To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“Yes, let’s use those lowly ones.”

First, if she met people who disliked Liv and talked with them, she thought she might find a way. Although they were foolish and lazy, they should still have enough value to be used.

However, when she sent someone to inquire at the Lartman mansion, she was told that the maid had been expelled from the castle for spreading bad rumors about Liv. And even in that short time of checking the atmosphere of the Duke’s household, it was clear that all the servants in the castle were favorable towards Liv.

“Has everyone gone mad?”

Malea, unable to give up easily, searched hard and found that maid named Becca, but…

“Lady Tschermak, are you still harboring wrong thoughts?”

“What?”

Becca, who was summoned to the Tschermak Marquis’ mansion, looked straight at Malea with a stern face and said:

“Young lady, repent. I have already reflected on my past mistakes and asked Lady Hamelsvoort for forgiveness. From now on, I plan to live reflecting on my past wrongs.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Fortunately, since I have memorized all the scriptures, I was able to find a job at the temple. I will continue to live dedicating myself to God. I’m glad that this opportunity has strengthened my faith in God even more.”

Where had that appearance of slandering Liv gone? Becca only uttered devout words, telling Malea to repent even now.

“No, don’t you dislike having someone from the slums as your superior?”

When Malea shouted in a frustrated tone, Becca’s expression hardened even more.

“What does social status matter? What’s important is being chosen by God.”

“What did you say?”

“Even so, God loves Lady Hamelsvoort more than you. I heard you saw the Miss use her power that day?”

“Yes, I saw it! I saw that strange sight of trees bowing and goats worshipping! Even if she can use inexplicable power, it doesn’t qualify her to take the position of Duchess!”

“My goodness, how can you say such blasphemous words… How can you doubt someone chosen by the Supreme God?”

Finally, Malea realized that she couldn’t communicate with Becca. She had never gotten along well with devout people from the beginning.

“From now on, live dedicating yourself to God.”

Even when Malea was chasing Becca away, Becca went so far as to give presumptuous advice. It almost pushed Malea’s already boiling anger to the brink of explosion. She wanted to make that lowly being never set foot in Edelburg again.

“Hah, calm down.”

However, thinking that getting angry wouldn’t change anything, Malea calmed herself. That one was protected by the temple, and even she would have trouble if she touched her. Yes, anyway, Liv Hamelsvoort would never really become her superior.

“Still, the vassals won’t accept that woman.”

If the vassals had even minimal thinking, they would reject Liv Hamelsvoort.

There was still one last hope left. In any case, everything would go according to Malea’s will…

* * *

Liv looked in the mirror with a tense face, adjusting her appearance. Today was the day to meet the vassals of the Lartman Duchy. The mirror, decorated with a gold frame, was so magnificent and huge that it would make anyone standing before it look shabby, which was causing Liv’s confidence to plummet.

“Miss, don’t worry. You look very pretty.”

Even with Laga saying that, Liv’s anxiety didn’t subside. She was just trying to manage her expression, looking at her face in the mirror this way and that.

The light pink frilly dress Liv was wearing blended well with her unique aura, giving her a fluffy appearance. With multiple pearl necklaces and white shoes decorated with pearls, Liv looked lovely to anyone. Her hair was tied on both sides and decorated with deep pink ribbons.

Thanks to Laga’s great care, she looked like a lovely and innocent woman who had grown up without any hardship, but Liv just couldn’t feel at ease. The important thing wasn’t appearance. After all, the fact that Liv had been called a ‘fake Saintess’ hadn’t changed.

At that moment, someone knocked on Liv’s door.

“Liv, may I come in?”

“Yes.”

Emmett, who opened the door and entered, smiled gently when he saw Liv, then walked briskly to her and opened his mouth.

“Liv, you don’t look well.”

“I’m worried, after all.”

“It’s alright, I’ve prepared a plan.”

Then Emmett placed something in Liv’s hand. It was a golden compass that was heavily rusted and old, yet somehow exuded an intimidating aura.

“What… is this?”

“It’s a relic containing ancient magic.”

At those words, Liv stared at the object. Looking closely, she could feel the aura of a god from it. To be precise, it was the aura of the Supreme God worshipped in the Holy Church. After all, the sacred objects were created from parts that the Supreme God had cut off from their own body in the past.

And according to what the gods had told her, the current Emperor August is using magic to falsely pretend that he receives the grace of the Supreme God and performs miracles.

‘So this is what he used to perform magic…’

The terrible pain that sometimes comes to Liv’s body along with the branding. She thought it originated from these objects.

“Why did the Duke…”

“His Majesty commanded me to find it.”

From those words, Liv could guess that Emmett had found relics for the Emperor before. Relics that allow the Emperor to use power in exchange for Liv.

However, she didn’t feel resentful towards Emmett. Emmett wouldn’t have brought it to the Emperor if he knew this object was tormenting Liv… Above all, she didn’t want to blame anyone for her suffering. She didn’t even want to blame the Emperor. Liv was too tired to spend energy hating someone.

“I see. But why are you giving this to me?”

“Since we can’t reveal that you receive the love of the gods, let’s tell a partial lie while revealing only a part. If this object contains the power of a god, can you find similar objects?”

At those words, Liv closed her eyes for a moment and concentrated. Liv would probably be more sensitive to the power of gods than anyone else on this continent. Therefore, it wasn’t difficult to find relics scattered across the continent.

“…Yes, I can find them. Though it seems there aren’t any in this area.”

“I see. Then let’s introduce to the vassals that you have the power to find relics.”

“What?”

“One of the reasons you were considered a Saintess for a while was your rapid recovery speed. People don’t doubt that fact. So in addition to that, how about revealing that you also have the power to find ancient magic? Oh, it would be fine to openly reveal your power altogether. You now have the power of a god, don’t you? Can you use it?”

“Yes, I still have quite a bit of that power left in my body, so I can use it a few more times.”

“If the vassals try to reject you, how about showing that power in front of them?”

“Hmm…”

The reason Liv hadn’t revealed her power until now was partly because she was afraid people wouldn’t believe her, but there was a true reason separate from that.

She was afraid of the Emperor.

Liv wanted to hide her power for fear that the Emperor might find out that she was the last descendant of the Gracia family.

‘The fact that I used my power here will eventually spread to the capital.’

When that time comes, the Emperor will take interest in Liv, and it will be inevitable to be summoned before him and questioned.

‘It can’t be helped.’

There was a saying in the Garsia Empire: ‘The sword has already been drawn’. It meant that once the sword is drawn, nothing can be returned to how it was before. It was also the phrase that best described Liv’s current situation. Liv can no longer live in hiding, pretending to have no power at all.

Of course, she wanted to postpone facing the Emperor as much as possible… but if she only thinks about the immediate situation, it would be wise to reveal her power. Yes, considering the distance between Edelburg and the capital, it will take a long time for the rumors here to spread to the capital. The servants who came from Lartman Duchy could talk, but nobles don’t trust the words of servants much, she had heard.

…For now, let’s reveal the power in front of the vassals if it becomes necessary. And let’s discuss with Emmett about what to do in the capital.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

After agreeing on this, when they entered the room where the vassals were gathered…

‘Ah.’

Liv’s expression cracked as she read a familiar aura. There was a subtle atmosphere in the room. To be precise, it was wariness towards Liv.

‘As expected, they dislike me.’

Well, there’s no reason for them to like her, a fake Saintess. Thinking this, Liv sat down, guided by Emmett. Perhaps because it was a room used when outsiders visited Lartman, the room was grand and had high ceilings, so just entering it had the power to somehow intimidate people. Especially looking at the deer head decoration on the wall made her feel uneasy. Even though Liv, who was used to much more enormous auras than this, could act calmly.

A moment later, after confirming that all participants were present without absence, Emmett opened his mouth.

“As I mentioned in the letter, I would like to introduce the person who wishes to marry me and become the mistress of the Lartman Duchy. This is Liv Hamelsvoort, daughter of the Hamelsvoort family.”

“Nice to meet you.”

As Liv greeted in a small voice, silence fell.

The one who soon opened his mouth was the man who looked the oldest there.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Hamelsvoort. I am Anton Zaks. In fact, it would be right for the person who will become Lartman’s mistress to introduce us here… but it seems there’s something we need to discuss first.”

He made eye contact with the others as if seeking agreement, then continued in a serious voice.

“I’ll speak frankly. Before coming here, we heard rumors about Lady Hamelsvoort. We would like to ask if those rumors are true.”

Normally, she might have felt a little intimidated, but the current Liv knew how to make them acknowledge her, so it was fine. Liv answered confidently.

“Yes, they’re true.”

“I see, so it is true after all…”

Zaks stroked his beard.

“Yes, I am indeed a ‘fake Saintess’.”

“Is it really true that you’re the illegitimate child of Count Hamelsvoort… Huh?”