第4章
The Fortress of New Beginnings
After an arduous journey through rugged terrain, they finally crest a windswept mountain to behold Anatol: a formidable village protected by towering stone walls that stretch into the distance. Above it all looms the legendary Calypse Castle - an architectural marvel carved into the mountainside in the shape of an ancient golem, its weathered facade telling tales of centuries past. As they approach the massive oak gates reinforced with iron, the air suddenly fills with thunderous cheers. Villagers pour into the streets, their voices unified in passionate cries of "Rosem Wigrew d'Calypse! The incarnation of Wigrew!" - hailing Riftan as the living embodiment of their mythical hero.
The reception strikes Maxi to her core, creating a stark contrast with memories of her father's fortress. Where Croix Castle had been a tomb of silence and fear, Anatol pulses with life - children dart between market stalls, merchants call out greetings, and even the guards smile warmly at their returning lord. This place, with its unpretentious vigor and genuine affection for its master, embodies everything her childhood home had suffocated.
Their arrival at the castle, however, shatters the joyous mood. Riftan's face darkens as he surveys the great hall, his fury building at finding his explicit orders for renovation ignored. Dust coats the stone floors, tapestries hang in tatters, and windows remain unwashed - a far cry from the welcoming home he'd envisioned for his bride.
When exhaustion overwhelms Maxi, Riftan sweeps her into his arms without hesitation, carrying her through torch-lit corridors to their bedchamber. Unlike the castle's general disarray, this room shows careful preparation - fresh linens, polished furniture, and sweet-smelling flowers suggest Riftan's personal attention to her comfort. His embarrassment at the castle's condition manifests in passionate assurances: she'll have unlimited access to the treasury, authority over all servants, complete freedom to transform their home however she desires.
Maxi accepts this responsibility while carefully guarding her secret - that she was no cherished noble daughter but a despised burden, untrained in household management. After sharing an intimate bath where Riftan's calloused hands prove surprisingly gentle as he washes her travel-weary body, she drifts to sleep in his protective embrace, daring to imagine a future where their arranged marriage might bloom into something real.
Morning finds her alone in their bed, where she meets Ludis, her newly appointed lady's maid who helps her don an exquisite golden gown. Determined to understand her new domain, Maxi meets with Rodrigo, the castle steward, whose detailed reports reveal the full scope of the challenge ahead. The banquet hall echoes emptily, its long tables gathering dust. Drawing rooms sit cold and uninviting, their fireplaces long dead. The once-magnificent gardens have surrendered to wilderness, and the existing staff of eighty-seven struggles against impossible odds to maintain over two hundred rooms. Yet as Maxi surveys her new kingdom, determination replaces intimidation. With careful planning and additional staff, she resolves to breathe life back into these ancient stones, transforming this warrior's fortress into a home worthy of its legacy.
第5章
Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places
Left alone after Riftan returns to his duties, Maxi struggles to adapt to her role as lady of Calypse Castle. She explores the castle with Rodrigo, attempting to understand estate management despite her lack of experience. When meeting with merchant guild head Aderon Suner about castle renovations, she's overwhelmed but tries to hide her uncertainty.
After examining glass samples and fabrics, she selects expensive rose-colored curtains with gold tassels for the banquet hall, along with a red carpet and tapestry depicting the legendary knight Wigrew. Later, the tailor Roanne Selous and his wife arrive to measure Maxi for new dresses as promised by Riftan. Though initially excited by the prospect of elegant clothes, Maxi feels ridiculous in the oversized headdress they have her try on, requesting something smaller before ordering three new dresses.
In the evening, Maxi learns Riftan must soon depart for the royal capital. Overhearing an argument between him and his knights, she discovers they're pressuring him to attend a ceremony with King Reuben, who apparently wishes to match Riftan with Princess Agnes. Worried about being alone at the castle and feeling unworthy of Riftan's affection, Maxi retreats to her room.
When Riftan joins her later, he reassures her about the renovations and promises to bring gifts from the capital. Their conversation turns intimate as he expresses reluctance to leave her, and they share a passionate night together. The next morning, they continue their lovemaking, with Riftan expressing his deep attraction to her vulnerable beauty. Their intimacy deepens as they spend a rainy day together, sharing meals in bed and making love repeatedly. Riftan shows a tender, possessive devotion that Maxi has never experienced before, leaving her feeling transformed and cherished for the first time in her life.
As the rain subsides, Riftan prepares to depart for the royal capital. Despite her exhaustion from their passionate night, Maxi rises to see him before he leaves. At the training grounds, she overhears Riftan discussing travel arrangements with his knights. When Gabel volunteers to remain behind to protect Anatol, Riftan insists all knights who fought in the Dragon Campaign must attend the celebration.
After Riftan's departure, Maxi falls ill with fever for two days, her body finally succumbing to exhaustion. Once recovered, she begins overseeing castle renovations, determined to prove herself worthy as Lady Calypse. Each day brings meetings with merchants, artisans, and landscapers as she approves purchases and supervises construction.
第6章
The Sorcerer's Unexpected Mentorship
Late into each night, Maxi struggles to record expenses in the ledger, her inexperience with accounting evident. When Ruth, the castle's acerbic sorcerer, discovers her in the library, he harshly criticizes her bookkeeping and excessive spending, pointing out calculation errors and unnecessary purchases. Mortified by her mistakes and worried about depleting Riftan's fortune, Maxi pleads for help.
"I'll help you fix this mess," Ruth sighs, "but be here at dawn tomorrow."
Maxi arrives at sunrise, finding Ruth already there, having slept in the corner. Together they review her purchases, with Ruth pointing out numerous errors-mistaking liram for derham, ordering unnecessary marble flooring, and extravagant crystal fountains and glass windows. He explains these luxuries are impractical for Anatol's climate and the knights' training grounds.
Ruth patiently teaches her currency conversions, showing her different coins-liram, derham, soldem, denar-and explaining their values and exchange rates. He reveals Riftan's wealth includes 160 rare dant coins, ancient Roemian currency made of orichalcum, and shares how Riftan built the castle using just forty of these precious coins.
When the merchant Aderon arrives, Maxi successfully cancels the unnecessary orders despite his persuasive attempts. Later, Ruth helps her record the transactions properly in the ledger, correcting her numerous mistakes with stern patience as they prepare to renovate the gardens for spring.
When Maxi proposes removing a dead oak tree by the pavilion, Ruth warns her against it, explaining Anatolians believe nymphs inhabit trees. He reveals the special significance of this particular oak-according to legend, Sir Rosem Wigrew, the hero who flew across the sky on a dragon, fell in love with the nymph of this very tree. The locals believe she still waits for his return, making the tree sacred.
Understanding the cultural importance, Maxi reluctantly abandons her plan. Ruth offers to try reviving the tree with mana, suggesting they spread word that the lady of the castle is attempting to restore the sacred oak-a gesture that would earn her the servants' respect.
第7章
Crisis and Courage
The castle renovations proceed smoothly, with marble tiles replacing flagstones in the banquet hall, new mahogany shutters on windows, and crystal glass installed in the main rooms as Ruth suggested. The servants work cheerfully, excited by the castle's transformation.
Maxi's peaceful management of the estate is shattered when Rodrigo bursts in with alarming news: thirty armed knights led by a man claiming to be Rob Midahas, a Livadonian nobleman, are at their gates without proper identification. As the confrontation escalates, Midahas mocks Anatol as "a den of cowards" without their lord. When Sir Obaron draws his sword in fury, Midahas launches a massive flame that destroys the castle gate.
Ruth tries to hold the invaders back with wind barriers while Sir Obaron leaps into battle, but Maxi finds herself pushed to the ground and defenseless amid the chaos. Just when all seems lost, the Remdragon Knights thunder down the hill, led by Riftan himself. His mere presence changes everything-the once-confident Livadonians grow pale as Riftan calmly threatens war for their trespass.
Despite Ruth's diplomatic warnings about starting conflict with an entire kingdom, Riftan forces Midahas and his men to surrender and imprisons them. Furious at finding Maxi in danger, Riftan carries her back to the castle. In their chambers, his anger transforms to passionate concern as he examines her for injuries, vowing to "sever a head for every scratch" he finds on her.
When Maxi admits she doesn't want him leaving for war again, Riftan's fury melts into desire, and they surrender to their passion after three weeks apart. Their lovemaking is intense and desperate, with Riftan still in his armor at first, then continuing even after he removes it. Maxi, overcome with need, clings to him desperately, wanting him closer still as they find release together.
第8章
Gifts and Revelations
Riftan surprises Maxi with a series of extravagant gifts, beginning with a stunning white mare whose gentle temperament and graceful bearing instantly capture her heart. The horse's coat gleams like fresh snow, its mane silky and well-groomed. When Riftan lifts her onto the saddle and kisses her tenderly in front of the watching merchants, Maxi buries her flushed face in the horse's flowing mane, overwhelmed by this public display of affection.
Back at their chambers, Riftan reveals an even more staggering surprise - thirty-two ornate chests delivered from various merchant caravans. The servants methodically display their contents: shimming silks from the Eastern kingdoms, luxurious furs from the Northern territories, intricate jewelry crafted by master artisans, and countless other treasures that transform their room into a merchant's showroom.
With visible pride, Riftan selects pieces to adorn his wife - emerald-studded hairpins that catch the light with every movement, diamond necklaces that rest perfectly against her collarbone, and golden bracelets inlaid with precious gems. Though she smiles and expresses gratitude, Maxi's heart races with anxiety. She feels like an actress in a play, desperately pretending to be the sophisticated noblewoman who deserves such luxuries. When Riftan explains these gifts are meant to replace what she left behind at Croyso Castle, shame and fear twist in her stomach. If he knew the truth - that she owned nothing more valuable than simple cotton dresses at her father's estate - would his generosity turn to disappointment?
The following day brings an unexpected discovery in the castle library: an ancient tome of healing remedies, its pages yellowed but well-preserved. Though written in the ancient tongue, Maxi finds herself drawn to its mysterious contents, even as she struggles with unfamiliar technical terms and archaic phrasing. When Ruth returns from tending to sentries wounded in a recent werewolf attack, he's visibly impressed by her ability to decipher the ancient text.
However, rather than encouraging her medical studies, Ruth suggests an unexpected path - magic. He explains that her natural mana affinity, combined with her knowledge of arithmetic and the ancient language, makes her an ideal candidate for magical training. His eyes light up with scholarly enthusiasm as he tells her, "You could become a proper mage with training. Your foundation is remarkably strong."
Maxi's heart soars at these words - finally, someone sees potential in her beyond her role as Riftan's wife. She eagerly accepts Ruth's offer to teach her, though his first lecture on magical theory leaves her head spinning with complex concepts about mana flow and elemental resonance. When she expresses doubt, Ruth adjusts his approach, breaking down the fundamentals of how mages channel natural mana into spells. He gives her a smooth, blue-tinted stone to practice developing her magical sensitivity.
Despite the challenging path ahead, Maxi throws herself into her studies with determination. She dreams of the day she might join Riftan on his expeditions not as a burden to protect, but as a capable sorceress fighting by his side. In her private moments, she imagines mastering spells that would make her truly worthy of being his partner - both in life and in battle.
第9章
The Courage to Love
As winter deepens, Riftan spends more time at the castle, training sentries in the morning and conducting reconnaissance in the afternoon, but always returning by dusk to dine with Maxi. Their increased time together reveals his character: he disdains luxury and nobility's extravagance, preferring practical, durable clothing over finery. Despite his own austere tastes, he lavishes Maxi with luxuries, seemingly determined to prove himself worthy of a duke's daughter.
When Riftan discovers she's studying magic under Ruth, he erupts in anger, shouting that he doesn't need her help. His vehemence shocks Maxi, and though he eventually relents with "Do as you please," he storms out of the castle. Maxi waits anxiously for his return, confused by his outburst and pretending to sleep when he finally comes back to their chamber.
Riftan returns to find Maxi pretending to sleep. When she reveals herself awake, she apologizes tearfully, hurt by his claim that he doesn't need her help. Riftan embraces her, assuring her she can learn magic but struggling to explain his reaction. Their conversation transforms into passionate intimacy as Maxi boldly touches him, discovering power in his vulnerability to her touch.
Despite Riftan's apparent disregard for her magical studies, Maxi remains determined to prove her worth. She grows frustrated with her slow progress, confessing to Ruth that despite daily practice with the magic stone, she sees no improvement. Ruth suggests her struggles might stem from incompatibility with the fire-attuned stone and recommends practicing outdoors where natural elements provide greater mana concentration.
Following Ruth's advice, Maxi begins practicing healing magic on willing servants and knights. She successfully heals a young servant's burned hand and tends to knights' minor injuries, growing more confident with each success. For the first time, she feels useful, challenging her father's lifelong assertion of her worthlessness.
As winter ends and spring approaches, Maxi continues her dual pursuits of managing the castle and developing her magical abilities. When a young squire named Ulyseon enters the dining hall covered in blood from a training accident, Maxi immediately rushes to help him. Despite his insistence that he's fine, she cleans his wound and heals it with magic, demonstrating her improved healing abilities.
Watching the knights' camaraderie as they discuss upcoming monster raids, Maxi feels jealous and isolated, knowing these men will be by Riftan's side during dangerous campaigns while she remains behind. She wonders if mastering powerful magic might convince Riftan to take her along, but quickly dismisses the thought, knowing his protectiveness and her own lack of courage would prevent it.
Yet as snow falls outside their window and Riftan holds her close, Maxi realizes how far she's come from the terrified girl who fainted at the sight of blood. Though still uncertain of her place in this world of knights and magic, she has begun to find her voice, her purpose, and perhaps most importantly, her courage to love and be loved in return.
Under the dying oak tree that stands sentinel over Calypse Castle, a new life is taking root-one where a stuttering, abused young woman might just become the powerful sorceress and confident lady she never dreamed she could be.
