Chapter 50

My mother-in-law, if she could handle a needle, was quick to learn.

Perhaps because she regularly wrote stories with a pen, she was also skilled at piercing the needle exactly where she aimed, and her control over her fingers (aside from the force) was excellent. The handkerchief was embroidered with a beautiful vine pattern.

Tomorrow, I will finally embroider the mantle. Since piercing a large piece of fabric requires some practice, it might be a good idea to practice on a tablecloth first.

The leather thimble seemed to provide a good cushion, and the thickness of the leather successfully absorbed the unconscious force, reducing the strain on the needle.

The vine pattern was one I initially stitched while looking at a book, one stitch at a time, making it perfect for practice. Although there are differences in width with the leaves and stems, the stitching itself does not require any difficult techniques. Moreover, embroidering the same color on a fabric of the same color makes it look truly luxurious.

The more my father-in-law stands out, the more the Knights of the Guard will fight bravely, using him as their banner. Perhaps because she is the one who sent him to the battlefield, it might be a joy for my mother-in-law to be able to do something for him in this way.

While I was putting away the embroidery, a book on my mother-in-law's bookshelf caught my eye. It seemed to be one of the reference books for her writing, titled "Dictionary of World Patterns."

"Mother-in-law, may I borrow this book?"

"Yes, of course. Ah, that book contains the meanings of various patterns. Once I gain more confidence in my needlework, I want to sew a protective charm for him from there."

"That sounds wonderful. Hehe, Mother-in-law, you are so skilled, you'll finish it in no time. ...I'll borrow it, then."

"Sure. Choose a pattern that will protect Percy."

"...Yes."

It seemed my mother-in-law saw right through me.

I took the book and my sewing tools to my room. Since Percyval would not be back for a while, I started flipping through the book.

It contained various patterns from different countries, both Western and Eastern, with detailed explanations of why these patterns have certain effects.

The pattern that caught my eye was called the "Flower of Life," which looks simple at first glance.

It aims to help one move toward their goal, unlock dormant power, align one's goals and intentions, and ground oneself. It consists of 19 circles, which, when overlapped, form a pattern that resembles flowers.

I held the green mantle in my hand and gently buried my face in it. I was captivated by Percyval's dedication and single-mindedness, as he trained late into the night every day. However, I was also afraid of his relentless drive forward.

He cares about me too. It must be for my sake, and of course, it is a necessary process for him to become the Captain of the Knights of the Guard, a position he has long aspired to.

However, he is so focused that he only looks ahead and seems to lose sight of his footing. I can tell from his recent lack of words that his fatigue is not light, no matter how much he trains.

(I can't force him to rest by tying him to the bed or bring him nutritious meals...)

So, in my own way, I will convey my feelings and thoughts to Percyval.

Dinner time was approaching. With the pattern decided, I prepared a golden thread for the lining of the green mantle and headed to the dining room.