She let out a shaky breath. His muscled arm coiled around her waist, pulling her into a tight embrace. Tears burned her eyes at the comforting warmth on her back. She tried to blink them away in the dark.
For the sole reason of being her husband, Riftan currently faced a dilemma that could cost him everything. The person hounding him was her father; did Riftan not resent her for that? If he had divorced her and married the princess after the Dragon Campaign, he would not be in this miserable situation.
And I’m not even worth it…. How foolish.
Maxi closed her eyes, her heart breaking. If she were to leave for the Mage Tower, she would not be able to sleep enveloped in these arms for the next few years. Would she be able to endure four years separated from him when just a few months apart had been unbearable?
Riftan’s voice resonated behind her. “Don’t worry. Everything will work out.”
As if knowing she had been awake all along, he turned her around and held her to his chest. He pressed his cheek against the top of her head.
Maxi burrowed herself deeper into his embrace. She wanted to run away with him to some distant land. Would itbe so wrong for her to go along with his plans? She could let him give up his knightly status, Anatol, and the order, and whisk her someplace far away. She shoved down the heart-wrenching sobs that rose in her throat. Being swayed by such temptations was unforgivable.
She could not cling to him forever like a stubborn child. It was her weakness that had caused all this. Her inability to trust, her relentless self-hatred—that was why they were in this situation. If she were to feign ignorance and do nothing, she would despise herself for the rest of her life.
The next morning, as soon as Riftan left for the assembly room, Maxi went straight to the princess’s quarters in the annex. The knights escorted her there. Though Ruth had tried to persuade her to deliberate longer, she was afraid that her resolve would crumble if she did not give her answer right away.
Maxi squeezed her eyes shut and knocked on the door. When it swung open, the first thing she saw was Princess Agnes’s surprised face.
The princess ushered her into the room. “Have you come to a decision already?” she asked cautiously.
Lowering herself into a velvet-upholstered chair, Maxi took a deep breath and nodded. “I have decided…to accept. I-I will become a mage of the tower.”
Contrary to Maxi’s expectations, the princess looked conflicted rather than pleased.
“I know how laughable this may sound after the way I tried to press you yesterday…but are you sure? Once you enter, you won’t be able to leave the island until you’ve concluded your training. Communication with the outside world will also be greatly restricted.”
When Maxi slowly nodded, Princess Agnes narrowed her eyes as if to gauge her resolve. Finally, she gave a weak smile.
“I know that you have no choice, Maximilian. You may think that I’m being a hypocrite, but I wouldn’t have suggested this if I didn’t think it would be of some benefit to you as well.”
“B-Benefit…me?”
Maxi stared at the princess in disbelief. How on earth would being forced to spend four years apart from her husband benefit her?
Princess Agnes responded to Maxi’s glower with a bitter smile. “You have a gift, Maximilian. The quick judgment and improvisation you’ve shown during crises…It’s not something you find often, even among well-trained mages. With the right training, I am sure you will become an outstanding mage in a few years. I think it would be a pity to waste your potential solely because you’re married.”
Maxi pursed her lips. “Y-You needn’t say such things…. I have already made up my mind.”
“I’m not trying to flatter you,” said the princess, frowning. “Joining the Mage Tower is a great honor. I would not have suggested it if I didn’t think you were qualified to do so.”
The princess haughtily raised her chin. When she noticed Maxi’s sunken eyes, she added in a milder voice, “I know how fond you and Riftan are of each other. I understand that it’s heartbreaking for you to be separated from him, but this is an opportunity to stand on your own two feet. I don’t want you thinking that you’re going solely for Riftan’s sake.”
Maxi blinked at the princess’s conviction.
“I’m sure this affair has enlightened you to how society treats women,” continued Princess Agnes, sighing at Maxi’suneasy reaction. “I am no exception. If I had not become a mage, I would’ve been forced into a political marriage with a feudal lord to solidify Wedon’s unity.” Her sapphire eyes grew cold. “Once you join the Mage Tower, neither the duke nor Riftan will be able to force you to do anything against your wishes. You will gain the power to protect yourself.”
The princess’s emphatic words seemed to reverberate throughout the room. If it were not for Maxi’s all-consuming grief, the speech would have won her over. There had been a time when she had wanted nothing more than to become a confident mage worthy of admiration like the princess.
Right now, however, she was too miserable to feel any excitement. She felt as dazed as if she had been hit over the head with an iron mace. Another part of her felt like she was being coerced. Maxi helplessly shook her head.
“P-Preventing the trial…is the only thing I can think about right now. My mind s-sadly has no room for anything else.”
“I understand,” the princess replied, nodding readily. “For now, let’s focus on getting the duke to surrender. We can think about the rest in time.”
They rose from their seats after coordinating their story. Outside, Ursuline and Elliot eyed Maxi with concern. After giving them the most reassuring smile she could muster, she made her way to the main building with the princess.
The third session of the mediation was under way in the same room. They strained their ears in front of the arched doorway in the hope of discerning how it was progressing. The duke’s voice blared from the other side.
