The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 36
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⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
Chapter 2: Hoping for at Least One More to Return Alive
A month has passed since then.
Igmeyer had come to believe in the existence of monsters called the phantom breed, especially after the successful return of the princess from her northern tour.
His nightmares became more intense, starting with the annihilation of the primary military outpost. Now, the castle was halfway destroyed, the territory trampled, and the citizens were experiencing hallucinations, leading them to kill each other.
As he endured these dreams for over thirty nights, Igmeyer couldn’t help but feel worn down.
Despite his condition, he continued training and sparring with the knights. However, those who crossed blades with him instinctively withdrew, sensing the foul mood emanating from him.
“Ah, Madam is here.”
“Madam has arrived!”
Amidst this, Amber’s appearance was almost a salvation.
The knights immediately stopped their activities and stood at attention, silently praying for the Madam to stay longer at the training grounds. Perhaps then, they could catch a brief rest.
“Amber.”
Spotting his wife, Igmeyer swiftly handed his sword to a squire and gracefully approached her.
“What brings you here? I guess you came to see me.”
Igmeyer’s brazen words momentarily startled Amber, but it was challenging to deny it in front of everyone.
“Nora, Betty.”
“Yes!”
“Distribute the snacks prepared for the knights.”
First, Amber calmly gave instructions. She had sent her maids to the kitchen early in the morning to prepare sandwiches and chocolate cookies.
The main reason for bringing these treats was the same as her northern tour – to bond with the knights gradually. However, that wasn’t the only reason; there was another.
After the knights had their fill, Amber opened her mouth clearly enough for everyone to hear.
“I have some gems I bought from Shadroch that I want to sell. Do any of you know a merchant who would offer a high price?”
Thunk. The knights, who were stuffing sandwiches into their mouths, froze with their mouths wide open. After quickly biting the cookies, the knights wiped their mouths and stood up promptly.
It was a great judgment on their part, but Igmeyer, with a smiling face, felt his mood plummeting.
“Why sell them? You’re not so poor that you need to sell them.”
Veins bulge on Igmeyer’s forehead.
Amber, aware that Igmeyer was displeased, continued talking as if nothing had happened.
“I want iron from the Litten Mines.”
“Iron from Litten Mines?”
“Yes. I heard it can be used to make top-notch, sturdy swords that don’t break easily.”
The mention of Litten Mines stirred up the knights. They never expected to hear a princess talk about swords.
Moreover, a sword made of Litten iron was something everyone coveted. It was expensive, and yet, she wanted to buy it through selling her private belongings?
The murmuring knights fell silent when they saw Igmeyer’s displeased expression.
“… Let’s end the training here for today.”
Igmeyer decided to hold his tongue for the time being.
As far as he knew, Amber wasn’t the type to complain or speak in riddles. Despite her bright and glamorous demeanor, there was a slight sense of melancholy about her. At times, her gaze into the distance hinted at an unknown unease.
Amber never whined, never uttered nonsense, and, apart from the initial excessive purchases of oil and chickens, most of what she handled seemed to fall into place. She didn’t completely reveal herself, yet she didn’t hide either.
That’s why Igmeyer was inclined to seriously listen to whatever Amber said.
“You’re suddenly interested in Litten iron, why?”
“Just.”
“You’re not someone who deals with anything ‘just.'”
After leaving the training ground, Amber pursed her lips while looking at Igmeyed. Displaying a hesitancy to speak, she eventually turned her head.
“Just. It was really just.”
“Hmm. Don’t tell me you’re interested in Litten iron to give me a sword?”
“….”
She should act as if she got caught. Let him think that way on his own.
In reality, Amber had been thinking about this for a long time. How to phrase it, what the first words should be. And so far, things had been progressing as she wanted.
“I want to show you something.”
But from this point on, it went in a direction Amber hadn’t anticipated at all.
“Something?”
“Well, if you’re the mistress of Niflheim, you should know… Well, I think it’s about time to show that to you.”
That was completely unexpected.
Amber wasn’t sure what Igmeyer was talking about, but she decided to follow him anyway.
