To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

Emmett seemed to know something and interjected with a composed voice:

“I heard the current Emperor annihilated the entire Schulze family for learning His Majesty’s secret.”

“Do you know what that secret was?”

“…He didn’t disclose that much to me.”

“Ah, so even the great Duke doesn’t know that part?”

Hayden wore an expression that was hard to tell if he was disappointed or relieved as he said that. He looked upwards as if recalling the distant past.

“The current Emperor ascended seventeen years ago, when I was seven years old. Until then, I had been raised learning loyalty to the Gracia family.”

Finally, he was starting the story.

A fine one indeed.

The gods began murmuring sounds as if they knew something, but Liv focused only on Hayden’s words.

“From a very young age, I swore allegiance to the previous Emperor and Empress. More than just looking after a vassal family’s members, they treated me well, and I followed them. I never doubted that I would live my life in loyalty to the Gracia family.”

The more Liv heard him speak, the stranger she felt. Was it because of Hayden’s somber and wistful expression, so unlike his usual indifference? Or was it because…

“When I was seven, the Empress had a child. That child would likely have become the future Emperor, the master I would have served my entire life.”

The first to react was Hildegard.

“Ah yes, I’ve heard the Empress passed away while pregnant. She was near her due date when she collapsed and died after receiving the news of the Emperor’s demise…”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Why would the Empress die from simply hearing the news of the Emperor’s death? Unable to understand the details she didn’t know, Liv furrowed her brow. Hildegard then elaborated:

“The Emperor passed away from a heart attack, you see. At that time, the Empress had gone to a separate villa to prepare for childbirth. Not long after, she was found collapsed as well. However, those attending the Empress also died… so it remains a hushed matter.”

“Then isn’t it obvious the Empress was murdered?”

“That’s what it seems like, such an amusing tale.”

Hayden replied to Liv’s words with a humorless expression.

“Alright, let me explain about that childbirth first. Since the Gracia family lacked a proper male heir, if that child had been born, they would have become the sole heir to the imperial throne. However…”

At that moment, Hayden’s eyes shone with hatred.

“The ones who assisted the Empress in childbirth weren’t the palace servants, but our Schulze family. Those of the Gracia family, beloved by the Supreme God, were morally upright people. Thus, they believed only those who lived righteously and accumulated virtue could face a newborn child. We were the closest family to the imperial household, and we strove to live uprightly, so being allowed to see the child first was our privilege and honor.”

As if guessing something, Hildegard’s mouth fell open. Only Liv wore a perplexed expression, unable to follow the story alone.

“But during the childbirth, ruffians appeared and killed all the soldiers guarding the villa as well as our family members. I was small enough to survive by hiding among the corpses. The ruffians then abducted the Empress, who was in labor, and disappeared somewhere.”

By now, Hayden’s face had contorted into an even fiercer expression, but to Liv, his enraged face resembled that of someone crying.

“A few days later, I heard the news that the Emperor had passed away from a heart attack and the Steinberg family had become the new imperial line. Along with the news that the Empress’s body had been found.”

“But isn’t it clear the Steinberg family was behind this? Why were they able to ascend to the throne just like that?”

“At that time, many families supported the Steinbergs. The Emperor later killed off all the hunting dogs he had used, becoming the sole and absolute power holder now… But back then, the nobles only cared about their own interests.”

Upon hearing that, Hildegard’s face grew uneasy as she glanced around nervously. Despite no other ears present, she looked terrified.

“But, can we really discuss such matters… Questioning His Majesty’s legitimacy is blasphemy.”

“Does that scum look sacred to you?”

Hayden scoffed sardonically.

“He killed the previous Emperor, annihilated the legitimate imperial line that had lasted 200 years, and even stole my own master from me.”

His eyes blazed with fury.

“After usurping the throne, does he still seem sacred to you?”

While Hildegard could only open and close her mouth wordlessly, Emmett wore a grave expression.

Liv could surmise why Emmett’s face had hardened – because of his exceptional loyalty to the Emperor.

“Wait, was there no chance the Empress gave birth to the child while abducted before her body was found?”

The part that surprised Emmett seemed a bit different from what Liv had expected. In any case, seemingly satisfied that he knew a truth even Emmett, the Emperor’s closest aide, was unaware of, Hayden curled his lips in a strange smile.

“Well, it’s possible she did. But there’s no way such a child would have been allowed to live anyway.”

Emmett looked deep in contemplation, while Hildegard had been biting her nails in confusion for some time.

“But in any case, His Majesty’s position is absolute… No, but if the succession process lacked legitimacy, couldn’t that be used as grounds to stop his tyranny…”

Since the current Emperor August had accumulated no real trust, Hildegard didn’t seem particularly surprised by the crimes he had committed in the past. Everyone had already suspected the Steinberg family had violently usurped the throne.

The higher nobles even suspected August had killed the previous Emperor himself during that process.

So Hildegard was contemplating a different matter. She could keep her mouth shut and follow the absolute ruler that was the Emperor. But if she was dissatisfied with his tyranny, she could use the illegitimate succession as justification to remove him. The legitimacy of a succession was often rewritten by later generations.

In place of the contemplative Hildegard and Emmett, Liv posed a question to Hayden:

“Are you absolutely certain the previous Emperor’s death was murder?”

“Yes, they say it was a heart attack, but poison is more likely, isn’t it? The ruffians even abducted the Empress, so I’ve said enough.”

As Hayden chuckled, Emmett, seeming to regain some composure, provided additional context for Liv:

“While the next Emperor was selected through deliberations of the Five Noble Houses, the Steinberg Grand Ducal House held the greatest power among them. They were the brother family to the Gracias before they became the imperial line, you see.”

“So of course the Steinberg family would succeed as the imperial line once the Gracias were gone.”

In other words, the current Emperor had completely eliminated the Gracia line through underhanded means to secure the throne for himself.

“More than anything, I can’t accept him stealing away the child who would have become my master.”

As it seemed Liv now fully understood the past events, Hayden spoke in a pained voice:

“My life’s purpose was to serve that child with loyalty. But overnight, the reason for my existence vanished. The object of the Schulze family’s devotion disappeared without a trace.”

After watching Hayden firmly bite his lip as he said that, Liv finally made up her mind. Emmett had told her to do as she wished, that he would support her desires. If so, then Liv would…

“I’ll help you.”

“What?”

“I may not be much help, but I’ll join your cause.”

When Hayden first proposed it, Liv had thought it was nonsensical. But now it was different. Liv never forgot a favor, and if his justification was reasonable, she had no reason not to help Hayden. Thus, Liv decided to lend him her support. Hayden looked stunned at Liv’s words, while Emmett, who had been watching them, said in an impassive voice:

“If that is Liv’s wish, then I will follow her will.”

“Wh-What are you saying?”

Hildegard cried out in a flustered voice.

“Toppling the current Emperor, is that even possible?”

“You’re a Saintess, aren’t you?”

Hayden spoke in a mocking yet simultaneously imploring tone.

“The Gracia family was famous for being beloved by the Supreme God. As a Saintess, shouldn’t you avenge their resentment?”

“That may be so, but…”

Hildegard had thought that as long as the current Emperor was recognized by the Supreme God, she had no choice but to accept it as a Saintess of the Faith. However, if his ascension to the throne had not been legitimate but rather a usurpation, the situation was different. For her to act as a ‘Saintess’, she should oppose the Steinberg family.

“…To be honest, I’ve never approved of his tyranny.”

The fact that he had eliminated the Gracia family, once beloved by the God, could serve as justification for someone to later usurp August’s throne itself. After contemplating for a while, she raised her head with a resolute expression.

“This path seems better for my future life as well. I too will follow your will.”

“Ha, I never expected things to turn out like this.”

Hayden let out an incredulous chuckle.

“At first, everyone was all desperate to kill me, and now you’re offering to help instead.”

“…That was before we knew anything.”

“Alright, well, I appreciate your support going forward.”

He smiled, his brown eyes harboring a deep resentment born from years of patience.

“We will definitely bring down the current Emperor.”

* * *

In the study of the Lartman Ducal residence, Emmett drummed the desk anxiously.

“The last descendant of the Gracia line, one whose very existence threatened imperial authority – could it be…”

It must not be. But if Emmett’s suspicions were true…

“Damn it!”

Emmett squeezed his eyes shut. He may have committed an unforgivable mistake against her.