To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

Of course, people want those who are beneficial to them or those who align with the values they pursue. So it’s not strange that the Hamelsvoort couple, who considered Liv useless, were indifferent to her. Conversely, it’s not incomprehensible that they treat her well now that they know Liv receives God’s love. Yes, that’s not wrong. But why…

‘I don’t feel good.’

She felt aversion towards the Hamelsvoort couple.

“We should now greet other people as well.”

Emmett seemed to have noticed Liv’s subtly subdued attitude. As he naturally made Liv take his arm while saying that, the Hamelsvoort couple nodded, finally realizing that Liv had just had her wedding.

“Th-that’s right!”

“Then come to the Hamelsvoort mansion next time, Liv!”

Liv carefully moved her feet while leaning her weight on Emmett. Strangely, her steps felt heavy today.

“Are you tired, Liv?”

“No, just… I feel strange.”

“It’s understandable to feel bad. I understand you, Liv.”

“Understand…”

At those words, Liv lifted her head and stared at Emmett.

He said he ‘understood’ her. Understood.

Liv was surrounded by people who didn’t understand her. It was uncertain whether Emmett truly understood Liv. But just him saying so made Liv feel like she had received a great gift.

“Still, you’ll have to get used to it. People naturally treat others according to their own interests.”

“I see…”

“People will be interested in Liv, who receives God’s love. I’ll try not to let such opportunistic people near you, but…”

“It’s not a bad thing.”

Liv said with a crooked smile. As if to prove her words, at every table Liv visited, all the nobles showed friendly attitudes towards her.

“Oh my, Miss Hamelsvoort! You look so beautiful today! The dress you wore at the wedding earlier was pretty, but this light pink outfit suits you so well too! Light colors really suit you, Miss Hamelsvoort!”

“Ahem. I’ve believed in Miss Hamelsvoort from the beginning.”

“I sincerely bless your marriage.”

Their reactions were largely divided into two types: people who made a fuss as if they had liked Liv from the beginning, and people who couldn’t meet Liv’s eyes out of guilt. It seemed it would take some time for them to adapt to each other.

Finally, Liv and Emmett arrived at the last table. It was the table where Deborah’s group, who had been bullying Liv before, was sitting.

“Hello, thank you for coming to the wedding.”

When Liv greeted them like that, their pupils shook. Among them who were just watching, Miss Schwartz was the first to speak.

“It’s our honor to attend such a grand wedding. The venue is really wonderful, hoho.”

Watching her laugh awkwardly, Liv gave a bitter smile. Schwartz was the young lady who had invited Liv to a tea party before and placed a mouse in Liv’s seat. Seeing her pleading attitude in front of Liv, it seemed they had now decided to completely submit to Liv. Of course, it would be fine to accept them here, but…

“Is that so? Actually, I was surprised that Miss Schwartz came here.”

“Wh-what?”

“Didn’t you say before that you didn’t even want to be in the same space as me? Ah, but you attended banquets where I was present well, so was that just empty words?”

“M-Miss Hamelsvoort…”

Schwartz stammered, and the other young ladies avoided her gaze that seemed to be seeking help. As if to say they had no responsibility themselves. It would be fortunate if they could survive by sacrificing her alone.

Liv released her hold on Emmett’s arm and looked down at them with her arms crossed. Doing this, she somehow felt like she was above them.

‘It’s really strange.’

Liv had spent most of her life in the lowest place. Even after coming up to the world of nobles, which was relatively ‘high’, Liv had occupied a low position among them.

But when God’s voice was heard at the wedding just now, and Liv turned around to check people’s reactions.

She suddenly felt as if she was in a very high place.

All the people were kneeling before her, looking up at her. It was… a very strange feeling. She herself couldn’t explain exactly what that feeling was, but one thing was certain: Liv could never go back to how things were before.

“Miss Hamelsvoort, still…”

“Shh, be quiet! Miss Zibel’s situation is probably related to Miss Hamelsvoort too. Since it happened after she had an audience with His Majesty…”

One young lady stepped forward to defend Miss Schwartz, but another quick-witted young lady quickly covered her mouth. They all knew that the Zibel family had fallen completely out of the Emperor’s favor and collapsed. And they could guess that Liv was involved in that incident. After all, Liv had somewhat taken the Emperor’s hand by uniting with Lartman. As if to give certainty to their speculation, Liv spoke softly with a smile that felt chilling.

“Ah, Miss Zibel. It’s a pity. You all should be careful too. You never know when something similar might happen again.”

When Liv said that, Schwartz opened her mouth with a trembling voice.

“I-I’ll be careful.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll really… stay quiet.”

It was like their promise to Liv. Liv left the place without a single word in response, taking Emmett’s arm. A moment later, she slightly raised her head and met Emmett’s eyes looking at her strangely.

“…Was I too mean?”

Thinking he might be blaming her, Liv asked that, but Emmett shook his head.

“No. I just…”

He withdrew his arm and grasped Liv’s hand firmly with one hand. The eyes looking at Liv were filled only with strong conviction, as if to support everything Liv did.

“I’m just happy that you’re reclaiming everything you should reclaim.”

It was uncertain whether those words were true, but Liv decided to believe his words anyway. She just felt like doing so.

* * *

After the wedding reception ended, Liv was completely exhausted. Dealing with nobles trying to look good to her was a demanding task even for Liv, who liked people.

An unexpected point was that the temple side didn’t approach Liv, because the high priest had quickly left as soon as Liv’s wedding ceremony ended. They probably went to report this to the temple. Liv thought the temple would likely bother her soon.

“Madam, do you like the room?”

Laga smiled brightly while guiding Liv to her room. The title used to address Liv had already changed to ‘Madam’. Behind Laga, other servants peeking at Liv could be seen.

“…Yes. I like the room.”

The room was all white, but Liv’s favorite yellow furniture was placed here and there. Moreover, Liv liked that the room was decorated with flowers. It was a sight that showed someone had cared for her. It felt refreshing, like having herbs in her mouth.

“More than that… why are they acting like that?”

When Liv asked that, glancing at the servants, Laga answered in a bright voice.

“Why else? It’s because we all heard the voice of the Supreme God!”

It seemed that although Laga had said before that the servants in the capital weren’t favorable towards Liv, their attitudes had all changed in that one moment. People’s hearts were truly fickle.

“Madam, would you like to bathe?”

“Yes.”

There was a small bathroom attached to the room. Laga filled the bathtub with warm water, sprinkled fragrant oils, and even floated flower petals on top. When Liv naturally tried to wash herself alone, Laga waved her hand.

“Oh? I’ll help you.”

“I’m more comfortable alone.”

“Just for today, I must help you!”

Was it because it was Liv’s first day entering the Lartman mansion? Guessing the reason roughly, Liv received Laga’s care while immersed in the bathtub.

After finishing the bath, Laga carefully applied fragrance to Liv’s hair. The touch of drying her hair felt good. As her body relaxed, drowsiness began to set in. Liv started nodding off while sitting on the bed. After receiving Laga’s help dressing with her eyes half-closed, Liv threw herself onto the bed.

“Madam, you need to get up.”

“…Why?”

“The Duke will be waiting.”

“Why?”

When Liv asked again, still not understanding, Laga continued in a voice that seemed rather flustered.

“Well, tonight is the wedding night…”

“…Huh?”

At those words, her drowsiness fled and her eyes snapped open. Liv hurriedly sat up in bed.

“What did you say?”

Liv then realized she was wearing a semi-transparent white negligee. Compared to her usual sleepwear, it seemed a bit… purposeful. As Liv was flustered and just opening and closing her mouth, Laga carefully asked while looking at Liv.

“You didn’t think about it?”

“Uh…”

Liv had only focused on the fact of ‘marrying’ Emmett, but hadn’t thought about what would happen after getting married! Emmett had now become Liv’s husband, Liv would spend the night with him, and they would soon have children…

Realizing this fact, Liv’s face turned red. At the same time, her mind started racing.

‘But Emmett doesn’t love me.’

Is it okay to spend the night and have children even though he doesn’t love her? Of course, Liv was no longer completely innocent and knew that men sometimes do that… But Emmett might also not want to have relations with her, so she should hear his opinion first.

‘Yes, I need to meet him first…’

However, thinking about meeting Emmett in this attire made her face feel hot again. Strangely, her body seemed to be heating up too, and her lips felt parched.

“Madam, shall we go?”

“Y-yes…”

When Laga opened a door in the corner of the room, a passage appeared.

“Your room is connected to the couple’s bedroom.”

“Ah…”

Laga bowed to Liv and then closed the door behind her. At the end of the passage, a door presumed to be the couple’s bedroom could be seen. Liv took a deep breath in front of it for a moment, then slowly opened the door.