“Riftan…is quite attached to Anatol. He would never abandon this land for another,” Maxi replied, surprised by how much the royal family doubted Riftan’s loyalty.
The princess shrugged. “That is what I think, as well. From what I’ve observed these past few days, it is obvious that he is putting everything on the line to breathe new life into Anatol. He would not be putting in so much effort if he intended to defect. I’m sure His Majesty will be similarly reassured if I relay this fact to him.”
Maxi carefully studied the princess’s face. “Did you come to ascertain…if he had any intention of leaving, Your Highness?”
The princess only smiled, which was answer enough.
“It was not my intention to disturb your rest for so long,” said Agnes as she rose from her seat. “It seems I’ve unsettled you with my rambling. I should go.”
“N-No. I am grateful that you came to see me.”
The princess smiled genuinely at that. “You’ll need to rest for a day or two to recuperate. I pray that you return to full health soon.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Agnes’s blue eyes, which had somehow always felt cold, were filled with warmth for the first time. After regarding Maxi with a gentle gaze, she finally left the room.
Exhausted, Maxi slumped back against the bed.
—
When Maxi finally awokeand scanned the dim room, the sun had dipped low in the sky. She sat up, rubbing her dry eyes. Despite getting to rest, she still felt dazed and listless.
“How are you feeling?”
Startled, Maxi turned toward the voice. Riftan sat before the fireplace with his legs stretched out in front of him.
“Wh-When did you return? I heard that…you went to the training grounds.”
“I did, but I came back right after I received the knights’ reports about the wyvern attack. I thought someone should keep an eye on you,” he said in a somber murmur, absentmindedly stroking the cat sitting atop his knee. “I was unable to do anything because I was too worried about you getting out of bed.”
“I d-didn’t leave the chambers.”
“I know. I was here, watching you,” he answered bluntly.
Maxi rolled her eyes. Just how long had he been sitting there? She was not the only one who needed rest. Concerned, she studied his face, but Riftan turned away to place the clinging kitten back in its basket and walked over to the fireplace.
“You must be hungry. You haven’t had a proper meal all day, so I’ve warmed some soup. Do you think you can stomach it?”
“I think so, yes.”
Grabbing a ladle, he stirred the pot before pouring some soup into a wooden bowl.
“Be careful. It’s hot.”
Maxi took the bowl from him and lifted her spoon. The soup was watery, made with ground herbs, steeped barley,and eggs.
She blew on the rising steam before taking a small sip. The moment the warm, savory broth touched her tongue, her stomach began to grumble. Only then did she realize how famished she was, and she began to eat in earnest.
Riftan, seated quietly at the edge of the bed, gave a sigh of relief.
“Your appetite is back. You must be on the mend.”
“I kept t-telling you I was all right.”
“But that’s what you always say, even when you aren’t.” He stood and walked over to the fireplace to hang a small kettle over the flames. Clutching her spoon, Maxi gazed nervously at his back. Was he still angry with her? Although he looked calmer than when he had left that morning, he still seemed tense.
After a few moments spent staring absently into the fireplace, Riftan broke the silence. “I heard Agnes came by this morning…. Did she say anything rude?”
