“I’m told that, as a rule, the royal tribunal does not try cases during Paxias. The nobles who hold offices in Drachium Palace must all be present for a trial to be held. I’d wager King Reuben would want to settle this matter before then.” The knight looked up at the sky as if to calculate the time frame and added slowly, “I think a date will be set within a few weeks. The commander will depart for Loverne with some of the knights before the duke and the king are expected to get there.”
“D-Do you think…I could go as well?”
Hebaron hesitated, then released a long sigh. “If you can convince the commander to take you.”
Maxi pressed her temples. Riftan was an obstinate man—so much so that he had even kept her in the dark about something of this magnitude. Talking to a wall would be easier.
Just the thought of the arguments to come made Maxi feel weary. She folded her cold forearms tightly to her chest.
“I-I understand,” she said gravely. “I will…talk to him.”
“Please forgive me for putting this burden on you, my lady.”
Guilt crossed Hebaron’s face, and Maxi shook her head.
“N-No, I am grateful that you told me. Not knowing anything…would have been worse.”
Maxi immediately returned to her chambers and waitedfor Riftan. Her head was close to exploding from trying to think of a good way to start the conversation.
Should she be angry at him for keeping all of this from her, or should she implore and coax him? After pacing in front of the fireplace, she flopped onto the bed, her head pounding horribly. She was staring up at the canopy when her eyes suddenly burned with tears. She did not know why she was crying.
It was clear that her father held no affection for her, so it was not that she was disappointed by that fact now. It simply pained her that Riftan was the one paying the price. Maxi squeezed her eyes shut. She could not allow him to be placed in such a dishonorable position where he would be chastised and forced to defend himself in front of a group of haughty nobles.
Her resolve solidified as her tears dried. She no longer cared about the shame or ridicule she would suffer. If necessary, she would reveal her grim past in its entirety. So what if she became the topic of whispered conversations?
However, the thought of Riftan becoming an object of ridicule and pity broke her heart. Would they not deride him for having a woman like her as a wife? Filled with shame, Maxi covered her face with her hands.
They would have to get the duke to withdraw his case before it went to a formal trial. Her father valued his reputation above all else; if he were to learn of her intention to testify, it might change his mind.
She was immersed in such thoughts when she heard the door rattle open. Maxi shot to her feet. Riftan’s eyes widened at her disheveled appearance, and his lips curled into a smile.
“Were you having a nap?” He strode over to the bed and brushed her messy hair with his fingers. “Did I wear you out last night?”
He smiled playfully at her as though nothing was wrong. Maxi looked up at him with clouded eyes, her hopes that he might explain the messenger’s visit evaporating into thin air. He was clearly not going to tell her anything.
After gnawing her lip, Maxi finally managed to find her words. “I saw…the messenger from Loverne…e-enter the castle a while ago.”
Riftan’s smile faltered. “Our guests will be leaving in a few days. I’ve assigned servants to attend to them, so you don’t have to worry.”
“Are you not going to tell me…the reason f-for their visit?” Still clinging to a shred of hope, Maxi regarded him woefully.
Riftan looked away and gave an evasive answer. “Some of the merchants are planning ventures with Anatol as their foothold. The earl also wants in on the business.”
Maxi’s face grew stony. “That is a little different…from what I heard.”
Riftan’s eyes immediately took on a guarded austerity. He shot to his feet and took a step back from the bed.
“What nonsense did you hear, and from whom?”
“I-It wasn’t nonsense. It was…a fact you should have told me s-sooner.”
Riftan narrowed his eyes. He shook his head and gave a cold, dismissive smile. “I don’t know what it was you heard, but I want you to forget it.”
Maxi rose and stood before him. Though she wished to appear confident, the disparity between their statures madeher feel even smaller and more vulnerable. She steeled her faltering heart and glared at him.
“You cannot…keep me away from problems like this forever, Riftan.” Trying her best to enunciate each of her words, Maxi took a deep breath and continued. “Especially when…it is my father who is harassing you.”
“Who told you of this?” Riftan growled savagely. “Was it Ruth? Hebaron? Only those two would dare to go against my orders.”
