To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

“That’s a good plan. If there’s a way…”

Walter muttered with a thoughtful expression.

“Can you explain to us exactly how you plan to do it?”

“No matter how much they investigate, they won’t be able to figure out how the fire started at the 4th Prince’s palace. Because it’s not a fire caused by human power. That’s when the 5th Prince intervenes. He’s built trust by announcing various scientific technologies, right?”

“So you’re going to use that.”

“Yes, we need to fabricate evidence. But with the trust the 5th Prince has built… it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Then do it that way.”

“But, I have concerns.”

Liv continued with a gloomy face.

“The 2nd Prince hasn’t done me any harm yet, is it right to falsely accuse him like this?”

“Ha.”

Walter laughed as if in disbelief. His gaze towards Liv was like looking at a child.

“Right, my sister was originally this kind of person…”

“Isn’t it natural to think this way?”

“There are many people who don’t think about such things, Liv…”

It was Hildegard who interjected then.

“But I sympathize with sister’s concerns.”

“Hilda…”

“I’ve been taught that we shouldn’t falsely accuse innocent people, at least that’s what I learned. Especially sister, who has received love from the gods, must have lived with that deeply engraved in her heart.”

Liv suddenly thought that Hildegard was truly a righteous person. She didn’t seem to think of herself that way because of the crimes she had committed while living in the slums, but in Liv’s view, Hildegard was a good person.

“Liv, then how about this.”

Walter, who had been watching them, made a suggestion.

“Let’s call Leopold and ask his opinion on this matter.”

“What? But he’s on the 2nd Prince’s side, isn’t he?”

“But he’s been wavering lately.”

“Still… he wouldn’t betray someone he’s been supporting overnight.”

“Liv, why don’t you trust me and just ask for his opinion once?”

Liv was curious about Walter’s intentions, but she decided to follow his words anyway. And Leopold…

[That’s a good idea.]

[What?]

Liv doubted her ears as she watched Leopold speak as if it was obvious, but surprisingly, she seemed to have heard correctly.

[If you stay still, you’ll be done in by the 2nd Prince. It’s wiser to eliminate the 2nd Prince first rather than that.]

[But… wasn’t Count Lester on the 2nd Prince’s side?]

[I was originally. But now it seems like you’re going to eliminate the 2nd Prince one way or another.]

Leopold didn’t know the secret that Liv was Gracia, but he seemed to know well that she had reason to eliminate the 2nd Prince.

[In that case, it’s better to side with the 5th Prince now.]

[Your judgment is quite quick…]

[That’s how it has to be to survive.]

He continued speaking in a calm voice.

[And knowing the 2nd Prince as I do, he would have tried to kill you someday. It’s natural for you to attack first.]

[Do you really think so?]

[Yes, I guarantee… if you search the 2nd Prince’s palace, you’ll find a few bottles of poison. Ah, that could be used as evidence that he tried to kill the 4th Prince.]

Looking at Liv’s blank face, Hayden said:

“Master, you need to steel your heart more. Of course, I understand your position of following the gods’ doctrines, but… you can’t do that if you want to engage in politics.”

“I’ll leave the decision to you, Liv.”

Walter left Liv to contact Dante on her own.

Thus, alone in her room, Liv fell into contemplation.

‘Even if I need to take revenge on August and reclaim my place, is it right to treat human lives so lightly?’

Finally, Liv looked up at the empty air and spoke.

“What should I do?”

Their answer came back quickly.

Child, even Feyte Gracia, the first Emperor, eliminated his enemies. But I loved him.

Our love for you will not change.

I told my followers not to harm people, but that doesn’t mean I will watch your death again.

The gods did not deter Liv from eliminating the 2nd Prince at all. Rather, they seemed to be supporting Liv.

Liv sat on the bed with her knees gathered, recalling her past. Memories of always living according to the gods’ doctrines…

But as she reminisced about the past, there were faces that kept coming to mind. Laga, Count and Countess Hamelsvoort… Liv bit her lip thinking of them.

Yes, Liv could no longer align everything with the gods’ will, nor could she live cleanly under someone’s protection. She had to become a strong human who could face the ways of evil humans. Thus, Liv finally made her decision.

“Let’s eliminate him.”

She decided to go against the 2nd Prince.

* * *

[Thank you. It was a great help.]

A few days later, these were the words Dante said when he came to see Liv.

[Prince William has always been my great enemy. If you wait just a little longer, I will repay you by becoming Crown Prince soon.]

The culprit who set fire to the 4th Prince’s palace was framed as the 2nd Prince, and in the end, he was punished by being confined to his own palace. Since the confinement measure would be implemented for his lifetime, the 2nd Prince was effectively sentenced to life imprisonment.

[But how did the fire really start at the 4th Prince’s palace?]

As Dante, who didn’t know what the gods did for Liv, asked that, Liv answered with a subtle smile.

[God’s power can do more than you might think.]

[Wow…!]

While Dante marveled, Liv repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fist. Even though the 2nd Prince’s life was completely ruined because of her, Liv wasn’t overwhelmed by guilt. She had thought she wouldn’t be able to handle it, but it was really strange.

‘Maybe I wasn’t inherently a good person to begin with.’

Liv was ultimately no different from other humans. Come to think of it, if it weren’t for the gods’ love, Liv would have grown up no different from other humans who live with anger, jealousy, and envy. In the end, she too was just an ordinary human.

[Then what should we do next?]

As Dante asked that, Liv suddenly came back to reality. Yes, Liv had to quickly help Dante become Crown Prince and return to the Holy Hilysid Empire.

She had to meet Emmett again. Thinking of Emmett made her feel a bit clearer. Liv answered in a calm tone.

[Now the next opponent would be the 1st Prince. It would be nice if we could deal with the 3rd Prince as well. Oh, what happened to the 1st Princess who was on the 2nd Prince’s side?]

[She approached me, but I refused because it would be troublesome if power gets dispersed unnecessarily. Then she seemed to be looking for a marriage partner.]

[It would be grateful if she stays out of this fight that way. Then I’ll look into the movements of the 1st Prince’s faction for now.]

After the conversation with Dante ended, Liv tried to ignore the strange feeling that kept arising. Yes, to ascend to the Emperor’s throne, she too had to get used to this business of eliminating people.

When Liv, who had finished bathing, was about to go to bed, she heard someone knocking on her door.

“Hayden?”

Standing in front of the door was Hayden. He was waiting for Liv without wearing pajamas despite it being night.

“It’s nothing, Master. I just wanted to tell you that I’ll guard this front.”

“What?”

“An assassin might invade again. I’ll guard this front.”

“Ah… No, rather, if I’m killed, we might achieve our goal faster. Whoever kills me will receive divine punishment, so I don’t need to deal with them myself.”

“Still.”

Hayden looked at Liv with serious eyes and said:

“Dying hurts, doesn’t it?”

“I won’t remember it anyway.”

“No, still, I…”

Hayden continued speaking, looking at Liv as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

“I don’t want you to die, Master. I don’t want to lose the one I’m protecting ever again.”

“…”

As she could understand Hayden’s feelings to some extent, Liv couldn’t stop him. In the end, Liv lay down on the bed while leaving Hayden standing in front of the door. However, sleep wouldn’t come for some reason, and Liv sat up abruptly.

‘Should I write a letter?’

Probably by the time this letter arrived, Liv would likely have arrived in the Holy Hilysid Empire, but still, writing letters to Emmett was enjoyable. Liv took out stationery and a quill pen from the drawer.

[To my dear Emmett,

Hello, Emmett. I’m doing well.

Actually, by the time you read this letter, I might be by your side, but I thought it would be good for you to know what I was thinking when I was apart from you.

The 5th Prince Dante’s biggest enemies are the 1st Prince and 2nd Prince. And today, the 2nd Prince completely lost his power. I won’t explain how it happened. But I have many thoughts about it. Whether I should be doing this… I don’t know, I also feel sorry towards the gods who love me…

I just hope that Emmett alone doesn’t hate me. I don’t expect you to love me, but please don’t consider me as too bad a person.

Then I’ll see you there soon.]