Chapter Twenty-Five #10
“You are not only the Lady of Anatol but a mage of the Remdragon Knights. And the knights never forgive those who harm one of their own. The majority were in favor of the war, and even those who opposed for pragmatic reasons are inwardly in agreement.”
“B-But…”
At a loss for words, Maxi dumbly opened and closed her mouth. Her heart fluttered as she recalled how she had once envied the bond shared by Riftan, Ruth, and the knights. Since when had she become one of them?
Noticing her bewilderment, Ruth gave her a bitter smile. “You fought for the people at Eth Lene with no regard for your own safety. It is the same for us now. The Remdragon Knights have the right to be angry and to retaliate against those who would harm you.”
“I-I…”
Maxi bit her quivering lip. Her eyes grew hot, and she felt a choking sensation as though she had swallowed a block of lead. If she had not followed her father to Croyso Castle, Riftan and the knights would not have had any reason to wage this war.
If only she had not been so weak and had been brave enough to face Riftan. If only she had trusted the people who were looking out for her. If only she had not abused her body…
Squeezing her eyes shut, Maxi mustered up the strength to continue talking. “I am grateful…but…I-I still…do not w-want a war. I never wish to see…s-such a terrible tragedy again.”
“It won’t become an all-out war,” Ruth said resolutely.
“Although Sir Riftan wants to raze the duchy to the ground, doing so would give us no loopholes to avoid the sanctions for breaking the armistice. It’s why armed conflicts between territories are settled through cavalry battles.
Knights of both territories will face off, and the winner will be determined after several battles.
It’s not uncommon for a war to be won in a single fight by taking out the opposition’s commanding officer.
It’s a completely different nature from monster raids. ”
Maxi took a shaky breath. “E-Even so…we won’t be able to…a-avoid casualties. How could we make the men f-fight another war…when they have just returned from a long campaign?”
Hearing the tremor in her voice, Ruth’s expression grew troubled as though he were worried she would burst into tears.
“With Sir Riftan leading, the war should be over within a month…. No, make that half a month,” Ruth said reassuringly.
“The duke’s knights may number almost three times ours, but the Remdragon Knights’ prowess in battle is at least ten times greater.
The reason why they have yet to declare war on us is because they know it’s a battle they cannot win.
” He then shrugged and mumbled, “Though it would have been better if they had declared war first.”
“I-If the duke is not likely to retaliate…isn’t that more reason not to go to w-war?” Maxi blurted. “I will…t-try to persuade Riftan, so…p-please talk to the knights, Ruth. If Anatol w-withdraws its declaration, th-then my father will—”
“You should know better than any of us what kind of man the Duke of Croyso is, my lady,” Ruth said bitterly.
“He might try to avoid an armed conflict, but he will never overlook such an offense completely. He’ll certainly find a way to retaliate.
That being the case, it would be better to settle this in a manner that is more favorable to us.
Going up against that man politically would be difficult. ”
Maxi slumped in her seat. Cold sweat prickled her back as she recalled her father’s bloodied figure limp on the floor. Indeed, he would never overlook such an affront. After quietly gnawing her lip, Maxi nodded with a stiff expression.
“I understand wh-what you mean. Thank you…for explaining all this to me.”
Having ended the conversation so decidedly, Maxi rose from her seat. Ruth gave her a grim look.
“My lady, there is nothing you can do. Please don’t pursue any foolhardy endeavors.”
Stung, Maxi pretended not to understand. “Wh-Whatever do you mean?”
Ruth narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. “I mean, give up the notion of writing to your father to sway him. We both know no amount of persuasion from you will change his mind; nor is Sir Riftan likely to change his. The blows have been dealt. It’s unlikely that any interference from you will convince the two lords to set aside their animosity. I’m afraid conflict is unavoidable.”
Maxi winced as Ruth saw right through her. Her face flushed crimson. “Wh-What’s the harm in trying? E-Even my father must know…th-that a conflict with the Remdragon Knights would be to his disadvantage. If we t-took a step back…and offered him terms h-he’d be willing to negotiate—”
“I’m afraid we are past the stage for negotiations now, my lady. You must be aware of this yourself,” Ruth said grimly.
Unable to muster a retort, Maxi bunched her skirt in her fists.
The Duke of Croyso was a man who valued his reputation and the prestige of his family name above everything else.
Never before had he experienced the humiliation of being beaten bloody and sent sprawling on the floor.
Nothing they could offer would quell his outrage—Maxi was certain of this.
She hugged her cold forearms as she trembled in the hopelessness of it all.
Ruth quietly regarded her for a moment. “Don’t you want to make the duke pay for what he did to you? He may be your father, but…that doesn’t pardon his atrocious actions.”
Maxi’s face blanched at the unexpected question. She looked at Ruth, shame etched across her features, before casting her eyes to the floor.
“I-I…do not care what happens to that man,” she muttered coldly. “I just…don’t want Riftan and the others…to go off to war again.”
Ruth shrugged. “Those men have lived all their lives on the battlefield, and they will continue to do so. You will only torment yourself if you get worked up every time.”
Maxi clenched her jaw. Ruth’s gaze lingered on her before he heaved a sigh.
“I understand your sentiments, my lady, but I pray you will stand by Sir Riftan’s decision this once.”
Maxi begrudgingly nodded. No matter how much she racked her brain, she could not think of a way to get her father to change his mind, nor the words to persuade Riftan.
She was dejectedly biting her lip when Ludis entered the room with a tray of steaming herbal tea.
It was unfortunate that neither of them was in the mood for it.
Maxi excused herself and returned to her room.
She had been so tense during the exchange that she felt drained the moment she sat on her bed.
Flopping onto the sheets, she tried to recall the faces of her father’s vassal knights.
None of them would be a match for Riftan.
That was what she mumbled to herself in an attempt to assuage her fears, but it proved ineffective.
Rubbing her throbbing temples, Maxi closed her eyes.