To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“Anyway, it’s obvious why Count Lester is looking for you.”

“Yes, I know…”

This time, Hildegard also sighed.

“He seems to be thinking of me as a marriage partner…”

“That’s right.”

That’s probably why he dislikes Liv but shows goodwill towards Hildegard. Liv can’t be a marriage partner because she’s already married, but he can marry Hildegard.

“But why? I don’t understand at all. I thought the Merna Empire values class… And wouldn’t it be much more beneficial to marry a noble from his own country?”

“Hmm, I think I know.”

Liv answered in a calm voice.

“It seems he believes the Hamelsvoort family will be reinstated, given that he’s letting us stay here. In that case, forming a connection with a high-ranking noble from the Holy Hilysid Empire isn’t a bad thing. Above all, marrying a Saintess would be good for attracting more believers of the Holy Church to Hanaism.”

Hanaism was one of the sects of the Holy Church, which was the religion believed in the Merna Empire. The Emperor of the Merna Empire also played the role of religious leader in place of the high priest or pope.

“I think it would be better to tell Brother Walter after all.”

“Yes, I think so too…”

* * *

[Leopold, is something wrong?]

Walter asked Leopold, who was standing next to him in the garden. Leopold lit a cigar without turning his head towards Walter. It was something Walter used to enjoy as well, but he expressed his refusal to Leopold who offered it.

[It seems you’re thinking of marrying my younger sister, but you should have talked to me first.]

[Haah… Would you have agreed even if I had?]

[Right, of course I wouldn’t have.]

Walter smiled gently towards Leopold.

[You don’t like my younger sisters, do you?]

[…I have no reason to like sisters who appeared when my friend was almost an adult.]

[You could still be a bit more friendly.]

[I don’t like those who enjoy the benefits without fulfilling their duties. Your sisters are enjoying the life of nobles without having received the education of nobles.]

Leopold exhaled cigar smoke once more and continued.

[Of course, Miss Hildegard might be useful as a marriage partner.]

[She’s a Saintess, so she can’t marry.]

[That doesn’t have to be set in stone.]

[Leopold, tell me.]

Walter gently put his arm on Leopold’s shoulder. A sweet voice that would naturally make the other person open their mouth flowed from his lips.

[You seem a bit rushed, what’s going on?]

[…As expected, I can’t fool your eyes, Walter.]

Leopold sighed.

[Alright, I’ll be honest. I’m feeling a bit urgent these days due to the issue of appointing the Crown Prince.]

[The issue of appointing the Crown Prince?]

[Yes, it was fine until you left, but since the Emperor’s health recently deteriorated, the imperial descendants have started fiercely competing over who will become the Crown Prince.]

At those words, Walter recalled the princes and princesses of the Merna Empire. The Merna Empire had 5 princes and 3 princesses, and the Crown Prince had not yet been appointed.

[As you know, I support the 2nd Prince. But the 1st Prince’s faction is also formidable, so the 2nd Prince has become quite sensitive…]

[What does that have to do with wanting to marry Hildegard?]

[Well, it’s good to recruit various factions. The 2nd Prince has ordered the nobles supporting him to marry influential people regardless of their background.]

“Tsk, tsk…”

Walter clicked his tongue. It seemed the political situation in the Merna Empire was just as complicated. To the point where he worried whether they could get help from here.

[Anyway, Hildegard is off-limits. If you consider me your friend, please respect my opinion on this.]

[Well, if you insist that much, I have no choice…]

Leopold really seemed to regret it as he said this. Seeing this, Walter fell into contemplation. In this complex situation, how could he help Liv receive assistance…

* * *

You can only know the result of something if you try it. For example, to get help from the Merna imperial family, you need to approach them.

[Walter, I hope you have good results.]

Leopold was seeing them off at the entrance. Today was the day they were meeting the 2nd Prince. The 2nd Prince was not only the imperial family member Leopold supported, but also someone Walter had met a few times when he was active in social circles here. That meant he was the one most likely to help them.

Leopold had bought them clothes, and thanks to that, Liv was able to wear the latest fashionable dress in the Merna Empire. The dresses in the Merna Empire were much more lavish, voluminous, and heavier than those in the Holy Hilysid Empire.

On the carriage ride to meet the 2nd Prince, Walter cautioned them.

“Liv, right now we’re in a position of asking for help…”

“Yes, of course I know that, but…”

Liv interrupted Walter’s words.

“I also think I shouldn’t lower my position too much.”

The Holy Hilysid Empire and the Merna Empire should be in an equal relationship. Liv is now trying to reclaim the throne. Considering until after she achieves her goal, Liv shouldn’t act too politely either.

“As expected, our master is wise…”

Hayden said in an enraptured voice, and Walter’s expression became somewhat disdainful at those words.

“Can’t you stop with that ‘master’ thing?”

“But I call her ‘Madam’ in front of people, don’t I?”

“No, still, haah…”

Walter finally sighed as if giving up. Finding it amusing, Hildegard giggled at the sight. But when her eyes met Walter’s, Hildegard awkwardly turned her head away.

At that moment, the imperial palace of the Merna Empire began to come into view through the window. Liv’s eyes widened as she saw the building.

“Wow…”

Liv had thought the most splendid building in the world would be the Weisseite Palace in the imperial city of the Holy Hilysid Empire. But the palace of the Merna Empire was in no way inferior to that of the Holy Hilysid Empire. While it lacked the lavish gold sculptures or painted windows, the building overwhelmed people with its sheer size. It was so large that one had to crane their neck to see its top.

After getting off the carriage, they were guided to the 2nd Prince’s palace by a servant. A notable point was that the path the servant guided them on seemed like a back road. It seemed to be an intention to hide their meeting.

“Welcome.”

The 2nd Prince they met upon arriving at the reception room was a man who looked like a typical fairy tale prince, with bright blonde hair and striking blue eyes. However, his gaze that seemed to sharply scan them was far from an innocent prince.

[Welcome, everyone from the Holy Hilysid Empire. I am William Münster, the 2nd Prince of Merna.]

[It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Walter of the Hamelsvoort family.]

[I am Hayden Schulze.]

Walter and Hayden, who could speak Garcian, greeted first, and then Liv greeted in Garcian pronunciation that had now become natural to her.

[I am Liv Lartman.]

[I am Hildegard Hamelsvoort.]

Although Hildegard couldn’t understand Garcian, she managed to greet without awkwardness by observing those around her.

“Please, have a seat.”

William said, pointing to the sofa, and they sat across from him following his guidance. On the table were teacups with steam rising from them. The Merna Empire was famous for its tea, and it had a nice aroma.

[Young Lord Hamelsvoort, we’ve met … before. I haven’t forgotten. You were quite an impressive person.]

Liv could now interpret Garcian much better than before. With just the right intuition, she had no problem following the conversation.

[… indeed. I’ve heard that Your Highness is also a wise person…]

William and Walter created a gentle atmosphere by complimenting each other. After greeting Hayden as well, William turned his gaze to Hildegard and Liv.

[Are these Lord Hamelsvoort’s younger sisters?]

[Yes, one of them … got married and entered the Lartman ducal family.]

[So she’s a Duchess.]

William smiled, curling up the corners of his mouth as he made eye contact with Liv. Liv responded with an appropriately smiling face.

[It’s nice to meet you, Your Highness.]

[You speak Garcian well.]

[I’ve studied, though it’s still lacking.]

William stared at Liv with his somewhat chilly blue eyes. Before he could speak to Hildegard, Walter quickly said:

[Hildegard doesn’t speak Garcian.]

[Ah, I see. … If you have anything you want to tell me, … you can relay it through Lord Hamelsvoort.]

William slowly picked up his teacup and looked at Hayden.

[Lord Schulze, what is your relationship with these people?]

[I am the mas-]

[An important relationship. … We’re close friends, haha.]

As if guessing what was about to come out of Hayden’s mouth, Walter hastily cut him off and spoke. Seeing Hayden’s dissatisfied expression, Liv smiled at him as if to soothe him.

[I see… How are you all finding your stay here?]

[I like the Merna Empire.]

Liv was the first to speak up.

[It’s truly a beautiful place.]

Of course, the food of the Merna Empire didn’t suit her taste, and the weather wasn’t great either, but Liv decided not to mention that.

[I heard you’re currently staying at Count Lester’s house.]

[Yes, that’s right. He’s a kind person.]

[Count Lester is also … a popular person in …. He’s a person with … character.]

[Yes, it seems so.]

Seeing Liv seemingly conversing fluently in Garcian, Walter’s face became a bit surprised. It seemed he didn’t expect Liv to be this good, even though he had taught her himself.

[You must have had a hard journey coming all the way from the Holy Hilysid Empire. Is there anything you’d like to tell me?]

They made eye contact simultaneously. William had probably heard about their business in advance, but asking like this meant it was time to discuss that business.