To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“Wow!”

Joy filled Liv’s eyes. In fact, it was an emotion too complex to be expressed by just the word ‘joy’. Liv felt happy and delighted, yet simultaneously doubtful of the situation, regretful for her past loneliness, then satisfied once more with her present circumstances.

Yes, she should think positively. She had thought she would always be alone here, but now someone had appeared who could converse with her, whom she could be with. It was something she had never dared to dream of.

“Will you really, truly stay by my side?”

“Yes.”

The man nodded solemnly.

“I will always be beside you, Miss Liv.”

Elated by his words, Liv observed the man this way and that. It was her first time seeing a human face since birth. She had only deduced her own facial features by feeling her face.

To actually behold a human was euphoric. His eyes were more breathtakingly beautiful than anything Liv had seen, while his straight nose bridge and pink lips seemed curiously shaped.

As Liv leaned in close to scrutinize his face intently, the man turned his head slightly away. Liv asked him:

“Do you know why my name is ‘Liv’?”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t…”

Liv wanted to proudly share her name with someone. As it was the first name she had ever received, she began chattering excitedly to the man, like a child showing off their first gift.

“It means ‘love’. The gods gave it to me, containing all their love for me.”

“Truly a wonderful name.”

“By the way, can you hear the gods’ voices?”

“If it’s the voices beside you, Miss Liv, then I can’t hear them.”

“Really? I can’t imagine not hearing voices. Though that might not be so bad. The gods’ voices are quite heavy.”

As Liv spoke, the man regarded her with a pained expression.

“Who are you? Even if you can’t share your name, what about other things?”

“Mm…”

The man seemed to ponder before slowly opening his mouth.

“For starters, I am a Duke. …It seems I can say that much.”

“What’s a Duke?”

“A noble rank. There are Dukes, Marquises, Counts, Viscounts, and Barons.”

“Ah, I’ve heard of nobles. They were said to enjoy more privileges than others.”

Liv nodded, and the man continued his explanation:

“My Duchy is located in the outskirts of this Empire. In other words… the Empire’s borders. There is a Ducal castle there. Though I currently reside in the capital, away from there.”

“Please tell me more.”

Interest shone in Liv’s eyes. She enjoyed hearing about places she had never been.

She had heard stories from the gods about various sacred grounds – barren deserts, dense forests of cacti, cave regions, and even the sea.

“The emblem symbolizing our Ducal family is a castle wall and falcon. It represents protecting the Empire. A massive sculpture of the emblem adorns the castle walls, entwined by ancient vines.”

“What are vines?”

“Long plants. Have you ever seen plants before?”

When Liv shook her head, he grew solemn.

“I will show you once you leave this place.”

“You’ll go with me?”

Hearing his words, Liv sprang to her feet. Though they had only just met, she was drawn to this first human she had encountered. She felt she would like to remain together with him, even in that outside world.

The man hesitated at her words before answering in a soft voice:

“Even if we can’t leave this place together… You will be able to meet me again outside. At that time, I will tell you my name.”

“Okay!”

“Let me continue about the Ducal castle. Inside is a vast armory to defend the borders, filled with all kinds of weapons.”

“Weapons are for fighting, right?”

“Yes, I primarily wield a longsword.”

At those words, Liv swung her legs excitedly while seated.

“Hearing that makes me want to go outside. I thought I’d be fine staying here…”

Liv herself didn’t understand the emotion she felt, an inexplicable discomfort weighing on her heart. She had thought simply hearing about the outside world would bring joy, but instead she could only compare her circumstances and feel stifled by this place.

“It’s alright. You will leave here soon.”

The man tried to pat Liv’s shoulder in reassurance, but realizing he couldn’t touch her, lowered his hand. To divert the gloomy Liv, he changed the subject:

“What would you like to do once outside, Miss Liv?”

“Um…”

Liv paused in thought for a moment. For there were so many things she wanted to do! But above all else, what she desired most was…

“I want to see colors. I’m curious what green and blue look like. And yellow and purple too. I heard an entire forest is filled with green, so I want to go there.”

“I see. Forests are truly beautiful. It would be nice if we could go together.”

Encouraged by the man’s agreement, Liv continued excitedly:

“And I want to converse with many people. I want to mingle among crowds of people.”

“That will certainly happen.”

“I wonder what it feels like to sleep in a bed. Ah, that’s right. More than anything else…”

Liv raised her head, gazing at the man with sparkling eyes.

“I want to try eating food.”

“…Ah.”

“I’ve never eaten food before. I heard other humans live by eating food, so I’m curious about that feeling. I want to experience taste.”

At those words, the man contorted his brow as he buried his face in his hands. Liv approached him with a worried expression.

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?”

“No, it’s just…”

Raising his head, he fixed Liv with an inexplicably reddened gaze.

“I was simply feeling pained for a moment…”

“Mm, don’t be sad! Instead, recommend something else for me. What else should I do once I leave this place?”

The man’s face grew contemplative at her request.

“Learning letters to read books would be good. Or trying tea, or dancing. …Ah, if you like green and blue.”

“Yes, that sounds nice.”

“How about going on a picnic?”

“A picnic?”

Liv tilted her head in puzzlement. Of course, she had heard the word ‘picnic’ in fairy tales narrated by the gods, but didn’t understand what made them appealing.

“Are picnics fun?”

“Going on a picnic by a river… You can see verdant grasslands and azure waters. You would surely enjoy it.”

“I probably would.”

“A cool breeze blows, the air is refreshing. And you enjoy delicious snacks together there. It will be a novel experience.”

Liv nodded vigorously at the man’s words. It did sound like a wonderful experience.

After discussing the outside world with the man, a yawn escaped Liv’s lips, and she lay down on the floor.

“Are… are you trying to sleep?”

For some reason, the man asked that in a flustered tone, so Liv answered matter-of-factly:

“Yes, I’m feeling sleepy.”

While she had heard that humans outside lived regimented lives, it was impossible for Liv, who couldn’t even grasp the concept of ‘time’. In fact, Liv didn’t fully comprehend the notion of ‘time’ itself. Though the gods had tried explaining it to her, it seemed they struggled as well, since the ‘time’ for humans and gods differed.

Lying on her back, Liv closed her eyes.

“I’m going to sleep now. Do you not need to sleep?”

“Yes, it seems my current body doesn’t require sleep, but…”

“Mm, I’ll be bored alone. Sleep with me.”

“Ah, I understand.”

As if obliging her request, the man nodded and awkwardly lay beside her. Unlike Liv, who usually curled up haphazardly, he maintained a proper posture, allowing Liv to imagine how humans outside slept.

Satisfied to have someone beside her, Liv closed her eyes. It was her first time sharing an activity with another, and she didn’t dislike it. So this was why people outside ate meals together and danced with each other. Liv could understand the stories about the outside world the gods had told her.

For some reason, having someone beside her seemed to help her fall asleep more easily. Slowly, Liv drifted off to slumber…

* * *

Rumble.

A sound like something collapsing echoed.

The ceiling appeared in Liv’s vision. The hole in the ceiling was blocked by something.

“Ah…!”

Liv cried out in shock. If that path for light to enter was obstructed, she would be unable to see anything.

Even with the hole blocked, Liv could still vaguely discern objects in the darkness. However, she hadn’t noticed anything amiss. Liv was simply dismayed that the sole source of light had been obstructed.

“Oh no…”

Now she might never be able to see ‘colors’ again. She would be unable to tell the day’s weather. And more than anything, she would be unable to see the face of that person who had newly appeared by her side.

“Hic…”

Just as Liv was about to burst into tears, her eyes snapped open.

“Huh?”

The ceiling’s hole remained unobstructed. Only then did Liv realize the previous event had been a dream.

“Phew…”

After letting out a relieved sniff, Liv turned her head to glance beside her. The man had his eyes open, watching her. When she stirred, he rose as well.

Liv could still see colors. She could discern the weather. And more than anything, she could see a human face.

Finally feeling reassured, Liv began speaking to the man in a babbling tone:

“I had a nightmare…”