To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

The main place for hosting banquets in the imperial castle was the Golden Palace. The Golden Palace, originally built for banquets, had such a splendid appearance that it could leave first-time visitors in awe. The impossibly high ceiling with inexplicably painted ceiling murals, window frames decorated with gold, dazzlingly bright chandeliers, flowers filling vases all year round…

However, when they reached the front of the Solar Palace where the Emperor was said to reside, Liv thought there couldn’t be a more magnificent building in the world.

The Solar Palace was so grand and overwhelming that it made even the Golden Palace lose its luster in comparison. As the majesty of the Solar Palace, filled with all sorts of decorations she had never imagined before, was revealed, Liv instinctively had to stop in front of it. It could truly be called the sun descended to earth.

“…Although they say all who work in the imperial palace are the Emperor’s people, this is especially true for the Solar Palace. You must be careful, Liv.”

“Yes… But was this building so magnificent from when it was first built?”

Feeling that it somewhat contradicted the doctrines of the Holy Church, Liv asked this, and Emmett whispered in her ear with a troubled face.

“The Solar Palace underwent renovation when the current Emperor ascended to the throne. His Majesty likes splendor, you see.”

“Ah…”

It was such a luxurious building that Liv thought if the starving people suffering from drought saw this palace, they might start a riot. Future historians might present the Solar Palace as evidence that August was a tyrant…

“Well, shall we enter?”

“Yes.”

Liv took Emmett’s hand and stepped into the Solar Palace. By now, it was surprisingly familiar to have his large hand covering hers. There was a time when just touching him had been her wish.

Even in the Solar Palace, they headed straight for the Sun Room. It was the space used when subjects had an audience with the Emperor. As the door to the room opened, Liv once again had to hold her breath.

‘So this is why it’s called the Sun Room…’

The chandelier hanging from the ceiling was densely filled with red jewels, and its splendor was comparable to the sun. The sculptures on the walls and the embroidered carpets were also amazing, but above all, the chandelier was the most impressive.

Surprised by the room’s grandeur, Liv soon spotted a man sitting on a magnificent throne.

“We are in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor, the sun of the Empire protected by the Supreme God.”

Only then did Liv come to her senses and greet the Emperor according to protocol.

“Raise your head.”

Only after the Emperor’s command did Liv raise her head to look at him.

‘So this is the Emperor…’

Although she had seen the Emperor from afar during banquets, this was the first time seeing him so close. The Emperor possessed dignity befitting his position. An overwhelming charisma emanated from his grand stature, and his eyes were like those of a predator hunting its prey. Even without the modifier of ‘tyrant,’ he was a person who could make one feel intimidated by his appearance alone.

This person has the power to put her back in Abgrund. As soon as she saw his face, Liv felt this fact deeply. As Liv lowered her eyes, not knowing how to act next, the Emperor commanded once again.

“Come closer.”

Liv approached the Emperor, holding Emmett’s hand. Noticing that she was frightened, Emmett tightened his grip on her hand to prevent her from falling.

“Duke, it truly delights me to see you grown so much and bringing a bride.”

“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s grace.”

“So, you are the daughter of Hamelsvoort?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Though her voice trembled faintly, the Emperor seemed rather satisfied with this and raised the corner of his mouth.

“Hamelsvoort…”

Somehow his voice sounded like a curse, making her body stiffen, but Liv tried her best to stay focused. Yes, compared to the pressure of the gods’ voices, this was nothing.

That seat belongs to my child.

Who dares to look down on the child I love?

The gods’ voices ringing loudly in a corner of her head also helped Liv calm down to some extent. Her mind was so complicated that she had no room to feel fear.

“The Duke is my most cherished and loyal subject. That’s why I wanted to meet his bride.”

The Emperor speaking like this seemed friendly towards Liv, but she knew she should never trust him. He might change his attitude at any moment, like flipping his palm.

“However, there is one thing I want to ask you.”

“Please inquire, Your Majesty.”

“Do you know about your birth parents?”

Liv tensed at the unexpected question, but thinking she had to somehow come up with a lie, her mind started racing quickly. She needed to reassure the Emperor while preventing him from confirming the truth. To do that…

“I grew up in the slums without parents, running around with other children, so I don’t know much, but I heard my mother was a prostitute. Therefore, I know nothing about my father.”

“Is there no possibility that your father was of noble birth?”

“The place where my mother was located was far from the high-class taverns that noble people visit.”

At those words, the corner of the Emperor’s mouth raised as if mocking Liv.

“Well, what does that matter? Now you are a daughter of Hamelsvoort.”

“I’m grateful that you speak so of my lowly origin, Your Majesty.”

However, the Emperor’s questions continued without stopping.

“Why did the rumor spread that you were a fake Saintess?”

Now it was time for Liv to tell the Emperor what she had prepared.

“Due to my sensitivity to divine energy, I’m ashamed to say that I and those around me mistook me for a Saintess.”

“…Sensitive to divine energy, you say?”

“Yes, it’s a fact not yet publicly known. I have something to tell Your Majesty regarding this matter.”

As she said this, Liv tried to put on a face that looked respectful.

“I can use my sensitive intuition to find relics containing ancient magic.”

“What?”

For a moment, the Emperor’s expression wavered, as if surprised.

“It’s true, Your Majesty. She also helped in finding the relic you ordered this time.”

“Then… you can find other remaining relics as well?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I wish to provide Your Majesty with information about the relics.”

The Emperor seemed to be thinking about something, then soon smiled gently at Liv. It was a smile meant to reassure her, but it seemed completely insincere.

“Well then, do you have information to tell me?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. As a result of my energy search, there was one relic in the capital.”

Liv continued speaking with her eyes lowered.

In fact, Liv couldn’t believe at first that there was a relic there. But when Liv went there by carriage, she could feel that there really was a relic inside.

“Your Majesty, the Marquis Zibel is in possession of a relic.”

Perhaps that was the secret to the Zibel family’s trading company successfully continuing its business until now. While it might be impossible to read the future as rumored, they could probably predict things like weather or natural disasters.

At those words, the Emperor’s face became even more surprised than before.

“You say the Zibel family has a relic?”

“That’s right. If you search the Zibel household, you will surely find a relic. Also, the reason I’m telling Your Majesty this first is because Marquis Zibel’s intention in holding onto the relic seems impure.”

Emmett quickly followed up on Liv’s words. Even Emmett, the most loyal subject, saying so naturally made the Emperor believe Liv’s words.

“In principle, relics containing ancient magic should be managed by the state. However, the Zibel family didn’t present it to Your Majesty. What could this mean?”

Even without Emmett saying so, ‘Tyrant August’ already seemed to view the Zibel family unfavorably.

“How dare they…”

An old saying goes to deal with enemies as enemies. Although using the Emperor’s hand wasn’t entirely pleasant, Liv knew what the most effective way to deal with Deborah was.

‘This is better than divine punishment, I suppose.’

It might be a punishment that others would call cruel, but Liv sincerely thought this was better for Deborah than the truly harsh divine punishment.

“Yes, I’ve been too quiet lately, being mindful of the temple’s gaze…”

Seeing the Emperor say that, it seemed disaster would soon befall the Zibel family. The Emperor looked down at Liv again with a benevolent smile.

“Of course, we’ll have to search to know for sure, but if what you say is true, you’ve given me good information. I should reward you…”

“If I have been of help to Your Majesty, it is an honor for me. There could be no greater reward than this.”

“Is there really nothing you want?”

If she said there was nothing at all here, it might offend the Emperor again. Liv thought for a moment and found an appropriate reward.

“I would be overjoyed if Your Majesty would bestow a gift to celebrate our marriage.”

“Haha! I’ll have my people deliver a nice gift for the wedding.”

Of course, Liv was puzzled because she thought the Emperor would come to their wedding in person. However, since it was better that he didn’t come, Liv didn’t ask the reason.

“I’ve kept people who are about to get married for too long. You may go now.”

“We feel like we’ve taken up Your Majesty’s valuable time as well, so we’ll take our leave.”

Only after greeting the Emperor and leaving the Solar Palace could Liv finally breathe freely. The gods’ voices that had been confusing her mind also quieted down a bit.

“Liv, are you alright?”

As Emmett asked her worriedly, Liv smiled gently.

“I’m fine, it wasn’t as hard as I thought.”

“…I’m sorry. I don’t have power now, so I couldn’t avoid the situation.”

“No, really, I’m fine.”

Even so, Liv wondered about Emmett’s words. What did he mean by not having power ‘now’? Does it mean he’ll have power soon?