The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 142
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
“There’s no way to send food-laden carts with the roads piled high with snow.”
The Grand Duke said, his voice heavy as he tried to calm the knights.
His troubled eyes were deeply sorrowful, but there was nothing Amber could do here. Besides, it was a long-ago event.
‘Oh, the surroundings are shifting.”’
As if a page of a book were turning, the scenery blurred, and a few seconds later, Amber found herself in a different place.
This time, it was still within the castle, but unlike the bleakness of the previous location, this room felt quite cozy. The bed was layered with thick blankets, and there were plenty of cushions. Most importantly, there were furs on the floor, providing warmth against the cold.
‘This is the Grand Duchess’s room.’
The sun streamed in here during the day, making it a bright, welcoming space. Amber certainly recognized it.
However, she was not the current occupant of this bedroom.
“Cough, cough!”
A frail-looking woman sat on the bed, her cough violent enough that it seemed to shake her whole body. She had silvery hair reminiscent of snow-capped mountains and deep blue eyes that reflected a tranquil lake… and the moment Amber laid eyes on her, one name sprang to mind.
Raphael.
She didn’t seem like a noble, yet her grace and calm demeanor were strikingly similar to Raphael’s.
“Your condition is worsening today. It’s getting worse by the day.”
“Welcome…. Your Grace.”
“Tsk. I told you not to speak. Don’t even try to get up when you haven’t eaten anything.”
The Grand Duke, whom Amber recognized from before, strode over to the woman. He draped a blanket over her shoulders, wrapping it tightly around her.
The unnamed woman looked at him with a faint smile, and the Grand Duke furrowed his brow.
‘Oh, they’re in love.’
These two were already wrapped in their own romance, despite the harshness of their environment.
Amber could see their love blooming in such desolate conditions. Yet, considering she referred to him as ‘Your Grace’, it seemed she was not his wife.
“I’m so sorry… because of me…”
“I told you not to say such things. No, just be quiet.”
“But…”
As Amber took a few more steps closer, she noticed the woman had gentle, innocent eyes. The worry and concern swirling in those eyes made Amber’s own heart ache.
“It’s not your fault. I would have faced any enemy to save you. I did manage to rescue you from that bastard, but I’m sorry that it ended up like this—starving you.”
The Grand Duke carefully laid the woman back down and stroked her hair. She accepted his touch with gratitude and smiled faintly.
It was a smile that seemed like it could vanish at any moment.
“I… I feel better now than I did then. Living was hell back then…”
“Still, you didn’t starve.”
The Grand Duke muttered bitterly, but the woman shook her head.
“No. Even if I can only eat roots, it’s better now. Just let me stay with you.”
“….How could I possibly let you go now?”
“Don’t let me go. Remember me forever…”
If she was to infer, it seemed that this silver-haired woman had been a plaything for the Emperor. Though she didn’t appear to be of noble birth, her beauty had likely made her suffer within the palace walls.
The Grand Duke, having fallen in love with her, rescued her from the Emperor’s clutches, which likely led to the Emperor cutting off the support he had once provided out of revenge.
‘That was a move the Grand Duke shouldn’t have made. But…’
Amber didn’t want to judge. Sometimes love can turn the impossible into the possible, making everything else fade away.
“Father.”
At that moment, a soft knock was followed by another low voice behind Amber.
When she turned, she saw a young man who clearly resembled the Grand Duke.
“The hunters just caught a reindeer.”
“That’s good news. Have them prepare a stew to share with everyone.”
“Yes.”
The young man nodded at the woman and quickly turned away. From this, it was clear he was not her son.
‘Probably a child born of a political marriage. The fact that this woman occupies this room means the Grand Duchess has already died. So, the son is merely accepting it.’
In any case, it seemed unlikely that she would have children.
The first reason she likely wouldn’t become pregnant was her frail condition, and the second was….that they probably didn’t have a physical relationship. It felt like their interactions only involved gentle touches, like the way he stroked her hair.
Though it was just a hunch, there seemed to be a noticeable difference in the intimacy between those who had shared a physical relationship and those who hadn’t.
“If the Emperor continues this way, he’ll have to face the entire North. So don’t worry, just rest.”
Tears welled up in the woman’s eyes at the Grand Duke’s blunt but heartfelt statement. She looked like she might burst into tears at any moment, her delicate shoulders shaking.
After several comforting pats from the Grand Duke, she finally fell asleep and he let out a heavy sigh.
“I love you, Militta.”
With that, Amber learned the name of the woman, likely Raphael’s ancestor, was Militta.
