The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 101
There’s only one certainty.
The women from Madame Étoile’s place could either end up living happily or miserably, based solely on a word from the ‘Madam’ where they are sent.
So in that sense, Iona was fortunate.
“You have to be good to Madam.”
Mumbling drowsily, Iona hugged her belly and curled up. Her stomach was bloated and painful from taking a drug to appear pregnant.
While In pain and gasping, Iona soon fell asleep even before the commotion in the Grand Ducal castle had settled.
* * *
“That vixen!”
Meanwhile, in the master bedroom.
While Amber elegantly sat on the sofa, Nora spewed anger next to her.
“There’s no way that child is His Grace’s! How dare she fabricate such a lie?”
Nora’s heat seemed like it could melt ice.
Amber nodded in agreement as Betty, who had been massaging her shoulders, quietly stepped back.
“She needs to be scolded. And really, you should verify whether she’s truly pregnant. Can’t we ask Sir Nicholas to come back briefly? Being your ally, he’d surely conduct a thorough examination!”
Nora, fuming with indignation, was almost in tears as if she was the one who was wronged.
Amber opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again.
She also believed that the child Iona claimed to have couldn’t be Igmeyer’s. Hadn’t they just clashed over the issue of children?
Still, it was perplexing.
‘Has something like this happened before? I don’t think so. Or has it? I can’t quite remember.’
She massaged her forehead and sighed deeply.
Igmeyer had gone out to look into the situation. They would know more when he returned.
‘I’m not sure why Iona appeared here or what brought her, but it doesn’t seem like the Prince was involved. More like he was duped as well. Somehow, it leaves a bad taste.’
But, ultimately, Iona could remain in the castle, thanks to the Prince’s intervention.
If the prince decides to host her as his guest, what can she do? No matter how forceful it seems, those of lower status must simply accept it.
‘Let’s not dwell on it for now. More importantly, we have matters concerning the ski event to attend to.’
If the child Iona carries was actually Igmeyer’s, it would be a big problem. But Amber knew it wasn’t the case. Thus, she wasn’t too worried.
Of course, her ability to maintain such an attitude was largely due to Igmeyer’s evident disgust.
How could she not trust him after seeing his reaction?
“Nora, I have a favor to ask.”
“Yes!”
“Take your father and go on a journey far from here.”
“During…this situation?!”
Nora’s eyes widened in shock.
Amber signaled Betty to leave the room, then spoke softly to Nora.
She explained what she needed to be completed in Shadroch, the information that had to be gathered, and the messages to be delivered.
“Depart tomorrow.”
“But… what if that vile woman harms you?”
“It’s fine. Betty’s here. Don’t worry and just go. It’s more important right now.”
Nora had never left the North. Though she was understandably nervous, having Amber’s seal on a letter meant that once she reached the border of Shadroch, everything would be arranged.
Nora was robust, rarely ill, and had the stamina for long travels, making her perfect for the task.
‘At times like these, it’s necessary to send someone away, so I should probably hire more maids soon. It seems about time to expand my circle.’
Regardless of Amber’s attention, Iona’s presence would surely cause unrest among the servants. If she unexpectedly bore a child claimed to be Igmeyer’s legitimate offspring, wouldn’t they speculate about the child’s rights to succession?
To prevent this and strengthen her authority as the Madam of the house, Amber needed something that would force the maids to prove their loyalty.
‘But…’
Amber approached the window, opened it wide to let in some fresh air, then suddenly flinched.
‘The castle is in such an uproar, why are the priests hiding themselves?’
* * *
At the same time, Igmeyer was thinking similarly to Amber.
“They say she appeared from the east?”
“Yes, sir. She walked all the way here, staggering from that direction.”
“That’s a wasteland. How could a pregnant woman just emerge from a wasteland and make it here on foot?”
He had gathered his closest advisers—Huvern, Jean, Gallard, Raphael—and even the servant and soldier who first spotted the woman, to discuss their story.
“So, someone must have deliberately left her in the wasteland. They probably wanted to make it hard to trace her origin.”
Jean frowned deeply as he spoke.
Huvern chimed in after Jean’s comment.
“But, Your Grace, you already know the origins of this woman.”
“Indeed. How could I forget that strong scent of incense?”
Igmeyer had encountered Madam Étoile during his days as a mercenary. The memory of her greedy face and overpowering smell still lingered unpleasantly in his mind.
