Chapter 107
After spending two days closely observing Iona, Amber realized something definite.
Despite her age, Iona was not much different from Jason.
If compared to playing puzzle games, Amber used to ‘play with’ Jason, but with Iona, she ‘played together’ genuinely enjoying the time.
Another similarity between Iona and Jason was their love for food; both could hardly control themselves when given something tasty.
Seeing their faces smeared with grease, smiling broadly, Amber felt overwhelmed.
She wondered how many more women like Iona there were in the world.
Moreover, Iona was illiterate.
‘If we actively attract the ski games and generate some spare money from the monster fights, then… it’s time to build a school.’
Traveling around the village, she discovered that illiteracy was rampant in the North.
Unlike Shadroch, where even young children enjoyed borrowing books from the library, the North was starkly different.
It wasn’t just a matter of not educating girls; rather, none of the children were educated. It seemed a basic assumption that commoners did not need to know how to read.
‘That can’t be right. For the territory to advance, we need more intelligent people.’
How many children might be out there, unaware of their own talents, thirsty for knowledge?
‘There’s so much I want to do. I had no idea I could do so much as the mistress!’
Once Nidhogg was gone, children could safely go to school.
If the gates no longer opened, the villages of the North could also have more active exchanges.
“Amber.”
At that moment, the door to the reception room opened slightly, and Igmeyer appeared.
Since all the priests had been driven out, Iona no longer ran to embrace or perform for Igmeyer.
She just stood there, holding her swollen belly, simply watching.
Amber stroked Iona and Jason’s heads, then walked on.
“Stay and play. I’ll ask the kitchen to bring more cookies.”
“Yes!”
The mention of cookies brought child-like joy to their faces. Despite growing up physically, they remained mentally undeveloped.
“I don’t understand why you’re keeping that woman close.”
“I think if I coax her, she might reveal some important information. Plus, it’s just… pitiful.”
“I don’t like it. It’s all clearly an act.”
Igmeyer frowned deeply.
His discomfort with Iona wasn’t solely because she was ‘suspicious.’
He particularly despised how Iona seemed to be trying too hard to win Amber’s favor.
Showing up with such an absurd lie and then acting all cutesy towards Amber? Absurd.
If it weren’t for her pregnancy, he would have kidnapped her at night and dumped her in a monster’s nest.
Igmeyer ground his teeth at these grim thoughts.
“Jason and Iona are the same. They’re just… begging for love and affection.”
“Hmph.”
“But you know I adore you the most, right?”
Only after Amber’s gentle reassurance did Igmeyer relax his expression.
Emotionally, he wanted to kick both out, but logically… well.
It was good that Amber had found his half-brother.
Iona too, though he hated to admit it, might eventually spill some valuable information if properly handled before Raphael got to Madame Etoile and her gang.
Still, the irritant was that she had come to disrupt his and Amber’s relationship.
Igmeyer held Amber tightly, burying his lips in her neck and whining softly.
“Honey.”
“…”
“Love.”
“Why are you like this today?”
After he called her a few times in a pleading tone, Amber gave in and stroked his head.
Pleased, Igmeyer closed his eyes and repeatedly kissed her neck.
“I can’t live without you. What should I do?”
“…Really?”
“Yes. That’s why it hurts so much that there’s a cold wind blowing between us lately.”
Ever since the day Igmeyer revealed he was taking contraceptives and had no intention of having children, they had not been having s-x.
Of course, between Iona’s appearance and the priests stirring up trouble, things had been hectic, and they hadn’t even shared a kiss.
Even when sleeping, Amber faced forward. Not turning her back, but still… it felt disappointing.
He knew he had caused some of the disappointment, but he couldn’t help feeling that way.
During the day, he was so busy with training and paperwork that he barely had time to breathe, so he cherished the moments at night with his wife. But knowing that Iona and Jason spent all day with Amber was frustrating to no end.
“By the way, Igmeyer. I’m going to hire a new maid. With Nora gone, it’s too much for Betty to handle alone.”
“Alright.”
He tried calling her with endearments, hoping to charm her, but Amber crisply cut him off.
That only made it worse, and Igmeyer clung to her side, not wanting to be apart.
He might whine and look pitiful like a scolded dog, but he was neither as small nor as adorable as a puppy.
And that was precisely what was so frustrating.
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