Chapter 238 (1/2)

Chapter 238

Maxi had to ride a horse with Riftan as they couldn’t find a carriage in the town of Genoa She leaned against his chest and gazed out at the flowing landscape The rice paddies swayed leisurely against the breeze and a few clouds floated on the dark blue sky,her eyes shi+ver Max leaned deeper into Riftan’s arot closer and closer as they ain a couple of tiranary and into the Yudical forest in one day

As they did not have a carriage, they were able to reach the Anatolian plains twice the speed of when they first did last year

“I orried that the duke ht send someone to chase after us… our journey has been ht it would be”

Gabelto make camp in the middle of an open field Max stiffened at his words as she cliave hihts?”

Gabel’s face grew red as if his pride had been traed “It is better to avoid useless battles whenever possible The lady can get hurt again…”

“If you have time to talk nonsense, build a fire, Laxion”

Uslin, as pulling down the loads on the saddles, exclaiather dry branches in the area Max hts released their horses to graze and pitch tents As the ca next to it for her to sit onThroughout their journey, Riftan always held her, not leaving her even for a second He did not even let Ruth nor the other knights approach her Perhaps tired of his oversensitivity, the knights minded their own businesses

Max wondered if they had learned all about her ht Did Ruth, Uslin, or Elliot let others knohat they had seen at the castle? She was so flustered and embarrassed that she couldn’t ask, but she couldn’t bear it either because she orried that the knights ht take pity on her

“Come here”

Riftan pulled the disconcerted Max to his side She sat close to his chest and hugged her knees, like a chick hiding beneath itswas finally set up in the camp, he took her into a tent, then laid her on a blanket, ed her stiff back and waist, then fed her by hand Max ate the bread and stew he gave her and crawled into a sleeping bag In the darkness, the sound of ru of the bonfire sounded faintly After a long quiet moment, Riftan’s voice broke the silence

“Don’t worry about anything I’ll protect you”

Max realized he was talking about the Duke of Croix Thousands of questions reue What will happen in the future? Will he really be able to stand against the duke? No ht was, if he attacked a duke, they couldn’t let hi her father’s horribly crushed figure If the knights hadn’t stopped him, Riftan would have actually killed hiht of his half-dead body, her consciousness flew directly to the words Riftan had said that night

‘Did he really mean those words? Did he say those words only because he felt pity for me?’

Given the cold demeanor from the first time they met, it was difficult to believe that she had been on histime However, Max couldn’t dare to utter those questions despite thelass-like peace that surrounds thehtly to shake the thoughts out of her head Then, Riftan wrapped his arhtly

“Sleep well and tight Froain”

The tension from her stiff shoulders went away like a lie at his words that he uttered as an oath She then wrapped her arms around his sturdy waist When she was this close to hie, comfortable fortress Max breathed in his scent and slowly drifted to sleep The next day, they crossed the mountain in half a day and reached Anatol The horses raced down the hill like the wind, ates at once After a while, the gates were pulled by its lever and became wide open

They entered the lively city packed with buildings, co as if soe buildings that were not built before they left were noering The road expansion has since been co rare items from the south were on both sides of the way Those ere looking at the itehts’ arrival and all cheered at once People flocked and flooded the streets

Max was bloay by their enthusiastic cheers for the lord of the land The citizens waved branches of Linden tree rich with red berries as the knights passed by Riftan took the lead and led his horse through the crowds Just when they had entered the square, a knight ran to the forefront of their procession

“Coatekeepers to increase the security”

Max watched Riftan’s face with an anxious look He nodded to the knight and spurred his horse They passed through the welco crowds in an instance As they clihts who stood guard on the castle walls ie of the h of relief Finally, they were home

“Leader!”

As they passed through the gates, the knights ere on the training grounds rushed to hts ent to Livadon for the war have returned to Anatol, except Riftan and around thirty knights as they have gone to the duke’s territory to fetch her Hebaron, who led thehts on the shoulders one by one Max sighed in relief as she looked at hiained his health to its perfect condition

When he found her glued to Riftan’s side, he flashed her a soft, sad smile “You have come back safely Was the journey back difficult?”

When Hebaron approached her, Riftan’s face hardened He pulled her closer to hiht this instance” Hebaron was visibly flustered However, Riftan turned around as if it was too much to explain further “Double the troops posted on the walls and restrict the access to the gates until further notice”

Then, as if to leave the rest of the instructions to be detailed by the other knights, he led her and strode towards the great hall Max glanced at the knights’ faces as they hardened into serious expressions She had been trying to pretend to be ignorant, but this time she couldn’t help but ask

“Wh-ill… happen now? Will a ar really…”

“It’s just preparation for precaution That uts to lead an army and invade Anatol”

Riftan cut her off and quickened his footsteps As Max stumbled, unable to keep up with his speed, he lifted her in his ar, all you need to do is focus on recovering your health I’ll deal with that man”