The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 81
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
“Igmeyer…? What’s going on?”
Amber asked languidly. Igmeyer coolly made an excuse.
“No, just saw a deer passing by.”
“A deer? Where is there a deer here?”
“Or maybe a lamb. Seems to have a hobby of sneaking peeks.”
Annoying! That smooth demeanor and his playful tone.
But if he claims Loki was peeking, there’s not much he can say.
‘No, who would have expected a sudden kiss! I came to save the princess!’
Embarrassed and enraged, his face turned red, and he abruptly turned around.
He stomped off deliberately loudly, but it did little to relieve his embarrassment.
It felt like he had intruded on a private moment between a couple.
He felt like an interloper.
* * *
The next day, Amber took Jason’s hand and brought him to the reception room.
The grand reception room, designed to be the most imposing space within the castle, made young Jason shrink a bit.
Amber patted Jason’s shoulder and seated him on the sofa.
“You can have some snacks. It won’t take long.”
“What if… what if I’m not the Grand Duke’s younger brother?”
Anxiety tinged his golden eyes.
Amber stroked his hair and explained.
“Even if that’s the case, we won’t kick you out of the castle. If you’re not related to the Grand Duke, we’ll find a family who will take you in. You’re still young, you need a family.”
“…But I like it with you.”
“Is that so?”
His pout was remarkably similar to Igmeyer’s.
Amber chuckled softly and handed him a sweet cream bun.
Sometime later, Igmeyer and Jean entered. Behind them were elite knights like Gallard and Raphael.
“Oh, the little pea has turned into a cream-covered pea.”
“I’m not a pea!”
“Sure, sure.”
Igmeyer immediately started teasing Jason upon seeing him. Jason retorted spiritedly, though he seemed a bit more subdued than usual, perhaps worried.
“Hurry up.”
Then the prince entered with an air of arrogance.
It was odd that no one accompanied him.
‘Leaving his attendants and knights behind means….’
Their loyalty is weak, evidence of which is letting the prince enter alone, foreseeing what might happen here.
Of course, nothing will likely happen, but still.
A day passed, and Amber could clearly see the treatment the prince was receiving.
“You’re already here. I apologize for being late; it was time for prayers.”
High Priest Mikael and the priests entered last.
Despite his gentle expression and apology, Amber was certain they had intentionally arrived after the prince.
“Now, both of you prick your fingers. When the blood drops on this device, it activates. If your blood mixes, you’re related; if not, you’re complete strangers. This device has never been wrong.”
Prince Loki asserted an unusual dignity as he took off a necklace that held the device.
The device ended in a scarlet pendant, which he set on the table where it stood upright, surprisingly stable despite its pointed end.
“It’ll sting a bit. It’s not dangerous, can you handle it?”
“…Yes. But hold my hand tightly.”
“I will.”
Amber firmly grasped Jason’s left hand while Gallard pricked his right finger.
Drip, drop.
Soon, their blood drops traveled down the device and fell onto the table.
Then, the device emitted a bright light, and a circular ring with runes appeared around the table.
A humming sound filled the air as the blood drops levitated within the ring, merging and separating repeatedly.
Everyone watched the scene in silence, holding their breath.
What would be the outcome?
Igmeyer seemed indifferent, but Jason watched intently with wide eyes. After all, his status as either a commoner or at least partially noble was about to be decided.
And then…
“Ah! Look! The blood mixed!”
Their blood merged perfectly into a single sphere that floated above the device and shimmered.
The Frost Giant knights were the first to offer their congratulations.
“Wow, we have a little master!”
“Right, hahaha!”
“It’s a joyous occasion indeed! Congratulations on returning to where you belong!”
Although Jason was an illegitimate descendant of the former Grand Duke, that hardly mattered. After all, Igmeyer himself was an illegitimate child.
The knights celebrated as if they were welcoming back a long-lost son born to a lawful wife and patted Jason’s shoulder.
Jason’s face turned red with joy, and Amber, finding him adorable, hugged him tightly.
“Congratulations on completing the kinship test successfully. We must add your name to the noble lineage. Since I am here, we could choose an auspicious day to bestow a blessing.”
In Asgarden, nobles are blessed as they grow, but only the most distinguished receive a blessing from the High Priest.
This was a grand gesture from Mikael, and knowing this, Amber quickly expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you so much for offering that.”
“Think nothing of it. I am pleased to have a purpose during my stay here. Surely there is a reason God has led me to this place.”
While Mikael’s subordinates might still be gathering information about the North, the mood was undoubtedly positive at the moment.
And Prince Loki looked on, unable to fathom the meaning of the scene before him.
