The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 10
Rising to his feet, Igmeyer silently looked at his wife, who seemed upset once again.
To be honest, as a newlywed husband, he wanted to have a more extended conversation with his newfound wife today. Still, it was true that he needed to hurry and leave. The knights were probably already waiting for him, all lined up and ready.
Strangely, though, he didn’t want to just leave his wife in this state.
After thinking for a moment, he brought the cloak he always wore when going out during his expeditions and draped it over her delicate shoulders.
It might be an old item, and the Princess might not find it too appealing, but among the possessions he currently had, this was the most valuable. Furthermore, it carried the blessing of the High Priest.
If those who had served him for a long time didn’t understand the significance of him wrapping his wife in this cloak, he could call them separately and beat them up until they did.
“If there’s anyone who dares to mistreat the Princess while I’m away, remember their faces well. I’ll gladly kick them out as soon as I return.”
Originally, it was the Mistress’ role to hire and fire people. However, considering that she had suddenly come to a strange land after getting married, he believed she couldn’t handle internal affairs immediately.
And at that moment, Amber had an intuition.
This might be the first step that could change the future.
“I.”
As the door opened again, Igmeyer put on the tunic brought by his lieutenant. Facing his back, Amber spoke clearly.
“I’ll ‘tidy up’ the castle while you’re away.”
She didn’t ask if it was allowed.
While a typical wife would need to seek her husband’s permission for anything she did, Amber’s dignified pride as a Princess was strong. She wasn’t dependent on him. She could work as a lord herself, and that right belonged to her.
What reaction would he show to this declaration?
Feeling her mouth go dry, Amber shot him a glance.
“After the first night, God must have recognized your rights over Niflheim. Do as you wish.”
Oddly, Igmeyer’s response was concise.
The rights of the Mistress belonged to her.
It was a satisfactory response.
* * *
“Surprisingly calm and spirited, unlike expected.”
Niflheim in the dead of winter wasn’t a place where a few extra layers of clothing would make a difference, especially if the destination was a gorge battered by icy winds.
Jean Haleway, Igmeyer’s subordinate and a member of the Frost Giant Knights, found himself involuntarily glancing back.
Just in case a gust of wind blew in, Igmeyer tightly closed the door, ensuring no openings remained to the bridal room.
Not to mention bringing in a high-ranking priest from the capital at a high price and conducting a consecration ceremony in the bridal chamber.
Whether the proud Princess would know it or not, at the very least, the current bedroom was the safest place in all of Niflheim.
Any monster that dared to touch the door would instantly be incinerated.
“Perhaps she’ll adjust well to this place.”
Adding that, Jean glanced at his master’s bare back.
Originally, a thick cloak should be wrapped on it.
Back when the Frost Giant Knights were still just a mercenary group, there was an incident where Igmeyer saved the life of a wandering priest for free.
The priest became the High Priest a few years later… Igmeyer, along with all the members of the mercenary group at the time, were given cloaks.
The cloak, a sacred object blessed by the High Priest himself, had the divine power to keep lower-level monsters away. It was, of course, something everyone cherished dearly.
And now, to give that cloak to the Princess and go without it himself…
While Fenrir was a considerably troublesome monster, it was nothing Igmeyer couldn’t handle.
Even knowing this, Jean couldn’t help but feel uneasy. He was displeased that his master became a bit more vulnerable without that cloak.
“Cover yourself with my cloak. After all, I won’t be following you today.”
“No, it’s fine. Everyone needs to see that I’m not wearing the cloak.”
Igmeyer, who had never responded when the Princess was mentioned, spoke up when the topic of the cloak was brought up.
“Jean.”
“Yes, Master.”
Jean saluted as he looked up at the man mounting the sturdy warhorse.
“It’ll take about a week. Take good care of the Princess in my absence. If she makes any requests, even if they seem unreasonable, don’t say it’s impossible. Just say you’ll consider it and report to me when I return. Also, convey the same message to Huvern.”
“…!”
“Answer me.”
The warhorse sensed the approaching battle, exhaling sharply and pawing at the ground. Its temperament, much like its owner’s, wasn’t the most pleasant. On top of that, it had a knack for responding accordingly to its owner’s mood.
Jean felt a bit hurt as the horse and its owner sent disapproving glances his way simultaneously.
“Oh, and…”
Whether Jean flinched or spoke, Igmeyer paid him no mind and took hold of the reins.
“If you dare to judge the Mistress even after I return, I won’t forgive you.”
Igmeyer’s narrow eyes scanned him from top to bottom.
‘Uh-oh, I better not say the wrong thing here.’
Feeling a shiver down his spine, Jean quickly nodded.
“Yes, yes. That was my mistake. Please take care on your journey.”
Jean Haleway.
While he was indeed a child of Viscount Haleway, unfortunately, he was born in a prison.
