To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

Afterwards, Liv spent her time visiting the library, gardens, and dining hall in turn. During this period, she grew close with the chef Max, librarian Emily, and gardener Julien. They all seemed to relish explaining new things whenever Liv’s curiosity was piqued.

While enjoying the company of the estate’s residents, as time passed, Liv found herself missing Emmett’s presence.

Eventually, Liv lingered outside Emmett’s study. Though he was occupied, perhaps she could glimpse him briefly during a respite? The study wasn’t too far from her room, so she could always claim to have been merely passing by if it proved inconvenient…

As Liv hesitated to knock, awkwardly loitering nearby, the study door suddenly opened. Startled by the unexpected situation, Liv stumbled backwards.

“Goodness!”

The one who emerged was Phillip, Emmett’s aide he had introduced before. Equally startled, Phillip extended a hand to steady Liv.

“Are you alright, Miss? May I assist you?”

“Yes…”

Treating her as though she were precious, Phillip carefully helped Liv up from the floor, taking care not to make untoward contact.

“Were you perhaps here to see His Grace? I will inform him of your arrival at once.”

“Oh no, if he is occupied, there is no need…”

“Even so, he will surely be delighted to receive you.”

Before Liv could dissuade him, Phillip flung the study door wide, calling out loudly:

“Your Grace! Lady Hamelsvoort has arrived!”

“Liv?”

Reacting swiftly to Phillip’s voice, the sound of Emmett’s brisk footsteps approached from within the study.

“What is the matter here? Do you require something?”

“No, I just…”

Liv trailed off uncertainly. Was she being a nuisance? She could manage alone, but was she becoming overly dependent on Emmett? Hesitating over his potential reaction, Liv nonetheless confessed the truth:

“It has been a while since I last saw you…”

“…Goodness.”

Upon hearing Liv’s sheepish, dwindling voice, Emmett’s face flushed for some reason.

“For you to seek me out first, that was my own oversight. If it’s okay with you, would you like to come in?”

“I may enter?”

“There is nothing in this place you can’t do.”

As Liv hesitantly stepped into the study, Phillip, waiting outside, beamed at them both.

“Your Grace, then I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes, you may go.”

Emmett seemed entirely indifferent to Phillip’s departure, moving to close the study door himself before the aide could.

Now alone together, Liv tentatively spoke up:

“Am I not disturbing you?”

“No, not at all. So long as you are comfortable, you may remain by my side.”

Reassured, Liv promptly settled onto the sofa opposite Emmett’s desk. Since he permitted it, she could linger here, then?

After placing a plate of sugary pastries before Liv, Emmett returned to his seat. As he resumed his work with a pen, Liv gazed at him with shining eyes.

“…Liv, will you not grow bored?”

“No, merely watching is entertaining enough!”

Though her words caused his face to redden again, Liv simply observed him with delight.

* * *

“…Phillip, you may enter.”

After Liv departed the study later that day, the waiting Phillip entered at Emmett’s summons. Setting aside his documents, Emmett casually inquired:

“Have you uncovered any traces of the artifact imbued with ancient sorcery?”

“Yes, I found clues that ancient sorcerers once dwelled in the ‘Land of Goats’.”

“The ‘Land of Goats’, was that considered sacred ground in past times, I wonder…”

If the artifact remained masterless and abandoned, that would be fortuitous – complications could arise if someone else possessed it. Emmett began planning an expedition there, as such sorcerous relics were better not passed through many hands. He would need to recover it himself.

“How does Liv seem to be faring?”

“The lady appears to be getting along well with the servants.”

“That is a relief. If anyone dares mistreat her in the slightest, report it to me immediately.”

After issuing those instructions, Emmett pondered the impending gathering with his vassals:

“Have you detected any traces of the Banzas attempting to contact them?”

“…I will investigate further.”

Though the vassals had always sworn allegiance to the Lartman House, Emmett didn’t trust them – a habit learned from August. Vigilance against the Banzas, who had once tried to usurp Lartman, remained crucial to protect Liv. Even unable to voice his true heart to her, Emmett would never allow her to be harmed again.

‘I must retrieve that artifact soon.’

* * *

“So the castle finally has a lady again!”

As she tidied Liv’s quarters, Laga muttered excitedly to herself.

She had taken an immediate liking to Liv upon first meeting her. Liv was the most beautiful, lovable noble lady Laga had ever encountered! From her innocent expression to her every word and gesture, she was utterly endearing. Though Laga admittedly hadn’t met many noble ladies, she was confident Liv surpassed them all in charm.

More than anything, however, Laga adored Liv’s bright personality. She wasn’t at all demanding, readily accepting everything. Moreover, her abundant curiosity prompted delighted reactions to any novelty – how refreshing that must have seemed compared to the Duke’s usual unflappable stoicism.

Well, even if Liv had been ill-tempered, Laga likely wouldn’t have disliked her. Because she was someone the Duke himself had brought, naturally presumed to be a good person. Laga deeply trusted her master’s judgement.

“I should prepare some snacks.”

Liv enjoyed trying new treats, and the head chef loved preparing them for her. As Laga hummed her way towards the kitchens, an unfamiliar voice from below halted her steps.

“But I’m telling you, she had an awful reputation in the capital!”

‘Who is that?’

Narrowing her eyes at the strange voice, Laga leaned over to identify the loudly chattering woman as one of the maids who had accompanied the Duke from his capital manor.

“You can’t be serious?”

The surrounding servants watched the woman with curious eyes.

“Yes, I am! She apparently pretended to be the real Saintess before being exposed as a fraud!”

“Hmm…”

“So in the capital she is notoriously known as the ‘Fake Saintess’! Yet here she swans about shamelessly, as if we are all ignorant. Isn’t that ridiculous?”

With her keen senses, Laga realized this concerned Liv. Liv was the ‘Fake Saintess’? What did that even mean?

Deliberately making noise as she descended the stairs, Laga drew the conversing group’s attention.

“Ah, you startled me… I thought you were the lady from your hair color alone.”

The loudmouth woman glared at Laga with a scowl. But Laga simply arched a brow, unimpressed by her words.

“And just who are you?”

As Laga folded her arms challengingly, the woman replied in a petulant tone:

“A maid who served His Grace closely in the capital. My name is Becca…”

“What’s this about a Fake Saintess?”

Seeming to sense Laga’s curiosity, Becca’s expression brightened as she eagerly began chattering:

“You mean the Hamelsvoort lady you serve? She was originally infamous as the fake Saintess for pretending to be the real one!”

“How so? Merely insisting it wouldn’t have convinced anyone.”

“There was a divine proclamation! So everyone believed she was the Saintess, until it was revealed a year later that Lady Hildegard in the capital was the true one. Meaning for that year, she falsely posed as the Saintess.”

“Hmm…”

A contemplative look crossed Laga’s face at those words. Very well, if what Becca claimed was true, then…

Bonk!

“Ow, what was that for?!”

Having unexpectedly pelted Becca with a chestnut, Laga responded defiantly as the woman cried out:

“So what if that was how it was in the capital? This is the Lartman Duchy. And she was brought here directly by His Grace – how dare you speak ill of her?”

Whether Becca truly was a former close attendant or not, Laga had served in the Lartman household since childhood. She had ample seniority to put this unfamiliar maid in her place for gossiping instead of minding her duties – especially when Laga took issue with the very content of her slander.

“But His Grace is being deceived by her!”

Becca protested indignantly, but this time the other servants frowned at her.

“What nonsense is this? Are you doubting His Grace now?”

“His Grace is a wise man, he surely knows what he does.”

“Exactly, and we must not spread vile rumors about others.”

“Why will none of you believe me?!”

As Becca pounded her chest in vexation, Laga simply shot her a warning glare before walking away.

* * *

After first visiting Emmett’s study, Liv made a habit of seeing him occasionally, if not daily to avoid disturbing his work. But these periodic visits seemed acceptable.

“Liv, are you truly not bored? Shall we converse for a time?”

“It’s okay, you’re so busy.”

Though Emmett periodically made such offers as he worked, Liv would simply shake her head with a bright smile. Her nonchalant demeanor seemed to fluster Emmett further, yet he didn’t turn her away.

“…Still, I cherish these moments alone with you, Liv.”

Emmett murmured wistfully as he elegantly maneuvered his quill.

“Especially without that vile Hayden Shultze present…”

At that moment, Phillip burst into the study.

“Your Grace!”

“What is it?”

“Yes, well, you see, an outsider has arrived in the Duchy…”

“Very well, proceed according to protocol, then…”

“That is… You may wish to receive them directly, Your Grace.”

Sensing foreboding in those words, Emmett arched a brow in inquiry. His instincts were quite sharp, and if they now issued a warning…

“And this person’s name is?”

“He said it’s Hayden!”

“Damnit, damnit!”