“There is an assortment of flowers…that I asked the merchants to get for me. I hope they are to your liking.”
They moved past the pavilion and strolled the length of the garden path. The sunlight streaming through the leaves made Riftan’s smooth skin glow. Maxi gazed at him, spellbound, as they walked. She had come to like looking at her husband so much that it felt preposterous that she had once been afraid of him. His fierce eyes and imposing stature no longer scared her. Even his stunning looks, which were daunting at first, now simply amazed her.
She could not understand why such a beautiful manshowed so much passion for a woman like her. Whatever the reason, she was losing more and more of her heart to him with each passing day.
—
Riftan gazed over theverdant flowers blooming in a brilliant array of colors as they finally arrived at the flower garden. “It’s even more beautiful up close.”
Maxi was both relieved and pleased that he sounded genuinely impressed.
A lush patch of red buds surrounded a pool dug out by the servants, and shrubs dotted with delicate amethyst flowers grew in rows like miniature soldiers. Next to them was an abundant patch of herbs that blended in beautifully with the flowers. She laid a handkerchief on a stone-carved bench and sat down.
“All the f-flowers here…can be used as herbs or s-spices.”
“You made a flower garden we can eat?”
“I thought it b-best to plant flowers…that were practical as well as pleasing to the eye.”
Riftan laughed. “I will have to order my men to not hurt themselves so we can keep this garden intact.”
“D-Do you…like it?”
Riftan gazed down at Maxi, who was seated amongst the flowers, and nodded slowly. His eyes flashed and he said, “I do,” his voice sounding strangely choked.
Baffled, Maxi looked up at him. Riftan rubbed his mouth, schooling his expression before he sat down next to her. “The fragrance is nice. Until a year ago, I never imagined Iwould be able to spend quality time with my wife in a field of flowers.”
Maxi tensed when she realized he was referring to his time in the Dragon Campaign.
“I heard that…y-you faced grave danger countless times during the campaign.”
“It certainly wasn’t easy. Thousands of monsters dwelled in the Lexos Mountains, and we had to navigate a myriad of obstacles to reach the dragon’s lair.”
His answer sounded apathetic. He rummaged through the basket for an apple and took a big bite. Fresh juice moistened his lips, and Maxi’s face flushed as a sensual memory flashed in her mind. Oblivious to her indecent imagination, Riftan looked carefree as he grabbed a second green apple and placed it in Maxi’s hand. “It’s good. Try it.”
Maxi mechanically took a bite. Her tongue, which had grown stiff with tension, was unable to taste anything.
Riftan had suffered a great deal because of her father, but Maxi had been so preoccupied with her own misfortunes during those three years that she had not once considered the hardships that he would have had to face. Instead, she had feared that he would return as her second tormentor.
So how was it now that he sat so peacefully by her side? Suddenly overcome with uncertainty, Maxi cautiously studied Riftan’s face as he enjoyed the breeze.
Had he ever resented her? Although it had not been her choice, he must have suffered greatly from this union. What man would not lament such misfortune? It was nothing short of a miracle that he had chosen to honor his marriage vows.
Maxi shook her head and quickly changed the subject. “Isthe r-road construction…going well?”
“Yes. We should be finished by autumn at the latest.” Riftan’s lips curled into a determined smile as he threw apple seeds into the bushes. “I plan to expand the port as soon as the road is finished. It won’t be cheap to keep it safe from monsters, but the merchants from the south will easily make up for the cost several times over when they arrive with their massive ships. It’s a golden goose.”
“C-Can you earn so much money…from tolls alone?”
“It won’t be just from tolls. If we do business with the merchants, we could earn more than the king. We are going to offer to protect their expensive cargo so that they can trade their goods safely in exchange for a portion of their earnings. We already have people lining up to take the offer. Not to mention the advantage of having first pick of the rare goods from the south at a lower price.”
He leaned his head back and smiled at her.
“When the traders arrive with their ships, I’m going to have five hundred silk dresses made for you.”
“I…already have p-plenty.”
“And I know they are not enough,” he asserted with a grin. “Just wait a little longer. I shall get you the finest clothes in the world. So many that it won’t be possible to count them all. After that, I’m going to put diamond rings brighter than the sun itself on all your fingers. Everything from your neck down to your ankles will be adorned in jewels.”
