Chapter Sixteen #5
Maxi clutched his forearm and impatiently pressed him again. “Will you be l-leaving for Livadon?”
“I already told you that I have no intention of doing so.”
A faint smile flitted across his lips. He pulled away slightly to remove the sword strapped to his waist and propped it next to the armor stand. Maxi trailed behind him and continued to ask questions.
“Then…wh-who will be going?”
“It was decided that Ursuline Ricaydo would go in my stead,” Riftan replied, slumping into a chair and massaging his stiff neck.
“The meeting lasted this long because Nirtha and Ricaydo wouldn’t stop snarling at each other over who would be the one to leave.
Listening to two grown men squabbling for three hours is enough to make anyone’s ears bleed. ”
Recalling how the two knights usually clashed like sworn enemies whenever they saw each other, Maxi gave Riftan a sympathetic smile. If the two had gotten into a serious argument, their bellows would have rung out like thunder.
“I suppose…S-Sir Ursuline was able to win this round.”
“It was a fight where Nirtha was at a disadvantage from the start. Since it will be a coalition of knights from each kingdom, a commander with a mercenary background could easily spark a backlash. It would look better for someone from a”—his tone took on a strange hint of mockery—“distinguished lineage like Ursuline to lead the knights.”
He clicked his tongue and added, “Nirtha protested, but he eventually agreed when we told him that it would do us no good to create unnecessary friction. He can be surprisingly rational for someone so otherwise bear-like.”
Maxi nodded as she thought of the brash knight. “Wh-Who else will be going?”
“Elliot Charon and Remus Baldo will be assisting Ricaydo. They will be joined by ten knights, twenty junior knights, thirty cavalrymen, and one sorcerer…for a total of sixty-four men.”
“Is there…anything f-for me to prepare?”
Riftan frowned at her question. “There is no need for you to concern yourself with preparations. Those leaving for the campaign will pack everything themselves. Such a thing is second nature for all of them.”
“Still, I shall h-help with anything the men might need. They will be leaving on a long journey…s-so I must assist….”
“Then you could tell the servants to make an extravagant supper,” Riftan said, his lips suddenly twisting into a bitter smile.
“They will finish making preparations for the campaign tomorrow, then will depart at dawn the following day. Tomorrow evening will be the only time we can hold a send-off banquet for them.”
Maxi cautiously studied his face. He did not seem happy about sending his men on this perilous journey, which was understandable considering they were comrades who had been with him through thick and thin.
She made a mental note to tell the cook not to spare any quality spices or wine for tomorrow’s supper.
“I shall tell the c-cook…to make only the best.”
“I will leave it to you, then.”
With a faint smile, Riftan removed his thick leather boots and slid off his belt.
After picking up his shoes and placing them neatly by a wall, Maxi called for Ludis to prepare a bath.
As she did so, Riftan stood in front of the window, cooling off in the crisp evening breeze.
His gaze was stony as he stared at the castle wall, now shrouded in darkness.
Maxi, who had opened a chest to take out his nightshirt, paused to watch him.
His broad back seemed more tense than usual, and a dark shadow clouded his face. Her heart ached at his obvious weariness.
So many burdens rested on his broad shoulders: his duties as the king’s vassal, his duties as a liege, and his duties as the commander of his knights…. Even a man as strong as steel would have to grow tired at some point.
After a brief hesitation, Maxi slowly walked over to him and placed her hands on his waist. Riftan looked down at her with a faint smile.
“What’s this? Are you trying to seduce me?”
“It’s just…you looked like you were in a b-bad mood.”
With a flush coloring her face, she pretended to brush some dust off his tunic. A soft laugh escaped Riftan’s lips. He wrapped his sturdy arms around her and pecked the top of her head.
“Your adorable antics are happening more frequently these days. I’m a happy man.”
The heavy air seemed to have dissipated, and Maxi felt relieved. She rubbed her forehead against his broad chest. Although she felt sorry for the knights who were leaving, she was glad that Riftan would not be heading into such danger himself.
—
“Your hair smells nice.”
Riftan exhaled slowly and rested his head on her shoulder. Maxi blushed, glad that she had applied a few drops of rose oil to her hair earlier in the day.
Burying his nose in her thick hair, Riftan slid an arm under her buttocks and hoisted her off the ground. His rough hand caressing her made Maxi shudder with pleasure, and she snuggled more comfortably into his arms.
Being enveloped so perfectly against his large frame made her feel euphoric beyond words. His soft hair tickled her forehead and nose, and his steely arms held her against him with a force that was just enough not to hurt her.
Brushing his hair behind his ear, Maxi released a soft moan. Her whole body felt as if it were melting. Drunk with a languid heat, she barely heard the knock at the door.
“My lord, your bath is ready.”
Riftan paused in kneading her breast and kissing her pale shoulder. He sighed.
“I knew it. Our servants have the best timing,” he grumbled, lowering her to the floor. “Come in.”
The door opened as his voice rang out, and the servants set up his bath. Riftan walked over to the tub and threw off his tunic, giving Maxi a seductive smile. “It’s been so long. Join me?”
“I…I have already washed,” she murmured, glancing at the servants who were adding cold water into the bath to adjust the temperature.
“Don’t be like that. Come here.”
He dipped a finger into the water, then motioned to the servants to leave. Once they had rushed out of the room, Maxi walked over to him, pretending to be unwilling. Riftan’s lips curved into a contented smile as he undid the belt of her dress.
—
The preparations for the campaign started early the next morning.
Awoken by the clamor of activity, Maxi slowly sat up in bed and looked out the window.
Servants and soldiers bustled about in the spacious garden that was illuminated with the bluish light of dawn.
Loud neighing and gruff voices drifted in from afar.
Rubbing her bleary eyes, Maxi watched the flurry of activity before turning to the empty space next to the bed. Of course, Riftan’s armor stand was empty as well. She sighed and called for Ludis to help her get ready for the day.
Riftan had told her not to trouble herself with the preparations, but she was certain there was something she could assist with before the knights left. After slipping into a blue bliaut, Maxi had her hair braided and coiled into a bun. She immediately headed to the backyard.
Dozens of horses were lined up as knights inspected their condition and their horseshoes one by one. Maxi spotted a familiar face among the men and made a beeline toward him. Sir Elliot, who had been deep in conversation with Rodrigo, smiled politely when he saw her approaching.
“Good morning, my lady.”
“Good…morning. Are you in the m-midst of preparing for the campaign?”
“Yes, my lady,” he said, pointing to the leather bundles piled against a wall. “We are packing our provisions.”
Maxi counted the bags. The rations seemed meager considering they were for more than sixty robust men bound for a long journey.
At her confused look, he kindly explained, “Since our weapons, bedrolls, and essential utensils such as pots and cauldrons already weigh us down, we cannot bring much food with us. We will have to resupply at villages along the way, or find food for ourselves as much as possible.”
“I see.”
Princess Agnes had also told her the same thing a while back. Maxi observed the activity around them for a moment before looking to Elliot again.
“Is there…anything I could h-help you with?”
“You, my lady?” he asked, a sheepish smile briefly tugging at his lips. “I thank you sincerely for your offer, but you need not worry. We will take care of this.”
Maxi had half expected such an answer, so she was not too disappointed. Keeping her expression neutral, Maxi asked him another question.
“Where is R-Rif…his lordship?”
“He is currently at the training grounds, instructing the soldiers with Sir Ursuline. Do you need him urgently, my lady?”
Maxi waved her hands. “N-No. I was just wondering where he was….”
“Sir Elliot! Shall we take the horses to the training grounds once we’re done inspecting them?”
He looked over his shoulder to respond to his comrade, and Maxi realized that she was probably distracting him.
“I apologize…for taking your time,” she said as she quickly retreated. “Please don’t mind me…and get back to what you were doing.”
“My apologies, my lady. If you will excuse me.”
He gave an apologetic nod and went to join the other knights. Maxi turned and walked back into the hall. At the very least, she could help pack the food and clothes that they would take with them.
In the kitchen, she handed the cook the key to the storage room where the spices were kept, telling him to spare no expense for the grand feast he was to prepare.
She then instructed the maidservants to inspect all the knights’ clothing and bedrolls and to mend anything that needed it.
And finally, she instructed the servant in charge of overseeing the actual packing to include the sturdier cookware that had been recently purchased.
Maxi was busily moving about the castle when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
“There you are, my lady. I’ve been looking all over for you.”
She turned to see Ruth striding down the corridor with his long, slender legs.