“It will be even more arduous than you think, my lady. This is not something to undertake on a whim—”
“If the royal princess can do it, why can’t her ladyship?” asked another knight to her left. Maxi recognized him as a young man who frequently came to the infirmary for treatment. “What is there to worry about when she would have us with her?” he continued, crossing his arms defiantly. “If you’re that worried, we could assign some of the squires as her personal guards. I would even take on the job myself.”
After offering the knight a grateful smile, Maxi said firmly, “It is precisely because the journey will be a perilous one…as you said yourself…that I think you must take me with you. G-Going without a mage on a journey that could last a month…would be too dangerous.”
The knights exchanged glances as they silently debated the matter amongst themselves, and Maxi’s lips curled into a relieved smile when she realized that she had more or less managed to persuade them.
A cold voice rang out behind her.
“What the hell is going on here?”
Maxi’s face fell as she turned toward the door. Riftan wore a frightening expression, gritting his teeth as he marched to the desk. “Explain to me what my wife is doing here.”
“I am here because I have asked the knights…to take me as your mage if—”
“You keep your mouth shut.”
His icy gaze snapped to her, and Maxi clenched her jaw. Hebaron stepped forward to defend her. “Her ladyship ishere out of concern for you, Commander. You need not be so angry.”
“I have clearly told her that she cannot come, yet here she is conspiring with my men behind my back. How exactly is this for my sake?”
Hebaron scowled. “Must you speak so harshly? It is because you are so mulish that her ladyship had to resort to coming directly to us! Do not act like you have caught us in some conspiracy!”
“Whatever the reason, I will not condone having any discussions involving my wife behind my back!”
Riftan stared murderously at Hebaron, and the knight matched his glare. The air grew so heavy that Maxi nearly collapsed. Gabel interposed himself between the two men growling at each other like feral dogs, saying firmly, “Please, calm down! We understand that you are worried about her ladyship, Commander, and that is why we have kept silent until now. But as you are also aware, we need a mage. Please take a step back to consider this objectively.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Riftan swung his attention to Gabel. “My wife is a duke’s daughter who has lived all her life in the safety of Croyso Castle. She would not be able to endure this!”
“And why…do you g-get to decide that?” Maxi shot back, leaping to her feet in indignation. “I am c-capable! Just give me a chance. You cannot leave like this…when you have a mage right here!”
Riftan looked her up and down as though just noticing her attire. His evident shock made her bunch the loose fabric of her trousers in her fist and nervously lower her gaze.
“Why are you dressed like that?” His lips twisted inirritation. “Goddammit! So you’ve come fully prepared, have you?” He paused to rub his forehead and pinch the bridge of his nose before continuing, “Why the hell are you being so stubborn? I have already told you that this does not concern you.”
“Y-You are the one who is being stubborn, Riftan! Please, don’t just say no…and consider it properly. If s-subjecting myself to a little…a little hardship…can get the whole party safely to Livadon…d-do you not think it is a sacrifice I should make?”
“Her ladyship is right,” Hebaron said in a calmer voice. “We can’t keep delaying when we do not know what kind of danger the others are facing right now. But that does not mean we can ask the rest of the knights to endanger their lives needlessly. We are between a rock and a hard place.”
“Are you implying that it is an acceptable risk for my wife to be endangered?”
“We can keep her safe!”
“Stop spouting nonsense! If—”
Riftan cut himself off and clenched his jaw, his face contorted in a grim expression. It was clear that the conflict between not allowing his wife to take any risks but expecting the opposite of his subordinates was weighing on him. Seeing his hesitation, the knights began to chime in one after the other.
“We are not suggesting that we take her ladyship into the thick of battle. Once we arrive in Livadon, we will be able to request a hierarch from the church. Her ladyship could remain in the church’s care while we travel on to Louivell.”
“He’s right. We only need to cross the border and reach the port, and then we will be traveling by ship. It will not bethat dangerous.”
“The journey to the port is the problem!” said Riftan, now refusing to meet Maxi’s gaze. “Drake lairs are scattered all over the route to Livadon, and it is currently the season when they are most active. Bringing a noblewoman who is not even capable of basic defensive magic would only hinder us.”
Furious, Maxi cried out, “Y-You are wrong! I am c-capable of defensive magic!”
“What can you possibly do with something you only learned a few months ago?”
“If you find it so hard to believe, why don’t we put it to the test?”
