Chapter Fifteen #2
“I wish you a safe trip, Your Highness.”
“How kind of you,” the princess replied dryly before turning her gaze to Maxi. Her lips curled into a friendly smile. “I wish you well, Maximilian.”
“Please…be careful on your journey, Your Highness. I pray no harm will come to you…on the way.”
“And I wish you good fortune, as well.” With a playful wink, the princess circled her horse around and trotted over to the wagons. The blast of a kopel rang through the air, and the royal party began to cross the drawbridge, leaving behind a cloud of dust.
Maxi waved until Agnes was no longer visible. She wondered why she felt strangely empty, as though she stood in the stillness after a storm, while she watched the person who had filled her head with so many unpleasant thoughts disappear into the distance.
“Let us return to our chambers.” Riftan wound his arm around her waist, pulling her attention away from the castle gates, and she turned into his warm embrace.
—
After Agnes’s departure, peaceful monotony returned to Maxi’s life. With the landscaping completely finished and the energy of spring filling the air, Calypse Castle was transformed into a beautiful and vibrant place, and it soon became livelier with peddlers visiting the estate again.
Riftan still worked tirelessly on the road construction while the knights patrolled the ramparts from dusk till dawn.
Maxi was the only one spending her days in utter idleness.
She had made efforts to replace all the old furniture and refurbish every nook and cranny.
As a result, there was no longer anything in the castle that required her attention.
The servants’ diligence meant that she did not have to spend all day supervising them.
As for her magic studies, that was something she no longer pursued. She could not devote herself to studying arcane theory when she was unsure if she should even continue learning magic.
Perched by the window, she sighed as she idly perused the bookshelf. Agnes had told her that she had talent, but Maxi could not share in the princess’s certainty. If her potential was not guaranteed, was it really worth studying magic knowing it would upset Riftan?
Her husband had made it clear that he did not need her help, and his firm rejection had crushed her confidence.
Maxi gazed out the window as the pearlescent sunlight streamed in.
She felt torn. Even when she naturally gravitated toward a book on magic, doubt crept in and she would end up vacantly staring out over the grounds as the hours passed.
She had even lost her enthusiasm to practice the phonetic training table Ruth had made for her.
What was she supposed to do now?
Resting her head on the windowsill, Maxi let out a sigh.
“What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”
Startled, Maxi looked over to find Riftan standing in the doorway. She rose from her seat and rushed over to him. “Wh-What brings you back…so early?”
As usual, he had left before dawn that morning. She studied his face, wondering if something had happened at the construction site. His messy hair glistened like obsidian as he remained motionless, imposing as always.
Regarding her carefully, he gently pressed a hand to her forehead. “I dropped by to see you because I had business at the forge. Do you have a fever?”
“N-No. I was just…looking out the window.”
“You were sighing. Has life here become tedious?” His voice was tinged with anxiety. “Would you like me to invite the neighboring nobles for a banquet?”
Maxi knew that it was not the best time for them to hold a banquet.
Although the cost was not a problem, Riftan and the knights did not have time to entertain guests.
Despite that, his face was as serious as when he had insisted on holding a year-round festival for her. Maxi quickly waved her hands.
Riftan frowned and ducked his head, staring intently at her. “You’ve been listless ever since the guests left. If it’s because you’ve grown tired of country life…”
“I-It’s not that! I was merely feeling tired because…th-the day was so warm. I actually do not like…banquets or balls.”
Riftan paused to consider her words. “Come to think of it, you rarely attended the functions at Croyso Castle. And when you did, you were quiet and did not stay long.”
Maxi sensed disapproval in his voice. Did he want a lively and outgoing wife?
Her face stiffened as she mumbled an excuse. “Wh-When we have guests…I shall do my b-best to make them feel at home, but…I’ve never liked loud gatherings.”
“That didn’t seem to be the case during the festival. I want to see you like that—” He abruptly clamped his mouth shut, putting an end to his impatient outburst. An odd tension strained his broad shoulders as he cleared his throat and said, “Would you like to go on a short walk with me?”
“Y-You don’t have to do that. I know you are busy.”
“I’m not so busy that I can’t find time to catch my breath.” He grabbed Maxi’s cloak from its hook. “You can suffer a short walk with me, can’t you?”
“I-It’s not that I don’t want to…I am just worried since you b-barely have time to sleep. If you have the time for a walk, wouldn’t it be better…for you to take a short nap instead?”
“A nap with you also sounds nice.” He threw a quick glance at the bed and pursed his lips. “But I don’t think I could keep my hands off of you once we lay down.”
Maxi felt the heat rising to her face. Unbothered, Riftan draped the cloak over her and continued calmly, “I think taking a walk would be the better choice. I haven’t had the chance to admire the garden since you finished your work on it.”
A refreshing breeze carrying the scent of flowers blew in through the open windows as Maxi followed him out of the room. Riftan sniffed the air, a strange expression on his face.
“The whole castle smells of flowers.”
“Do you…not like it?”
“I’m just not…used to it,” he said flatly. “I’m more used to dirt, horses, sweat, and blood.”
It suddenly occurred to Maxi that, much like her, Riftan might not be familiar with the gentler aspects of life.
No.
She immediately dismissed the thought. They were not the same. He had the strength to overcome bitter pain and hardships, while she had nothing of the sort.
“Let’s bring a snack with us. I’m hungry,” said Riftan, his tone lighter now.
Maxi smiled to hide her heavy heart. “I bought…fresh fruits a few days ago, along with some premium spices. There should be…plenty to choose from.”
“Well, that’s certainly something to look forward to. It’s been ages since I’ve had fruit that wasn’t dried or soaked in wine.”
Riftan licked his lips and briskly strode on to the kitchen. They packed fist-sized green apples, raspberries, mulled wine, and freshly baked bread into a reed basket before making their way out of the great hall.
Outside, Maxi squinted in the blinding light. A carpet of green grass glistened on both sides of the stone courtyard, which was swept and scrubbed by servants daily. Delicate buds in the shrubs sparkled like jewels beneath the spring sun.
“Are you cold?” he asked.
“No. It’s warm enough out.”
She held Riftan’s hand and slowly made her way to the garden. The oak tree, which had looked so ghastly next to the pavilion, was now full of tiny leaves. A contented smile spread across Maxi’s face. Ruth’s magic had worked, and new life had sprung from the dead tree.
“What’s making you smile like that?”
“That t-tree over there. It has new leaves.”
He looked in the direction she was pointing and cocked an eyebrow. “I thought it was dead.”
“Ruth said that…some trees still have life in them e-even when they might appear dead. He infused it with magic last winter, and…” She trailed off when she saw Riftan’s face visibly harden. “Is s-something wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” he said brusquely, tugging her along. “I just don’t understand what’s so entertaining about leaves sprouting from ugly trees. Let’s go somewhere with a nicer view. I noticed that you planted a flower garden below the terrace.”
“There is an assortment of flowers…that I asked the merchants to get for me. I hope they are to your liking.”
They moved past the pavilion and strolled the length of the garden path.
The sunlight streaming through the leaves made Riftan’s smooth skin glow.
Maxi gazed at him, spellbound, as they walked.
She had come to like looking at her husband so much that it felt preposterous that she had once been afraid of him.
His fierce eyes and imposing stature no longer scared her.
Even his stunning looks, which were daunting at first, now simply amazed her.
She could not understand why such a beautiful man showed so much passion for a woman like her. Whatever the reason, she was losing more and more of her heart to him with each passing day.
—
Riftan gazed over the verdant flowers blooming in a brilliant array of colors as they finally arrived at the flower garden. “It’s even more beautiful up close.”
Maxi was both relieved and pleased that he sounded genuinely impressed.
A lush patch of red buds surrounded a pool dug out by the servants, and shrubs dotted with delicate amethyst flowers grew in rows like miniature soldiers.
Next to them was an abundant patch of herbs that blended in beautifully with the flowers.
She laid a handkerchief on a stone-carved bench and sat down.
“All the f-flowers here…can be used as herbs or s-spices.”
“You made a flower garden we can eat?”
“I thought it b-best to plant flowers…that were practical as well as pleasing to the eye.”
Riftan laughed. “I will have to order my men to not hurt themselves so we can keep this garden intact.”
“D-Do you…like it?”
Riftan gazed down at Maxi, who was seated amongst the flowers, and nodded slowly. His eyes flashed and he said, “I do,” his voice sounding strangely choked.