Maxi felt agitated.
His gaze flickered between Riftan and the princess, and even the knights around them shook their heads in exasperation.
"Do we have to fight until the end?
Can't we say goodbye on good terms?"
“He was the one who provoked me this time!”
“Are you waiting for sunset to leave?”
The princess's shoulders moved as if she were about to vent her indignation, but the sigh that escaped her lips was one of resignation.
"All right.
This uninvited guest will leave."
“You have my gratitude, Your Highness.”
“R-Riftan!”
Hearing Riftan's impertinence go too far, Maxi tugged at the hem of his tunic.
Riftan looked down briefly, then forced a tight smile.
“I wish you a safe journey, Your Highness.”
“How kind of you,” the princess replied dryly before turning her gaze to Maxi.
His lips curved into a friendly smile.
“I wish you well, Maximilian.”
"Please...
be careful on your journey, Your Highness.
I pray that no harm comes to you...
along the way."
“I also wish you good luck.”
With a playful wink, the princess circled her horse and trotted over to the carts.
Soon, the sound of a kopel echoed through the air.
The royal party began to cross the drawbridge, leaving behind a cloud of dust.
In what seemed like the calm after a storm, Maxi waved until the princess was no longer visible.
She wondered why she felt strangely empty as she watched the person who had filled her head with so many unpleasant thoughts disappear into the distance.
“Let’s go back to our quarters.”
Maxi was staring out of the castle gates, deep in thought, when Riftan wrapped his arms around her.
His arms felt as steady as tree trunks, and Maxi twisted in his embrace to face him.
After the departure of the royal entourage, peace and monotony returned to Maxi's life.
With the landscaping completely finished and the energy of spring filling the air, Calypse Castle seemed to transform into a beautiful and vibrant place.
Plus, it soon became busier with vendors visiting the property again.
Riftan was still working tirelessly on building the road while the knights patrolled the area around the wall from dawn until late at night.
Maxi was the only person who spent his days in complete idleness.
Ever since she had arrived at Calypse Castle, she had made efforts to replace all the old furniture and renovate every corner.
As a result, there was nothing left in the castle that required his attention.
The servants' diligence meant that Maxi didn't have to spend the entire day supervising them.
As for her magical studies, that was something she no longer pursued.
The truth was that she couldn't dedicate herself to studying complex equations when she wasn't sure if she should continue learning magic.
Sitting by the window, Maxi sighed as she leafed through the book.
The princess had said she had talent, but Maxi couldn't believe that for sure.
If his potential wasn't guaranteed, would it be worth studying magic knowing it would displease Riftan?
Riftan made it clear that he didn't need her help, and her firm rejection had shaken his confidence.
Maxi looked out the window as pearly sunlight streamed in.
She felt torn.
Even when he leaned into a magic book, he ended up staring vacantly at the grounds before an hour had even passed.
She also had no enthusiasm for practicing the phonics training chart that Ruth had made for her.
What should she do now?
Resting my head on the window sill, Maxi let out a sigh.
"What's wrong?
Are you not feeling well?"
Startled by the sudden voice, Maxi looked at Riftan standing in the doorway.
She got up from her chair and ran over to him.
“W-Why are you back… so soon?”
As usual, he had left before dawn.
Maxi studied his face, wondering if something had happened at the construction site.
His messy hair shined like black jade as he stood there, looking as imposing as ever.
Watching her carefully, he took off his leather glove and stroked her forehead.
"I stopped 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 boring for you?" His voice was tinged with anxiety.
“Would you like me to invite the neighboring nobles to a banquet?”
Maxi's eyes widened in surprise.
She knew very well that it was not the best time to hold a banquet.
Although cost was not an issue, Riftan and the knights did not have time to entertain guests.
Despite this, Riftan's face was as serious as when he insisted on holding an annual festival for her.
Maxi quickly waved his hands.
Riftan frowned and lowered his head as if trying to read her mind.
"You've been feeling down since the guests left.
If it's because you're tired of country life..."
"N-It's not that!
I was just… feeling sleepy because… the day was so hot.
In fact, I don't like… banquets or balls."
Riftan seemed to consider his words.
"Come to think of it, you rarely attended the banquets at Croyso Castle.
And when you did, you were quiet and didn't stay long."
Maxi felt disapproval in his voice.
Did he want a lively and sociable wife?
His face hardened as he muttered an apology.
“W-When we have guests...
I do my b-best to make them feel at home, but...
I've never liked...
noisy gatherings.”
"It seems that wasn't the case during the festival.
I want to see you like this“"
Riftan was startled and closed his mouth abruptly, abruptly ending his impatient outburst.
A strange tension tightened his broad shoulders.
“Would you like to take a short walk with me?”
"Y-You don't have to do that.
I know you're busy."
“I'm not so busy that I can't find time to breathe,” Riftan said irritably, taking Maxi's cloak from the hook.
“You can handle a little walk with me, can’t you?”
"N-It's not that I don't want to...
I'm just...
worried, since you barely have time to sleep.
If you have time for a walk...
wouldn't it be better...
for you to take a little nap?"
“A nap with you sounds good too.”
He cast a quick glance at the bed and pursed his lips.
“But I don’t think I could keep my hands off you once we’re in that bed.”
Maxi felt the heat rise to his face.
Appearing calm, Riftan pulled her by the shoulder and placed the cloak over her.
"I think taking a walk would be the best choice.
I haven't had a chance to admire the garden you transformed so beautifully."
Maxi followed him out of the room.
A refreshing breeze filled with the scent of flowers blew through the open windows.
Riftan sniffed the air, a strange expression on his face.
“The whole castle smells like flowers.”
“You… don’t like it?”
“No, it’s just… I’m not used to it,” he said flatly.
“I’m more used to land, horses, sweat and blood.”
A thought suddenly came to Maxi that, like her, Riftan was perhaps unfamiliar with the gentle and warm aspects of life.
No.
They were in no way equal.
He had the strength to overcome bitter pains and difficulties, while she had nothing of the sort.
"Let's take a light snack with us.
I'm a little hungry," Riftan said, his tone light as if sensing the subtle change in the air.
Maxi smiled to hide his heavy heart.
"I-I bought… fresh fruits a few days ago, along with some premium spices.
There must be… lots of options to choose from."
"Well, that's certainly something to look forward to.
It's been a while since I've eaten fruit that wasn't dried or soaked in wine."
Riftan licked his lips in a display for her benefit and quickly headed to the kitchen.
They packed fist-sized green apples, raspberries, mulled wine, and fresh bread into a wicker basket before leaving the great hall.
Outside, Maxi squinted in the blinding light.
A carpet of green grass shone on both sides of the stone courtyard, which was swept and mopped daily by the servants.
Delicate buds on the bushes sparkled like jewels in the spring sun.
“Are you cold?”
"N-No.
I-I feel warm."
Maxi held Riftan's hand and slowly walked towards the garden.
The oak tree, which looked so scary next to the pavilion, was now full of small leaves.
A smile of contentment 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… tree over there… it has new leaves.”He looked in the direction she was pointing and raised an eyebrow.
“I thought I was dead…”
"Ruth said that...
some trees still have life in them even when they may appear dead.
He infused it with magic last winter, and..."
Maxi fell silent when he saw Riftan's face visibly harden.
"Everything is fine?"
“It’s nothing,” he said sharply, pulling his arm away.
"I just don't understand what's so fun about leaves sprouting from ugly trees.
Let's go somewhere with a better view.
I noticed you planted a flower garden below the terrace."
"There are a variety of flowers...
that I asked the merchants to get for me.
I-I hope they are to your liking..."
They passed the pavilion and walked along the garden path.
The sunlight filtering through the leaves made Riftan's smooth skin glow.
Maxi watched him, spellbound, as they walked.
She had come to enjoy looking at her husband so much that it seemed absurd that she had once been afraid of him.
His fierce eyes and imposing stature no longer scared her.
Even his stunning beauty, which had intimidated her at first, now simply amazed her.
She couldn't understand why such a handsome man would show so much affection for a woman like her.
Whatever the reason, she was losing her heart to him more and more every day.
Finally, they arrived at the flower garden.
Riftan watched the lush flowers bloom in a brilliant array of colors.
“It’s even more beautiful up close.”