Max watched Riftan and Agnes argue. It was embarrassing to see them fight in public, but the knights around them seemed used to it, and shook their heads, bored.

  , Riftan said.

  , he added.

  Agnes’ shoulders briefly trembled as if she was trying to hold back a retort, then she sighed.

  Max pulled on the hem of his shirt.

  Riftan looked down at her before forcing himself to give a fake smile to Agnes.

  , Agnes said dryly, but smiled when she turned to Max. .

  , the princess said before alerting her men.

  Her knights yelled in approval before following Agnes across the drawbridge, kicking up dust beneath them. Max waved her hand until she had disappeared from her sight. She had felt uncomfortable having Riftan and Agnes spend time together, but now, a mysterious hollow feeling seemed to replace our anxiety.

  , Riftan told her.

  He hugged her firmly while looking at the castle. Max turned in his embrace to watch him: his arms felt thick and strong like a tree trunk.

  ***

  Max soon completed her tasks of renovating the gardens and castle. The gardens were now green and lush, depicting full bloom flowers. The sky over the garden became noisy as hawkers trained their birds. In the castle, old furniture was replaced, and every corner was either decorated or clean.

  Meanwhile, Riftan was still busy coordinating the road construction. The knights toiled from dawn until dusk around him, keeping the monsters away.

  Max soon fell into a monotonous routine. The servants were diligent and competent, needing little supervision. Before, she had studied magic in her free time but was now hesitant to start again. Her apathy towards the subject affected her ability, in fact it took her longer to memorize complex formulae without her past enthusiasm.

  In the comfort of her bedroom, she sighed as she touched the book spines lined up in rows on the bookshelf. Agnes had said she had a talent for healing magic, but Max still wasn’t quite sure. Should she continue to learn magic, even if Riftan was against it? Her husband had made it clear that he never wanted her help, and Max was too discouraged to follow up after his initial rejection.

  White rays of sunlight poured over her through the window and she kept getting distracted by the view outside instead of reading, and she had lost interest in the speech practice worksheet that Ruth had made for her. What was the point in continuing? She laid her head against the windowsill and sighed again.

  , Riftan said.

  Max turned quickly and walked up to him.

  Riftan had left before dawn to supervise the road construction. Max looked at him with worry, wondering if there had been issues. However, he was unhurt and stood tall as always, displaying a confident presence. His hair was shining like a black onyx with strands outstretched here and there at odd angles.

  He looked at her methodically, checking for any signs of weakness. After taking off his leather gloves, he rested his hand against her forehead.

  he said, troubled.

  Max widened her eyes and drew back in surprise. Although Riftan had the funds to hold a banquet now, the knights didn’t have the time to leisurely enjoy their food, drink, and entertain guests. His offer was ridiculous, just like the time he had offered to hold a festival every day of the year. Yet his face showed that he was making a genuine offer, so she shook her head quickly. Riftan frowned and bent until they were at eye level. His gaze was serious, as if wanting to know what she was thinking about.

  Max cut him off.

  , he said thoughtfully.

  His tone sounded disapproving to Max. Did he want a more social wife?

  , she said resolutely.

  , Riftan winced, noticing that he was raising his voice. His shoulders stiffened.

  he added more softly.

  , Riftan said, annoyed. He picked up Max’s cloak hanging off the wall.

  , Riftan glanced at the bed before grimacing.

  Max blushed and he laid a hand on her shoulder before fastening the clasp on her cloak around her neck……

  A fresh breeze entered through the open window and Riftan sniffed, then made a strange face. .

  , he said dryly.

  Max felt that perhaps Riftan had more in common with the flowers than she did. He was full of life just like their garden, was familiar with living every day, through hardship or training. He was strong and brave enough to overcome his trials, while she was just empty.

  , Riftan said lightly, trying to improve her mood.

  Max smiled, trying to hide her worries.

  Riftan looked straight ahead and went out with Max. After stopping momentarily in the kitchens, they left to go outside with a basket of raspberries, mulled wine, freshly baked apples, and bread.

  Max squinted when bright sunlight shone over her, making the dew on the flower buds shine like jewels. Compared to the stone floor the servants cleaned and polished every day, the grass felt like a soft carpet that emitted a soft, bluish hue……

  She took his hand and walked slowly. The Uigru tree was now sprouting buds. Max smiled and laughed quietly while she admired the foliage. Ruth’s magic had worked, the tree had finally come back to life.

  , Max stopped as she saw Riftan become impassive.

  , he said bluntly and tugged on her arm. .

  They walked down a path past the training area gates at a relaxed pace. Max smiled in delight as she saw the sun filter through the foliage and light up her husband’s face.

  She loved looking at him and yet feared to disappoint him at the same time. His naturally cruel and sharp eyes, his large and overbearing body that moved lithely, even when he was at ease…… She admired all of him and was no longer scared of his appearance.

  She didn’t understand why such a handsome man felt so passionate about a woman like her. Regardless, her heart seemed to fill with him more and more as the days went by……

  They finally arrived. A medley of colorful flowers were in full bloom and Riftan began to speak.

  Note –

  : Lol, Riftan shot down the Uigru Tree legend in three sentences.

  Guys, Riftan’s reaction to the oak tree…… Riftan sus.