To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“Sister, please let me know if anything is bothering you.”

“Mm.”

Acknowledging Hildegard’s sincere advice, Liv stepped out of the carriage. Unlike before when she would leap out like a child without an escort, she didn’t forget to accept the coachman’s assistance this time.

Today was the second occasion Liv attended a social gathering since returning to the past.

While Hildegard had worried about Liv attending gatherings previously, she was truly anxious now. There was no telling what the angered gods might do upon seeing the other girls rudely mistreat Liv.

“Sister, wouldn’t it be better not to attend the gathering at all?”

Hildegard suggested, but…

“I don’t like being alone.”

Liv simply responded that she preferred being with people, even if mistreated, over being alone.

Sure enough, as soon as Liv entered the hall, piercing gazes showered upon her. Unlike before, Hildegard felt those gazes were like needles that could puncture and deflate Liv, who was like a thin sheet of cloth filled with air. One wrong prick and she might burst.

‘Why isn’t the Duke nowhere to be seen at a time like this?’

Inconveniently, Emmett had yet to arrive. As Hildegard racked her brain for topics to divert Liv’s attention, some noble ladies approached them with casual smiles.

“Oh my, Miss Liv. It’s been so long, hasn’t it?”

“I don’t recall seeing you at the last gathering, ho ho.”

“Well, you do tend to blend into the background unnoticeably.”

“Ha, haha…”

Hildegard forced an awkward laugh as she studied Liv’s expression. She had to defuse this situation somehow.

“W-Well, how about we discuss the prospects of the Holy Hylisides Empire today?”

“…What are you talking about?”

As Hildegard desperately tried to deflect the noble ladies, Liv was indeed hearing the angered voices of the gods, as Hildegard had expected. Their voices were like a constantly simmering volcano, an encroaching darkness that threatened to engulf all humans.

Child, if you wish, I can tear those ones to shreds for you anytime.

I can cast this entire world into a fiery pit.

‘There’s no need for that.’

Then, one of the ladies arrogantly picked up a wine glass. Just as Hildegard reached to grab her hand, anticipating her next action…

“D-Duke Lartman?”

The startled lady looked up at the person whose hand now gripped her own, poised to fling the wine.

Her hand was firmly grasped by Emmett’s large one as he stood before Liv, shielding her.

“You seemed about to do something dangerous.”

Emmett said as such, then took the wine glass from the lady’s hand and set it on a table. The lady could only gape in stunned silence.

“Miss Liv, are you alright?”

“Oh, Emmett. What’s going on?”

“You must have been startled.”

Seeing Emmett’s friendly demeanor towards Liv, the noble ladies exchanged quick glances. Though cowardly, they weren’t foolish. The reason they had tormented Liv until now was because she seemed a complete underdog who would suffer no consequences.

But now that Emmett had reconciled with Liv, the situation had changed.

“See, I told you I don’t understand relationships between men and women.”

“I thought it was just a passing fancy…”

The ladies whispered among themselves, preparing to hastily retreat, when…

“Kyaa!”

The lady who had tried to douse Liv with wine shrieked as an unseen force tugged at her dress hem from behind, causing her to stumble. When she turned around, a man with fiery red hair stood there.

“Hayden!”

Startled by his sudden appearance, Liv called out his name. With an amused look, Hayden regarded Liv and said:

“Hayden is correct. But call me young lord Wolfe.”

“Wolfe?”

Unable to comprehend, Liv looked puzzled, so Emmett lowered his voice to explain.

“It must be an alias.”

“Ah…”

Recalling Emmett’s words about the Schulze family’s demise, Liv nodded in understanding. Meanwhile, Hayden cocked his head as he looked down at the noblewoman whose dress he still gripped.

“What were you about to do just now?”

“Wh-What do you mean?! You’re the one being rude! Let go this instant!”

“Even I can’t bring myself to touch those…”

With a fierce expression, Hayden said that before giving the dress a violent tug and releasing it. It was like flinging away something filthy, but more piercing than arrogant. The force sent the noblewoman tumbling to the floor.

“Kyaa!”

“Good heavens, what are you doing?”

“Guards, call the guards!”

Amidst the surrounding ladies’ panicked outbursts, Hayden shot Emmett a displeased look.

“You.”

“…What is the matter? And why have you infiltrated here under an alias?”

“Is now really the time to ask that?”

His mocking gaze shifted to Liv.

“If you’re going to do something, do it properly. Is this all you’re capable of?”

“…Still, one cannot be as discourteous as you.”

“It seems less dire than I expected.”

Paying no heed to the attention now drawn to him, Hayden strode right up to Liv.

“I clearly told you I’m intrigued by you, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did.”

Liv answered calmly. Though his actions were rough, Hayden didn’t seem intent on harming her by any measure.

“Despite my intrigue, I can’t touch you, can I? Then I shall ensure outside elements can’t touch you either…”

At those words, Emmett’s expression instantly hardened with coldness.

“Are you quite alright?”

By then, some young noblemen who had rushed over were helping the fallen lady to her feet, glaring at Hayden. He seemed exasperated as he turned his playful gaze towards them, giving Liv a subtle wink before mouthing:

“I’ll see you later.”

Hayden swiftly departed, and the young noblemen also disappeared in pursuit of him.

In the chaotic aftermath, Hildegard muttered while cradling her head.

“Just what in the world is going on…”

Unaware of Liv’s encounter with Hayden during their picnic, Hildegard couldn’t comprehend the situation at all, while Liv and Emmett remained unnervingly calm. As Hildegard alternated her bewildered gaze between them, unable to speak, the lady who had fallen approached Liv with an indignant expression.

“Miss Liv, just who was that rude man?”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you see how he shielded you and made me fall over?”

Outraged at being knocked down and disregarding Emmett’s presence, the lady snapped at Liv. Pulling Liv behind him, Emmett spoke up.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Huh? Huh?”

“Are you implying that rude man shielded Miss Liv because you did something improper to her?”

“Th-That’s…”

Unable to admit she had tried to douse Liv with wine, the lady couldn’t provide a proper response. Emphasizing his words, Emmett addressed her again.

“Your inability to answer suggests that man’s rudeness had nothing to do with Miss Liv. Is that correct?”

“Y-Yes, it seems so…”

In the end, she could only retreat with her tail between her legs. Duke Lartman was a dangerous man, not simply due to his titled status, but as the tyrant’s most stalwart supporter and a retainer who didn’t shy from cruelty. Provoking conflict with him here would be foolish.

It was only after the matter had concluded that Hildegard finally spoke up.

“…Sister, perhaps we should return home for today?”

“Um…”

“Yes, Miss Liv. Allow me to escort you.”

“Okay!”

Liv, who had seemed conflicted, readily nodded with a bright expression.

As the three most notable figures in high society walked together towards the carriage while the gathering was still in full swing, the guests’ gazes converged on them.

“Oh my, His Grace is with the fake Saintess again…”

“Doesn’t that suggest he truly loves her?”

All three were immune to the murmurings, leaving the hall as if deaf to the voices. Once deemed out of earshot, Hildegard spoke up.

“Sister, just who was that red-haired man earlier?”

“The Emperor’s would-be assassin.”

“Pardon?”

After Liv provided a full explanation about him, Hildegard’s mouth hung agape.

“He said he’s intrigued by you? …That doesn’t sound like a wholesome interest at all!”

“Indeed.”

Emmett nodded with unusual solemnity, as if restraining a more vehement reaction.

“It would be wise to keep our distance from that man.”

“Exactly, even if it’s revenge for his family’s annihilation by the Emperor… he’s still a murderer!”

“But…”

Liv began, as if to argue.

“I don’t think Hayden is a bad person…”

“Huh? Why not?”

“The gods don’t dislike him.”

“That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a good person…!”

When Hildegard protested with an uncertain voice, Emmett concurred.

“Yes, Miss Liv need not blindly follow the gods’ will, but can exercise her own judgment.”

“Well, I don’t seem to dislike Hayden.”

“…But there are times one should heed the judgment of those around them.”

Hearing that, Emmett hurriedly changed his approach.

“In my view, Hayden Schulze appears extremely dangerous. Not only did he smuggle a weapon called a ‘gun’ into the gathering, but he also disguised himself as a member of the Wolfe family today. He seems well-versed in prohibited acts.”

“Exactly! And did you see how he rudely addressed Sister Liv earlier? It was really strange!”

“Why is that?”

“Someone who has undergone divine punishment can’t be disrespectful towards Sister… So Hayden Schulze must not be of sound mind.”

As if recalling the divine punishment, Hildegard shuddered as she spoke.

“‘Intrigued yet unable to touch’? That’s such a deviant statement!”

“Why is that?”

“…Anyway, it just feels that way!”

Faced with Hildegard and Emmett’s unusually stern stances, Liv could only nod in agreement. Above all, she was too weak against Emmett.

“Yes, I’ll keep my distance from now on.”

After saying that, Liv and Hildegard boarded the carriage. And just as Emmett was about to see them off, a certain man suddenly appeared.