Under the Oak Tree



Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Maxi nearly choked on her soup. Ruth’s usually lethargic gray eyes regarded her with expectation, unnerving her. If she disclosed that arithmetic was not her strong suit, the knights, who already regarded her with little respect, would think even less of her. But if she said that she could perform basic arithmetic, she was sure Ruth would assign her a grueling task. Unable to make up her mind, she avoided Ruth’s eyes by gulping down her soup.

Ruth leaned in to place himself in her line of vision, narrowing his eyes as if he were trying to prick her conscience.

“Is this how you repay kindness, my lady?”

“I-I’m not s-skilled enough to be of h-help to a sorcerer-”

“I know that you’re no mathematician! I ask only because I need all the help that I can get!”

At that, Maxi lost any inclination she had had to help Ruth. Noticing the change in her expression, Ruth began to pout like a hurt child.

“I hope you haven’t forgotten the aid I gave you in your hour of need, my lady.”

“I-I really d-don’t think I’m q-qualified…”

What Maxi most dreaded was the caustic remarks that she would have to endure if she agreed to help; she had never met anyone quite as critical as Ruth. Her determination to avoid his eyes, however, did not seem to deter him.

“You’ll be managing simple records and calculations. I’d say you’re more than qualified for that.”

“Enough of that.” One of the knights who had been pretending not to hear the exchange intervened. “You’re being disrespectful to her ladyship.”

Ruth ignored him and continued to look at her imploringly. Maxi knew that if she refused, the ill-tempered sorcerer would likely accuse her of being an ingrate at every opportunity. With that thought in mind, Maxi reluctantly nodded, and Ruth’s face broke into a grin.

“You have my eternal gratitude.” He passed her a potato from his plate in thanks.

“I see you’ve become quite close,” Sir Hebaron said, scratching the back of his head. The brawny knight had been quietly listening to their conversation.

Maxi hesitated before saying, “R-Ruth provided v-valuable advice on the castle r-refurbishments.”

“I see…” Sir Hebaron said awkwardly, taking a large bite of bread.

Maxi’s heart sank at his disinterest.

“The castle doesn’t look half bad,” he added after a long silence.

“Oh… Th-Thank you.”

Hebaron shifted his gaze uncertainly. He evidently found the conversation just as uncomfortable as she did. Although they had met a long while ago, they had never formally exchanged introductions, and she knew his name only because she had heard snatches of conversation among the knights. Silence fell over the room once more, and Maxi’s eyes shifted restlessly. But a moment later, the knights stood up, nodded their salutations, and left the dining hall. Maxi stared at her soup despondently.

“There isn’t much we can do about their attitude,” said Ruth. “The Remdragon Knights suffered greatly because of Duke Croyso.”

Maxi flinched and turned around. Ruth languidly dipped a piece of bread in the rich stew and brought it to his mouth before continuing.

“The Dragon Campaign brought great fame and honor to the order. But if fortune hadn’t been on our side, or if it hadn’t been for Sir Riftan, we would have lost many lives. The Red Dragon was a formidable foe, and many nearly didn’t make it back alive. Sir Riftan was at the forefront of it all, dancing with death.”

Maxi’s blood ran cold, but Ruth’s voice remained as calm as if he had just been commenting on the weather.

“The duke pushed the campaign onto Sir Riftan despite being fully aware of the dangers. Sir Riftan received a wife in exchange for his troubles, but even she failed to fulfill her duties.”

“B-But I-”

“That is how the knights have seen it till now.” Ruth lowered his spoon with an impassive face.

Maxi’s lips quivered. Until that moment, she had remained convinced that she was the one who had been abandoned. As she saw it, Riftan had been forced to marry her, and he had left her without a word because he had never wanted her. But Maxi knew that this would only sound like an excuse to the knights. The color drained from her face.

“I-I truly d-didn’t know th-that he w-wanted me here.”

“The knights who were sent to escort you were turned away at the gates.”

“I was n-never told a-about it.” Her voice came out as a whisper.

“Did it never occur to you to come to Anatol yourself with your father’s knights?”

Her father would never have allowed it; nor would his knights have agreed to accompany her. In fact, it had never occurred to her that going to her husband’s castle was a possibility. Lost for words, Maxi hung her head. Ruth shrugged and dropped the matter.

“Well, there’s no use bemoaning what has already passed. You are Sir Riftan’s wife, regardless of what the knights think. Pay them no heed unless they insult you.”

Ruth rose from his chair. It was unclear from his nonchalant tone whether he had intended to console her or whether he merely wished to end the conversation, and so Maxi simply gave a weak nod.

“Then I shall look forward to your ladyship’s help in the library in the coming days,” Ruth said lightly, rolling his shoulders left and right before exiting the dining hall.

Left to herself, Maxi felt isolated and anxious. She listlessly stirred her soup, wondering whether everyone else saw her as a shameless woman who had neglected her duties after her husband had left for a deadly campaign. If they did, they most likely resented her charade of acting like the lady of the castle now that he had returned a hero.

As she recalled how Rob Midahas had mocked her openly at the gates, what little confidence she had gained over the past weeks was shaken. How could Anatolians be expected to respect her after the miserable spectacle she had made of herself? Unable to bear these thoughts, she put her spoon down and left the dining hall.

“My lady!”

Maxi turned around when she heard Rodrigo’s polite voice. He had just entered the great hall carrying a large wooden chest.

“The lord has asked for you.”

“I-Isn’t he at the n-northern gates?”

“He has just returned. He’s in the garden-”

Maxi ran outside before the steward could finish his sentence. She passed the pavilion to reach the stairs from where she could see the garden bustling with servants moving chests into the castle. Her eyes widened at the endless stream of chests being unloaded from the enormous horse-drawn wagon standing at the entrance to the garden.

She walked past the servants and cautiously made her way down the stairs. In front of the wagon, Riftan was talking to two merchants dressed in the attire of the Southern Continent. Sensing her presence, he looked over his shoulder.

“Maxi.”

Maxi ran to him like a puppy answering her master’s call. With a faint smile on his lips, Riftan took the reins of a strikingly beautiful mare from the merchant and tugged lightly. The mare obediently trotted forward.

“Here.”

Patting the mare’s long, graceful neck, he handed Maxi the reins. Maxi stood blinking in surprise.

“Do you not like her?”

“S-Sorry?”

Riftan placed the reins in Maxi’s hands. “I said I’d bring gifts, didn’t I?”

Wide-eyed, Maxi looked from Riftan’s impassive face to the mare’s gentle one. Sensing her bewilderment, Riftan pulled her closer and placed her hand on the mare’s muzzle. Maxi stroked its golden mane with shaking hands. In response, the horse gently rubbed its muzzle against her hand.

“My horses are too big and wild for you, but you should be able to handle this one. She’s young but well trained.”

“She’s l-lovely,” Maxi murmured, enthralled.

“She’s yours now.” Riftan’s lips curled up into a smile.

“This is th-the most wonderful g-gift I’ve ever r-received.”

The mare let out a charming snort as it continued to rub its muzzle against Maxi’s palm. Maxi stroked its thick mane while admiring its long, slender legs and brilliant black eyes. Its balanced proportions and glossy mane indicated that it was a fine breed.

“C-Can I really h-have her?”

Riftan frowned slightly. “I told you, she’s yours. No one else here would ride such a dainty horse.”

The mare gave a great snort as if she had understood him. Maxi laughed softly and stroked its ears. Riftan tilted his head, keeping his burning gaze on Maxi.

“Do you like her?”

“I-I do.”

Maxi could not find the words to express how much she adored the mare. She tried to keep her voice from shaking.

“I t-truly do. Th-Thank you, Riftan.”