Riftan smiled playfully.
"'Rem' because she's white?
I see my wife's imagination is weak."
“T-It has a b-good sound.” Maxi did not mention that the inspiration for the name had come from the order of knights under his command.
Just then, a handler came to saddle the horses, and Riftan helped her onto her horse.
Still not used to being on horseback, her body stiffened reflexively.
She held the reins nervously.
Riftan, on the other hand, looked perfectly comfortable on top of Talon.
Riftan observed his awkward posture.
“You’re not used to riding, are you?”
Maxi nodded, embarrassed.
"I've never l-left Croyso Castle.
I-I haven't had many opportunities to ride."
"I know.
I heard the rumors.
They said that the Duke of Croyso's eldest daughter avoided the outside world because of her delicate nature."
Something in his voice made Maxi nervous.
“I-I didn’t k-know that p-people saw me l-like that.”
"The Duke of Croyso is one of the most powerful men on the Western Continent.
It's natural for people to be interested in his daughter.
And unlike your sister, you've never made public appearances, which only increased their curiosity.
I know a knight who infiltrated Croyso Castle just to catch a glimpse of you."
Maxi looked away.
She had no idea of such curiosity.
How had Riftan imagined her after hearing those rumors?
Had he imagined a fragile woman, as delicate as a flower?
She knew there was nothing elegant about her short, thin body.
Tender and easily frightened, she also knew that these traits did not make her charming.
“H-He m-must have been d-disappointed” Maxi said brightly, trying to mask his self-doubt.
"Why?" Riftan turned to look at her, frowning.
“He s-underwent all that effort just to see an o-ordinary looking woman.”
Maxi tightened the reins as he tried to feign disinterest.
Calling her appearance ordinary was generous, but she didn't want to admit it to Riftan.
His ears turned red.
Riftan slowed to walk alongside her as they headed toward the back gate.
"I have to disagree.
I find her charming."
Maxi smiled uncomfortably, sure he was just being polite.
“T-Thank you.”
Riftan frowned.
"It's not my habit to say things I don't mean.
If I didn't find you attractive, you wouldn't send me into a frenzy when we're alone together.
Or have you forgotten why we had a quiet night last night?"
Maxi's entire body turned red with embarrassment.
Speechless, she opened and closed her mouth repeatedly.
Riftan walked over and cupped her chin with his hand.
His heart started to beat faster when he saw the desire in his eyes.
"Maybe horseback riding was a foolish suggestion.
Should we go back?"
Maxi shook his head, and Riftan straightened his back with an indescribable expression.
She couldn't tell if he was smiling or frowning.
"Then let's hurry.
We don't want the sun to set before we leave the castle."
Maxi followed behind him, trying to calm his racing heart.
They rode down a narrow forest trail that led out of the back gate.
The only sounds were the rustling and cawing of leaves and the singing of birds in the sky.
It felt like the entire world was asleep.
Maxi watched Riftan as they rode in peaceful silence.
He looked gracefully at ease atop his horse.
She, on the other hand, had to lean forward and awkwardly hold onto the reins to keep from falling.
Riftan looked back at her and smiled wryly.
“I didn’t know my wife was such an inexperienced rider.”
“L-Like I t-said… I h-had few opportunities to ride.”
"Relax your shoulders.
Horses get nervous when they feel their riders are tense."
Blushing, Maxi took a deep breath and tried to relax her shoulders.
But every time the horse moved, her hips jumped, and she felt her body contract again.
After watching her for a few moments, Riftan brought his horse closer to hers.
"Relax your upper body.
Squeeze your thighs in time with the horse's movement to maintain balance.
Like when you were on top of m“"
"R-Riftan!
Y-You shouldn't say such c-things out loud!"
"Why?
It's just us here."
"S-Still!
It's i-inappropriate!"Riftan burst into laughter.
"Heavens.
I have no idea why you're getting so upset.
In bed, you were so“"
“R-Riftan!”
Maxi lost her balance as she tried to cover his mouth, but Riftan quickly caught her as if he had predicted her fall.
"Okay, okay.
Calm down."
Maxi glared at Riftan, who returned a mischievous look before leaning in to kiss his forehead.
Maxi lost her balance a second time, which made Riftan grab her again.
“Looks like I’ll have to teach you the basics, starting with how to sit on a horse.” Riftan laughed.
“I c-can c-ride better if you c-stop d-distracting me” Maxi muttered.
Riftan's smile only grew wider.
Maxi tried to maintain her proud posture, but found it difficult to appear indignant when she saw his mischievous charm.
Every time he smiled, his cheeks would turn red and his heart would start to beat faster.
"Really?
Then let it be so."
Riftan galloped ahead, guiding the powerful stallion with ease on his long, muscular legs.
Soon, Maxi noticed that he was riding at a slow enough pace that she could catch up to him.
She knew he was capable of riding like the wind, as he had done on his return from Drachium, so this small gesture made her feel comforted.
No one in her life had cared for her like he had; she could almost believe that he actually saw her as attractive and a good wife.
“You’re not used to riding, but you like animals, don’t you?”
Maxi blinked.
“H-How do you k-know?”
"I once saw you sitting in the garden of Croyso Castle during one of my visits.
You were petting a cat you had on your lap."
Maxi was surprised.
It never occurred to her that someone might be watching her.
She tried to remember if she had ever seen Riftan in the garden.
"He was purring happily.
I remember it well because everything was so soft and serene."
"P-It was probably the kitchen cat that was kept to catch mice.
He was often hungry because he wasn't a good hunter, so I fed him in s-secret."
“So he was trying to return the favor.”
Riftan looked thoughtful for a moment.
Suddenly, he looked over his shoulder to look at her.
“What else do you like?” Seeing the confused expression on her face, he smiled bitterly.
"I've said it before, but you're a mystery.
It's rare that you reveal anything about yourself.
Why are you so reluctant to show me who you are?"
Maxi felt his heart sink.
Did he not know the answer to his question?
Was he really blind to his impediment?
The way Riftan treated her was so different from her father's cruelty that she was no longer sure how she should perceive herself.
“I-I’ve never been r-reluctant…”
“So tell me about what you like, what you don’t like, and what you think about every day.”
"W-Why don't y-you f-talk first?
Y-You also d-don't f-talk much about y-yourself."
“I’m sure I talked more about myself than you did.”
He frowned as if rummaging through his memories, then shrugged.
"Very well.
Allow me to show you a little chivalry.
I like horses, wine and rich food.
In fact, I like anything that fills the belly and pleases the palate.
Besides, it's gold, jewels, honor and powerful weapons.
Nothing a common man wouldn't like."
“Wh-What do you h-hate?”
Riftan broke a branch blocking his path with a dagger.
"Liars and incompetent fools.
I've seen enough pompous scum in this world who flaunt their unjustified positions.
They are only surpassed by scoundrels who deceive others for profit."
Although she knew his words weren't directed at her, Maxi felt a chill run through her body.