To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

When Liv attended the banquet the next day, the first thing she sensed was the changed atmosphere. Of course, high society had never been friendly to Liv. But while people had just avoided her until recently, perhaps conscious of Emmett, now they were looking at Liv with contempt like before.

‘It seems the rumors have spread.’

Liv’s face became indifferent after confirming the faces of people whispering about her. It was expected that Deborah would spread rumors using Gert and her relationship. And those people probably don’t really believe the rumors. Looking closely, Deborah’s group was mixed among the whispering people. They were probably just spreading false rumors to show that they couldn’t accept Liv.

Of course, if these rumors spread, they could really change something. For example, Emmett might break off the engagement with Liv due to the scandals surrounding her… Liv knew that Emmett, feeling guilty towards her, wouldn’t do that, but other nobles in this banquet hall might believe they would break up and treat her lightly.

Among the nobles who were making a fuss as if they had heard some great scandal about Liv, Gert had a triumphant face. He was too dull to even realize that Deborah was using him.

As Liv looked around, she spotted Deborah in the middle of her usual group. Deborah was looking at Liv, pretending to be innocent.

‘Should I just leave her behaving like that?’

Liv had always believed that she couldn’t change anything with her power. She thought it was natural for people to dislike her. That’s why she didn’t try to change anything even when she was openly bullied in high society. Although the gods expressed anger towards those who treated her carelessly, Liv only stopped the gods and didn’t think about removing the cause of the bullying.

However, staying still might not be the only answer. Hadn’t Liv already changed her position by courageously entering the sacred ground in the Lartman Duchy? Liv recalled what Hildegard, who couldn’t come here due to rain ritual preparations, had told her.

-Sister, if someone mentions bad rumors about you when you go to the banquet this time, don’t endure it but respond.

-Then people will look down on me even more.

-No, it’s different from before.

Hildegard had a serious look in her eyes as she said this to Liv.

-Now you’re about to become a Duchess according to the marriage approved by His Majesty the Emperor. That means… His Majesty has practically given this social circle to you.

She shouldn’t leave the rumors alone like before. That’s Liv’s duty… at least according to Hildegard’s argument.

If Liv used her power, people’s attitudes towards her would change immediately, but there was no need to use power now. For such a low-level prank…

‘Yes, let’s do what I can do right now.’

Finally resolving herself, Liv walked steadily towards Deborah. Unlike when she always sat with Emmett or Hildegard just watching people at banquets, as Liv showed movement for the first time, all eyes followed her.

“Miss Zibel.”

Liv addressed Deborah, who was surrounded by other people. The noble young ladies around her looked flustered. Although they parasitized on Zibel’s power, the center of high society, they didn’t seem to have the confidence to confront the daughter of Hamelsvoort, who might soon become Lartman. They looked around and quietly started to make room for Liv.

“…What is it?”

“It’s nothing much. Just.”

Liv knew that if she mentioned the ‘rumors’ here, Deborah would deny it. Then she would only look more foolish.

“Have you heard about that rumor?”

“What rumor?”

Thinking Liv had fallen into her trap, Deborah smiled, covering her mouth with a fan. However, what came out of Liv’s mouth was something Deborah hadn’t expected.

“I heard that Miss Zibel worships heresy…”

“What? What nonsense are you talking about? I certainly worship the Supreme God. Miss Hamelsvoort, are you trying to spread false rumors because you dislike me?”

Deborah’s voice rose excitedly.

“Even if you’re about to become a Duchess, you’re going too far these days. I heard that recently you tried to threaten Judith Feuchstein using your status.”

“Well, I wonder when I ever threatened anyone.”

“If the other person felt threatened, then it’s intimidation. As expected, Miss Hamelsvoort…”

“That’s enough.”

As Liv coldly cut off her words, Deborah looked surprised. However, Liv was looking at Deborah with a calm face without moving.

“Miss Zibel.”

“What?”

“I’m scheduled to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor tomorrow. His Majesty said he wanted to see the Duke and me together.”

Perhaps misunderstanding that Liv was mentioning her closeness with the Emperor, Deborah flinched. Other nobles eavesdropping nearby also looked scared. The Emperor was an object of fear for everyone.

“I’m planning to offer a gift to His Majesty the Emperor. And I’m not sure what results it will bring to the Zibel family.”

“What do you…”

“Miss Zibel might be better off admitting to worshipping heresy and receiving punishment from the temple. Think about it carefully.”

Deborah seemed not to understand Liv’s words, but soon, as always, thinking that she was saying something incomprehensible, she regained her arrogant expression.

“Ha, if you’re trying to spread false rumors about me, it won’t work!”

“If that’s your wish, Miss Zibel, I understand.”

Yes, in the end, Deborah chose to confront Liv. Then Liv should give her a proper consequence. However, what was bothering her… Liv’s head turned to Gert, who had been stealing glances at her. She knew how to quiet Deborah, but in Gert’s case, she hadn’t found a way yet. He kept hovering around her, being annoying.

At that moment, the door to the banquet hall opened. Everyone’s gaze focused on the person entering, breaking the tense atmosphere.

“Liv.”

Emmett, wrapped in a black cloak, walked towards Liv, looking only at her.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I had some business. Have you been well?”

“Yes, but…”

As Liv’s gaze turned to Gert, Emmett’s face became displeased. It was a face that seemed to guess what had happened in the meantime.

“Young Lord Kreppelin.”

As Emmett called his name directly, the atmosphere became chilly.

“Y-yes?”

“I have something to say, would you come closer?”

Emmett was wearing a cold expression that Liv had never seen before. As Emmett said this, now everyone’s gaze was focused on them. Nobles who hadn’t slandered Liv had interested faces, as if they didn’t care which side won.

As Gert hesitantly came in front of Emmett, killing intent flowed from Emmett’s eyes as he glared at Gert. There was no clear change in expression, but it was so cold and emotionless that it seemed he could kill someone like Gert without blinking an eye.

“Why do you keep stealing glances at a woman who rejected your proposal?”

“What? When did I…”

“You should know that this not only goes against chivalry but is also extremely rude and shameful. Also, forcibly following someone who dislikes you can be punishable by law.”

“I, I really never did that! This is unfair! This is a false accusation. Why do you believe the words of a fake Saintess in the first place? She’s been lying from birth!”

“…Young Lord Kreppelin.”

Hearing those words, instead of bursting with anger, Emmett only coldly stated facts to Gert.

“I know everything you’ve done before, and I’ve reported it to His Majesty. His Majesty has given me the right of summary judgment.”

“Ah…!”

As if recalling how Emmett usually dealt with criminals, Gert’s face turned pale. No matter if Deborah was behind him, there was no comparison between the Zibel family and the Lartman family. His head, which had lost reason due to momentary intoxication, instantly cooled down. Now only fear and helplessness remained in Gert.

“I, I’m wronged…”

“Do you still want to say that even though I have the right of summary judgment?”

Realizing that speaking further would only be disadvantageous, Gert closed his mouth.

“Young Lord Kreppelin, I just heard that your parents are considering sending you to a monastery.”

“What? What do you mean…”

Sending a noble man to a monastery was tantamount to socially sentencing him to death. It meant taking away everything he could enjoy as a noble man and making him live no differently from a commoner. No, it could be said to be even worse than the life of a common man, in that he was deprived of the freedom to enjoy entertainment and marry. 

Sometimes, those who lost in the struggle for succession were sent to monasteries by the decision of family members, but it was rare for a noble young man not related to such issues to go to a monastery.

“Go and check for yourself.”

Whether he guessed that Emmett had done something, or was afraid to be in front of Emmett, Gert backed away, looking around at those words. For now, he had to go back to his family immediately and check what was going on.

After he hurriedly left, Liv whispered to Emmett with a puzzled face.

“What happened?”

“…It turned out that way.”

“You mean Young Lord Kreppelin might go to a monastery?”

“Yes, his parents said so.”

At those words, Liv’s face brightened. Seeing the judgment of the Kreppelin family members considering sending Gert to a monastery, Liv could guess that Emmett had used strong measures. But Liv had no reason to criticize Emmett for that. The thought of Gert, who had troubled her so much, going to a monastery made Liv feel instantly refreshed, as if cool water had been poured into her heart.

“Oh, Emmett. I have something to say about meeting His Majesty the Emperor.”

“What is it?”

“I want to give His Majesty a relic containing ancient magic. But that relic…”

As he listened to the story, Emmett’s face became serious. After a while, Emmett was nodding, looking at Liv with a strange gaze.

“Do as you planned, Liv. It will be effective.”

“Really? Will it work out as I thought?”

If things proceeded as Liv thought, she could avoid being pushed into a weak position in high society anymore. She had only been hesitating because the method wasn’t conscientious. Towards such a Liv, Emmett showed a face saying that of course her judgment was right.

“Yes, His Majesty will do as you wish, Liv.”