Chapter Twenty-Six #10
Riftan’s smile faltered. “Our guests will be leaving in a few days. I’ve assigned servants to attend to them, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Are you not going to tell me…the reason f-for their visit?” Still clinging to a shred of hope, Maxi regarded him woefully.
Riftan looked away and gave an evasive answer. “Some of the merchants are planning ventures with Anatol as their foothold. The earl also wants in on the business.”
Maxi’s face grew stony. “That is a little different…from what I heard.”
Riftan’s eyes immediately took on a guarded austerity. He shot to his feet and took a step back from the bed.
“What nonsense did you hear, and from whom?”
“I-It wasn’t nonsense. It was…a fact you should have told me s-sooner.”
Riftan narrowed his eyes. He shook his head and gave a cold, dismissive smile. “I don’t know what it was you heard, but I want you to forget it.”
Maxi rose and stood before him. Though she wished to appear confident, the disparity between their statures made her feel even smaller and more vulnerable. She steeled her faltering heart and glared at him.
“You cannot…keep me away from problems like this forever, Riftan.” Trying her best to enunciate each of her words, Maxi took a deep breath and continued. “Especially when…it is my father who is harassing you.”
“Who told you of this?” Riftan growled savagely. “Was it Ruth? Hebaron? Only those two would dare to go against my orders.”
“Th-That is not important. We should discuss what we are going to—”
“I don’t need your help!” Riftan bellowed. “I beg you, just let me handle it!”
“H-How can I?!”
Drowning in despair, Maxi’s chest heaved as she fought for breath.
“How can I…simply feign ignorance? You stubbornly refuse to admit that i-it is my fault…but it is! If you were to lose your knighthood…it would be because of m-me!” She pounded her fists against his chest in anger.
“Do you…w-want me to carry that guilt for the r-rest of my life? Is that…what you want?”
Riftan seized her wrists. “Nothing you say will change anything,” he snapped. “If you thought I’d let you stand in court, then you do not know me at all. I can deal with this without you getting involved!”
Tears welled in her eyes. Trying desperately to contain them, Maxi furrowed her brows and glared at him through her misty vision.
“S-Stop being so stubborn! My father…will also present a witness. You need s-someone to defend you.”
“But that will never be you,” Riftan hissed through clenched teeth. “If worse comes to worst, I’ll have Ursuline or Elliot testify, so stay out of this.”
“I-It won’t be as effective as having me! I am the duke’s d-daughter…and the cause of all this. My testimony…w-will have more credibility!”
“How many times must I tell you no?!” Riftan’s face twisted viciously. “You want me to make you do that…to protect myself? To put you in front of those abhorrent people and force you to reveal everything you so desperately tried to keep hidden? I’d rather be stripped of my knighthood!”
Maxi desperately wished she were strong enough to grab and shake him until he came to his senses. How could her dignity be more important than his honor? Compared with his rank, estate, and reputation, her dignity was nothing.
“I-I…do not mind,” Maxi pleaded. “I would…only be testifying about wh-what happened that day. I-It would not be difficult.”
“That’s enough. I don’t want to discuss this any longer.”
Pushing her hands away, he turned around and headed for the door. Maxi felt a blaze of anger surge in her chest at the sight of him walking away. She immediately went after him and yanked his tunic.
As soon as Riftan turned in surprise, she yelled, “Don’t even th-think about leaving! I am going to testify…no matter what you say! If you won’t take me…th-then I will make my own way there!”
Riftan’s eyes grew cold.
“Do you want me to lock you up?” he snarled with a fury equal to hers.
Maxi gazed back in shock before her expression turned steely. “A-Are you saying you will do as my father did?”
The blood drained from Riftan’s face. Driving a knife into his heart would not have elicited the same expression as what Maxi saw now. The bleakness in his eyes instantly dissolved all the fight in her. With a gasp, she pulled his rigid body into her arms.
“I-I’m sorry. I should not have s-said such a thing! You are nothing like my father. I know you’re only t-trying to protect me.”
Riftan drew a ragged breath and gazed down at her. She had never seen him look more vulnerable. Cupping his face, Maxi kissed the tip of his chin.
“P-Please, try to understand. As much as you w-want to protect me…I also want to do everything I can for you. It pains me…t-to do nothing…when you are in trouble. Please…don’t force such torment on me.”
“I…” His voice came out strangled. He extricated himself from her grip. “I need time to think about it.”
“R-Riftan…”
Maxi reached out to stop him, but decided against it and lowered her hands. She did not want to push him any further. The mediation was still a while away, and she would take her time convincing him. She looked on despondently as he strode out of the room as though he were fleeing from disaster.