Under the Oak Tree



Chapter 77: Chapter 77

“They merely lack experience,” said Hebaron. “Skill-wise, they are a match for any knight. Especially Rovar over there. The lad has a talent that could rival Sir Riftan’s.”

Ulyseon leaped up from his seat in objection. “Preposterous! A squire such as myself could never hope to hold a candle to Sir Riftan!”

“If he could do something about that quick temper that is.”

Hebaron let out a sigh before directing the servants hovering at the back to bring more food. Riftan ignored the exchange; he walked straight over to where Maxi was and sat down in the chair next to her.

Maxi regarded his stony expression and offered a timid smile. Despite the black tunic and gold belt that made him look as alluring as the devil of the scriptures, Maxi could still sense his air of icy disgruntlement. Ever since the incident at the training grounds, Riftan would tense up whenever he saw her with any of the knights. He was like a warden guarding the gates of hell, on the lookout for anyone who dared repeat Ursuline’s impertinence.

“I hope they didn’t make you uncomfortable while you were having your meal.”

“N-No. Th-They were… telling me… about the initiation ceremony.”

“Rovar and Livakion will complete their initiation before the knighting ceremony,” Gabel said with a laid-back smile, clearly unfazed by Riftan’s chilly demeanor. “What better time than Aquarias, when the drakes wake from their hibernation?”

Riftan stroked his chin, mulling over something.

“You have been training them for monster raids, correct?”

“As often as we can,” said Elliot. “But I think it would be worth them gaining as much field experience as possible before the knighting ceremony. As it stands, I doubt they’d make adequate knights.”

Ulyseon pursed his lips in protest. As soon as Riftan’s gaze fell on him, however, he sat up and swiftly wiped the petulant look from his face. Riftan regarded the two squires with piercing eyes.

“Both of you are to participate in the next reconnaissance. Monster raids are different from regular battles, so it’s always advantageous to gain firsthand experience.”

“Yes, sir!”

A faint smile tugged at Riftan’s lips at their overzealous response. The squires looked at Riftan with awe, respect, and admiration. Riftan seemed to reciprocate their fondness in his own way.

Maxi felt jealous of their tight bond. Although she sat amongst them, she was not part of their world. Ulyseon and Garrow would join the ranks of the Remdragon Knights in a few months, and they would be the ones by Riftan’s side when he faced all kinds of dangers.

The thought that they might be closer to Riftan made her feel alienated.

Riftan furrowed his brow when he noticed that Maxi’s spoon had stilled “What’s wrong? Is the food not to your liking? Should I get the servants to bring you something else?”

Maxi shook her head. “N-No, I have… had my fill.”

“Have some more.”

“I-I really am full…”

She gave him an awkward smile and picked up the book she had set aside.

“I… am a l-little… tired, so… I shall… take my leave now…”

“But you haven’t finished your meal.”

“I-I ate q-quite a lot. Truly.”

Riftan searched her face before releasing a sigh and nodding. Maxi slowly made her way out of the dining hall. Once winter was over, Riftan might have to go on another campaign. She would be left all alone again, anxiously awaiting his return. The thought made her heart ache.

Maxi bit her lip. Would he not take her with him if she was capable of powerful magic? Her hope quickly evaporated when she recalled how adamant he had been and shook her head.

If she was being honest, she was not sure if she had the courage to join him even if he were to allow it. Maxi ran a hand through her messy hair and breathed a sigh.

***

The end of the cold snap marked the start of Aquarias. Maxi kept herself busy by practicing defense magic and persisting in her efforts to fix her impediment.

Progress was slow in the beginning. Through repeated practice of remaining calm while speaking, however, Maxi could now read a line of poetry without stuttering. Of course, these were not the archaic poems her father used to make her read but simple verses sung by bards.

Even so, when Maxi had managed to utter a full sentence without stumbling, it had brought tears to her eyes. Ruth had been right; staying calm and speaking slowly had been effective in mending her impediment.

Long sentences or words that were difficult to pronounce were still a struggle, but making a conscious effort to converse as much as possible was paying off. Her stutter was improving.

Recently, Ruth had started writing sentences for her to read aloud to loosen her tongue for better enunciation. The exercise would make her tongue feel stiff and sore afterward as though she had bitten down onto a needle. Perhaps it was because it was not a muscle she used frequently. Still, Maxi practiced every morning without fail. She would gladly have bit onto a knife if that were effective.

“I would like… there to be… a flower garden beneath… the second-floor balcony… How long do you think… it would t-take?”

If there was one downside to her recent improvement, it was that she spoke terribly slowly while trying to articulate her words.

Ruth had assured her that this would improve in time, but Maxi still fretted that those listening might find it frustrating. Maxi lifted her gaze from the landscape plans she had been inspecting to study Aderon’s face. The merchant, being the shrewd man that he was, answered with utmost deference.

“It would be difficult to acquire such large quantities of seedlings right away, my lady. Might I suggest starting with shrubs? I believe my guild would be able to acquire azalea saplings. They look quite impressive when their red flowers are in full bloom.”

“But… I also wish to fill the flower beds.”

Rodrigo, who was in the middle of serving tea, spoke up. “If daffodils please you, my lady, I can procure seedlings without delay. I shall let the gardeners know.”

Maxi tried to picture it in her head. Grasses and shrubs planted in rich soil, and colorful flowers and ornaments would transform the bleak garden. She was certain it would look magnificent.

At the same time, Maxi could not help but worry about the expense. Not only would she need to hire more servants to work on the garden, but all those trees and flowers would cost a fortune. She should have Ruth take a look at the order before she signed it. Sighing, Maxi lowered the parchment onto the table.

“I think… I shall require more time… to think about it.”

“I understand, my lady. In the meantime, I shall try to procure as many flower seedlings as I can.”

“Thank… you.”

Maxi smiled at Aderon and rose from her seat. The market had reopened now that the weather was growing warmer, and merchants were once again coming into Anatol for trade.

The knights had told her that mercenaries would flock to Anatol as well. The drakes that dwelled beyond the northern end of the Anatolium Mountains usually emerged around this time of year. Though monsters of the dragon race were extremely dangerous, their scales, magic stones, and bones commanded high prices due to their use in the creation of magical devices.

True to form, when spring came, fortune-seeking mercenaries and merchant buyers of the monster parts they would haul began arriving in Anatol. Even more people were expected to arrive once Aquarias was in full swing.

I would like to finish the garden before then…

Come spring, Maxi would have to hold banquets and invite traveling bards or theatre troupes to perform. She could not allow people to gossip that the continent’s most renowned knight lived in a dreary castle.

Maxi was walking down the stairs, mulling over the greenery to plant in the garden, when she heard a maidservant calling to her.

“Oh, there you are, my lady.”

When Maxi gave her an inquiring look, the aged maidservant politely added, “His lordship has requested your presence in the council room.”

“Has… something happened?”

“I’m afraid I do not know the details, my lady.”

It was rare for Riftan to be in the council room so early in the day, but it was rarer still for him to request Maxi’s presence. Perplexed, she quickly made her way back up the stairs. The council room was located right across the stairwell on the floor above the library. Maxi strode over the deep brown carpet and stood in front of the large mahogany door. The maidservant who trailed behind her knocked on the door and announced Maxi’s arrival.

“Come in.”

Riftan’s deep voice rang out from the room.

The maidservant creaked open the door, and Maxi tentatively stepped in. The spacious room was overlaid in soft carpet. A fluttering of wings came from somewhere in the room.

Her eyes full of curiosity, Maxi gazed around the brightly lit space. Next to the large window across from the entrance stood a birdcage taller than Maxi herself. It was full of cooing homing pigeons. A massive sword and shield that looked far too heavy for anyone to wield hung on the left wall.

As Maxi lingered by the door, taking it all in, Riftan looked up from the parchment he had been busily scribbling in.

“Why are you there? Come, take a seat.”

Maxi approached Riftan, who was sitting behind his desk. His expression was grave and his black hair was disheveled as if he had run his hand through it several times. Beneath his rolled-up sleeves, his muscles contracted as he wrote. Worry clouded Maxi’s face.

“I-Is something… wrong?”

“I’ve received a message from Drachium Palace. I thought it best to let you know.”

“A m-message?”