To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

As Liv entered the estate’s entrance hand-in-hand with Emmett, one of the guards flinched. He intended to open the gate while feigning ignorance, but Emmett’s toneless voice fell upon him:

“I seem to recall instructing you to properly treat my guests.”

“Y-Your Grace, why would you say such a thing?”

Without responding to the guard’s servile tone, Emmett entered the estate with Liv. Since he didn’t immediately issue a punishment, the guard’s face grew increasingly anxious.

Upon reaching the foyer, the one who opened the door was a butler Liv had seen a few times before.

“Welcome, Miss.”

Unlike the guard, the butler treated Liv respectfully. As Liv awkwardly received his greeting, Emmett gave him an order:

“Summon all the household servants except for essential personnel. In particular, replace the guards currently stationed at the entrance and ensure they are brought here.”

“Yes.”

Without questioning the reason, the butler soon departed to follow Emmett’s instructions.

Liv, standing beside him, became uneasy, seeming to guess what he was about to do. Apparently, he was going to say something about the guard ignoring Liv’s request, but if that was the case…

“You don’t have to go that far.”

What was reflected in Liv’s eyes as she faced Emmett was a kind of resignation.

“If you worry about me unnecessarily, it might tarnish the Duke’s reputation. Those people dislike me out of loyalty to you. And no matter how hard you try, people will still dislike me. It’s no use.”

“No.”

Unusually, Emmett showed Liv a firm expression.

“I will make every person in this world respect and revere you, Miss Liv. You deserve that.”

“Humans are destined to dislike me. In exchange for gaining God’s love, I lost humans…”

At those words, Emmett’s face seemed to waver as if recalling something, but he soon returned to his usual expression and spoke affectionately to Liv.

“No, Miss Liv. Everything can change. This world can become a different place for you. From now on, I will show you that by your side.”

While Liv had a blank expression, Emmett stood on the second-floor railing, looking down at the servants who had now all gathered on the first floor.

“I’m sure I told you before to treat my guest well.”

At those words, the servants’ eyes turned toward the guard. It seemed they had heard about some incident that had occurred.

“In particular, I definitely said to treat Liv Hamelsvoort with utmost respect, more than anyone else.”

He was using respectful language with the servants as well, but his cold and fierce tone made his words not pleasant to the ear.

“And yet, despite clearly knowing she was in distress, you ignored her. If you don’t follow my words, then what reason do you have to remain in this mansion?”

“Y-Your Grace!”

The guard opened his mouth in dismay.

“I did it all for the Duke…!”

“As I understand, you came here from the Lartman Duchy following me, is that correct?”

“Yes, yes…”

“Then return to the Duchy. I will inform them that you didn’t follow my orders.”

“Your Grace, give me one more chance…!”

“Butler.”

Though the guard pleaded pitifully, at the butler’s gesture, two other servants dragged him out.

A chilly tension now hung in the air among the remaining servants. Someone’s gulp echoed through the hall. Emmett quietly observed them, then continued speaking.

“From now on, Miss Liv is the most important guest to visit this mansion.”

His eyes held more sincerity than ever before.

“To me, she is the highest guest in this country.”

At those words, all the servants seemed surprised and exchanged glances, but Emmett remained resolute.

“Butler. Go and bring the Lartman Duchy’s pendant.”

“The pendant… you say?”

“Yes.”

Even the butler seemed surprised this time, but he soon regained his composure and disappeared somewhere.

The pendant he returned holding depicted a soaring falcon above castle walls. It was the same emblem stamped on the letters Emmett sent Liv. After receiving the pendant from the butler, Emmett offered it to Liv, leaving all the servants dumbstruck.

“Miss Liv, from now on, this pendant belongs to you.”

“What is this?”

Amid the servants’ gazes, Liv asked in a somewhat tense voice. While unsure of the exact meaning, she could tell it was a meaningful and important item Emmett was bestowing upon her.

“It is the Lartman family pendant. It can be used as a seal or at banks and stores. The Hamelsvoort family must have one as well.”

“Ah…”

Seeing Liv’s clueless expression, Emmett nodded as if he had expected as much.

“I see. Then it should be fine for you to have this instead of the Hamelsvoort pendant.”

“But I’m not part of the Lartman family… Can I really have this?”

“Of course.”

Emmett stated it matter-of-factly.

“This pendant is originally meant for the Duchess… However, instead of leaving that position vacant for life, I have decided to bestow it upon you, Miss Liv.”

“Huh?”

When Liv’s puzzled expression showed she didn’t immediately comprehend, he kindly explained:

“It means I will never marry anyone other than you, Miss Liv.”

“Hiiick!”

Someone among the servants let out a stifled cry before clamping their mouth shut, leaving the echoing hall in silence once more.

Meanwhile, Liv felt her mind growing increasingly muddled.

‘Was that just now Duke Emmett’s proposal of marriage?’

At a glance, it did seem like he wished to marry her…

Yet it also lacked something to be considered a formal proposal. In the end, Liv decided to ponder it at length before asking Hildegard about the matter in detail later.

After fixing the servants with one final warning glance, Emmett led Liv into a room.

“Miss Liv.”

“Yes.”

Liv looked up from examining the iridescent glass pendant that reflected different colors in the light.

“You are aware that next weekend is the Saintess Gabriel Ball in the imperial capital, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Would you attend as my partner?”

At those words, Liv’s eyes widened. For attending as partners meant…

“It feels just like old times.”

It reminded her of when she and Emmett had been close, long ago. Her cheeks flushed with excitement, a vibrant gleam in her eyes. Liv gazed at Emmett with eyes overflowing with affection.

“I would love that.”

“…If I may be so bold, would you accept any future partner invitations from me as well?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you. Truly…”

Emmett seemed so moved that he could not continue, his lips only quivering. Their peculiar relationship, which would leave others utterly baffled if witnessed, progressed thusly.

* * *

Then, on the promised weekend, a carriage emblazoned with the falcon crest arrived before the Hamelsvoort estate.

“Oh my, Your Grace!”

Countess Hamelsvoort greeted Emmett with an affected smile. The moment he alighted from the carriage, Emmett’s gaze fell upon Liv, radiant in a cream-colored dress exuding a soft, cozy warmth.

“Miss Liv…”

He spoke as if beholding the most precious thing in the world, his gaze so intense that Countess Hamelsvoort could confirm the depth of his love.

“You look truly beautiful today.”

“Thank you.”

As Liv beamed at Emmett, wearing an outfit matching her own, a hand fell upon her back.

“You two must have much to discuss, so hurry into the carriage, Liv.”

It was Countess Hamelsvoort, urging her on with a nudging expression. Liv took Emmett’s proffered hand to board the carriage but poked her head out to ask:

“What about Hildegard?”

“I’ll go separately, Sister!”

Ever perceptive, Hildegard responded as such. She had no desire to intrude upon their incomprehensible dynamic.

Though not cramped, the carriage’s limited space forced Liv and Emmett to sit in close proximity. As he closed the door, Emmett spoke in a low voice:

“His Majesty the Emperor will not be attending today’s ball, so you need not worry, Liv.”

“I see.”

“Yes, going forward, I will ensure I know in advance whether His Majesty will be present at any gatherings.”

It was welcome news for Liv, as the Emperor’s presence would cause the gods to become raucous, subjecting her to an agonizing situation that could trigger an episode.

Their conversation within the carriage seemed to dance around some unspoken matter they avoided, yet the participants themselves appeared delighted. Finally, upon arriving at the ballroom after traveling the cobblestone path, Liv exited the carriage while holding Emmett’s hand.

“Oh my…”

“They’ve even become partners now…”

The nobles’ gazes once again converged on them, but high society seemed somewhat accustomed to Liv and Emmett’s relationship by now. Rumors about them spread swiftly, and the aristocracy was well-versed in adapting to the whims of the nobility.

“That’s why it’s pointless to meddle in others’ affairs of the heart, you see? Just when you think it’s over, they reconcile again. Whew, I’m grateful I never tormented Miss Hamelsvoort.”

One of the noble ladies even openly remarked as such.

Despite the crowded ballroom, Liv felt as if she had entered a world only for the two of them. Beneath the brilliantly shining chandelier, only Emmett’s gray eyes glistened. She was aware only of the warmth of the hand entwined with his. Her ears registered solely his voice.

“Miss Liv, there is something I wish to say…”

Just as Emmett was about to speak those words to Liv, he suddenly furrowed his brow while glancing towards one side of the ballroom. Following his gaze, Liv understood the reason for his reaction. For there was…

“Hayden Schulze?”

That man had infiltrated once again. Upon meeting Liv’s eyes, Hayden waved cheerfully. It was a bold, out-of-place gesture amid the nobles minding their conduct. However, Liv averted her gaze, conscious of Emmett’s watchful eye.

“It’s alright, Miss Liv. As long as I remain by your side, that man cannot approach you.”

The moment those words caused Liv’s cheeks to redden, a horrified voice rang out:

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

It was the Emperor’s sudden and unexpected arrival.