Max stepped back in surprise as Agnes face popped up and immediately regretted moving her foot, her action could be seen as terribly rude to the princess.

  Agnes said.

  Max broke out in a sweat, she did not like this topic.

  Riftan answered, cutting off Max’s reply. He led her toward the exit and she looked back over her shoulder, bewildered. Agnes shrugged her shoulders, as saying she was used to Riftan’s rudeness, and gave her a strange smile.

  ”, Max said anxiously.

  , Riftan spat.

  At her words, Riftan sighed as if he didn’t want to admit something.

  Max was lost in her thought for a while.

  said Riftan, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

  In the end, he was involving Agnes and the other guests in dangerous expeditions. Riftan saw Max’s worried eyes, grinned and stroked her head with his metal-clad hand.

  Max closed her mouth because she felt a loss of words. She did not like this situation but could not find an alternative solution.

  Riftan said again.

  his eyes transformed into thin slits, as if he disapproved.

  Max was intimidated and stuttered,

  , Riftan said with a firm tone.

  Max closed her mouth. It was clear that he only wanted her to play two roles, the role as the Lady of Calypse Castle, and as his wife.

  Riftan had said that she was his only family in the entire world, but she was not his equal that could solve his problems with him. Hiding her disappointment, Max walked one step ahead of him to hide her face.

  ***

  Since that day in the training grounds, Max didn’t see Agnes at all. The princess was with Riftan almost every day. The two went out from early morning to head to the southern border often, and when they did not leave the castle grounds, they often had long discussions in the field or inspected the land.

  Of course, the two of them were never truly alone, there were always a few Remdragon Knights and Agnes’ bodyguards, so there was no reason for Max to feel anxious or worried about the situation. Nonetheless, her heart was not at ease. Just seeing the princess’ brilliant blonde head standing by Riftan’s side jolted a pain in her heart. Max sighed sadly as she looked outside her window. Spring was showing in the gardens.

  Agnes was the exact opposite of Max. Unlike her, she was confident, strong, beautiful, and worldly. Surely, after spending so much time together, he would realize how poorly he had chosen his wife, who was often melancholy and ungraceful. Her thoughts became gloomier. Max had been comparing herself to her sister Rosetta for almost her entire life, what if Riftan also started comparing her to other women? She bit her lip. Her inferiority complex was etched deep into her bones.

  Ruth said.

  Max looked up from her philosophy book only to see Ruth standing at the entrance of the library, who was casually eating an apple.

  Ruth walked to his favorite seat with a hearty stride.

  At the unexpected comment, Max opened her eyes widely. Most of the Remdragon Knights and the rest of Riftan’s men saw Agnes in a good light. She had assumed Ruth viewed Agnes the same……

  ” He wrapped his arms behind his head and leaned back.

  Ruth spoke grandly, as he opened a book that was close to him.

  Max looked at him oddly and felt a kinship between them. She was relieved that there was at least one other person who didn’t favor Agnes. It was embarrassing how much Agnes upset her, but Max couldn’t get rid of her restlessness.

  , Max muttered.

  Ruth agreed.

  Max hesitated before saying honestly,

  , said Ruth turning a page.

  His words made Max feel better. It was exactly as Ruth said, her feelings were reasonable! Before, she had often compared her jealousy of Agnes to a grumpy witch who harbored ill feelings, like those in fairy tales.

  , Ruth closed his book and smiled lightly.

  Max’s shoulders stiffened.

  Ruth said. When he saw Max’s face, he quickly added.

  Ruth shrugged, as if this was a universal fact.

  Max looked out the window, feeling overwhelmed. The landscape was picturesque as if a masterpainter had boldly drawn the scenery with a brush. Did Riftan truly care for this land? She was relieved he felt that way, and yet she also felt lonely. She was envious that he was so tied to a land.

  , Ruth said cheerfully.

  His absurd cheeriness made Max give a faint smile. As Ruth had said, she just had to wait for the princess to give up and leave. Once she left, surely her anxiety about losing her husband would cease.

  –

  : I forgot how much I missed Ruth!

  : Yay finally Ruth! He’s so refreshing, I like seeing Maxi so comfortable around him! Also, Riftan not treating Maxi as his equal, like a proper partner…… ugh, their relationship has still a long way to go :c