To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“Do you need another demonstration?”

“No! This is unfair!”

Liv cried out, panting.

“I’m just ticklish, but Emmett isn’t!”

“You’ll get better with practice. You’ll be good at it soon.”

At those words, Liv felt some kind of competitive spirit ignite and lunged at him, but soon ended up lying beside him with a tired face. As silence fell, quietness flowed between them again. They had joked around in a light and bright atmosphere to forget about the coming tomorrow, but in the end, they had to face the reality of parting. The joy they had precariously built up crumbled in an instant.

“I really have to go tomorrow.”

“…Yes, I suppose I have to let you go.”

“I’ll return safely. You know, I can never die.”

“I believe you’ll return safely. However…”

Emmett turned his head and pressed his forehead against Liv’s.

“I don’t like you suffering in the process.”

“That won’t happen.”

“It’s hard to believe those words.”

Emmett, saying this, looked like he was recalling some past moment.

“Do you know how shocked I was that day?”

He was referring to when Liv had jumped into the ‘Lake of Death’ while fleeing from the Emperor. Because Liv had jumped into the lake without a word and sunk in, Emmett seemed to have been greatly shocked. When Liv came out of the lake, Emmett was preparing to jump in. Liv had stopped Emmett then, saying he would die if he fell in.

“…But that’s all part of my growth process. Couldn’t you think of it that way?”

“What can I do when I’m in pain every time you’re in pain, Liv?”

It was really strange. Whenever Emmett spoke like this, Liv would mistakenly think he loved her. But then, seeing Emmett who wouldn’t say a single word of love even while embracing her, she would come back to reality.

“Liv, you sometimes make me suffer.”

“I love you.”

Liv had said it to mean he should trust her, but at those words, Emmett’s face suddenly contorted.

“It’s okay even if Emmett doesn’t love me. Because my love is an unchanging love. Because it’s a love I learned from the gods.”

“…”

After a long silence, Emmett didn’t answer those words and buried his face in Liv’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Liv…”

* * *

Though they had wished so much for it not to come, the night that felt so short passed, and as the sky turned blue, morning arrived. When they finally went outside as it was time, Viscount Wolfe had already prepared the things they needed for the journey.

“If you leave now, you should be able to arrive safely in time for the ship.”

Viscount Wolfe’s domain was located near the port, and they were planning to board a ship leaving this evening. Of course, the Emperor might have quickly issued a travel ban, but there was a reason they were going to the port in Miergrund rather than the one in the capital. Miergrund had many mercenaries and fugitives who boarded ships while hiding their identities, and often even the captains were criminals.

Two horses were prepared in advance waiting for them, but Liv glanced nervously at Viscount Wolfe. If not now, she didn’t know when she would be able to convey these words again.

“Viscount Wolfe.”

“Yes.”

“I have something to tell you.”

Liv signaled to the others that the conversation would end soon, then took Viscount Wolfe to a distance where their conversation wouldn’t be heard.

“…Viscount Wolfe, I think I should tell you this after all.”

“Yes, I’m listening.”

“I didn’t know then, but after hearing your story, I now know something.”

Ah, how could she dare to bring up the story of a son’s death to his father? Even just putting it into words felt sinful, but he needed to know the truth… Finally, Liv hesitantly began to speak.

“So, when I was imprisoned in Abgrund, there was only one person who came from the outside to save me.”

“What?”

“But he was caught by a tracker before he could save me. He was dragged away by the person pursuing him in front of Abgrund. Probably because he had reached Abgrund, a truth he should never have known… I didn’t see this person’s face directly, but I could hear his last words.”

It was somewhat disjointed speech, but Viscount Wolfe seemed to realize who Liv was talking about. His hand holding the cane trembled.

“Lady Gracia, it can’t be.”

“…Yes. That person introduced himself as Viscount Wolfe.”

“Aah…”

Viscount Wolfe murmured with a blank face. As if he couldn’t believe this situation, he just stood there quietly, neither grieving nor angry. He stammered and barely continued speaking.

“I… I had guessed… that something had happened to my son…”

“…I’m sorry about that too.”

“No, it’s alright… Rather, knowing that my son learned the truth before me, I’m proud that he fulfilled the duty of the Wolfe family…”

“Viscount…”

“But I can’t help feeling heartbroken.”

Liv let him control his emotions. He took deep breaths for a while, then looked at Liv with a cold face.

“It’s alright, this has made it more certain.”

“What?”

“That we must oust Steinberg, even for the sake of avenging my son.”

“Ah…”

“Thank you for telling me. I must strengthen my resolve even more.”

He seemed to have sorted out his feelings unexpectedly quickly, so Liv glanced at the Viscount, doubting if he was really alright. Seeming to notice Liv’s gaze, Viscount Wolfe continued speaking with a detached look.

“I’ve experienced all sorts of things in my life so far. You don’t need to worry too much.”

“…I sincerely apologize.”

“What does Lady Gracia have to be sorry for? All the sin lies with Steinberg. Now, it’s time for you to depart.”

As Liv couldn’t easily take a step, Viscount Wolfe urged her to return to the horses. Those who were there didn’t ask Liv what conversation she had with Viscount Wolfe and waited for her. Walter and Hayden, who could ride horses, stood in front of their respective horses first. Hildegard and Liv had to ride with them.

“Shall we, Madam?”

Just as Hayden said that, lowering his body for Liv to step on and mount, Emmett intervened with a displeased voice.

“Wait, do you two really have to ride together?”

“She could ride with me as well.”

Walter said that, but Emmett still looked dissatisfied.

“…Brother is my brother though.”

Only after Liv said that, unable to bear it anymore, did Emmett seem to judge that Walter was better than Hayden. In the end, Liv mounted Walter’s horse, and Hildegard also got on the horse with Hayden’s help.

“Lady Gracia, return safely. You will surely succeed.”

Viscount Wolfe said that, almost in tears. After he stepped back, having received a promise from Liv to meet again, this time Emmett walked up to Liv.

“Liv.”

“Yes.”

“I… I will do what I need to do here. While you do what you need to do, I will also fulfill my duty.”

“I know you’ll do well, so don’t put yourself in too much danger.”

“I won’t get hurt. So please don’t get hurt either, Liv.”

“I promise.”

Emmett approached closer to Liv, and Liv lowered her head. Their lips met. Ah, though she wanted to be together like this forever, there was no turning back now…

When they slowly parted their lips, their eyes met. At that moment, Liv thought she saw love in Emmett’s eyes.

“To think I have to watch my little sister kiss after all this.”

“Haha…”

Walter complained, and Hildegard laughed awkwardly. Hayden looked like he didn’t care either way.

“Emmett, will you be staying in the Duchy?”

“Yes, I plan to gather knights there.”

“I’ll write to you there if possible.”

Before the horse departed, Liv whispered to Emmett. She knew this would burden him, but she had to say it. She wanted to imprint on him that there was always someone who loved him.

“I love you.”

For a moment Emmett’s expression darkened, but he quickly composed himself and smiled brightly at Liv. Thanks to that, Liv could leave remembering Emmett’s smile.

As the horse jolted and ran as it always did, Liv, leaning against Walter’s chest, soon had a gloomy expression. She just couldn’t get used to riding horses.

“Bear with it a little longer. It won’t take nearly as long as it took to get here.”

“Yes, that’s really comforting.”

A complaint almost sprang from her lips involuntarily, but Liv closed her mouth, thinking now was the time to show a composed appearance.

Thanks to departing at dawn and riding for a while, Liv could see the sun rising. As the sun broke through the darkness and revealed itself, the sky was changing to a vivid red color.

“Ah…”

Liv exclaimed in admiration at the sight.

Yes, morning will come soon. Morning will come eventually.