The Camellia Tattoo - Chapter 31

“Tell him to drop by tomorrow. I have a favor to ask.”

There was a need for someone trustworthy to deliver the letter. While she could have asked her husband, in this case, it was better to involve a commoner who was unfamiliar with writing.

Because ‘three months later’ is too significant.

Then,

Knock, knock.

The door swung open with a creak, revealing a sweaty Igmeyer who seemed to have just finished training.

“You called?”

“Yes.”

Since the letter was already stowed away in the dressing table, there was nothing for him to discover.

‘He might perceive asking for help from Shadroch as an affront to his pride.’

There was no need to inform him right now. He might consider it unnecessary meddling from her family or assume that she couldn’t endure life here and sought help from Shadroch.

Either way, there would be a negative reaction. However, once Nidhogg’s cry erupted three months later, everyone would likely rejoice in Shadroch’s support.

With such thoughts, Amber gracefully rose from her seat.

“I finished embroidering the gloves for you.”

“Directly on my gloves?”

“Yes. The leather was thick, so it was a bit challenging, but they turned out decently to my liking.”

When she brought up the topic of gloves, Igmeyer showed the expected interest.

“Here.”

However, it was still a bit awkward. Wishing for his safe return and embroidering such an item both felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Due to this awkwardness, she unintentionally fidgeted a bit.

“This is…”

Yet, Igmeyer didn’t interpret her attitude as unpleasant. Instead, he looked down at the gloves with a somewhat somber expression. While running his thumb over the frost giant emblem she had embroidered, Igmeyer silently put on the gloves.

“They fit perfectly.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“But I give it for the princess to use, and if I use it, you won’t have anything left.”

“You should use it more effectively. I have no need for a flame-resistant coat, and making an outer garment out of it would be inefficient.”

Her nonchalant response momentarily left Igmeyer speechless.

In fact, there was something that caught his eye the moment he entered the bedroom—the old book lying on the bed. Simply titled ‘Monster Compendium,’ it was published about 30 years ago and contained information on most of the monsters found in the North.

Although commonly used as a textbook in schools in the North, it was surprising that the princess would read it.

“Honestly, it’s surprising. I didn’t expect you to take such an interest in Niflheim.”

“You didn’t expect that?”

“Truthfully, no.”

The gloves were sturdy and warm. It was an all-purpose leather that not only provided flame resistance but also insulation.

Igmeyer, who had only thought about selling Fenrir’s leather in his lifetime and hadn’t considered making gloves out of it, awkwardly extended and flexed his fingers repeatedly.

‘Is this what it feels like to have a wife?’

Is this how family members naturally take care of each other? But ultimately, a husband and a wife were strangers. If he had been the one receiving Fenrir’s leather, Igmeyer would have promptly sold it off.

‘It’s awkward.’

Of course, it didn’t feel unpleasant. He just had an urge to clear his throat, brush his neck, and fumble for a place to look, unable to find one.

“…”

For a moment, silence settled between the two. Eventually, Igmeyer was the first to break it.

“It must have been stifling for you to stay inside the room these past few days.”

“There was a snowstorm.”

“The snow stopped this morning, so they’re currently clearing the roads. In two days, we should be able to leave the castle and tour the entire North.”

At his words, Amber’s pink eyes sparkled.

Observing her, Igmeyer suddenly wanted to know what she was thinking.

To be honest, he was a rather self-centered and independent man, only having a casual interest in others. Therefore, he hadn’t been particularly curious about what thoughts or feelings this young wife harbored.

He had not been in a position to understand someone for a long time, making him even less inclined to delve into such matters.

‘Why would you choose to tour the North during this cold season when no one would say anything if you stayed confined within the castle?’

Why did she seem genuinely accepting of this forced, seemingly destitute marriage arranged by the Emperor?

“I’ll be moving with you, but you’ll have a separate guard. His name is Raphael. You can trust him; if anything happens when I’m not around, seek him out.”

Having tossed out these words, he turned away, continuing to stroke the gloves.

For a long, long time.