The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 88
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
Nora, who loved food, beamed with delight. After such grueling cleaning, who wouldn’t love a meal of turkey or roast pork?
And that wasn’t all. Amber was a generous mistress, always ensuring there were plenty of treats like cookies and candies.
“Madam, I’ve set aside the documents you requested.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Betty.”
Betty, who was efficient in her work, was indeed a great help.
What Amber needed now wasn’t novels or poetry.
She was looking for: ‘Records of the former Grand Duke’s adjutants, aides, or secretaries.’
What were these records?
Typically, they were written by the lord’s closest aides, documenting the daily happenings in the estate, much like a diary. Since they were written almost daily, they naturally included the writer’s personal feelings, opinions, and concerns.
And what were most of the aides’ concerns about?
The estate, of course.
[…… the Grand Duke didn’t let me leave work again today. I’m exhausted. How am I supposed to get married like this? Does he think it’s fine just because he’s married?]
‘…Hmm, yes. It’s common for personal opinions to slip in like this.’
Amber flinched at the outburst from an aide on the first page, as it reminded her of Jean.
Ignoring the rambling that continued for a while, she turned the pages and finally found some relevant content.
[We can’t crush Nidhogg or skin it alive. The Emperor keeps pressing about when we’ll go to war. If he’s going to push us, he should at least provide funds!]
‘…Why does this remind me so much of Jean?’
She wanted to read on, but kept getting distracted. Were all aides like this?
Despite a few startling sections, Amber maintained her composure and read through the entire record book.
‘This one doesn’t have much of what I need.’
Betty’s efficiency as a maid shone through as she organized the numerous records by year. Thanks to her, Amber could start reading the oldest records after the first book.
“Madam, the Prince is asking about today’s tea time.”
“Oh, I forgot. Please tell him that I’m too busy to have tea today.”
“Yes, understood.”
Since the morning, she had been cleaning, even skipping lunch. After that, she had been reading the records, not even knowing she was hungry.
Her mind was preoccupied, and there was no time for tea.
‘The way to make the North self-sufficient. It has to be somewhere. Somewhere.’
Amber’s pink eyes gleamed with determination.
There were a lot of records, enough to tire her out, but Amber was a fast reader.
Three days.
Determined to read all the records within that time, Amber spent every moment in the library, except for washing and sleeping.
Igmeyer was so worried about her that he visited occasionally to force her to eat some snacks.
“…Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
When she finally closed the last book.
Amber slumped into the chair, completely drained.
Normally, she would never dream of sitting so ungracefully, but this time was different.
She patted herself, trying hard to hide her disappointment.
‘It’s okay. I knew it wouldn’t be easy.’
Amber had turned the library upside down, hoping that reflecting on the past would reveal some clues.
She held a faint hope that someone 500 years ago might have thought of something but abandoned it due to the technology of the time.
Now, that hope fizzled out with a deflating sound.
‘There are a few business plans, but…’
She wasn’t sure how effective they would be.
Rubbing her temples, Amber stood up. The air felt stifling. She needed some fresh air immediately.
“Ah, that’s better.”
With a clatter, the window opened.
Leaning against the windowsill, Amber took a deep breath.
Although it was spring, the high mountain peaks were still covered with snow and ice. Naturally, the wind carried a hint of snow.
Amber had never tasted snow herself, but everyone in the North knew its flavor. Amber, too, recognized the subtle, cold sensation in the air as the taste of snow.
‘Snow. This place is full of snow. The cold, the towering mountains… eternally unmelting… snow?’
Amber tilted her head.
‘Unmelting snow.’
Gazing at the mountains in a daze, she looked down at her hands and made a grasping motion.
When she thought of snow and ice, the path wasn’t clear, but thinking of snow and high mountains suddenly made it seem open and obvious.
“Igmeyer!”
She had to find him before this amazing idea slipped away.
She gathered her skirt and ran out of the library.
The employees, who had never seen her run before, were shocked, but she didn’t have time to worry about that.
“Jean, where is Igmeyer?”
“Uh… he just left.”
“Just now? When exactly? And when will he be back?”
