Chapter 238 (2/2)

“D-deal with him…”

Max wondered if he really would declare war Riftan ignored her anxious gaze as he crossed the garden and strode up the stairs at once As they entered the great hall, Rodrigo and the servants rushed out to meet their lord

“Welcome home, m’lord, m’lady It’s a relief that both of you have co hot water and food And clean clothes”

Riftan ordered, cutting short their welcoht up the carpeted stairs He cli a moment to catch his breath nor did he need it In the blink of an eye, Max entered the room and she looked around The tension she felt melted away as she looked at the room that looked no different from the last time she saw it Riftan strode over the cats that swars then lowered her down on the bed

“Wait a bit I’ll get so off his ar a fire He struck the flint only a few times and a fire sparked in an instant Riftan used the bellows to fan the fire then walked back to the bed and took Max’s shoes off She looked at him with a peculiar tension She could see his deep black eyes treh his dark hair that had been ruffled by the wind Theto say to her, they heard a knock on the door

“M’lord, the water for the bath is here”

It was Rudis’ voice When Riftan told her to co tub Max looked at their fa a smile on her lips Rudis smiled back but when she saw her pale complexion, her face hardened

“M’lady, are you perhaps injured somewhere…”

“Leave the bathtub by the fire and get out”

Before she could even finish speaking, Riftan exclaimed sternly The maids were startled and flinched, then hastily moved the tub

“T-then… I’ll leave the towels and change of clothes here If there’s anything you need, please call for us”

As Rudis led theit in front of the stand, and carefully helped her up

“Come here, I’ll wash you”

“I’ I just want to take care of you”

Max nodded reluctantly After Riftan took off her robe, she was left with a loose tunic that he had bought in the village and it was also pulled over her head She raised her ar only a thin camisole, socks, and underwear It was an act of shaht within a feeeks and her stomach was not flat, but she was skinny Hewas revealed in such a bright light, she was concerned of what he thought of her He oose bumps on her waist

“Are you cold?”

“N-no…”

Then, he knelt down, took off her socks one by one, tossing theht froently warmed her bare body Max looked down anxiously as his eyes swept over her protruding ribs As he stroked her bony back, Riftan’s face suddenly becareat pain

“I should have ripped that man to pieces”

He muttered in a suppressed voice and buried his face in her stomach Max hesitantly touched his hair Riftan’s hand ran down her back, as if looking for a wound that had already vanished She could feel his breathing grow heavy Max felt aenvelop her How did she coh she wanted to delve into histhe truth

On one hand, she wanted to believe everything about him, and on the other hand, she had doubts as to whether there was any , or he just felt pity for her Was it possible to receive unconditional love fro for therated didn’t do that, and yet, how could soive it to her? Perhaps, someday, that passion could also fade away

When such suspicions arose, she became overwhelmed with her own disillusionment Perhaps, she had finally lost the ability to trust anyone It could be forever iulfed in her own guilt, she leaned down and embraced his head

“We’re hoe body was tre held by Max for a while, Riftan rearments and lowered her into the bathtub And then, he washed her with ut for a royal princess

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Note – LF: Uslin being a real chah

Nymeria: Oh Riftan…