The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 63
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
Concerned, Igmeyer followed her and frowned more with each explanation from the merchant.
“Oh, if you came to see this horse, I’m sorry, but it’s not for sale.”
“That so? It’s so beautiful, no wonder you’d want to keep it.”
“No, that’s not it. This horse has such a terrible temperament… it stays calm until someone mounts it, then suddenly bolts and throws them off.”
Not just a bad temper but smart too. Amber could get seriously hurt, if she was not careful.
“Amber, this horse won’t do.”
“But…”
Despite the merchant’s warning, Amber couldn’t bring herself to walk away.
‘It looks so pitiful. Lonely.’
Despite its noble appearance, there was unease in its deep brown eyes, which Amber could read.
“Won’t you come with me?”
Hesitating at first, Amber eventually strode confidently towards the white horse and spoke to it.
“My brother said horses are smart enough to understand human speech. You’re clever, so you’ll understand too.”
Snort.
The white horse snorted and turned its head away, but Amber, undeterred, continued the conversation as if it was nothing. While Igmeyer clenched his fist and watched.
“I’ll make sure you get good hay to eat. I’ll brush your coat and give you clean water. I won’t restrain you. If you decide you want me to ride on you, then you can.”
Honestly, it was a revolutionary offer for a horse owner. Buying a horse but letting it choose whether or not to be ridden was unheard of.
Where else could they find such a groundbreaking work environment?
The horse seemed to soften its attitude more than before.
“I’ll even give you sugar cubes. I’ll care for you whether you want me to ride you or not.”
Amber whispered gently and extended her hand slightly.
Igmeyer, suppressing the urge to warn her of the danger, watched the scene unfold.
He shouldn’t interfere.
As a princess, Amber had received the best education from a young age, including riding lessons. She knew well what a horse was as she had rode them. And she wasn’t recklessly reaching out just to be bitten.
After all, a man who offers unsolicited advice is the worst, isn’t it?
“Let’s be friends. You don’t like being all alone here, do you? Aren’t you actually lonely?”
Snort.
The white horse, as if angry, stamped its front hooves and pushed its head forward.
Amber silently gazed into the eyes of the white horse. She didn’t show fear or surprise, just staying quietly and kindly.
“I’ll be your friend. Will you be mine too?”
A friend, not an owner. A partner, not a possessor.
To view a horse in such a manner.
Igmeyer watched Amber with a sense of admiration.
Sure, there were knights who cared for their horses, and Igmeyer himself treated his steed well.
But the relationship was always clear; he saw the horse as a mount, not as a friend.
“…”
What would happen?
Tense about the outcome, the white horse slowly lowered its head.
It was astonishing.
“Ha, that horse… to think it would behave so docilely. I’m surprised!”
“How much?”
After paying the price to the merchant, who was making a fuss, Igmeyer looked back at Amber. She had already approached the horse and was stroking its neck. Fortunately, the horse showed no signs of aggression.
It seemed almost to be seeking affection.
“You know how to act cute.”
Igmeyer muttered sarcastically as the horse suddenly lifted its head and started scraping its front hooves as if challenging him.
Though absurd, a horse that could also act as a guardian wouldn’t be bad for Amber.
“Amber. Let’s go have dinner.”
“What about this one?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it’s safely taken to the castle.”
No ‘date’ truly meant just the two of them. A secret guard was always there.
Amber nodded, knowing this too.
“We’ll meet later. Your name will be Salt.”
“Why Salt?”
“It’s essential for survival. It means it’s as important to me as salt.”
“You really like that horse, making me jealous.”
“You’re jealous of a horse, really?”
Bickering as they walked, Amber quietly linked her arm with his. Her soft touch lifted something in him.
‘Ah… damn. I’m not such a bastard’
Igmeyer was profoundly disappointed in his self-control.
Lately, just looking at Amber made his lower body painful and hot.
Was it because their bodies had aligned so perfectly since that time on the gold coins?
Igmeyer sighed deeply, looking down at his troubling desire with gloomy eyes.
He wanted to touch and taste her right now, but it was broad daylight, and they were outside. He had no choice but to restrain himself.
‘Stop imagining, Igmeyer Niflheim.’
