LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 30
The vile one has arrived.
Execute him immediately!
As the gods began clamoring, Liv’s face turned deathly pale upon unexpectedly encountering the one person she must not face. Even Emmett, who had said the Emperor wouldn’t attend today, was equally flustered.
“Why is His Majesty here…”
As they stood at a loss, the Emperor, having entered the ballroom, addressed the surrounding nobles with a smile:
“I’ve come to urgently consult with my aid Duke Lartman. Pay it no mind.”
However, Emmett could spare the Emperor no attention.
He defies my authority!
Liv, obtain our power in the sacred grounds and kill this man!
Liv was trembling uncontrollably, her face contorted as she held back tears.
‘Another mark has been etched.’
Liv had grown somewhat accustomed to the gods raging whenever the Emperor appeared. But her current anguish stemmed not solely from the gods’ oppressive presence. Her skin burned feverishly, a sensation akin to needles piercing deep into her bones.
This was undoubtedly the feeling of a ‘mark’ being etched upon her.
“Miss Liv? Endure for just a moment. I…”
“Duke Lartman?”
As the Emperor called out his name, all eyes in the ballroom turned towards them.
“Haa, haa…”
Liv, half-enveloped in Emmett’s embrace and breathing raggedly, drew murmurs from the nobles.
“Over there, doesn’t she seem unwell?”
“Could she be in pain somewhere?”
“More than that, her eyes seem a bit…”
Holding Liv close, Emmett scanned their surroundings until his wavering gaze fell upon Hildegard nearby. Finding an aide, Emmett’s eyes widened as he gestured for Hildegard, who quickly came over to support Liv’s other side.
“Miss Hamelsvoort, it seems Miss Liv is unwell. It would be best to escort her home first.”
“Yes, leave it to me from here.”
Though recognizing this as a ruse to remove Liv from prying eyes, they committed to the act. As Hildegard turned to depart while holding the barely conscious Liv, a voice made her pause.
“Ah, is that the woman you’ve been keeping company with lately?”
The Emperor’s intrigued gaze was already fixed upon Liv.
The moment that voice reached them, Hildegard and Emmett both froze with expressions akin to encountering an inescapable beast. They knew the implications of drawing the Emperor’s attention. So much so that even the nobles who normally disliked Liv seemed somewhat fearful – for the Emperor to take notice was a terrifying prospect.
“…We have merely conversed a few times.”
Though wishing to instantly separate Liv from the Emperor’s presence, Emmett suppressed his churning hostility and lowered his gaze. However, as always, the Emperor didn’t avert his attention once fixated.
“Ah yes, I was rather surprised to hear reports of you keeping company with such a peculiar individual, Duke Lartman. The adopted daughter of the Hamelsvoorts, the so-called fake Saintess…”
Liv was indeed an eccentric figure adorned with all manner of colorful monikers, to the point that it was stranger the Emperor hadn’t addressed her until now. The Emperor smiled with a sinister look, as if he had discovered an amusing plaything.
“You are reaching the age when you should marry, Duke Lartman.”
“That is not the case, Your Majesty.”
Reacting too proactively would only provoke the Emperor further, so Emmett could only feign nonchalance with a dismissive response.
Fortunately, Liv had recovered enough to stand after adjusting to the gods’ overbearing presence, but she couldn’t escape the Emperor’s focus on her. Thinking she couldn’t drag Hildegard into this, Liv pushed her away, causing Hildegard to separate from her with an uneasy expression.
“So you have no interest in that creature? What a pity. I am quite intrigued by this fake Saintess.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Though I’ve heard she possesses remarkable recovery abilities. I wonder just how remarkable they are.”
Recognizing the implication behind those words, a small flame seemed to flicker in Emmett’s eyes as his head snapped up. Just as he moved to prevent the Emperor’s next action, an unexpected sound drew everyone’s attention.
Crash!
A table collapsed, sending the plates atop it clattering to the floor in shattered pieces.
The sudden commotion, ill-fitting the tense atmosphere, diverted the gazes previously fixed on Liv towards the source of the noise.
There stood Hayden, smirking smugly as if nothing were amiss.
The Emperor, who had seemed delighted to find an amusing diversion moments ago, now watched Hayden with displeasure.
“An unfamiliar face.”
The look on the Emperor’s face made it apparent his interest had shifted.
“Ah…”
Realizing Hayden had acted to divert attention, Liv let out a soft groan. However, Emmett didn’t spare him a glance, simply pulling Liv back into his embrace before handing her off to Hildegard once more.
“It seems I cannot leave for now. Miss Hamelsvoort, I entrust Miss Liv to you.”
“…Yes, inform me of what transpires later.”
That man is dutifully fulfilling his role, it seems.’
Even amidst this, the gods continued their raucous din, preventing Liv from approaching Hayden as Hildegard led her out of the ballroom. Fortunately, with everyone’s attention drawn to Hayden, no one noticed their departure.
As Liv turned back towards the ballroom one final time, her gaze met Hayden’s. Even as all the nobles watched with disdain, Hayden flashed a grin at Liv and mouthed:
‘You owe me one.’
However, with Hildegard shielding Liv’s face as they exited, she couldn’t respond.
* * *
“Sister, I’ve heard Hayden Schulze has been imprisoned in the capital.”
The next day, after checking a letter from somewhere, Hildegard relayed the news. In her hands was a letter from another noble lady with whom she maintained acquaintance.
“He didn’t actually commit any wrongdoing, but… crimes can always be fabricated. He’s been jailed on charges related to misconduct, though it’s likely more due to his status.”
“At the ball, he borrowed the Wolfe family’s identity, right? So that’s why?”
“Yes, the fact that a scion of a family loyal to the previous imperial line caused an incident before the current Emperor could be interpreted as an intentional act.”
“…I see.”
The current Emperor August must have wished for the Wolfe family to keep a low profile, so Hayden’s very appearance at the gathering was likely troubling enough. After learning his true identity, they probably contrived some pretext to imprison him and apply pressure.
Then, as if recalling something, Hildegard added:
“Oh, and they’re saying Duke Lartman remained with His Majesty even after the ball ended, which is probably why he hasn’t sent you a letter yet, Sister.”
“…What do you think will happen to Hayden?”
“Well…”
Hildegard’s expression darkened at Liv’s question.
“While he didn’t actually commit any wrongdoing, they could fabricate charges to imprison him as a warning to the Wolfe family. They likely won’t execute him, but… Or like His Majesty has done to other innocents, he may torture Hayden sufficiently before releasing him.”
As she listened, Liv felt her heart growing heavier, sinking deeper. After all, Hayden had acted to divert the Emperor’s attention from her, only to become embroiled in this predicament himself.
“What is his current condition?”
“For now, he’s likely imprisoned in the underground dungeons of the capital. But I don’t know the details…”
Seeing Liv’s guilt-ridden expression, Hildegard studied her carefully before speaking:
“Sister, you needn’t concern yourself over that man. Before returning to the past, he was capable enough to attempt assassinating His Majesty. With such abilities, he can surely find a way out, can’t he?”
“…Still, I feel somewhat responsible for this situation.”
If Hayden were to die under these circumstances, Liv felt she would be unable to overcome her guilt. She couldn’t bear situations where others perished because of her, a suffocating weight pressing upon her chest until she gasped for breath.
‘There must be a way.’
After biting her lip in contemplation, Liv finally made a resolution and rose abruptly.
“I need to meet with Emmett.”
* * *
When Liv arrived at the Lartman estate by carriage, the guards, recognizing the Hamelsvoort crest, swiftly opened the door for her – a stark contrast to her previous visit.
“Emmett.”
As Liv called out his name and entered, Emmett, who seemed to have just descended to the first floor, welcomed her.
“Ah, Miss Liv. I’ve only just returned. I was about to inform you…”
“Yes, I’ve heard about Hayden.”
Since the ensuing conversation was unsuitable for bystanders, Liv glanced around at the servants. Emmett then took her hand and led her to his study.
“Please, speak freely now. I can likely surmise what you wish to discuss.”
Though not seeming receptive to Liv’s impending words, Emmett remained composed as she spoke resolutely:
“Hayden ended up in this situation because he was trying to protect me. So I must help him.”
“But Miss Liv…”
“Please, I beg of you.”
Was she to abandon Hayden and disregard the favor he had done her? As Liv pleaded while grasping Emmett’s hands, he squeezed his eyes shut.
“Miss Liv, you are aware the Emperor is a dangerous man. His actions are utterly unpredictable, yet he is cunning and never misses an opportunity. He will not relinquish this chance to pressurize the Wolfe family.”
“But you know I received Hayden’s aid, do you not?”
“Yet there are times when situations cannot be helped…”
“Did you not tell me to repay favors I’m owed?”
At those words, Emmett wore a pained expression, as if recalling something, before opening his mouth with a resolved look.
“…I can’t guarantee Hayden’s release, but I can at least arrange for you to meet him.”
“Then please do so.”
“However, Miss Liv, you must promise me something first.”
Emmett extended a finger towards her, then seemed to realize he was treating her like a child and retracted his hand as he continued:
“You must absolutely not do anything that could endanger yourself.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Though Liv gave her assurance in a solemn tone, her expression hinted at other intentions.