“Although I don’t think depleting your mana was particularly commendable.”
"T-That was the first time I healed such a serious wound… I didn't know it would take so much.
I also didn't know… how dangerous mana exhaustion could be."
“Not surprising, considering you learned from the personification of irresponsibility in person,” said the princess, her tone suddenly sour.
"I find it hard to believe that he failed to teach you the most important thing to keep in mind when using magic.
I would advise finding a more trustworthy mentor as soon as possible."
"Ruth...
is a good mentor.
He did his best to instruct me...
despite how busy he was."
“But it wasn’t enough.”
Maxi wanted to defend Ruth, but pressed her lips together when she heard the princess's cold tone.
It seemed that the princess was more hostile towards Ruth than Maxi had initially thought.
Taking Maxi's silence as agreement, the princess said, "How about that?
Why don't you come to the capital with Riftan?
I will arrange things for you to learn magic from an exceptional royal sorcerer.
If you really want to learn magic properly, it's important to have the right guidance."
“I-I'm...
happy with Ruth, and...
I don't think...
Riftan wants to leave Anatol.”
"I'm sure he'll change his mind if you say you want to stay in the capital.
Please think about it.
You'll be able to enjoy a much more luxurious lifestyle in Drachium.
The palace holds grand banquets every day, and there are so many things to see around the city.
You'll also be able to socialize more freely with the other noble women."
Maxi looked at the princess's captivating face.
The capital would have no shortage of equally beautiful women.
Surrounded by such company, Riftan would certainly get tired of his wife in no time.
Furthermore, Maxi was not attracted to the type of lifestyle the capital had to offer.
“Thank you… for the invitation, Your Highness… but I’m happy with my life here,” Maxi said with as much resolution as possible.
The princess's lips parted as if she was about to say something, but she let out a sigh instead.
“You two are as stubborn as mules.”
“Do you… wish to take Riftan back with you to the capital, Your Highness?”
"His Majesty wishes to keep him around.
He wants to calm any divisions in the kingdom by displaying Riftan's loyalty to the crown in front of all the noble families.
Having a powerful knight like Riftan Calypse at his side would certainly strengthen the loyalty of the other nobles."
The princess's lips suddenly twitched into a bitter smile.
"That is also the reason why His Majesty tried to marry us off.
He was worried that Riftan might desert Wedon and defect to Livadon or Osiriya.
Every ruler of this world would like to have the greatest knight in his service, after all."
"Riftan...
is quite attached to Anatol.
He would never...
abandon this land for another," Maxi replied quickly, surprised at how much the royal family doubted Riftan's loyalty.
The princess shrugged.
"That's what I think too.
From what I've observed over the past few days, it's obvious that he's putting everything on the line to breathe new life into Anatol.
He wouldn't be trying so hard if he intended to defect to another kingdom.
I'm sure His Majesty will also be reassured if I convey this fact to him."
Maxi carefully studied the princess's face.
“Did you come to check… that he had no intention of leaving, Your Highness?”
Instead of an answer, the princess gave Maxi an ambiguous smile.
That in itself was enough of an answer.
"I didn't mean to disturb your rest for so long...
it seems I've disturbed you by talking too much.
I must go."
"N-No.
I'm grateful you came to see me."
Princess Agnes rose from her chair and gave Maxi a gentle smile.
"You will need to rest for a day or two to recover.
I pray that you return to full health soon."
“T-Thank you.”
The princess's blue eyes, which had somehow always seemed cold, shone with warmth for the first time.
After looking at Maxi with a gentle look, the princess turned and left the room.
Exhausted, Maxi sank onto the bed.Maxi fell asleep.
When he finally woke up and looked around the dark room, the sun had moved to the other side.
She sat up, rubbing her dry eyes.
Despite the substantial sleep, she still felt groggy and her body lacked energy.
“How are you feeling?”
Surprised by the sudden voice in the room, Maxi turned towards it.
Riftan was sitting in front of the fireplace with his legs stretched out in front of him.
"W-When did you return?
I heard that… you had gone to the training camps."
"Right after receiving the reports from the knights about the wyvern attack.
I thought someone should keep an eye on you."
He spoke in a dark murmur, absently stroking the cat that sat on his knee.
“I couldn’t do anything because I was so worried about you getting out of bed.”
“I… d-didn’t leave the chambers.”
"I know.
I was here, watching you," he replied bluntly.
Maxi rolled his eyes.
How long had he been sitting there?
She knew she wasn't the only one who needed rest.
Worried, she studied his face, but Riftan placed the kitten back in the basket and walked to the fireplace.
"You must be hungry.
You haven't eaten anything decent all day.
I heated up some soup, do you think you can eat it?"
“I think… w-I can eat some.”
Taking a ladle, he stirred the cauldron before pouring some soup into a wooden bowl.
"Be careful.
It's hot."
Maxi took the bowl from him and stirred the clear liquid with a spoon.
It was watery, made from ground herbs, infused barley and eggs.
She blew off the rising steam before taking a small sip.
The moment the warm, flavorful soup passed down his throat, his stomach began to growl.
Only then did she realize how hungry she was, and began to eat heartily.
Riftan, sitting on the edge of the bed, watched her silently.
He let out a sigh of relief.
"Your appetite is back.
You should be better now."
“I… t-told you I was fine.”
“But that's what you always say, even when you're not there,” he replied coldly.
He stood up and walked over to the fireplace to hang a small kettle over the flames.
Holding her spoon, Maxi glanced nervously at his back.
Was he still mad at her?
Although he seemed calmer than when he had left that morning, he still seemed tense.
After a few moments of absently staring at the fireplace, Riftan broke the silence.
“I heard Agnes stopped by this morning…did she say something naughty?”
"N-No.
She didn't say anything.
She just..." Maxi hesitated, unsure if she should tell him about the princess's suggestion that they go and live in the capital.
Riftan turned to look at her with an inquisitive look.
“She just what?”
"She said that...
there was a failure in her barrier...
which is how that monster managed to wreak havoc on the camp yesterday.
S-It seems like she feels responsible for that.
She blamed herself for putting me in danger...
and apologized."
"I understood."
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room once again.
Restless, Maxi studied Riftan's face.
She didn't know how she should act when her husband was so clearly angry with her.
Whenever her father was in a bad mood, she tried to be as discreet as possible.
His words would only increase her anger, so she knew better than to speak.
However, Riftan's mood seemed to worsen the longer she was silent.
Riftan's face was grim as he faced the flames again.
Finally, he spoke in a low voice.
"Maxi, what happened yesterday cannot happen again.
Do you understand?"
Maxi's shoulders shrugged at his calm tone.
Although he hadn't been explicit, she knew exactly what he meant.
Riftan stirred the fire and slowly turned his head to look at her, his gaze intense.
"I know you were trying to fulfill your duty as my wife, but Anatol is different from the Duchy of Croyso.
Countless monsters dwell in Anatolium, and it is impossible to know where or when they might cause trouble.
You have heard of the lives lost, haven't you?"
Maxi nodded stiffly.
For a brief moment, hesitation hovered in Riftan's eyes.
Then, as if trying to shake off his reluctance, he continued.
“It could have been you.”A chill settled in Maxi's stomach, and she shrugged like a turtle.
If not for Ulyseon's quick action, she could have been seriously injured.
She couldn't deny Riftan's statement; all he could do was hang his head.
Riftan's voice seemed to become harder.
"You don't even know what you're doing.
The fact that you used your magic until you ran out of mana is proof.
If I had known you would be so reckless, I would never have allowed you to study this."
"I-It was just because I was inexperienced.
I'll be...
more careful next time."
“There will be no next time.”
His voice was cold as ice.
Maxi looked at him, disturbed.
“B-But you were the one who said… that I could do whatever I wanted.”
Riftan approached the bed.
"Not when it compromises your safety!
You are my wife.
It is my duty to keep you safe.
I cannot bear the thought of you in danger, nor can I bear to see you in pain.
What happened yesterday cannot happen again."
"So...
what should I do?
What should I do...
w-while you're fighting battles and enduring all kinds of hardships?"
“You don’t have to do anything.”
His broad chest heaving, Riftan held Maxi's face in his hands.
"Haven't I told you countless times that I have no expectations of you?
You've turned this place into a new castle and are already managing the household.
That's more than enough."
Maxi wanted to argue, but he didn't know what to say.
His lips trembled miserably.
Everything she had done so far was to appear useful to him.
She had worked so hard to be someone he could trust.
However, Riftan didn't need her help in the slightest.
Unable to accept this fact, Maxi pressed her lips together.
Riftan's face fell.
“I’m begging you… don’t make me worry.”
Tears welled up in Maxi's eyes.
How could she argue against such a request?
Unable to remain stubborn against the man who had been so worried about her, Maxi nodded weakly.
Riftan pulled her into a tight hug.
Maxi rested her head on his shoulder and mumbled in a choked voice, “I’m sorry… for worrying you.”
His warm breath brushed his neck as he sighed.
He pulled her head tightly against his chest, and Maxi slowly closed her eyes.
She couldn't understand why his warm, strong arms, which had always put her at ease, now felt so suffocating.