Chapter 95
“Hahaha…”
He laughed like a madman while looking at Liv. His purple eyes, which had always been gentle, now glistened with devastation, and his once kind voice was now devoid of anything, feeling only empty.
“My dear sister, do you repay kindness with enmity? They brought a cursed being into this household without even knowing.”
The relationship between Walter and Liv could never go back to how it was before. They were no longer affectionate siblings.
“Keep living like that, indulging in the gods who love you, my sister.”
Walter, who had been more devout than anyone, no longer devoted himself to God. He left for the Merna Empire to study law created by humans, abandoning his god.
* * *
“And who might this be…”
Walter’s gaze shifted to Emmett standing next to Liv. Emmett immediately greeted Walter politely.
“It’s been a long time, Young Count Walter. You may have forgotten me. I am Emmett of the Lartman Duchy.”
“Ah yes, Duke Lartman…”
As Walter’s gaze scanned Emmett like a snake, the Countess, who had approached unnoticed, intervened. It was a quick move, as if she had sensed the strange atmosphere flowing between them. She would probably think that the Hamelsvoort family, close to the temple faction, was wary of the Lartman family, close to the imperial faction.
“Walter, you may not have received the letter as you were traveling, but Liv recently married Duke Lartman. It’s really joyous news. Right now, Liv isn’t feeling well, so she’s come back to our house to recuperate. Please be mindful that Liv is ill.”
“…I see.”
Walter spoke in such a nonchalant voice that it was unclear if he was surprised or not. Well, someone who had experienced countless lives wouldn’t be surprised by something like this.
“Oh, and there’s amazing news!”
Lady Hamelsvoort spoke exaggeratedly, as if worried Walter might say something wrong.
“There were those wicked rumors that Liv had deliberately pretended to be a Saintess. But it turns out Liv really is a special person who receives the Supreme God’s love. She showed her power at the temple recently, and it was incredible!”
“I see.”
Walter nodded with an expressionless face this time as well, and Lady Hamelsvoort seemed a bit flustered by his reaction but couldn’t say anything more.
“Well then. You must be tired, so go in and rest. We should prepare a grand dinner for tonight.”
However, Walter gently smiled and shook his head.
“No, Mother. I have something I’d like to discuss with Duke Lartman.”
“With the Duke?”
“Yes, as an older brother, shouldn’t I have a conversation with my sister’s husband?”
“Of course! Come to think of it, you always took such good care of Liv before.”
Lady Hamelsvoort’s face relaxed, seemingly reassured by Walter’s attitude that appeared favorable towards Duke Lartman.
Soon, led by Lady Hamelsvoort, they were seated in the reception room. After the Countess left and only the three of them remained, Walter examined Emmett with observant eyes before turning to Liv.
“My little sister.”
“Yes.”
“Whose life are you trying to ruin this time?”
“…”
“I know very well that if someone gets involved with you wrongly, their life can be ruined.”
As Liv was unable to respond to those words, Emmett spoke in a cold tone.
“I already know what kind of person Liv is.”
“You know everything?”
“Yes, the fact that she is loved not only by the Supreme God, but by all gods.”
At those words, Walter’s expression changed. It almost looked like he was impressed.
“Have you experienced divine punishment?”
This time, when Emmett couldn’t answer, Walter smiled again.
“I don’t need to hear your answer to know. You have experienced it.”
“That’s…”
“It’s truly remarkable love. To be able to love that thing even after experiencing divine punishment.”
“Do not insult my wife.”
Emmett was so wary of Walter as he said this that one could almost feel his killing intent.
“No matter what happens to Liv, I will protect her to the end. And I won’t allow you to be rude to Liv either.”
“Haha, well then I have nothing more to say.”
Walter stood up from his seat, and making a gesture as if wiping away tears, he said:
“Go ahead and love her to the end. Let’s see how long you can endure being entangled with that thing.”
As he left the reception room, Liv finally noticed that Emmett was clenching his fists with an angry face.
“Emmett…”
“Your brother is quite a difficult person. I never thought I’d come to think Hayden was better.”
“It’s all my fault. He experienced divine punishment because of me… He used to be a good person, but I ruined him.”
“People are meant to change, Liv.”
Emmett’s hand covered Liv’s.
“Even if someone changed after experiencing divine punishment, it’s not your responsibility. If you want to blame someone, blame the gods.”
“Ah…”
“I’m just worried.”
Emmett glared sharply at the door through which Walter had just left. He seemed to have recognized Walter as an enemy from their conversation just now.
“I’m worried that he might become a danger to you.”
“He won’t be able to do that… He knows the power of the gods better than anyone.”
More than that, wanting to finish the farewell they were having earlier, Liv stared intently at Emmett.
“Emmett, have a safe trip.”
Emmett had no intention of refusing the moment when Liv approached him first, regardless of the situation. He leaned his face towards Liv’s lips, and for a long while, they remained like that, touching.
* * *
That evening, the members of the Hamelsvoort family gathered in the mansion’s dining room to have dinner together. They said it was to celebrate Walter’s return and all the Hamelsvoort family members being together. Liv also said she would join the meal since her condition wasn’t too bad at the moment. The dining room was set with lavish food just like when Liv first came to this family long ago. Unlike before, Liv now knew the names of all the dishes, their tastes, and how to eat them.
“I bought many gifts for both of you. Of course, there are gifts for my sisters too.”
At Walter’s words, Lady Hamelsvoort’s eyes welled up with tears as if moved.
“Having the whole family together makes me so happy! Walter, I’m so proud of how wonderfully you’ve grown up.”
After saying that, Lady Hamelsvoort looked at Walter, Liv, and Hildegard seated at the table in turn.
“Our first child, Walter, went to study abroad in Merna and came back with a splendid degree. Now all that’s left is for you to take your place in the Empire!”
“It wasn’t much.”
“Our second child, Liv, proved that she is indeed chosen by the Supreme God.”
“…”
“And our youngest, Hildegard, fulfills her duties as a Saintess, making me so proud.”
Lady Hamelsvoort seemed to have forgotten about the strained relationships in the Hamelsvoort family from before. The time when Liv was treated as a fake Saintess, and the Hamelsvoort family was ridiculed externally and divided internally.
“From now on, we should all get along well as a family. I feel truly proud that our generation has brought the Hamelsvoort family to its greatest peak.”
As Count Hamelsvoort said this, Walter smiled gently.
“Don’t worry, Father.”
His eyes met Liv’s once again.
“Now that I’m back, I’ll take good care of my sisters from now on. I’m sorry I haven’t been a proper older brother until now.”
However, what was contained in Walter’s eyes as he said this was unmistakably a feeling of hatred.
* * *
Knock knock.
“Yes.”
Right after the sound of knocking on the door, Hildegard entered the room.
“Sister, are you feeling a bit better?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Liv answered, lifting only her head while lying in bed.
“If several doctors couldn’t find the cause… it must not be an ordinary illness.”
The Hamelsvoort couple had also called several doctors for Liv, but they were of no help. Liv didn’t stop them from calling doctors to spread rumors that she was ill.
“Hmm.”
“Sister, tell me honestly. What exactly is going on? Is it related to the gods?”
Thinking it might be okay to tell Hildegard, Liv hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.
“It’s because of ancient magic.”
“Ancient magic? Wasn’t that only used in the distant past?”
“No, there’s one person currently using that magic.”
“What?”
“His Majesty the Emperor.”
Soon, as if she had grasped the situation, Hildegard’s face turned pale. She mumbled in a low voice as if worried someone might hear.
“But why would His Majesty the Emperor… Ah.”
Suddenly realizing that he had driven out the Gracia family and ascended to the throne, Hildegard made a face of understanding.
“Could it be that His Majesty thinks Sister Liv will threaten his throne?”
“No, it’s probably not that. I don’t have that much power yet. He has the power to kill me anytime he wants. Maybe… His Majesty doesn’t like the rumor that I receive God’s love. He’s at odds with the temple after all.”
“Ah…”
“Anyway, I just look sick, but I’m not actually in much pain. I went to a sanctuary and got some help.”
“That’s a relief…”
Only then did Hildegard’s face seem a bit relieved. However, she still didn’t look like she was about to leave the room.
“Still, just in case, may I stay by your side to nurse you?”
“Well, there’s no reason not to, but…”
However, if it was simply for nursing, it would be more efficient to have a maid constantly by her side rather than Hildegard staying with her all the time. Liv realized that Hildegard wasn’t here just for nursing.
“What’s wrong, Hilda? Why do you want to stay here?”
“Well, actually…”
Hildegard hesitated before continuing.
“What is it, Hilda?”
“Haah, I feel suffocated… I don’t know what to do when I run into Brother Walter.”
“Why you?”
Unlike herself, Hildegard hadn’t caused any harm to Walter. And Walter treated Hildegard well, so they should be able to get along just fine. To Liv’s puzzlement, Hildegard replied in a matter-of-fact voice.
“I’m an adopted daughter, you know.”
“Yes.”
“What child would welcome their parents adopting a fully grown adult as a sister? It’s strange to have to play family with someone who’s completely unrelated.”
“Hmm… I guess that could be the case.”
“Brother is a good person, but he’s so kind that it makes me feel more sorry. He probably didn’t want me to be adopted.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Just look at the inheritance, it’s been cut by a third.”
Only then did Liv nod, understanding the situation. She had learned from reading books that many legal disputes arise due to inheritance issues. Walter had no reason to welcome this situation.
“Come to think of it, you also said you were uncomfortable with Brother Walter.”
“Yes, I did.”
Thinking it was time to tell Hildegard, Liv opened her mouth.
“Before, when you had just returned to the past, you asked me if there was anyone else who had experienced this.”
“Yes.”
“I answered then that there was one more person.”
“Ah, could it be…!”
“Yes, that person is Brother Walter.”
