Maxi sullenly hung her head. “I-I’m sorry. It’s all because of me.”
“Stop it,” he said brusquely. “None of this is your fault.”
He fiddled with a lock of her hair he had wound around his fist. Maxi suppressed a sigh as she studied his solemn face. It seemed that Riftan was waiting for the Duke of Croyso to make the first move. He would be ready to fight the moment the duke provided him with an excuse. The whole situation felt like a dam on the brink of collapse.
Despite her worries, time passed peacefully, and Calypse Castle began bustling with winter preparations. The weather grew colder by the day as Paxias drew closer.
After two weeks, even Maxi’s anxieties abated. People rarely traveled out of their estates when the weather was like this. Even if the Duke of Croyso was plotting something, he would have to wait until the end of winter to execute it. It occurred to Maxi that she would only be making herself miserable by worrying prematurely.
She forced all thoughts of her conniving father from her mind. The truth was that she barely had time to be worried. Ever since withdrawing the war declaration, Riftan was always by her side.
She stole a glance at him as she brushed Rem’s mane. Clad in comfortable garments, Riftan leisurely fed Talon an apple. His casual attire suggested that he would not be going to the training grounds or leaving the castle. Maxi furrowed her brow. Though their days together were blissful, she worried that Riftan was allocating too much time for her.
After silently brushing Rem’s mane for a long while, Maxi cautiously probed him. “A-Aren’t you busy? You don’t…have to tax yourself by trying t-to spend so much time with me anymore. I am better now, and…”
“The road construction is finished, as are the winter preparations. The only thing left for me to worry about is our defenses,” Riftan said, looking slightly displeased. “Does having me around annoy you?”
Maxi quickly shook her head. “O-Of course not. It’s just that, last year…you barely had time to sleep…. And now, spending all this time with me, I thought…”
“I’d just returned from the campaign last year. I was busy taking care of a backlog of matters,” Riftan said. “I have no intention of working so hard for the rest of my life.”
“I would like to voice my objection to that.”
Startled by the intruder, Maxi whirled around. A disgruntled Hebaron was standing at the stable’s entrance.
“You’re not planning on making me oversee all the training sessions, are you?” the burly knight grumbled. “I’m already up to my ears managing the guardhouse.”
“Don’t talk as if you’ve taken on all the burden. I know you’ve dumped your guardhouse duties on Elliot,” Riftan replied. He grabbed another apple from the manger and held it out for Talon. “After all your fooling around, it’s the least you can do without grumbling.”
Hebaron’s lips twitched as if to shoot back before he flicked a glance at Maxi. He heaved a sigh. “We’ll talk about it soon…. Right now, you’re needed in the knights’ quarters. Our spies are back from the duchy.”
Maxi flinched and grew still. Riftan shot Hebaron a cold glare.
“I won’t be long. Wait for me there.”
“Don’t tarry too long.” Hebaron shrugged his brawny shoulders as he walked out.
Riftan finished feeding Talon the apple before he went to wash his hands in a pail of water. “You should return to the bedchamber.” He shook his hands dry and picked up the overgarment he had draped over the stall divider.
Rem snorted, and Maxi stroked her neck as she anxiously searched Riftan’s face. “D-Do you…think something happened?”
“The spies we sent to the duchy have returned. That’s it.”
After gauging Maxi’s dark expression, Riftan let out a low sigh and draped her cloak around her shoulders. “It’s nothing, so stop worrying and get some rest. I want you to go straight to our chambers. No wandering off.”
He swept her messy bangs upward and kissed her forehead. Maxi forced a smile. They made their way back to the castle, where Riftan watched her go inside before heading to the training grounds.
Maxi returned to her room and vacantly stared out the window. The bare, dark branches of the trees made them look charred. They swayed in the breeze under the hazy gray sky. Faint rays of silver sunlight peeked through the clouds from time to time, but it was not enough to enliven the desolate, windswept garden.
With a sigh, Maxi pulled a chair close to the fireplace and sat down. Out of all the cats, Roy was the most attached to her. He immediately jumped onto her lap and began purring. His contentment lifted her spirits somewhat, and she felt her anxiety easing as she stroked his soft fur.
It was evening when Riftan finally returned to their chambers. Taking his cloak, Maxi looked up at him expectantly, waiting for him to tell her what they had discussed in the council room. Riftan said nothing and simply strode over to the fire. He removed his boots and began washing his hands in the warm water the servants had prepared.
He finally turned to look at her as she grabbed a towel for him. “Have you eaten?” he asked.
Maxi nodded. “Y-Yes, a while ago. And you? Should I…ask the servants to bring you some food?”
“No, I had a simple meal in the council room.”
