“I’ve learned that it’s better to keep you in my sight so I can stop you from doing the next reckless thing.”

It was the day of their departure. Riftan mumbled this gloomily as he watched Maxi climb into the carriage.

Maxi’s face flushed. It appeared that Riftan was half-terrified of what she might do if he were to leave her behind. Frustration simmered in his eyes, but his face was as cold as an iron mask. This whole affair had kept him tossing and turning all night, contributing to him being more short-tempered than usual.

“Nothing good ever came from leaving you behind. For my sanity’s sake, I’ll keep you where I can see you.”

Instead of firing back, Maxi sat down and nodded meekly. Riftan narrowed his eyes, then bent to wrap a fur coat around her. Despite his anger, he took the time to ensure her safety, firmly securing the charcoal-filled iron brazier onto the carriage floor and sealing the windows against the wind.

“It will take a day and a half to reach Loverne Castle. We’ll be traveling without rest through Anatolium, so you must tell me if you feel tired.”

“I-I understand.”

Riftan lingered at the carriage entrance as though conflicted before he sighed and shut the door. Maxi pushed aside the drapes and peered out at the twenty or so mounted knights surrounding the carriage.

Hebaron must have been put in charge of Anatol’s safety while they were away, as he was nowhere to be found. It was Ursuline and Elliot who stood at the head of the ranks. Riftan issued a command as he mounted his horse, and the carriage began to roll forward.

Maxi sat huddled against the icy air and watched the scenery pass by. Although the coldest period had passed, it was still winter. The ground was frozen and slippery, and the previous night’s sleet shimmered like diamonds at the edges of the road.

The knights rode through the frigid eastern wind. Maxi looked over in concern before drawing the curtain and leaning back against the coach seat. In two days, they were going to fight a bitter battle against an opponent far more dangerous than any monster. She would have to preserve her energy as much as possible.

Closing her eyes, Maxi thought back to King Reuben’s indifferent expression and her father’s cruel mask. Going up against them would be more grueling than facing any troll army.

A bleak but determined aura enveloped the knights as they set off. They headed northeast, and Maxi could not help but worry that they might run into goblins or werewolves. Her fears were put to rest not long after, when the tranquility of the forest made it seem as though the whole world had gone into hibernation.

‘IA-Are monsters. .. less active during Paxias?” asked Maxi when they had passed safely through Anatolium.

The knights were now gathered in a grassy field busily preparing lunch. In the center, Elliot was lighting a campfire. He gave her a faint smile as he answered.

“We scoured the mountains all through last season and cleared all of their nests.”

Ruth, who was tearing jerky into a large pot, added, “It was the burgeoning troll population that caused the monster migration. Monsters usually live in a tight ecosystem, so they’re forced to find another habitat if a group expands beyond its territory. After we nearly exterminated the trolls up north, the monsters that were pushed south should have returned to their original lands.”

“Th-Then I suppose… they won’t be troubling us so much… from now on.”

“Compared to how it used to be, certainly not.”

Once they had finished lunch, they returned to the road without delay. True to Ruth’s words, Maxi did not spot a single goblin the entire way to Loverne. It was probably the safest journey she had taken so far.

They arrived at a small village as night fell. They rented two cottages, then departed at daybreak. Thanks to their haste, they reached Loverne Castle before noon on the second day.

Maxi climbed out of the carriage and inspected the gloomy-looking fortress. A bluish-gray brick wall enclosed the castle, and dark towers made of iron rose like sentinels on either side of the gate.

Feeling strangely intimidated, Maxi stuck close to Riftan. He wrapped a protective arm around her as he walked on.

Inside the castle, they followed a sentry through a second door that opened onto a garden. Large trees crowded the foot of the stairway to the main building. Servants rushed down to greet them.

“We welcome you to Loverne,” said the steward. “The earl has been expecting you.”

“And the others?”

“You are the first to arrive, my lord. The other guests are due tomorrow.”

The tension in Maxi’s shoulders eased. Relief washed over her at the news that she would not have to face her father immediately. One of the knights behind them mumbled something about having a day to catch their breaths, and Maxi wholeheartedly agreed.

The servants led them into a spacious hall covered in smooth, marble floors. A stately-looking man came to greet them, trailed by dozens of servants. His lavish attire, pale visage typical among the gentry, and bored eyes told Maxi that this was the owner of the castle. Skipping the initial niceties, the Earl of Loverne heaved a sigh.

“Some trouble you’ve started, Calypse.”

Maxi frowned. Although the earl was higher in rank, Riftan was also a lord of his own fief. It was insulting for the earl not to show him the barest of courtesies. However, Riftan responded with an indifference that suggested he was used to the man’s manners.

“I’ll make sure you won’t suffer any losses from this.”

“I’m already in the duke’s bad books because of my alliance with Anatol,” the earl grumbled. “Some of the merchants have already given me preposterous excuses to cut business with me when the real reason is obvious. Did you have to stir the hornets’ nest knowing how tenacious the duke is?”

“It was warranted.”

“I’m asking why. What possessed you to do such a thing when you’ve been putting up with him so well thus far? You confound me.”

The earl clasped his hands behind his back and began to harp on at Riftan.

“And what of my significant investments into Anatol’s business ventures? If you are exiled, what use would that new road be? lⁱm sure you don’t want to lose the lands you’ve spent a decade trying to develop. If you fail to appease the duke during this mediation, you and I will both suffer immeasurable losses.”

Maxi’s face fell at the bleakness of his predictions. Noticing the change in her expression, Riftan wrapped his arm around her shoulders and glared coldly at the earl.

“We braved this frigid weather to come all the way here. How long do you intend to keep us standing?”

The earl furrowed his brow followed by a shake of his head. “How impatient of me. I’ve prepared your rooms. You should get some rest.”

He flicked his wrist, and the servants waiting behind came forward.

“A formidable battle of wills awaits us tomorrow. You should prepare yourself. I’ll do what I can to help you since we’re already in the same boat, but I’m afraid it still won’t be enough. I pray that you have a solution up your sleeve.”

With that grim warning, the earl marched up the stairs. Maxi watched his receding figure with mixed feelings. Though unsettled by his words, she was still glad that he planned on taking Riftan’s side.

The Earl of Loverne was one of the most influential noblemen in these southern parts. He was not as powerful as the Duke of Croyso, but his support would still be of considerable help. After following the servants into an opulent guest room, Maxi turned to Riftan with a smile.

“The earl… m-might appear ill-tempered, but he seems to be concerned for you.”

“That man is worried about his interests, not me.” Riftan snorted as he removed his armor and set it on the stand. “He made significant investments into the road construction. He’s probably worried sick that his trade plans will fall apart. After all, it’s only because of the Remdragon Knights’ reputation that so many merchants are willing to brave the Anatolium Mountains to come to the southern port.”

This meant that many of the southern nobles would be obliged to take Riftan’s side. Even if the mediation were to fail and they would have to stand before the royal tribunal, the trial might not be entirely rigged to the duke’s advantage. Maxi felt a sliver of hope.

After changing out of his traveling clothes, Riftan left to deliberate with the earl about the imminent mediation. Meanwhile, Maxi took a bath using the hot water the castle’s maidservants had brought to their room. When she was done, she unpacked her mountain of clothes and contemplated the next day’s outfit.

Tomorrow might be her opportunity to speak in front of the king; she could not be too underdressed, nor too lavish. She wanted to appear elegant, sincere, and credible.

That’s all I can do for Riftan…

After much deliberation, she decided on a dark blue dress. It made her face look paler and more somber.

She carefully assessed her reflection in the mirror and began to go over her speech. Though her tongue refused to cooperate more than usual because of her nerves, the words came easier the longer she persisted. After a while, she found herself able to state her case clearly, albeit a little awkwardly. It gave her some measure of confidence.

The very next day, all her hard work came undone the moment she spotted the Duke of Croyso’s carriage entering the castle grounds. Maxi instantly felt like a powerless child once more.

She stood at the window as her father climbed the stairs leading to the great hall. He appeared to have brought at least a hundred knights with him. His men dazzled in shining armor as they trailed behind him, followed by hierarchs and mages. It was impossible to tell if he was here for mediation or for war.

Surely he’s not planning on attacking Riftan while pretending to obey the king, is he?

Maxi narrowed her eyes at the Croyso delegation, but her suspicions evaporated when she noticed the duke’s wary demeanor. He had brought all these men solely for his own safety. The beating he had received from Riftan must have shaken him.

The duke hurried into the great hall like a man being pursued. Maxi grabbed her robe and stepped out of the room. Elliot, who had been standing guard at the door, promptly blocked her path.

“Is anything the matter, my lady?”

“I-I think my father has arrived. I-I thought… I’d talk to him before…”

“We are prohibited from interacting with the duke before the king’s arrival,” said Elliot, resolutely shaking his head. “A confrontation before the mediation would only serve to heighten animosities and make the situation worse. We must wait for the king.”

It was a sound point. Even the Duke of Croyso would have to watch his words in the king’s presence, and Riftan would have to repress his murderous hostility. That was what troubled her the most — that the duke’s venomous tongue might send Riftan over the edge, initiating a fight to the death. Just imagining it filled her with dread.

Maxi anxiously paced the room and could not stop glancing out the window. At noon, three carriages and a procession of knights bearing royal banners finally entered Loverne Castle. By the time Maxi went downstairs to greet the king, the spacious hall was packed with hundreds of people.

Elliot spotted her dithering as she silently debated over where to stand. He politely led her to her spot.

“Please stay close to me, my lady. I was charged with your safety during the length of the mediation.”

Maxi meekly followed and stood behind the Remdragon Knights. Soon after, King Reuben, Princess Agnes, and a group of attendants entered the great hall. Riftan, the Duke of Croyso, and the Earl of Loverne stepped forward to kneel before the king. ‘We thank you for undertaking this strenuous journey, Your Majesty.”

The king apathetically waved his hand as the earl bowed his head.

“It was very strenuous indeed. How splendidly you all have managed to hassle me into journeying here in the middle of winter.”

The king swept a haughty, golden gaze over his vassals.

ⁱⁱHere I am, as you wished, Let me make it clear, my dear duke, that I shall be greatly displeased if it turns out all that travel was for nothing.”