“If I were you, I would be more embarrassed that he didn’t see the attack coming until the dagger was in his face,” Riftan sneered. “Not to mention losing his weapon in a fight like a fool.”
Breston’s imperious face was dark with rage and humiliation. Maxi stood as still as a rock in the stifling tension, not knowing what todo.
No one moved, and yet the air crackled with hostility asboth sides refused to back down in the power struggle. Veins protruded from the vice commander’s neck, and blood trickled from his gaping mouth.
Riftan tightened his grip until the muscles on his forearm stood stark against his skin.
“You’re more bearable without that revolting smirk on your face,” Riftan growled. “Allow me to help you not be bothered by it again.”
Tension boiled around them like a volcano on the brink of eruption. Suddenly, a clear voice cut through.
“That’s enough!”
Everyone except Riftan turned to look behind them. Princess Agnes pushed past the spectators who had gathered around the fight, regal authority emanating from her piercing blue eyes.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped. “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t cause any trouble until all this was over?”
“This man intimidated and insulted my wife,” Riftan said, his voice low and ominous. “He has to pay for what he did.”
“It’s true!” Ulyseon cried out, fervently defending his commander. “These men tried to harass her ladyship. Sir Riftan’s retaliation is completely just!”
The Baltonian soldiers blocking Ulyseon began hurling curses at him. Princess Agnes rubbed her temples and turned her gaze to Maxi as though to seek her help. Up until then, Maxi had been frozen with fear. She suddenly came to her senses and rushed over to Riftan.
“R-Riftan…I am all right. So…please l-let him go now.”
She was so ashamed of her impediment that her voice was barely a whisper. Despite her plea, Riftan refused to budge.
Looking up at his rage-filled face, Maxi cautiously placed her hand on his forearm. Riftan’s whole body was rigid with tension. After a moment, he swore under his breath and released Breston.
Like a beast escaping from a trap, the vice commander scrambled away and swiped at the blood trickling down his lips. His garnet eyes burned with hatred.
He pushed away his fellow Baltonian soldiers rushing to his aid and snarled, “Do not dare to think you’ll get away with this, Calypse! This calls for a duel! I won’t let you weasel your way out of this!”
Riftan smirked. “If you wish to annihilate yourself, I will gladly accept your challenge.”
Princess Agnes leaped between them. “Duels are strictly prohibited!”
The vice commander glowered at her, his eyes ablaze. “You’ve seen what he’s done to me! No one can deny me this duel!”
“You crossed the line first! And Sir Riftan retaliated.” Princess Agnes glared at them both. “That makes it even, so this matter is over!”
“It is not!” Breston’s eyes were as wild as a rabid dog’s. “Unless I also shove a dagger down his filthy throat, it never will be!”
Riftan sneered at the man. “You call for something impossible with your petty skills.”
“Both of you, that’s enough!”
Losing her patience, the princess ignited sparks of fire all around them. The two men were forced to back away from each other to evade the flames.
Standing her ground between the two men like a judge,Agnes cried out, “We are at war! I will not tolerate internal strife just because of your foolish pride!”
Despite her thundering rebuke, the two men continued to glare at each other. Surprisingly, it was the Baltonian vice commander who broke the suffocating tension by looking away first.
Breston spat bloodied saliva onto the ground, spun on his heels, and stomped away through the cluster of tents. The Baltonian soldiers, who had been watching with their swords drawn, followed after him without another word.
Only when it felt as though the crisis had passed did Maxi exhale the breath she was holding. The strength in her legs abruptly drained away, and she sank to the ground.
Riftan promptly hoisted her up, cradling her in his arms like a child. Embarrassed, Maxi glanced around at the people surrounding them. The commotion had attracted the camp’s knights, mercenaries, and soldiers alike.
