To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

Though Liv lifted her fork, she had no idea where to begin amid the steaming array of dishes. As she pondered, a man wearing a chef’s hat appeared.

“Good evening, Miss.”

“You must be the head chef?”

“Yes, my name is Max, the head chef of this estate.”

“These dishes truly look extraordinary. I had no idea such a variety existed.”

Liv’s gentle smile prompted a surge of pride in the chef’s expression. Seeming to want to elaborate for her, he fidgeted impatiently until catching Liv’s gaze before speaking again:

“If I may, allow me to introduce the dishes to you?”

“Yes, there are many unfamiliar ones. An explanation would be helpful.”

With a gratified air, he began naming the dishes for Liv, relishing the chance to impart his knowledge.

After taking a bite of the ‘bratwurst’ sausage dish, Liv widened her eyes:

“Mmm, it’s quite…”

“Quite?”

“The aroma is distinct, quite memorable, and the flavor differs from regular meat somehow, though I can’t describe it precisely. But it’s delicious – crispy yet tender inside…”

As Liv elaborated on the taste in detail, Max’s face radiated delight.

“My, you are the first to describe a dish’s flavors so thoroughly to me in this castle!”

“Why is that? Was I being rude?”

“Oh no, not at all! It’s just that His Grace shows little interest in food…”

“Goodness…”

Liv shook her head in disbelief as she sampled the cabbage.

“I love all food. Each dish has its own unique flavor. Being able to taste them is a blessing for humans.”

“My, you are a knowledgeable lady! Here, try this one too!”

Before she realized it, Liv had sampled every dish in modest portions. She enjoyed conveying her tasting impressions – Liv originally loved the act of conversing itself. And Max seemed immensely satisfied by her reactions.

“Miss, please feel free to request anything you would like for our next meal!”

As Max bid her farewell from the dining hall, Laga whispered:

“It seems the head chef has taken a liking to you, Miss.”

“Surely not…”

“Oh, why say that? After the way you savored each dish so appreciatively, all the chefs will adore you! You truly enjoyed your meal!”

Recalling the Hamelsvoort cooks glowering at her meager appetite, Liv mused that the servants here did seem rather peculiar.

The next day, with Emmett preoccupied elsewhere, the bored Liv decided to visit the library. Though she had enjoyed the Hamelsvoort library, it mainly contained theological texts offering little new knowledge. But here would surely be different.

“Laga, I wish to go to the library.”

“Yes, I’ll escort you there.”

As she guided Liv, Laga chattered excitedly:

“The castle’s library is truly vast! Perhaps not as extensive as Marquis Arendt’s, but still among the greatest in the Empire.”

True to Laga’s words, the library was indeed immense. Though the decorative plates lining the walls seemed incongruous for a library, the decor wasn’t unpleasant. There was even a librarian, as in the royal library, who leapt to greet Liv upon her entrance.

“Welcome, my lady!”

Flustered by the warm reception in this unfamiliar space, Liv asked in return:

“You know me?”

“Of course, His Grace informed us of your arrival!”

Introducing herself as Emily, the bespectacled, hair-bunned librarian inquired:

“Is there a particular book you wish to read?”

“Well…”

Liv hesitated before replying:

“I enjoy reading anything, truly. I’ve read many myths and folklore, having favored those, so perhaps another genre would be preferable now.”

“Then may I recommend some novels?”

“Yes, please. Ah, if possible, literature from other nations would be interesting. I’m curious about places beyond the Empire…”

“Very well, I will suggest some suitable works.”

After Emily’s recommendations, Liv settled into reading the novels.

“Oh.”

Hours later, Emily approached with a wondering expression:

“You’ve been reading this entire time? Your concentration is impressive. You must truly love books.”

“Well, I simply…”

Liv blushed shyly, unaccustomed to the constant praise from the castle folk.

“I love all stories this world has to offer…”

“Oh, me too!”

“There are no uninteresting tales in this world.”

“Precisely. There are only poorly refined stories, but none entirely uninteresting.”

Emily grew animated, words pouring forth:

“In truth, His Grace the Duke was the only one who utilized this library in recent times, often being away… You can’t imagine how I’ve longed for company.”

“I see.”

“So I’m delighted to receive a visitor who loves books as you do, Miss!”

Liv offered an awkward smile, unsure how to respond to Emily’s sincere welcome.

Some time later, as Liv rose to dine after checking the hour, Emily waved her off cheerfully. From behind, Laga leaned in to whisper:

“It seems the librarian adores you too, Miss.”

Though even Laga seemed favorably disposed towards Liv, she still couldn’t believe this situation. While Laga claimed their attitudes wouldn’t change even if they learned the rumors, could she truly mean that in ignorance?

Liv soon recalled the Hamelsvoort servants had initially treated her kindly too – until her identity as the fake Saintess became known, that is. Yes, perhaps the castle folk could just as easily shift their demeanor upon discovering Liv’s truth, despite Laga’s assurances. Having experienced human duplicity, Liv didn’t trust them.

‘So I shouldn’t grow too close.’

While Liv did enjoy people, she knew intimacy only invited pain. Thus, she must not become overly familiar with the Lartman servants either.

On her way back from dining, Liv encountered Mia, the head maid:

“Miss!”

Mia greeted her cheerfully upon sight.

“Is everything to your comfort here?”

“Yes, everything is fine.”

“How good-natured you are. Please let me know if you require anything.”

Mia regarded Liv with the indulgent eyes one might give a child, her tone implying she would oblige any request. After a moment’s contemplation, Liv said:

“I would like to see the garden.”

When she had been in Abgrund, Emmett had certainly mentioned the Lartman castle gardens were quite beautiful, replete with flowers sharing Liv’s distinct eye color. Simply viewing those gardens would surely fill her with immense joy, allowing her to reminisce.

“Of course, we will give you a tour!”

Clapping her hands, Mia asked:

“Do you enjoy gardens, Miss?”

“Yes.”

Liv nodded slowly.

“I love all things that grow beneath the sun’s light.”

“Oh my…”

Though she had thought it an innocuous remark, Mia gazed back at Liv with moist eyes.

“How poetic you are! And profound too.”

“What?”

As Liv asked in confusion, Mia truly did seem moved by her earlier statement, smiling radiantly as she led Liv to the gardens.

The gardens’ perimeter was adorned with lush trees, while the center boasted an vibrant array of vividly blooming summer flowers, their color coordination revealing careful planning.

“The Duchy’s fertile soil allows plants to thrive wonderfully!”

“Ah, good soil helps plants grow well…”

Liv murmured contemplatively as she surveyed the gardens. Recognizing flowers Emmett had named for her, she felt she could admire these gardens endlessly without tiring.

As she strolled leisurely, savoring the scenery, a familiar blossom caught Liv’s eye, halting her steps.

“This one…”

“Would you like to know that flower’s name?”

“Yes.”

“Let me summon the gardener!”

Before Liv could protest the necessity, Mia had vanished, soon reappearing with a middle-aged man in tow. Doffing his beret, he greeted Liv:

“Good day, my lady. I am Julien, the gardener of this castle.”

“I was simply wondering about this flower’s name.”

“Ah, that one is called a geranium.”

“Ah.”

At those words, Liv fell still. No matter how vibrant and beautiful the surrounding blooms, this humble flower remained her dearest. For it was the first she had beheld upon emerging into the outside world.

Back then, unaware flowers even possessed names, she had only wept before it. Liv could never forget the ache that geranium had brought her heart – the profound sense of loss at discovering such beauty so belatedly. She had wailed uncontrollably, overwhelmed that such wondrous things existed without her knowledge for so long.

“His Grace instructed me to especially tend the pink blossoms, that you should see them.”

Recalling her time in Abgrund instantly revealed the reason. After a pensive silence, Liv finally spoke:

“…His Grace is truly a good man.”

“Indeed, indeed!”

Mia swiftly agreed.

“He seems to consider you greatly, Miss. Why, he personally selected your guest quarters.”

…So it hadn’t been mere chance after all. Liv understood why Emmett had chosen that particular room for her.

“To overlook the gardens.”

“Pardon?”

“That room allows you to view these gardens.”

Even without coming here, Liv’s room afforded a view of these gardens. She had simply wished to observe them more closely, being fond of the outdoors. But Emmett had clearly made thoughtful arrangements for her sake.

Of course, Liv was aware he didn’t truly love her. Still, he was an immensely caring man.