To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

5. The Girl Receiving Human Love

Even after promising a loveless marriage to Liv, Emmett visited her daily bearing flowers. News of Duke Lartman’s proposal to the Hamelsvoort family spread widely in high society, and the Countess Hamelsvoort’s face bloomed with smiles as more flowers arrived. Finally, when the entire Hamelsvoort manor was overwhelmed with flowers, leaving the servants sneezing amid them, the Count Hamelsvoort penned an affirmative reply to the marriage.

“Ho ho, I shall make way for you two.”

“Enjoy your time together.”

With exaggerated gestures, the Hamelsvoort couple excused themselves. Emmett would visit Liv a little before the sun reached its zenith, and Liv had grown accustomed to the timing of his visits. Upon waking, she would await him by the window, and after he left, her day was filled recounting their conversations.

“Is there any particular wedding you desire?”

Emmett asked Liv in an even tone, and she shook her head.

“You know I am unfamiliar with typical weddings. Since I simply wish to live like others, an ordinary wedding would suffice.”

Emmett nodded in acknowledgment, though he had no intention of preparing an ordinary wedding for Liv. Unable to voice his love, he would instead bestow upon her the most lavish, magnificent wedding this world could offer. If Liv desired an ordinary life, he would simply elevate her standards of ‘ordinary’.

Emmett requested that all wedding matters be entrusted to him, which the Hamelsvoort couple seemed to trust him with completely.

“Liv, may I invite you to the Duchy of Lartman?”

“What?”

“There are a few necessities before we can wed. First, we must receive the Emperor’s permission…”

As if reluctant to speak those words, Emmett’s expression slightly contorted.

“And I should introduce you to the Lartman vassals.”

“Oh…”

Liv hesitated, unable to easily answer. Of course, having heard tales of the Duchy of Lartman since her time in Abgrund, she was curious about it…

“I need to receive the Count’s permission…”

The moment Liv spoke those words, the parlor door flung open, and a booming voice echoed:

“But of course, of course you have it!”

The excited Countess puffed out her chest as she exclaimed, while the Count vigorously nodded.

“So, of course you do. Have a safe journey.”

“Oh my, we are intruding! Do continue your conversation, ho ho!”

Watching them hastily depart, Liv parted her lips in bewilderment. No, was that truly ‘making way’ for them? Seemingly just as flustered by their abrupt appearance, Emmett averted his eyes awkwardly before speaking:

“…In any case, you have their permission.”

“Yes, then I’m happy to go. But…”

A flicker of unease crossed Liv’s eyes. Though she would visit the Duchy she had been curious about, she couldn’t feel completely joyful.

“Will the vassals accept me?”

Liv was well aware of her inferiority compared to other women. She lacked their refinement, social graces, elegance and wisdom. Rather, she was simply the one bearing the shameful moniker of ‘False Saintess’.

No proper noble in high society would look upon her favorably, let alone the vassals of House Lartman. No matter how vehemently the Hamelsvoorts pushed this marriage, it seemed certain to face considerable friction.

“And the Emperor too…”

To Liv, the Emperor was an immense, daunting figure. She could scarcely imagine him permitting her marriage to Emmett. Drawing the Emperor’s attention was akin to a death sentence for the nobility. By marrying Emmett, would she needlessly invite that fearsome Emperor’s gaze, only courting disaster?

Clutching her teacup with an anxious expression, Liv was soothed by Emmett’s tender tone:

“Don’t worry, everything will be well. As long as you have no aversion to visiting the Duchy…”

“No, I’ve wanted to go there.”

It was the attitudes of others she feared, not the place itself. There had been times in Abgrund where Liv spent entire days envisioning the Duchy based on Emmett’s tales – it had felt like a paradise to her then.

A place far removed from Abgrund, where no one could find her. A vibrant world unlike this ashen prison.

Seeming to recall old memories from Liv’s words of longing to visit, a somber light entered Emmett’s eyes. But he regarded her with feigned composure:

“Don’t worry, there will be no issues whatsoever.”

“Is there anything I should do…?”

“No, you don’t need to make any effort to win over the vassals’ hearts. As I will be the one introducing you, if any trouble arises, it will be for me to handle them. I have no intention of burdening you with new obligations.”

Spoken with such assured authority, Liv could only nod and agree to visit the Duchy.

* * *

“I have something to tell you, Your Majesty.”

Elegant candle stands illuminated the golden walls engraved with scenes from the temple’s scripture. Vivid ceiling murals adorned the roof, framed by more gilded carvings. On one wall hung a crimson tapestry embroidered with Emperor August’s diplomatic exploits in golden thread. And at the center stood an imposing throne, its grandiose aura befitting the ruler of this nation.

The Holy Hilysid Empire’s capital Bygen. Within its central Weisseite Palace, the most immense, overwhelming space of all…

The Sun Chamber.

Emmett knelt before the throne.

“I have words for Your Majesty.”

“Speak then, what is it?”

Though Emperor August’s face bore the ravages of time, the piercing intensity in his eyes remained undiminished. Even garbed in rags and cast into the streets, none could mistake him for an ordinary man – younger nobles trembled before that gaze. Yet Emmett’s expression was composed, for August never doubted his loyalty.

Where once Emmett had revered him like a father, now he felt revulsion at August’s presence. Not solely from hatred, but utter disgust towards his former self.

‘I knew full well how cruel and merciless he was.’

He had been aware that while a benevolent ruler to him, August was a terrifying tyrant to others. Yet Emmett had obediently pledged allegiance, blinding and deafening himself. He wished he could draw his blade and behead August immediately, but that would only forfeit his own life as a traitor. For now, he had to bide his time feigning loyalty, awaiting an opportunity.

“It concerns the Hamelsvoort County.”

“The Hamelsvoort family…”

Among the most piously devout, the Hamelsvoorts were a thorn in August’s side. They had been the last to bend the knee when the Steinberg dynasty ascended.

Yet he couldn’t simply cast out one of the Five Noble Houses. That would risk turning other nobles against him as well. Lesser houses could be cowed to August’s will, but not the symbolically significant Hamelsvoorts deeply tied to the Faith.

“I intend to bring the Hamelsvoort house to you, Your Majesty.”

“Hmm, and how do you plan that?”

“The Hamelsvoort family has two daughters. One is the Saintess, the other called the fake Saintess.”

Seeming to catch his implication, August let out a sinister chuckle.

“Surely you don’t mean…”

“Your Majesty, I’ll marry the fake Saintess.”

“But are you certain? This could tarnish your own honor as well.”

The way August spoke, he clearly didn’t care about Emmett’s honor. Rather, he seemed to suspect Emmett of harboring ulterior motives.

For all the unwavering loyalty Emmett had shown him, August never fully trusted him. Not fully trusting anyone was the very key allowing August to maintain his throne despite numerous enemies.

“As you know, the fake Saintess has been pursuing me for some time.”

“Ah yes, I am aware of the rumors circulating in high society.”

“…I’m not entirely uninterested myself.”

Emmett decided to reveal a partial truth, knowing a perfect lie required mixing in some honesty.

“Haha, so you are a man after all! Yes, if a young, pretty woman chases after you, it’s only natural for your heart to be swayed!”

“I don’t truly love her. But I thought, by marrying the fake Saintess, I could also bring you joy, Your Majesty. Since the Duchess’s seat means little regardless of who fills it, I may as well take advantage of the fake Saintess’s interest.”

“Have no worries, I never doubted your intentions. However…”

For a moment, August’s eyes flashed sharply.

“While all know you are on my side, will the Hamelsvoort house so readily consent to this marriage?”

“Though devout, they also crave power and honor, so they can’t refuse my offer. Outwardly, it’s not subjugation under the imperial family, but a union with one of the Five Noble Houses, House Lartman. More importantly, for the supposedly unmarriageable fake Saintess, sending her to Lartman is clearly to their benefit.”

Keenly observing August’s expression, Emmett pressed his case in an imploring tone:

“If you only permit it, Your Majesty, I’ll journey to the Duchy of Lartman to inform my vassals as well.”

“Yes, yes, a sound idea…”

Habitually caressing his dagger as he muttered, August then pointed it at Emmett as he spoke:

“If this marriage succeeds, I can also bring the ever-thorny Hamelsvoorts under my control. The Count Hamelsvoort may resist, but… Then I need only install a new Count more compliant.”

Though not particularly strong-willed or resolute, Count Hamelsvoort’s bat-like maneuvering between the temple and imperial family had proven quite vexing. Currently leaning towards the temple’s faction, yet not completely subservient to the imperial family, rendered him difficult to simply eliminate outright.

“Your words ring true, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, I’ll approve this marriage. However, you must perform a task for me once more.”

At those words, tension gripped Emmett’s expression. Because August’s orders were never easy.