To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

At a tea party gathering young noble ladies of the Edelburg region, it was Hannah of House Hertz who first spoke up:

“I hear Duke Lartman will be hosting a soiree upon his return. No doubt to converse with our fathers, but will we all attend?”

“Of course.”

The other ladies echoed her words.

“It has been too long since such a grand soiree. We simply must go.”

“This will help enliven our boredom, what fortuitous timing.”

Though prosperous, the Edelburg region lacked the theater or opera of the capital, so intermingling provided the nobles’ greatest entertainment. To them, any hosted soiree was welcome news regardless of the host.

It was Maria of House Kölpen’s next words that drew everyone’s undivided attention:

“But have you heard? This time, Duke Lartman has brought a lady with him from the capital!”

“Ah, I have heard as well!”

“What do you mean?”

Seeing some ladies’ eyes widen, Maria happily elaborated with relish:

“Well, the Duke has returned accompanied by some noblewoman from the capital.”

“Ah ah, I see.”

The other ladies nodded sagely, their faces betraying no surprise.

“As the Duke is perfection itself, I imagine he would only bring someone equally peerless.”

“Quite so. She must be shown the utmost deference as his future Duchess.”

“She will surely attend this soiree as well? We simply must engage her in conversation.”

None harbored any jealous resentment or hostility. Well aware their own houses paled before the illustrious Lartmans, indulging in petty rivalry seemed pointless – especially against a fellow highborn the Duke himself had escorted from the capital. Better to befriend her as a prospective Duchess instead.

Amid their warm reception, Hannah spoke up with a note of hesitation:

“But will that be wise? Not that we mind, but Malea might…”

“Ah… You raise a fair point. She may well make trouble.”

“Surely she wouldn’t go so far as assaulting this newcomer’s person?”

“Her temperament would allow for little else…”

* * *

Witnessing the crowded Lartman banquet hall, Liv’s eyes widened in wonder. The guests’ attire matched the lavish finery of capital soirees in splendor. While closer inspection might reveal their fashions lagging a season behind the capital’s trends, to Liv, the local nobles nonetheless exuded an air of refined elegance.

‘Not so different from the capital, it seems.’

“Liv, shall we go in?”

“Yes.”

As Emmett escorted Liv inside, all eyes turned towards them.

“Duke Lartman, welcome back.”

“There is actually a matter I wished to address.”

With Emmett’s long-awaited return, nobles who had awaited the chance to engage with him swiftly approached.

“Liv, I’ll rejoin you shortly.”

Emmett’s discussions with the gentlemen had been prearranged. Though he had to release Liv’s hand, she likely wouldn’t find herself entirely alone like in the capital either.

“Might you… be from the capital, by chance…?”

The curious noble ladies were already converging on Liv.

Emmett had mentioned the capital rumors wouldn’t have spread here, and the ladies indeed seemed free of preconceptions about Liv. Ever sensitive to malice, she detected no hostility from their inquisitive faces.

“Yes, hello.”

“Hello, I am Maria Kölpen!”

“And I am Hannah Hertz.”

Liv committed each name to memory – an exercise she always enjoyed.

“I am Liv Hamelsvoort.”

“Oh, Hamelsvoort?”

Those words prompted the ladies’ eyes to widen – they would surely recognize one of the Five Noble Houses.

“We had no idea you were of the Hamelsvoort family!”

“I too am a pious believer, which is why I respect the Hamelsvoort family.”

They seemed to take an immediate liking to Liv simply due to her illustrious lineage. Evidently unaware of any ‘Fake Saintess’ or ‘adopted child’ rumors.

It was then that the lady who had introduced herself as Maria Kölpen spoke up with a proud air:

“Why, I have visited the capital before!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, I saw Walter Hamelsvoort there!”

“Ah, Walter…”

Liv recalled her long-unseen older brother’s face.

While only the two adopted daughters Liv and Hildegard currently resided at the Hamelsvoort estate, the Count and Countess had originally birthed a son – Walter Hamelsvoort, now studying abroad as Liv’s elder brother.

Unsurprisingly, Walter had never cared much for her, rendering their relationship strained. Oblivious to such undercurrents, Maria cheerfully continued:

“Lord Hamelsvoort cuts quite the dashing figure! Though you may not resemble him, my lady, you both share a certain beauty!”

“Haha, pay her no mind. Maria has been going on about her capital visit for five years now.”

One lady’s playful interjection prompted laughter from the others, allowing Liv to join in with an amused smile. Compared to the capital ladies’ attacks on her, the atmosphere here felt far more lighthearted and gentle, putting Liv more at ease.

At some point, however, the laughing ladies’ faces froze in unison, their eyes widening as if facing a mythical serpent behind Liv.

Following their stares, Liv turned to find a woman with flowing black tresses and heavy makeup standing there. An indisputable beauty at first glance, yet her lavish ornamentation lent her an almost intimidating aura. Strutting over with clacking heels, she appraised Liv from head to toe.

“You must be the newcomer to the Lartman household?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“…How disappointing.”

As Liv blinked in bewilderment at such blatant rudeness, the other ladies hastily moved to shield her.

“Now, just a moment! She arrived with Duke Lartman himself!”

“That’s right, Lady Malea! If you would only consider…”

“Out of my way.”

The woman named Malea simply barged through the intervening ladies, her sheer force sending them scattering – though their startled expressions suggested such behavior was unsurprising from her.

“Hmm…”

Malea’s face loomed uncomfortably close to Liv’s as they silently appraised each other before she finally spoke:

“And what house are you from?”

“I am Liv Hamelsvoort.”

“…Hamelsvoort?”

That name seemed to give Malea pause, prompting her to retreat a step. The other ladies swiftly chimed in:

“Yes, she is of that Hamelsvoort family!”

“So surely even you can appreciate, Lady Malea…”

“Hmph.”

Rather than acquiesce, Malea arrogantly folded her arms as she looked down her nose at Liv from her towering height.

“I am Malea of Marquis House Tschermak.”

“It’s a pleasure, Lady Tschermak.”

Liv’s cordial greeting seemed to embolden Malea, who smirked triumphantly at the other ladies – as if she had already emerged victorious over Liv in some unspoken contest.

“Look here, matters of lineage aside, our stations remain distinct. Why should a Count’s daughter warrant any deference from me?”

“But still, that is…”

“I simply can’t accept that.”

Turning back towards Liv, Malea continued her interrogation:

“What precisely is your relation to the Duke? I hear you have taken up residence in his castle.”

“With Emmett?”

“…Yes!”

“We are to be married. I came to the Duchy now to meet his vassals in preparation.”

At those words, the other ladies exchanged resigned looks, as if to say ‘well, there you have it.’

“You see, she is to be the Duchess.”

Malea, however, scowled deeply as she pressed Liv further:

“And why, pray tell, would the Duke agree to marry you?”

“Well, the circumstances are rather complex…”

Unable to bear further witness, Maria interjected – seeming to fear yet not fully respect Malea, regarding her with a mixture of apprehension and disdain that only piqued Liv’s curiosity about her.

“Lady Malea, I have told you time and again, she is a daughter of the esteemed Hamelsvoort family.”

“Hmph!”

Malea scoffed derisively just as a large shadow fell over Liv.

“Lady Tschermak, it has been too long.”

“Emmett!”

As Liv called out his name happily, Emmett glanced at her before positioning himself before Liv. The other ladies now watched with mirth, fans covering their mouths – such entertaining drama unfolding in sleepy Edelburg!

“…It has indeed been a while, Your Grace.”

“Did you and Liv have a chance to become acquainted?”

“Yes, however…”

Malea fixed Emmett with an inscrutable look as she questioned:

“You truly intend to marry this Hamelsvoort lady?”

“Yes, Liv and I are to be wed.”

Those words seemed to strike Malea, her eyes widening in outrage as she protested:

“But why? You are the Duke of the Empire – how could you tie yourself to a mere Count’s daughter?”

Emmett’s expression hardened instantly as he stated in clipped tones:

“Lady Tschermak, there are matters in this world not encompassed by outward appearances alone.”

Now red-faced, Malea whirled and stormed off without another word. The other nobles waved their fans dismissively, as if the anticlimax had disappointed them.

Having watched Malea’s retreating form unflinchingly, Emmett finally turned concerned eyes upon Liv, bending down slightly to meet her gaze:

“Liv, did something untoward occur here?”

“No, everyone has treated me kindly. There were no issues.”

Able to respond confidently since only Malea had displayed animosity while the other ladies favored her, Liv savored the simple joy of mingling normally in high society – a rarity she could scarcely remember.

“…I’m relieved to hear that.”

The ladies then seized the chance to chime in:

“We are all becoming fast friends!”

“You must have duties to attend to, Your Grace.”

“We have much more girl talk ahead of us.”

Their insistent tones seemed to fluster Emmett briefly before he addressed Liv with a concerned look:

“If anything occurs, please don’t hesitate to seek me out, Liv.”

“Yes.”

After the ladies shooed Emmett away, they regarded Liv with amusement she couldn’t fathom – prompting Maria to explain:

“Lady Malea must have given you quite the fright just now.”

“Not particularly…”

“You see, Lady Malea had anticipated marrying the Duke himself.”