The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 103
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
“Sorry, I was just so glad to see you that I couldn’t help myself…”
“Ha. How dare you raise your hand in front of the Madam with your kind? Don’t you realize your stations are different?”
Amber was known to be warm-hearted towards her people. She overlooked peasants’ impoliteness and never scolded anyone for unintentional mistakes.
But… but there were limits.
No one had ever grabbed her wrist like this woman did. Not even her husband would casually grasp her wrist like that.
“I just… just wanted to express my gratitude. I slept well yesterday, the food was delicious, and it was warm, so…”
The woman’s voice was pleading, and then she suddenly presented something she had been hiding behind her back.
It was… a wildflower.
A small, humble white flower with its head bowed.
It might have been something to take offense at, but in that moment, Amber paused to reconsider.
How common could flowers be in the north, even in spring?
Seeing her crouched in front of the flower bed earlier, it seemed she had spent time and passion finding that single bloom, and the reason seemed to be…
‘For me?’
The flower wavered in the wind.
Just as powerless as this woman.
Its appearance, with only a stem and no roots, seemed to symbolize Iona’s plight, having no place to settle, which didn’t sit well with Amber.
“Keep that trivial thing for yourself! The Madam only possesses the finest and most beautiful things.”
Misinterpreting Amber’s silence as negative, Betty sharply rebuked her, and Iona, growing pale, looked confused.
“Sorry, I just wanted to make you happy… I thought you liked flowers…”
Her final words were nearly drowned in a sob.
Feeling as if she had committed some grievous fault, Amber swallowed a sigh.
This woman had appeared claiming to carry her husband’s child. Surely, all of this must be an act.
She thought she should remain cold, but for some reason, Amber felt pity for Iona.
It wasn’t just because she was overly compassionate, but listening to her, it just didn’t seem like she was faking.
‘Maybe there’s a reason behind all this. Can I make her confess who instructed her to lie?’
Having nothing but still managing to offer a wildflower despite her pregnant condition could be a sign of decency.
She might not be lying about carrying Igmeyer’s child because she wanted to but because she was coerced.
Amber has never bowed her head in her life, but this woman’s life has been different. How many injustices must she have endured to survive?
Maybe one of those injustices pushed her here. Yes…it could be.
“Your name is Iona, isn’t it?”
As Amber quietly spoke, the woman smiled brightly and nodded.
“Did you really pick that flower for me?”
“Yes! The breakfast was so delicious. I just wanted to give you something in return. It’s true.”
“If that’s the case, then I gladly accept it.”
As Amber extended her hand, Betty was visibly shocked. Amber quietly shook her head to indicate it was okay and then took the flower.
The flower was tightly clenched and already damaged, not likely to last long. It somehow seemed to resemble the woman herself.
“I’ll….make a ring for you with it.”
“Will you?”
“Yes!”
Iona expertly wrapped the flower stem around Amber’s finger, tying it into a neat knot. Then, she looked up at Amber with a beaming smile.
She should have felt resentment towards this woman, yet strangely, she didn’t. Maybe it was the combination of the brown hair and droopy eyes that made her seem as harmless as a deer…
“Shall we go inside and talk? You must be tired with such a weight.”
“May I?”
“Yes, let’s have some tea together.”
Iona’s eyes sparkled with evident joy, which left Amber slightly perplexed.
‘It seems like she really likes me.’
Amber was quick at discerning malice in others, a skill honed over years of reigning in the complex social circles of Shadroch.
Yet, from this woman, she only sensed a surprisingly pure affection. If it weren’t for the circumstances, they might have become good friends.
“Goodness, what is this all about?”
At that time.
As the strangely urgent footsteps approached, a group of priests emerged from behind the building.
“This woman is pregnant and vulnerable. You shouldn’t oppress her!”
“Indeed!”
“How could you be such a person…!”
The priests began to admonish Amber abruptly while forcibly pulling Iona behind them, showing a lack of respect for a pregnant woman that was more pronounced on their part. Moreover, their demeanor suggested as if it was ‘obvious’ that she had been mistreated.
‘How absurd.’
It wasn’t harassment; it was just a conversation. If Iona would just speak up, it could clear the misunderstanding. But strangely, Iona’s reaction was different now compared to her previous communicativeness.
‘Avoiding eye contact?’
The joyful, somewhat shy expression that had been on her face moments ago had vanished, replaced by the exact demeanor Amber had seen on the first day.
It was somewhat excessive and theatrical.
With this comparison, it was clear to see. Which side was the real Iona?
“Speak up, then!”
