The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 109
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
‘What should I do… What if she starts to hate me?’
At that moment, Iona, who had been sent out into the hallway, was anxiously biting her nails and fidgeting.
‘I can’t let this happen. I need to make a good impression on Madam. I have to stay here for as long as possible.’
Iona had come to appreciate the taste of soft bread. She knew just how delicious it was with plenty of butter and jam. She felt pure joy tearing off bits of bread to soak up every last bit of soup!
She had also discovered the tang of dried fruits and the occasional sweetness of cakes.
If only she hadn’t discovered this comfort and abundance, she might have lived without knowing any better. But now that she had tasted such luxury, going back to her old life was unthinkable.
‘I’d rather die than lose this.’
Tears began to well up in Iona’s large eyes.
Madame Etoile had taught the essential manners to women preparing for arranged marriages. Iona had learned table manners and how to use utensils.
However, what they were given was hard bread like rocks and soup that was little more than water. Madame Etoile, known for her stinginess, never provided proper meals.
Having lived with the belief that this was normal, Iona had become enamored with all the new foods she encountered here.
‘Should I go back and beg now? Should I admit that I’m not actually pregnant, that there’s no baby? Maybe she’d understand…’
Fear took hold of Iona, and she began to think like a child rather than an adult.
For someone who had grown up with the belief that she must always obey and serve the Madam, every word from Amber, the ‘Madam,’ had a surprisingly significant impact.
In truth, ‘the Madam’ referred to the Elder Madam.
That is, she had to make a good impression on the mother of the man she was attempting to deceive into marriage. But Iona hadn’t understood that part.
Like many oral traditions, the stories had lost some details and had extra additions over time. Iona had grown up without hearing the terms ‘Elder Madam’.
She was somewhat distorted, mismatched, slightly odd, contradictory, and confused…
Her upbringing was chaotic, and she wasn’t particularly fond of studying, so she didn’t know how to think logically.
Just feeling full or hungry was the extent of what Iona understood.
In that context, Amber seemed like a God to Iona.
“Ma, Madam!”
As soon as Amber appeared, Iona trembled and opened her mouth, her call filled with desperation like the pained cry of a wounded bird.
“Madam, you see…”
Iona rushed toward Amber, hesitated before grabbing her wrist, and pulled her hand back, remembering how Amber had disliked that action before.
“I-I can do it. Everything you ask. Can’t I also be a maid?”
Iona’s real self was very different from her acting persona. Once she started acting, her speech was fluent, and her demeanor and eyes changed. But the usual Iona was like this.
Amber watched Iona, who couldn’t seem to leave her side and just hovered around her.
To Amber, Iona’s feelings and state were clear.
A child wanting love, scared of being abandoned.
At the same time, Amber had an instinctive realization.
This was the opportunity.
‘I don’t particularly like manipulating people’s feelings like this.’
But there was nothing she wouldn’t do for what needed to be protected.
Moreover, Amber was starting to find the unwelcome guests in the castle increasingly unbearable.
“Iona, I have a question.”
“Yes, yes!”
A moment later, Amber led Iona into her bedroom.
To the most secure and protected room in the castle.
Iona shrank back as she waited for Amber’s questions.
“Who sent you here?”
“That is…”
“I will ensure your safety. You were only following orders, weren’t you?”
Amber reassured Iona, softening her tone as much as possible.
“Don’t you want to keep enjoying delicious food and staying warm, like now?”
“……Yes.”
“Tell me what you remember about who sent you and why. Where were you originally?”
Amber had already heard about Madame Etoile from Igmeyer.
She knew that Raphael had raided Madame Etoile’s residence and was conducting a thorough investigation.
All of Madame Etoile’s crimes would be exposed, and she would not escape execution.
But she still remained silent about Iona’s client.
That was the situation until last night. Since Igmeyer, who just arrived, didn’t mention any progress… it must be the same as before.
It would be great if Iona could provide any answers.
Seeing Iona hesitating, Amber intentionally made her expression look disappointed.
“So you wanted to help me, but it was all a lie.”
“No! I really do want to help. Please believe me…!”
“How can I believe you? You showed up claiming to be pregnant with my husband’s child, which was a lie.”
“T-That… that was… a lie…”
Iona’s voice grew quieter.
‘As I suspected.’
Amber’s eyes narrowed.
It seemed that Iona thought Amber was being kind while still believing her claim of being pregnant with Igmeyer’s child.
“If you have nothing else to say, then there’s nothing more to discuss. There’s no need to treat you any better.”
With a cold expression, Amber stood up and issued the dismissal order.
“Leave.”
“Ma-Madam. Just, just a moment. I-I remember something…!”
