The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 93
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
this book is completely translated on luna kofi (advanced chapters for the website will follow)
“Of course, I went to have my lunch. You should have joined us at the table! But more importantly… why are you so late?”
She regretted her last words as soon as they slipped out. It was rare for Amber to regret speaking her mind.
Igmeyer looked somewhat tired, and Amber scrutinized his face closely.
“I had some things to take care of. I stopped by briefly last night after training. It was supposed to end early, but it didn’t. I should have told you I’d be late.”
“What were you doing?”
“That’s a secret. For now.”
Igmeyer pulled Amber close and kissed her neck. His sly attitude was slightly irritating, but Amber was glad he was back, so she hugged him.
However, Igmeyer’s reaction was odd.
‘Did he flinch?’
Puzzled, Amber touched his back again. This time, his muscles twitched more noticeably.
‘It doesn’t seem like a good twitch. Is he hurt? But who could hurt him?’
Curious, she pressed a bit harder, and Igmeyer audibly winced, pretending to be in pain.
“Tell me the truth, Igmeyer. Are you hurt?”
“It’s both yes and no.”
“Let me see. Are you seriously injured?”
“Not at all. There’s nothing to worry about. It was on purpose.”
As he said this, Igmeyer looked quite pleased with himself. Amber wasn’t sure why he was so proud, but she decided to step back for now.
‘It seems like he won’t tell me anything right now, no matter how much I ask.’
Eventually, she would see his back.
Unbeknownst to Igmeyer, Amber found his sleeping habits after their s-x quite cute. Although he usually slept on his back, on nights they were together, he often ended up lying face down by morning, his cheek pressed against the pillow.
“There’s a letter.”
“Nick sent it. Shall we read it together?”
“Sure, why not.”
“I have something to talk about after reading this. You’ll probably hear about it from Jean, but… I want to tell you first.”
Amber’s voice held a hint of excitement and anticipation, causing Igmeyer to tilt his head. He was visibly curious about what she might say.
However, Amber playfully echoed his earlier words.
“That’s a secret. For now.”
* * *
Following Amber’s wish to see flowers, they headed to the camellia groves on the slopes of Mount Camellia.
Packing a light meal, Amber was exhilarated, as if they were going on a picnic. Igmeyer found himself unable to take his eyes off her.
‘How can someone be so beautiful, elegant, refined, and noble all at once?’
Unaware that his thoughts were a bit crazy, Igmeyer was lost in serious contemplation.
“…And I’d like to visit Mount Cyprus too… Igmeyer! Are you listening?”
“No.”
Igmeyer, who had been gazing dreamily at Amber among the camellias, responded absentmindedly.
Realizing his blunder, he cleared his throat and replied more attentively.
“We can go there. Even today if you want.”
“Today? It looked far on the map…”
“What’s the problem? If you want to go, we’ll go.”
A conflicted expression crossed Amber’s face. After a moment of thought, Igmeyer’s lips stretched into a smile.
He remembered a cozy cabin on that mountain.
“That’s a very suspicious smile…”
“No, what are you talking about? Where else would you find a man as transparent as me?”
Igmeyer plucked a half-bloomed camellia.
Careful not to scratch Amber’s delicate skin, he picked off the rough parts and then tucked the flower behind her ear.
“Beautiful.”
It was difficult for him to hold back compliments.
He had only recently realized how truly, truly beautiful Amber was.
He was naturally indifferent to others’ appearances, but he had known ‘objectively’ that Amber was beautiful, but had never ‘subjectively’ felt it himself.
Being with Amber had been challenging and busy.
But now, things are different.
Was it an illusion created by peace? Or perhaps a mirage… But lately, Igmeyer saw Amber differently.
If there was a specific point, it would have been that conversation she had with the prince.
The one where she expressed her trust in him.
“He would never abandon his wife and child.”
Such a strange certainty.
What had he done to earn such steadfast trust from her? It felt like he had never quite matched the level of trust Amber showed in him.
Since that day, Igmeyer had spent a lot of time reflecting and had begun to observe Amber more closely, more deeply.
That was all it was.
But that was everything.
She made him want to be that man.
Yesterday, after getting the tattoo on his back….Igmeyer admitted it.
He cared about Amber that much. If this was what liking someone felt like, then he truly did like Amber.
“Today feels a bit different. Not quite like usual.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’m not sure what’s changed, but…”
A breeze carrying the scent of snow drifted by. The pouring sunlight flowed down Amber’s golden hair, rounding her cheeks.
As her hair fluttered slightly, Igmeyer watched, mesmerized, and whispered,
“I’m starting to like you.”
“!”
“I’ve been thinking, and it seems we’re more than just friends or colleagues.”
That was the best expression of feelings a man awkward with emotions could manage.
