Chapter 59
And as she laughed, Nicholas, who had been watching her intently, soon added with a smile,
“Please look at this as well. There’s something even more precious than the clothes.”
“More precious?”
“This painting was personally made by the late queen. It even has her signature.”
Nicholas pulled out several faded parchment sheets from the bottom of the chest. The drawings on them were undoubtedly amateurish, but each hair strand, eye, nose, and mouth was imbued with the affection of the person who drew them.
“That’s me!”
“Yes.”
“When did mother find the time to do all this? My goodness.”
Drawings of Amber sleeping peacefully in a cradle, crawling and flipping over, and clinging to the hem of a dress, presumably belonging to her mother…
As Amber examined each one, Igmeyer tapped the table to get her attention.
“There’s something written on the back.”
“Really?”
“I think it might be a letter.”
People from Shadroch, whether nobles or commoners, often wrote letters. Amber herself had received letters from her parents on each birthday as she grew up.
But Mom….you never mentioned this.
The dining room was not empty; numerous knights, servants, and maids were watching her.
Trying to compose herself was challenging with her heart feeling so tight.
[To my beloved daughter, Amber.]
Just reading the first sentence blurred Amber’s vision, making it impossible to continue.
[Someday, when you grow up and have a child of your own, I thought I’d show you these drawings. I’m grateful you’ve grown up so well, despite being born so small and the world being tough on you.
I may not know when you’ll see this, but I hope you’re always healthy.
That’s all your Mom wishes for.]
Drip, drop.
Tears flowed freely before she had time to think.
Mom…
With her nose turning red, Amber quickly moved on to the next letter.
[To my dearly beloved daughter, Amber.
Today, you successfully rolled over for the first time. You were pursing on your lips and smiling, which was utterly adorable.
Watching you, I think, ah, this is what love is.
I don’t know what difficulties you’ll face in life… but you can overcome them.
Your Mom will pray for you.]
Receiving such letters when encouragement was most needed felt like fate.
Amber sniffled, looking around for a handkerchief.
“Ah, here…”
“Use this.”
Before Nicholas could rummage through his belongings, Igmeyer was already extending a handkerchief.
Taking it from her husband, Amber pressed it against her eyes to dab away the tears.
“My parents passed away early due to illness. After my brother ascended the throne, it became nearly impossible to find traces of my mother, but facing these now…”
“You seem to have been loved very much.”
“Yes, I was. They truly loved me.”
How much the former royal couple of Shadroch cherished their daughter was a well-known fact; it was almost too painful to speak of.
Amber had lived a life of freedom and happiness, enveloped in immense love, unlike any other princess recorded in history.
Whether she wanted to ride horses, learn embroidery, practice swordsmanship, or require a new dress, her desires were met with unconditional support and enthusiasm.
She was a person who both received and gave love wherever she went.
‘Yes, that was me.’
Meeting Nicholas brought back aspects of herself she had forgotten.
Feeling like someone just out of a long, dark tunnel, Amber was touched profoundly.
Before, it felt like wandering in darkness without finding an exit. After returning, it seemed she had found a way out… and now, with the future changing, it was like she had reached the exit.
It felt as if stepping out would bring her fresh air.
But now, it was as if she was bathed in bright sunlight.
She was still unsure of which path to take upon exiting the dark tunnel, but at least she had the courage to keep walking forward.
Her mother’s letters were like the warm sunlight.
It’s okay to walk on, you’re still young and there are vast possibilities ahead.
Holding the letters close, Amber treasured even the tears that wouldn’t stop.
‘It was a good thing to ask for support from Shadroch.’
Otherwise, she might never have received these letters.
Even if her brother wanted to help and pass on these letters it wouldn’t have been possible to send someone without a valid reason.
“Igmeyer. Would it be alright if our guest stayed in the castle for about a week?”
She really wanted him to say a month, not just a week.
Looking into Amber’s wavering eyes, Igmeyer slowly opened his mouth,
“Let him stay as long as you wish.”
Though he seemed reluctant, Amber beamed with happiness at his approval.
The prospect of continuing her conversation with Nicholas brought her immense joy.
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