Maxi gasped. The king’s reaction was far more serious than she had expected. She felt a chill deep in her bones. How long would the tension persist?
After a moment of silence, the princess spoke again in a much calmer tone. “That is how gravely the royal family regard this matter. I pray that you will not force us to take such extreme measures.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It is a request. The mantle of Rosem Wigrew’s reincarnation is bestowed only on those who have greatly contributed to the peace of the Western Continent. I ask that you rescind your declaration of war, at the very least so as not to sully that title.”
A thud sounded behind the door as if in rebuttal.
“Why would I care about a title I never wanted?” Riftan snarled. “If Dristan tries to invade, I will consider it my responsibility to drive them out. The king may do whatever he wants, but he won’t be able to stop me this time.”
Maxi could not stand by and listen anymore. She was reaching for the handle when a slim hand as pale as white jade blocked her. Startled, she looked up to see one of the princess’s attendants next to her. The attendant regarded Maxi through her veil before opening the door.
Riftan’s fierce gaze flew straight to the attendant as shestrode into the room. Unfazed, she strode over to him and removed her veil.
Riftan’s eyes widened. “What are you doing here…?”
“I asked Her Highness to bring me along as one of her attendants,” the woman said. “I thought I would have to step in if she failed to persuade you.”
The delicately beautiful voice was one Maxi had spent years listening to. Could it be…? Maxi began to doubt her ears.
“Coming here was a great risk on my part,” the attendant continued. “I have come counting on your honor as a knight, so I trust you will not harm me.”
Hebaron, who had been quietly standing next to Riftan, scowled and interjected. “You offend us. We would never do anything as cowardly as taking an innocent woman hostage.”
Ignoring the knight’s interruption, the attendant haughtily regarded Riftan. “I believe, sir, that you owe me a debt. Is that not so?”
“Are you asking me to repay you by rescinding my declaration of war?” said Riftan, his voice growing dangerously low.
Despite the intimidating aura rolling off him, the attendant refused to back down. She scoffed and looked toward Maxi. “What else do you have to offer me?”
Maxi’s eyes widened as she met Rosetta’s turquoise gaze. So her ears had not deceived her—her sister was really here, arrogantly bargaining with Riftan. She could not process what was happening.
With her lips curled in a condescending smile, Rosetta said, “Of course, you may ignore my request if you do not agree that you are indebted to me. If you consider my helpinconsequential, by all means, pay me no mind and invade my home. How could I protest if you regard executing your will as more important than the debt you owe?”
Riftan followed Rosetta’s gaze and locked on Maxi, his face hardening. Maxi took a step back. A suffocating silence fell over the room. Rosetta seemed to be testing Riftan as she fixed her eyes on him, while Princess Agnes maintained the silent pressure.
Riftan had his jaws clenched throughout this exchange. After a while, he swore under his breath and glared at Rosetta.
“The debt I owe is great…” he said through gritted teeth. “Fine. I will withdraw Anatol’s declaration of war.”
Relieved sighs burst forth all around the room. They were cut short as Riftan promptly added, “But it will be a different story if the duke refuses to let go. I will only back down this once. If the duke strikes first, Iwillretaliate.”
“You needn’t worry about that,” said the princess. “His Majesty will not tolerate anyone disrupting the current order, and that applies to the Duke of Croyso, too. The king does not want his vassals sowing further discord. We have made this clear to the duke as well.”
For a fleeting moment, a feral smile crossed Riftan’s face. “And was he willing to obey?”
Princess Agnes nodded solemnly. “The duke does not wish to sour his relationship with the royal family. If Anatol pulls back, we will intervene if he tries to cause another dispute.”
Riftan looked far from reassured. His lips twisted in a regretful expression, and he shot to his feet. He strode over to Maxi, who had been frozen in place by the mind-boggling exchange, and pulled her arm as he addressed the princess.
“Seeing as you’ve achieved what you wanted, I see no reason for you to remain here any longer. You may leave now.” It was a blatant dismissal of the king’s envoys.
Maxi looked up at Riftan with a flustered expression. “R-Riftan…”
The princess’s reply was tinged with bitterness. “We will leave as soon as our horses are rested enough for the return journey. I hope you won’t mind us intruding on your hospitality a little longer.”
Riftan shot her a glare before turning and marching down the corridor. Maxi did not get the chance to get in a word as Riftan led her up the stairs. Just then, she heard Rosetta call out behind them.
