“Why does that name keep popping up? Goddammit, I don’t care about the princess!” Riftan pulled at his hair. “Look at me, Maxi. Please, look at me so we can talk.”
Unable to ignore his earnest pleas, Maxi reluctantly met his gaze. He let out a low groan when he saw tears welling in her eyes.
“I swear to you, I did not mean to upset you,” he said, cupping her face in alarm. “I only want you to live in comfort.”
“E-Even when…I tell you that is not what I want?” she asked, her voice choked with emotion. He looked dumbstruck as she continued shakily, “Riftan…I do not wish to live in c-comfort. I…want to live doing what I can. Learning new things…is rewarding and being able to use magic isw-wonderful and fun. It h-hurts me…every time you tell me not to do anything.”
He stared as if he had just been struck. His lips parted several times, but no words escaped.
“I understand,” he finally responded, hanging his head. “If you truly wish to be a healer, then you may do so. So please don’t make that face, and please don’t ignore me.”
Seeing him so dismayed, Maxi suddenly felt like a child throwing a tantrum. She had been extremely hurt by his harsh words, so why did he look as if he were the one who had been in anguish for days?
She was regarding him with an inscrutable expression when she realized that he was waiting for her response. When she gave a slow nod, Riftan’s tense shoulders relaxed. He pulled her head to his chest and wrapped his arms around her.
At that precise moment, the knights, who had been quietly watching their quarrel, began clapping. Maxi’s face flushed as the shame of having a petty argument with her husband in such a public manner finally sank in.
“If you are done watching, get the hell out,” Riftan growled.
“Oh, but I think the fun part is just about to start,” said Hebaron.
The knight next to him elbowed him sharply in the side as Riftan turned toward them, his expression so frigid that the grins on everyone’s faces instantly vanished.
“Actually, I think it’s about time for our shift at the construction site…” said one man.
“Haha. Is that so?” another chimed in stiffly. “We shouldget going, Sir Hebaron.”
Hebaron refused to leave, but the knights practically hurled him out the door as they fled. Worried that she might have shamed her husband in front of his subordinates, Maxi furtively scanned his face.
Riftan watched the receding figures with an impassive expression before turning back to cup her face and lower his head. Warm lips brushed hers in a feathery kiss that made Maxi’s nose turn red.
“D-Do not kiss me. I am…still angry with you.”
“You sure know how to drive a man crazy.” With a bitter smile, he coiled a lock of her hair around his hand, heaving a sigh. “No more of this. You’ve tormented me enough these past three days.”
Maxi looked up at him. It was rather absurd that he acted as if he had been subjected to cruel torture, but she was secretly flattered at the same time.
“I was not trying to t-torment you. I was…angry,” she said.
“You are absolutely terrifying,” he teased. His eyes suddenly grew serious. “Maxi, you can come here to heal people if you wish, but…I am still going to hire another healer as soon as possible.”
Disappointment clouded her face. “Is it…because you don’t f-find me reliable?”
“I know that you are talented,” Riftan replied, furrowing his brow. “Everyone has been singing your praises, and even I can see that you are good. But it has only been a few months since you’ve started learning magic. As a fledgling mage, you won’t be able to handle hundreds of soldiers by yourself.You’ll need someone to help you.”
“H-How would you know that when I haven’t even tried?” she retorted.
His face hardened. “Don’t be stubborn. It’s not like you can heal people all day.”
Despite her irritation, she knew Riftan was right. It would be impossible for her to tend to everyone by herself if another big accident were to occur. There was no reason for her to oppose the hiring of another healer.
Maxi nodded reluctantly. He caressed her cheek and said, “Just think of it as getting an assistant. Don’t try to take on too many burdens all at once.”
She sighed in resignation. Considering how overprotective he usually was, she knew that this was a big concession for him. After all, he was a man who normally would not allow even a speck of dust to weigh her down. Maxi decided that she would be content with the arrangement for now.
After studying her face for a long time to make sure she was not displeased, Riftan urged her to wait for him tonight before leaving the infirmary.
—
