Under the Oak Tree: Season 1 -3-

by Suji Kim

“I suppose Riftan is in the annex with the knights?” Princess Agnes asked as they left the great hall. Maxi’s face hardened slightly at the way her husband’s name came so naturally to the princess.

Princess Agnes studied her with calm blue eyes. “I’ve always wondered what the Mago’s wife would be like. I wanted to know who it was that the knight who boldly threw himself into the dragon’s fire wanted to return to…”

“I would like to look around Anatol as soon as possible. Could I trouble you for a tour tomorrow, Sir Riftan?” Riftan took a sip of wine and replied coolly, “I will have Sir Ursuline show you around, Your Highness.” “Look here, stone-hearted Lord of Anatol. Do not think you can cast me aside so easily. I have traveled to the end of the earth to come see you.” “I do not recall ever making such a request.” The royal knights’ expressions darkened at Riftan’s impertinence.

“Riftan… you b-barely have time… to rest. Please… let me help.” Seeing her being so uncharacteristically stubborn, Riftan’s face grew somber. After a short silence, he finally raised the white flag.

“Would that be to your satisfaction, Your Highness?” “As a mere unwanted guest, I would not dare complain. I am nothing but grateful that you would allow your cherished wife to accompany me.” Placing a hand on her chest, the princess postured as though she had just received the highest of honors.

“Elliot, you’re coming with us,” Riftan interjected, promptly putting an end to their bickering. “I don’t want these two anywhere near the village. I will not have the women of Anatol knocking on my door with their bastards.” “Commander!” Ignoring their objections, Riftan wrapped his arm around Maxi’s shoulder and walked out of the council room. The princess shrugged and followed after them.

“R-Riftan! How could you be so r-rude to Her Highness!” “Hear, hear! What insolence indeed!” Maxi became visibly paler at the princess’s response. “Y-You mustn’t… speak like that to a lady. You are a knight. Please show some gallantry.” “Well said!”

“He only had us wed because he did not think I would come back alive,” Riftan said in a terrifyingly gentle voice. “But come back I did, and our marriage was legitimate. That man no longer has any authority over you. I am your family now.” A cold wind twined through her heart at the profound possessiveness in his voice.

Maxi’s face flushed at Gabel’s sincere sentiment. Her inner monologue had been nothing but self-deprecation recently, and his words of gratitude felt like a rainfall after a long drought.

“You’d think I’d be used to it by now…” he murmured in a thick voice. Maxi barely managed to open her eyelids and gave him a puzzled look. Riftan suppressed a sigh. “My body burns whenever I touch you, and it seems to grow worse by the day.”

“Sometimes, I want you so much that it hurts,” he muttered in a choked voice as he lowered her onto the bed. His face was now shrouded in shadows, and Maxi reached up to caress him. Riftan grabbed her wrist and kissed her palm. “Riftan…” Maxi closed her eyes as she felt his hands roam beneath her clothes.

After a brief hesitation, Maxi slowly walked over to him and placed her hands on his waist. Riftan looked down at her with a faint smile. “What’s this? Are you trying to seduce me?” “I-It’s just… you looked like you were in a bad mood.” With a flush coloring her face, she pretended to brush the dust off his tunic. A soft laugh escaped Riftan’s lips. He wrapped his sturdy arms around her and pecked the top of her head. “Your adorable antics are happening more frequently these days. I’m a happy man.”

They were walking down the stairs when he suddenly stopped to look over his shoulder with a mischievous expression. “And, I shall expect good news to be waiting for us upon our return.” “G-Good news?” “News that Riftan Calypse II is on the way, of course.”

“Maxi, I grew up in a mercenary group full of men. After I became a knight, I spent most of my life fighting in campaigns. What on earth would I know about women? All I know is that they have breasts, that it’s impossible to figure out what they’re thinking, and that they can bear children!”

“The princess is a grand sorceress with a lifetime of experience! How could you compare yourself to her?”

Riftan tried to yank the blanket away, but Maxi clutched onto it until her fingers shook from the effort. In a desperate attempt to appear asleep, she even began snoring. “Goddammit, I know you’re awake. Stop pretending.”

By day three of being shunned in this manner, Riftan’s patience finally ran dry.

“Why does that name keep popping up? Goddammit, I don’t care about the princess!” Riftan exclaimed, pulling at his hair. “Look at me, Maxi. Please, look at me so we can talk.” Unable to ignore his earnest pleas, Maxi reluctantly met his gaze. Riftan let out a low groan when he saw tears welling in her eyes. “I swear to you, I did not mean to upset you,” he said, cupping her face in alarm. “I only wanted you to live in comfort.”

“D-Do not kiss me. I am… still angry with you.” “You sure know how to drive a man crazy.” With a bitter smile, he coiled a lock of her hair around his hand. Maxi heard him heave a sigh above her head. “No more of this. You’ve tormented me enough these past three days.”

Feeling hurt and angry, Maxi looked away petulantly. Riftan, wiping his sweat-slicked torso with a wet towel, cocked an eyebrow when he saw her expression. “What has gotten my lady sulking now?” “I-I am not sulking.” “Then why are you pouting like that?” With a mischievous smile, he held her face in his hands and playfully rubbed his lips on hers. Maxi looked up at him with flushed cheeks. Riftan left a trail of kisses from her ear down to her collarbone before cupping her breast. The sweet sensation as he stroked her melted away the hurt, and it frightened her a little that he could so easily change how she felt.

“Pursuant to the Armistice of the Seven Kingdoms, calls for reinforcements have been sent to each of the regions. Thus, I, Elnuima Reuben III, hereby command Sir Riftan Calypse, the champion of Wedon, to lead his knights to Livadon!”