To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“Can’t you make it rain with your power?”

“No, I can’t do that. Maybe you could, sister, but not me.”

Well, controlling the weather is clearly the realm of gods. No matter how much of a Saintess she is, she wouldn’t dare challenge that domain. Liv nodded at Hildegard’s words, then said with a worried expression.

“What will we do if we run out of water?”

She wasn’t simply worried about imperial citizens dying from drought. The question just now included the possibility of Liv herself dying from not being able to drink water. Seeming to understand the meaning of her words, Hildegard kindly explained.

“That’s why they’re currently drawing water from the rivers and storing it for the imperial family and noble houses. Since we’re one of the Five Noble Houses, we won’t have to worry about not getting water.”

“I see. It’s not really related to me, but I’m still worried.”

What came to Liv’s mind were the noble young ladies she met in Edelburg and the servants of the Lartman Duchy. Liv, who previously hadn’t felt a bond with others, now recognized them as living, breathing beings thanks to them and started to care.

“You’re right. I’m worried about the imperial citizens. Their lives are at stake right now… Some people grumbled that such things didn’t happen when the Gracia family, loved by the gods, ruled, but they closed their mouths when they noticed others’ gazes. Public sentiment seems to be quite low indeed.”

“Really?”

“Yes, of course, His Majesty the Emperor wasn’t originally well-liked… but it’s amazing how he creates new worries for the country day by day. Last year, we almost went to war with the Valeno Kingdom over diplomatic issues. This year, even though there’s a drought, he’s sitting idle without any countermeasures.”

Although it wasn’t Liv’s concern whether public sentiment towards the Steinberg imperial family fell or not, she listened attentively for the sake of Hilda, who was explaining earnestly. Then, Hildegard looked at Liv and opened her mouth.

“Sister, you said you used your power there, right?”

“Yes. Now I can use my power to some extent according to my will.”

“Then…”

Hildegard grabbed Liv’s hands with sparkling eyes.

“Why don’t you reveal your power and become another Saintess?”

“…Me?”

“Yes, for example… by making it rain, or something like that. If you do that much, everyone will think you’re a real Saintess.”

“But wouldn’t that put you in a difficult position?”

“There’s no law saying there can only be one Saintess.”

From Hildegard’s perspective, it was a very considerate suggestion for Liv, but Liv shook her head immediately. Rumors about Liv’s power hadn’t spread to the capital yet. So Liv didn’t want to deliberately do anything that would make the Emperor take notice of her. Hildegard looked dejected but didn’t try to persuade Liv further.

“I understand, sister must have her own thoughts.”

Watching Hildegard’s back, Liv suddenly felt the urge to tell her about her circumstances. But she deliberately kept her mouth shut. She couldn’t put Hildegard in danger by increasing the number of people who knew her secret.

Even if the Emperor were to confine Liv in Abgrund again, Liv alone had to bear all the blame.

* * *

Emmett kept his head bowed for a long time until he heard Emperor August’s voice. He couldn’t relax because he couldn’t see his expression. Emmett raised his head only when August finally opened his mouth.

“Hmm, good work.”

August’s face showed a satisfied look as he examined the relic Emmett had brought.

“You’ve brought the right one.”

“It’s an honor to be of help to Your Majesty.”

The small compass, reflecting the light of the magnificent chandelier, sparkled in August’s hand. Although this compass, clearly with hundreds of years of history, was old and shabby, it possessed a strange light that could enchant people. So that anyone could tell it was no ordinary object.

“So, did you properly introduce the fake Saintess to your vassals?”

“Yes, I completed the task successfully.”

“Your vassals didn’t object?”

“How could they go against what Your Majesty has allowed?”

As Emmett appropriately flattered August, he looked even more satisfied. To change the subject, Emmett decided to ask about the relic.

“Your Majesty, what do you plan to use that relic for?”

“Recently, people have been pestering me to hold a rain ritual because it hasn’t rained, so I’d like to hold a rain ritual and make it rain then. Louisa?”

As August called her name, the woman standing quietly next to him with her hands folded raised her head. The woman, with blonde hair and green eyes exactly like August, was tall with a neck as long as a deer’s, giving her a power to draw people’s gazes. However, her ashen complexion and pale lips gave her a somewhat sickly impression.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you think we can make it rain with this?”

At those words, Louisa respectfully received the compass from August.

Emperor August’s only child, Imperial Princess Louisa.

Louisa had studied magic from a very young age at August’s command, and as a result, she began using magic as August wished even before her debutante ball. The ability to handle ancient magic was rare, and because it was hard to find someone as talented as Louisa, August made her focus solely on magic instead of studying to be an heir.

Currently, Louisa was of marriageable age but hadn’t formed any relationships with anyone. August still hadn’t chosen a match for Louisa. Previously, August had tried to marry Louisa to Emmett, but it was abandoned due to concerns that the Lartman ducal family might grow too powerful as in-laws.

Louisa, who had been examining the relic, carefully opened her mouth.

“Your Majesty, even if we use magic, human power cannot change the weather… It seems difficult to make it rain…”

“I see, then what should we do?”

August didn’t get angry that the relic he had gone to the trouble of finding was useless. Seeing this, Emmett could guess that the Emperor was in a good mood today. To avoid ruining his mood unnecessarily, Emmett carefully opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty, how about purifying dirty water instead?”

“Purification?”

“Yes, the Dneuve River has almost exposed its bottom, but there’s still some muddy water left. Although the amount is small, if you purify that water, you could achieve an effect similar to making it rain.”

“That makes sense. Louisa, prepare the purification magic.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Fortunately, that seemed possible, and Louisa bowed her head with a slightly brighter complexion.

“Lartman, you always give me great help. Not only finding this relic this time but even marrying the Hamelsvoort daughter for me.”

“It’s what I should do as Your Majesty’s subject.”

“How should I repay this loyalty?”

August said this with a smirk, and for a moment, Emmett felt ominous. Nothing good had ever happened when he smiled like that.

“Right, I should see your bride in person.”

“…Your Majesty?”

“Bring your bride before me. I should bless your marriage in person.”

Blessing. August said he would give his blessing, but it was uncertain whether it would truly be a blessing for Emmett and Liv. August was a person who often acted capriciously and impulsively. If he were to act cruelly in front of Liv and shock her, or if he were to try to touch Liv as well…

‘No.’

But if he said he wouldn’t show Liv to August, who knows what might happen. That might really turn the Emperor against them. He had to endure for now. For the first time since his parents passed away, Emmett felt truly powerless.

Finally, after answering that he would do so, Emmett left the room with his head down, clenching his fist.

‘Liv…’

He didn’t want Liv to be at the mercy of others. Liv had already endured a long time with her freedom taken away. Therefore, Emmett wanted to give Liv a position freer than anyone else’s, a position where she could act as she pleased, a position with more power than anyone else’s. For example…

Emmett shook his head at the dangerous thought that suddenly occurred to him. No matter how much he wanted to give everything to Liv, if they dream too big, they might end up falling like the boy who burned to death chasing the sun.

* * *

Hildegard, who was embroidering in her room, couldn’t help but drop her needle at the shocking news that struck her ears.

“Hildegard, I’m going to have an audience with His Majesty next week.”

Liv, who had just met with Emmett, was saying this with a calm face. Hildegard jumped up from her seat in surprise and opened her mouth, unable to control her expression.

“Goodness! Will you be alright?”

“Why are you so worried?”

“Well… Is there anyone who doesn’t know how cruel His Majesty the Emperor is?”

“His Majesty trusts Emmett’s loyalty, so I should be fine since I’m marrying Emmett.”

What could she do if she wasn’t fine? Still, the Emperor didn’t know Liv’s true identity yet, so he wouldn’t confine her in Abgrund again. As long as it wasn’t Abgrund, Liv had nothing to fear.

“But… I’ve met His Majesty the Emperor before.”

Hildegard was about to bring her fingernails to her mouth but barely restrained herself and said with an anxious face.

“It was half a year after I was recognized as a Saintess. Although the audience was brief, I really…”

At that moment, they heard a commotion from the entrance, and Hildegard closed her mouth. Wondering if a servant sent by the Emperor had come to find them right away, they left the room and poked their heads out over the stairs.

“Liv!”

Countess Hamelsvoort, who had just made eye contact with Liv, called Liv’s name with an urgent face. It somehow felt ominous. Next to her was the Count, reading something with a serious face. When they went downstairs, Lady Hamelsvoort grabbed Liv’s arm, applying so much force it almost hurt, and said:

“Liv, do you know about Young Lord Kreppelin?”

“Young Lord Kreppelin?”

Liv’s face instinctively crumpled at hearing the familiar name. It was a name Liv disliked very much. Hildegard also reacted to that name in the same way.

“Why are you asking about that person?”

“Liv, listen carefully.”

Count Hamelsvoort spoke in a serious tone.

“Young Lord Kreppelin has proposed to you.”

“…What?”

At that moment, both Liv and Hildegard’s eyes widened. Because that person was…