Maxi approached. Riftan’s expression was grave, his black hair disheveled as if he had been running his hand through it.The muscles of his forearms, visible with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, contracted as he went back to writing.
Worry clouded Maxi’s face. “I-Is something…wrong?”
“I’ve received a message from Drachium Palace. I thought it best to let you know.”
“A m-message?”
Riftan hesitated, which was uncharacteristic. He let out a sigh. “Guests will be arriving in a few weeks. There will be twenty, maybe thirty people. I’d like to have the best rooms ready, as well as a small welcome feast.”
Maxi’s eyes widened. She had been expecting guests, yes, but not this early in the season. “May I ask…who…we are expecting?”
“A royal inspectorate, a dispatch of the king’s knights…” Riftan trailed off, throwing Maxi a furtive glance. His sensual lips twisted into a troubled expression, but in the next moment, all emotion faded as he continued casually, “…and Princess Agnes.”
Maxi’s breath hitched. She stared dumbly at Riftan.
The princess.
The princess everyone assumed Riftan would marry once the campaign was over.
That princess was coming to Calypse Castle.
Maxi had no idea how to react. When she remained silent, Riftan’s tone took on a hint of agitation. “She is only coming to inspect the land at the king’s behest. He likely appointed her as she is the only member of the royal family I am acquainted with, not to mention she is already on friendly terms with the Remdragon Knights.”
“I-I see.” Maxi swallowed hard. He had used such a distant word. Acquainted. Yet it still struck a nerve. The twowere comrades who had fought alongside each other during the Dragon Campaign. How could they be mere acquaintances? And if Ruth was to be believed, Riftan and the princess’s relationship had seemed close enough to fuel gossip.
Not wanting to be seen as the jealous wife, Maxi swallowed past the lump in her throat and willed herself to smile. “I-I will…h-have the servants prepare…the best rooms. I-Is there anything else…I should do?”
Riftan’s gaze bored into her. “You need only to instruct the maidservants to make thorough preparations for the welcome. Don’t trouble yourself beyond that.” As brusque as ever, he turned his attention back to his desk.
Maxi was too caught up in her own emotions to worry about his strangely chilly attitude. She hastily rose from her seat before he could notice her distress.
“Then…I-I shall go inf-form them r-right now.”
“I’ll leave it to you,” Riftan said without looking up.
Maxi hurried from the room to seek out Rodrigo and inform him of their impending guests, her mind a muddle of inner turmoil as she tried to process the news herself.
Was it normal for a woman of royal birth to call on the estate of a man who had refused to marry her? What reason would the princess have for visiting Riftan? It was possible that King Reuben had not yet given up on making Riftan his son-in-law. The inspection could simply be an excuse to send his daughter to try and win Riftan’s heart for good.
The thought filled Maxi with dread. Riftan had ordered her to put any thoughts of divorce out of her mind, but there was no guarantee that his feelings would not change. What could she do if the princess decided to use every one of her charms to beguile him?
“You look quite pale, my lady. Are you feeling unwell?” Rodrigo asked worriedly when Maxi found him in the castle.
She shook her head. “I-I am…just…a bit tired.”
This was not the time for her mind to be elsewhere, so she did her best to banish the negative thoughts to the back of her mind so she could concentrate on the task at hand. She had to make sure the royal guests did not think the castle had fallen into a state of neglect. She no longer had the leisure of time, which meant forgoing Ruth’s consult on expenditures as she had hoped.
“I think…we will have to ask A-Aderon…to come to the castle again. Could you tell him…that I wish to start…working on the garden…without delay? A-Ask him to s-s-st…to prioritize the courtyard in front of the great hall if…if it proves difficult to gather…supplies for the full project…on such short n-n-notice. And I would like…new trees planted as well.”
“I shall send word immediately, my lady.”
“A-Also…I would like for the guest rooms to be decorated with c-colorful tapestries…and have the f-finest linens…p-prepared for the beds. Please tell the rest of the staff…that they are to a-attend to our guests…with utmost care…and to be e-extra…diligent while cleaning.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
Maxi’s lips parted and closed several times as she tried to think through any other instructions. Drawing a blank, she finally muttered, “Please inform me if any…p-problems arise.”
After dismissing the steward, Maxi returned to her chambers where she mechanically opened a book outlining magical techniques, but she could not register any of thewords. She skimmed the same page again and again, chewing her lip.
