Chapter 362 - 123



362 Chapter 123

Maxi reached up to caress his smooth cheek. With his usual aura of sadness gone, it made her wish he could always be this at peace. She gazed up at him with quivering eyes, then tiptoed up to tenderly kiss his chin. Riftan responded with a low moan and pressed his lips to hers.

Meanwhile, the music slowed to a sorrowful melody, carried over by a faint breeze. The lyrics were of a tragic love story between a knight and a princess. Riftan peppered her with gentle pecks, and Maxi, not wanting to dance to such a melancholy song, led him toward the bed.

As she gently guided him down, Riftan raised his head, muttering softly, "We can't. It will be painful for you."

Incredulous, Maxi narrowed her eyes. "Th-That is not what I was trying to do. I simply... want us to kiss in bed."

Riftan stared at her as though she had just suggested they bathe in fire. Maxi suppressed a sigh. Though she delighted in his fervent desire for her, she also found it burdensome that even the slightest intimacy could set him aflame.

"Haven't we done enough of that? Tonight... I just want us to share kisses until we fall asleep."

Riftan opened his mouth as if to speak, then abruptly closed it. He emitted a pained groan before positioning himself on the bed.

Maxi promptly snuggled next to him, resting her head on his sturdy arm. When she tilted her head to seek a kiss, he frowned but obediently lowered his head. She could feel his body heating up as he lay pressed against her, but she pretended not to notice as she savored the sweet kiss.

Outside the window, the sky had darkened to a deep shade of blue. A lively tune carried on the wind. Maxi's fingers caressed the smooth muscles of his chest, placing kisses over his lips and cheeks like a bird pecking at a meal.

After a while, Riftan shifted uncomfortably and removed her hand. "You should sleep now."

"Are you not going to sleep with me?

A worried look crossed Maxi's face as she gazed up at his hardened features. While their passionate encounters had left her feeling lethargic during the day, Riftan seemed far from sated.

Concealing his desires behind a placid facade, he gently closed her eyes with his warm hand. "Don't worry about me. Just go to sleep."

It was not the answer she wanted to hear. She pushed his hand away, glaring disapprovingly at him. It struck her then that in all the time they had been in this chamber, she had never seen him truly at ease. Could it be that he found their coupling unsatisfying?

The thought of being incapable of satisfying him both physically and emotionally filled her with anxiety. Propping herself up, she gingerly placed her hand on his hot skin.

"How can I not worry?"

"Will you sing me to sleep, then?" Riftan retorted brusquely.

Maxi's frown changed to a subtle smile as she slid on top of him. Riftan stiffened, flustered by her unexpected action. She ran her fingers down his tense abdomen, then gingerly undid the loosely fastened straps of his trousers.

Riftan wrenched her hands away. "What do you think you're doing?"

"The reason you're unable to sleep... is because you're not satisfied, is it not?" Hiding her abashment, she willed herself to state calmly, "You... always pleasure me. I-I would like to... do the same for you."

As still as a statue, Riftan stared at her as if she had sprouted an extra head. Why did he always react so strangely whenever she tried to lay a finger on him, yet he showed no qualms in doing all sorts of things to her?

The pale dawn light pouring in through the window was blinding.

Maxi frowned but quickly looked up when she saw the thick arm draped over her. Riftan had fallen asleep while embracing her.

After vacantly watching him, she quietly rose from the bed to close the curtains. His creased brow relaxed as soon as the bright light was extinguished.

Maxi returned to gazing at his slumbering form, a strange mixture of joy and pity washing over her. This was the man who used to wake at the slightest sound when he was with her, only allowing himself to doze lightly. Though he made every effort to hide it, she was certain he must be exhausted. She gazed at his serene face as though admiring a rare natural phenomenon.

A creak sounded as someone pulled on the door handle. Maxi whirled around as it cracked open, and a woman stuck her hooded head in, peering into the room.

Maxi's face flushed. Since she had not had the chance to interact with any of the maidservants so far, she had no idea what to say. Still, she did not wish to disturb Riftan's much-needed sleep. Maxi closed her half-open robe and crept up to the door.

Just as she was about to tell the maidservant to return later, she realized who it was.

"S-Sidina?" Maxi murmured, taking a step back.

Fortunately, Riftan did not wake. She slipped out of the room and gently shut the door behind her. Bringing a finger to her lips, she led Sidina down the empty corridor.

"W-What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? Do you have any idea how worried I was?" Sidina sighed, looking at Maxi in disbelief. "I did hear that you were with Sir Riftan, but... Max, we haven't seen you in a week. Did you not think we would worry? I was rather pleased on the first day when I thought my plan had worked, but after a while, I began to think I'd made a mistake. I was worried he was being cruel to you."

Removing the coif she was wearing as a disguise, Sidina looked Maxi up and down with a wicked glint in her eyes. "I see now that my concern was hardly necessary!"

Maxi drew her robe around her as a deep blush colored her cheeks. "Q-Quite so. There is nothing to be worried about. Riftan would never do anything t-to me."

"I was thinking three days or so, but a week? You can see how I was concerned. A week is a tad excessive."

Growing beet red, Maxi shot daggers at the girl.

The mischievous smirk fell from Sidina's lips as she added with mock solemnity, "In any case, I didn't come here just to make sure you're all right. Anette and Armin will be returning to the Tower soon. I came prepared to sully my eyes so you could say your goodbyes."

"Th-They are leaving today?" Maxi asked, surprised.

Sidina shrugged as if this were hardly news. "Since it seems we won't be getting any more of the spoils, the senior mages intend to share our findings with the Tower as soon as possible so we can organize an investigation into the dark mages."

Lowering her voice, she added, "Word has it that the church has already started a hunt of their own. I heard rumors that high- ranking paladins covertly left Balbourne a few days into the negotiations."

Maxi knitted her brow. Why was the church carrying out such a grave mission in secret? Her face clouded as she recalled the inklings of sedition throughout the talks. It could be that the pope wished to eliminate the dark mages as quietly as possible.

"We should hurry," Sidina said urgently. "Everyone will be waiting."



"B-But..."

Maxi threw a flustered glance across the room to where her husband was sleeping. She was worried their relationship might sour again if she left without a word. Nevertheless, she could hardly wake him from his much-needed rest simply to ask permission. After deliberating a moment, Maxi nodded. She would leave him a note saying she would be back soon.

"Just... allow me t-to change first."