So loud was the sound that even Max, who was helpless and couldn’t do anything but slumber on her bed, opened her eyes to the noise. She felt like an earth nymph who had awakened from a deep sleep when the cheers and victorious tunes erupted from afar. The domineering evil forces that had caused her the greatest pains and trials throughout spring, summer and the beginning of autumn, had finally raised a white flag, signaling their surrender.

  Max opened the window next to the bed and looked out at the elm forest that was transforming to the rich yellowish-brown color of autumn. She then slipped her feet into a pair of comfortable moccasins and wrapped a shawl around her shoulders. One of the healers walked into the room with a tray and her eyes widened upon seeing her up on her two feet.

  The healer looked embarrassed and put the tray she had brought down on the table. Upon the tray was the bitter medicinal herbs she was made to drink every morning and evening. Max wrinkled her nose.

  The healer had an anxious and resolute expression on her face, but called for a servant to accompany Max as she knew that she would not back down. Max walked through the quiet hall with two servants accompanying her. The princess’ palace was situated in the most remote place of the Drakium Palace, so it was calm and quiet during the day. She slowly descended the marble staircase that led to a long, sun-lit corridor. One of the servants who was accompanying her followed closely and held onto her elbow, as if afraid she might collapse and fall over. Max felt like she was being treated just like she aged to 90-years-old, but she accepted the support without protest. In truth, her legs felt weak for being in bed for too long and any movement she made caused her a slight dizziness. This is why she didn’t complain, even though Simon scolded her rudely.

  She sighed as she took the last steps of the staircase. At that moment, she heard Princess Agnes’ voice from somewhere, causing Max to turn her head. Usually, the princess was not around her palace until dusk, she would be in the main castle or training grounds all day, so it was a rare occasion that she was in her castle at this time. Her curiosity ate her, wondering if something concerning must have happened as she walked towards the hallway where she heard the Princess’ voices. Her feet led her to a huge door that was ajar. The room inside was large and filled with bookshelves. Princess Agnes and Simon were sitting opposite each other in the middle of the room.

  The princess, who was scribbling something down on a piece of parchment, saw Maximillian standing by the door and immediately jumped out of her seat.

  The wizard did not even glance at Max, he then nagged the princess.

  Agnes complained irritably as she dipped her quill roughly into the inkwell.

  Simon snorted back at Agnes and then he gestured to Max.

  Agnes asked anxiously. Max replied with a bitter smile.

  Agnes smiled as she fiddled with her pen.

  At the good news, Max ran in front of the desk where the princess was sitting.

  The princess then rummaged through the pile of parchment and scrolls on the desk, then pulled out a letter the size of her palm and held it out to her. Max’s eyes widened as she read it. There were no casualties among the Remdragon Knights and they would return once the injured had been treated in Levan. The note that announced their arrival was written in just two sentences.

  Max was distraught. ‘Has anyone been injured so badly that they needed to receive treatment for an injury?’


  While she was biting her lip anxiously, Princess Agnes said in a bright voice.

  The princess shrugged nonchalantly.

  Simon abruptly interrupted the conversation and tapped with his fingertip a parchment paper with ancient script, as if to urge the Princess the message. The princess started to write something again, grunting in annoyance. Simon, who gazed at Agnes like a supervisor, turned his head to Max and explained.

  The princess explained sternly. Max trailed her eyes curiously at the ancient writing made with the princess’ skilfully fine handwriting then asked cautiously.

  Simon and Princess Agnes paused at her words. After a strange silence, Simon opened his mouth with a complicated expression on his face.

  The princess suddenly raised her voice.

  Max’s eyebrows furrowed and she looked around in confusion. She always wondered why there was only one high-ranking wizard among world-renowned knights, but she didn’t even know it was because of Ruth. The more that the topic relented, the princess became more and more critical about her friend.

  Max’s face clouded. She may not have seen it in that regard, but a corner of her heart grew cold when she remembered that Riftan refused to marry the princess, as if he had kept his marriage vows by force. The princess then spoke in a calming voice, misunderstanding her expression.

  Unable to overcome the princess’s persuasion, Max had to quietly return to the room, take her medicine, and reluctantly lie in bed to sleep. A few more senseless days passed. There was an endless procession of nobles who visited the capital to attend the grand banquet at the Drakium Palace. In the morning, the whole manor would be filled with servants who would greet them, and in the evening, a welcome dinner was held. Max sat up in bed craning her neck, staring at the castle gates day and night, wondering if Riftan would miraculously arrive a little earlier. Princess Agnes felt sorry for her and suggested that she attend the banquet, to which Max appeared surprised. Meanwhile, Princess Agnes knew that she was anxious because she could not wait for Riftan’s arrival. As if aware of her unusual attitude, the princess said with a consoling expression.

  Max tried to protest, she was embarrassed. There were several occasions that she attended for some reason at events at the Croix Castle, but she was always under her father’s supervision and quietly returned to her room after a while of showing up. Because association with nobles was forbidden, court etiquette was learned at a desk and she had no ability to speak or socialize. As she imagined stuttering like an idiot among the nobles, a cold sweat ran down her back.

  Finally, when she gave that excuse, the princess laughed as if she was hiding something.

  Max felt cold air rush down her spine. She quickly hid her grim expression. Her heart pounded with old fear and her palms began to sweat.

  The princess added, mistaking her upset expression, thinking that Max was upset because the Duke had not come to visit his daughter yet.

  Max swallowed her cynicism. Her father didn’t care whether she was there or not. No, he probably had no interest in whatever happens to her. Her shoulders hunched, remembering that he wouldn’t forgive her if she did anything that would taint the family name. The Duke of Croix hated that she appeared before the nobles. She was instructed to keep a low profile, to appear almost invisible as she is inferior, it was etched in her blood for being a stutterer.

  Max didn’t want to imagine the punishment she would one day receive if she attended the dinner banquet and somehow embarrass herself in front of the nobles. She then hurriedly made up an excuse to refuse.

  The princess nodded when she saw how convincing she had spoken.

  When the princess left the room, Max wrapped her cold body with her blankets and curled up, bringing her chest to her knees. She scanned her mind for excuses to avoid meeting him when tomorrow comes. No. Maybe her own father will make excuses. In the capital, there were countless nobles whom he had to acquaint with. He would probably have no time to come see her. Max held dearly to the thought that he wouldn’t meet her. She really didn’t want to see him ever again. The last memory of her father flashed in her mind, he threatened her that the worst would come for her if she became a divorced woman and threatened the name of the family.

  She didn’t end up being divorced as her father had threatened. The Duke must be content that she was able to keep her marriage and would not come for her. Max tortured herself with those thoughts, she tried to erase her father’s existence from her head. However, her expectations were brutally betrayed. The next morning, just before the break of dawn, the Duke of Croix went to the separate palace to meet her. When she found out that her father was waiting for her downstairs, she stiffened. Before approaching her, Princess Agnes told her with unprecedented embarrassment the kind of conversation she had with her father.

  Note –

  : Gosh, I’m so touched with how Ruth is being kept by Riftan ☹ He is probably like a brother to him now. ANYWAY, THE DUKE IS HERE. PREAPARE YOUR CHAIRS.

  : Guys…… we’re almost .