To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

Upon hearing that name, the startled Emmett erupted into a violent coughing fit. Liv worriedly patted his back.

“Emmett, are you alright?”

“Ack, I’m fine…”

He raised his head, face flushed from the coughing.

“Hayden, you say he has come here?”

“Yes, he is currently waiting at the Duchy’s entrance…”

“…Then escort him to the castle.”

No, Emmett had thought Hayden had vanished after he saved his life – why had he appeared here of all places? Of course, their shared goal made meeting unsurprising, but… News of Emmett’s proposal to Liv must have already spread in the capital. If he had any sense, Hayden shouldn’t have followed them here.

Emmett regarded Liv with vexation:

“I wonder what scheme has brought that vile Hayden Shultze sniffing about again.”

Shortly after, escorted by guards, Hayden strode into the study. Disguised as a merchant, he wore commoner’s clothes yet adorned with gaudy jewelry.

“Why hello there, my lady!”

Hayden called out brazenly upon seeing Liv. She waved awkwardly, glancing at Emmett, who opened his mouth with clear annoyance:

“And just how did you come traipsing all the way here?”

“On horseback, of course? Ah, have no worries. None saw through my guise.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

Liv looked between Emmett and Hayden. Emmett clearly detested Hayden’s presence, yet Hayden only grinned insolently despite that disdainful gaze.

“In any case, this Duchy has no intention of accommodating you. What underhanded scheme brings you slinking here? Though we share a common goal, we currently have other pressing matters at hand.”

“Hmm… Well, I didn’t come to immediately discuss the Emperor, if that’s your concern. I simply followed our lady here.”

“And what business is that of yours?”

“I can’t bear leaving her unattended, you see. I must remain by her side.”

“Liv is under my protection.”

“Well, I beg to differ on that score.”

“The inability to discern would be yours, as one with blood on his hands.”

“You speak as if you lack such experience yourself, Duke.”

The two men now glared at each other. Fearing the commotion might alert others in the castle, Liv urgently interjected to Emmett:

“Why not simply… send Hayden away?”

“…What?”

“But I wish to show him the favorable Duchy of Lartman…”

Liv felt pity for Hayden – his family’s destruction at a young age, the hardships he had endured, the divine punishment he had faced due to her, the recent tortures aiding her… Within her limited means, she wished to help him as much as possible. Her reluctance to immediately expel him upon arrival stemmed from a sense of obligation.

As Liv spoke, Hayden let out an amused laugh while Emmett offered a thin smile – one so artificial it only amplified Hayden’s merriment.

“Well. Hayden Shultze, I’ll grant you guest privileges in this castle, if that is Liv’s wish.”

Though clearly wanting to remove Hayden at once, Emmett seemed willing to heed Liv regardless.

“However, I would prefer you maintain a respectful distance from her.”

“Hmm.”

Hayden’s grin indicated he had no intention of obeying. After witnessing this exchange, Emmett turned a concerned gaze upon Liv:

“Liv.”

“Yes?”

“If that man so much as makes you the slightest bit uncomfortable, tell me. I’ll expel him from here.”

Studying Emmett’s expression, Liv nodded carefully:

“Yes…”

* * *

“Damnit…”

After Liv and Hayden departed, Emmett pressed his palm to his brow. He had hoped for a chance to be alone with Liv, only for Hayden to barge in – what desperate straits were these? Though aware the half-mad Hayden, having faced divine punishment, likely harbored no sensible feelings towards Liv, the man had nevertheless grated on Emmett from the start. Hayden possessed an uncanny knack for treading lines and vexing others.

“No, perhaps this is fortuitous.”

Emmett muttered ruefully, as if realizing something. He would soon need to depart to retrieve the sorcerous artifact, leaving Hayden to safeguard Liv in the interim.

While rumors of Hayden’s survival might spread, Emmett didn’t overly worry – the loyal Lartman servants wouldn’t gossip about such matters. It may even be safer for Hayden to remain here rather than roam dangerously elsewhere and risk exposure.

Still, it meant less time spent with Liv himself… Truly, he felt at a loss for the proper course.

* * *

Though Emmett had cautioned against excessive familiarity between them, Liv had intended to maintain some distance. Naturally, however, Hayden seemed to have no such intentions.

“Liv, what is this? And that over there?”

From the very next day, he trailed after her incessantly, peppering Liv with inquiries about every little thing. Amid all this, he remained perfectly disguised to avoid revealing his identity – donning freckles and a brown wig, rendering him utterly unrecognizable.

“Hmm…”

As Liv arrived for her usual meal, the chef Max eyed her and Hayden uncertainly.

“A guest of His Grace?”

“Yes, yes indeed.”

“Yet what relation does he bear to you, Miss…?”

Suspicion laced Max’s words.

“Well, we are…”

Hayden glanced sidelong at Liv before giving an exaggerated wink.

“She has merely acquired an uninvited tagalong?”

Though Max’s face registered shock, Hayden calmly took a seat behind Liv. As it wasn’t untrue, Liv offered no correction, only exchanging bewildered looks with Max and Laga.

* * *

“Emergency!”

“Yes, a real emergency!”

Seizing a free moment, Laga conversed with the other servants, her expression frantic.

“That guest seems to have his sights set on our lady!”

“And with His Grace being so occupied at this very moment…”

Mia nodded grimly, prompting the gathering servants to murmur in agreement:

“We must separate that guest from the lady, this is dire indeed.”

“That’s right…”

“Hmph, I knew this would happen.”

That cynical interjection drew their attention to the approaching Becca, her face pinched in disdain. She slipped into their midst, resting her hands on her hips.

“I knew this would happen.”

“What made you think that would happen?”

“About that Hamelsvoort lady – did you truly think His Grace brought her here out of love? More likely she latched onto him herself, no? Just look, she has another man hanging about already!”

“Another man?”

“Playing between our innocent Duke and this new guest, clearly. Didn’t I warn you about that fake Saintess and her wiles? How utterly shameless!”

“What nonsense is this?”

Laga scoffed, lightly flicking Becca’s forehead.

“Ow, why do you keep hitting me?!”

“For spouting such drivel.”

Laga glared defiantly at Becca.

“Can’t you read the situation at all? Do you not know how dearly we cherish our lady? And that guest clearly pales next to our Duke – what game could she possibly be playing?”

“Wha…?”

“Why should we pry into our superiors’ affairs? This is likely just some overblown fuss. You would do better to align yourself with the castle’s atmosphere!”

“What, what did you say?!”

Though Becca gaped in disbelief, Laga proclaimed boldly amid the servants:

“In any case, I am your senior here! Spout more nonsense, and you’ll see what happens!”

* * *

Beloved child, come into my embrace.

Yes, go to the sacred ground, my child.

Gain strength from the hallowed land.

“Ugh…”

Liv furrowed her brow at the weighty divine voices assailing her upon waking. Since descending to the Lartman Duchy, the gods had incessantly urged her to journey to some sacred ground. According to them, this place harbored hallowed lands of the Lufahidism goddess Lufasha. Naturally, Liv had no intention of heeding their summons.

“The gods’ voices give me such a headache these days, always telling me to go to this sacred ground.”

As Liv grumbled those words upon visiting Emmett’s study with Hayden, the engaged Emmett raised his head.

“There is sacred ground in the Duchy?”

“Yes, apparently near the mountains…”

Seeming to ponder something, Emmett slowly replied:

“Now that you mention it, historical records state there was an area the former Valeno Kingdom inhabitants considered ‘sacred ground’ and prohibited entry, back when this region belonged to their kingdom. Though that fact has been wholly forgotten nowadays.”

“Where might this sacred ground be located?”

Hayden casually inquired, prompting Emmett to shake his head.

“This became Imperial territory so long ago, none would know the location of that erstwhile sacred site anymore.”

Liv had heard some details about that sacred ground from the gods themselves. Liv wondered if Emmett would understand if she explained it in detail, she cautiously recounted:

“They said it was a cliff in the mountains.”

“Ah, you must mean the ‘Land of Goats’.”

“The Land of Goats?”

“Yes, a breathtakingly beautiful cliff said to have been carved out by the god – so treacherous that none can approach. Instead, only wild goats dwell there, hence the name.”