Her throat felt gritty as if she had swallowed sand. She willed the words out of her mouth.
“Does that mean…I will have to go to Nornui?”
The princess’s face fell slightly. She stroked the edges of her lip before giving a reluctant nod. “Yes, for at least three to four years…. As a rule, one is expected to begin training as soon as possible after registering.”
Noticing Maxi standing frozen in place, Elliot spoke up. “Could we not just leave it at registering her ladyship’s name? The commander would never agree to Lady Calypse being away from Anatol for that long.”
The princess shook her head. “The Mage Tower has its own rules, and those who register must abide by them. There are no exceptions.”
Ruth winced and backed away. After shooting him a pointed glare, Princess Agnes rubbed her forehead. She sounded deflated as she continued speaking.
“Moreover, it would fail to convince the duke. That man will no doubt start another case the moment he learns he’s been duped. By then, he might also include a charge of deceiving a high-ranking noble.”
Feeling trapped, Maxi gnawed her parched lips. The thought of leaving Riftan’s side made her stomach twist into knots. As she struggled to answer, Ruth snapped out of his silent deliberation.
“Your Highness, we understand where you’re coming from, but this is all quite sudden,” the mage said gravely. “Once her ladyship becomes a mage of the tower, she must spend years at Nornui without contact with the outside world. It’s a matter that requires much consideration. Please, give her some time to think it over.”
Princess Agnes sighed. “I would if that were possible, butwho knows when the duke might take off for the duchy? That man was forced to come here at the king’s behest. He likely intends to leave as soon as protocol permits.”
Not knowing what else to do, Maxi cast her eyes to the floor. Although she had told the princess that she would do anything for Riftan, she found it difficult to agree to this suggestion so readily. Seeing her hesitate, Ruth scowled at the princess.
“I’m sure you can keep him here for at least a few days! This is not something you can coerce someone into. It’s not only Sir Riftan’s future that’s at stake, but her ladyship’s as well.”
The princess furrowed her brow as if offended.
“I understand,” she said, nodding. Then she sighed again. “Please consider it during the mediation.”
Princess Agnes and Simon rose from their seats. Maxi found herself unable to utter a single word until they were out of the room. It felt as though she were on a tightrope, fighting to keep her balance.
Ursuline studied Maxi’s blanched face as he spoke. “You are free to refuse, my lady.”
When Maxi’s eyes widened, the knight added somberly, “The commander will probably be against it. The truth is…he is already preparing to leave Wedon.”
Maxi’s jaw fell open. “D-Does he…plan on defecting?”
Ursuline nodded slowly. “The commander has no intention of ever standing trial. If the arbitration fails, he plans to set off to Livadon with you immediately.”
“Th-Then…what about Anatol a-and the Remdragon Knights?”
“Many of the knights intend to follow. Frankly, everyonewants to defect with him, but some are in circumstances that won’t allow them to leave. The order will likely split into two.”
Maxi flinched and glanced at Ruth, Elliot, and the knights silently standing guard by the door. They all appeared completely calm, as though they were already aware of the plans. Riftan had likely informed them in advance. Maxi was so stunned that she sank into the chair.
“I am not telling you this to burden you,” Ursuline quickly added. “We still don’t know how this mediation will end. We merely planned for the worst.”
“Th-Then, if the talks fail…” Maxi reeled in a daze. “Riftan…will lose Anatol and his knights…. He would lose everything.”
The knights’ mouths set into grim lines, and the air in the room turned gloomy.
Out of nowhere, Ruth gripped Maxi’s shoulders. “My lady, I know my saying this is useless…but you should try to get some sleep for now. This is not a decision you should make in haste. Entering the Mage Tower means that you will have to live as a mage for the rest of your life. You must be certain that you want to take this on, so you ought to mull it over with a clear head before making any decisions.”
Maxi looked up at him through eyes clouded with tears before silently bobbing her head. Ursuline gently helped her up and led her out of the room.
As she followed him down the dark corridor, Maxi struggled to organize her muddled thoughts. The story she recalled from a bard’s song refused to leave her mind. It spoke of mages of antiquity who created an island in the middle of the sea to escape the heathen hunters. There they built a colossal tower.
Coming face-to-face with the story of legend filled her with a nebulous dread. Even back in her room, Maxi could not rest, and she spent the night wrestling with the situation in anguish.
It was daybreak when Riftan finally returned to their room. Maxi lay with her back to him, her eyes squeezed shut, pretending to be asleep. She heard rustling fabric before she felt his large frame climb into bed next to her.
