

(But it's better than actually being exiled and thrown out. And I might be happier than if I had married that idiotic Crown Prince.)

Furthermore, the handsome older Marquis she married told her, "I will never love you. You are, in essence, a hostage."

(Oh dear... But I'm not even valuable as a hostage. At least, I'd like to be of some use.)

This is the story of a young lady who, while perplexed by her unfortunate fate, moved forward positively. As a result, not only she but also those around her changed, and she became a lady beloved by her husband.

※While there are some misunderstandings, this story leans heavily towards the serious side (by the author's standards).

※This is a slightly revised and continued version of an opening submitted to the 18th Kakidashi Matsuri (Opening Festival).

※Completed in 70 chapters. An extra story was released in two parts on August 12, 2025.

※Also posted on Kakuyomu. It passed the preliminary selection in the Kakuyomu 10 Contest.