The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 46
Soon after, Betty bought in two cups of lavender tea which is known for its calming effects. Sipping the tea helped settle Amber’s nervous heart, preparing her to listen and let go of any harsh words that Jean might say.
“I have been misunderstanding you, Madam.”
However, Jean’s words were entirely different from what Amber had anticipated.
“You had… plans all along, Madam. Buying the chickens, storing food supplies, and even those barrels of oil.”
“……”
Amber remained silent.
“So, what I mean is… I am sorry. I wanted to apologize.”
Before Amber could respond, Jean bowed.
‘Is this Igmeyer’s doing?’
She briefly thought, but immediately shook her head. No, that couldn’t be. Jean hadn’t wronged her in any way.
In fact, Jean was in a position to doubt the inexplicable orders of a newly married Mistress.
‘Before my arrival, weren’t Jean and the butler managing the internal affairs and budgeting?’
The North was not struggling to survive, but it certainly wasn’t affluent either. So, buying chickens and cheap oil might not have been agreeable to them.
Amber understood this perspective.
Igmeyer might reprimand an aide dissatisfied with the Mistress, but that was all.
Such a minor matter wasn’t enough to warrant a personal apology.
So, this was a decision Jean made on his own, after his deliberation and thought.
‘He’s opened his heart…. to me.’
Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes, and Amber bit her lips hard.
In the past, the prideful Jean had never apologized to her.
He knew his words hurt her and yet often spoke more spitefully.
Jean was the kind of person who only bowed to those he respected. He would never speak even under torture if captured by enemies. The more he was pressured, the more he would laugh and mock…. A difficult character to handle.
Amber had never planned to win Jean over, considering his challenging nature.
In this life, she had hoped to maintain a merely cordial, friendly relationship.
“I will never judge you by my standards again. I’ve realized there are things in the world that I don’t know.”
Amber realized she had wanted an apology.
With trembling hands, she pressed her hand to her chest.
A sharp remark Jean had made long ago was still lodged in her heart like a dagger.
‘Please stay put. Or better yet, don’t leave your bedroom. Everyone is uncomfortable because of you, Madam. We’re slowed down in our work because we have to be mindful of your presence.’
That single sentence had hurt her all this time.
But hearing Jean’s apology now felt like she was finally removing that dagger.
“I… accept your apology.”
Jean wouldn’t understand the depth of forgiveness embedded in this whisper. She had decided to let go of the grudges that had built up over time, something he would never fully comprehend.
Only she knew this.
But Amber was content with that.
After all, both Jean and she shared the same goal.
To protect and develop the North.
There was no reason for conflict.
‘It might be overly optimistic, but… if I have a child, he would sacrifice and strive for them. A person to respect and protect the heir of the North.’
Yes, that was enough.
Feeling the knots in her heart come undone, Amber calmly continued the conversation.
“We can’t be sure if these Phantom Breeds will actually appear, but if they do, being prepared is good, and even if they don’t, buying the chickens wasn’t a complete waste.”
“Yes, you’re right. I’ve learned that the villages where we distributed chickens are taking good care of them. The eggs are helping with the food supply, and everyone is happy.”
“That’s a relief.”
Amber had been worried that the villagers might kill the chickens, but it seemed her instructions to not slaughter them until further notice were being followed.
“But did you both really have the same dream?”
“I had no idea Igmeyer had been having the same dream. You can lift your head now.”
“Wow, it’s like fate. Fate.”
As she forgave him, Jean quickly reverted to a more relaxed demeanor. Amber didn’t find it annoying, noticing a flicker of faint trust in his eyes towards her.
“Jean.”
“Yes.”
“I trust you. I believe you will protect Igmeyer and dedicate yourself to the North.”
In reality, Jean did just that. Until the very end, he truly strived to protect the North.
Amber couldn’t remember exactly how Jean died, but one scene was vividly etched in her memory:
A corridor so dark due to the lack of oil for torches. A figure leaning weakly against the wall. A haggard face, dark circles under the eyes, and the hungry, gleaming look in those eyes…
