Chapter 75

It did not take long for Maxi to regret missing her chance to be alone with Riftan. The image of him turning away in anger refused to leave her mind. In the end, she glanced over her shoulder as they reached the barracks entrance, but he was nowhere to be seen.

"You must be concerned about him," Sejuleu Aren said, genially leaning toward her.

There was a mischievous twinkle in his hazel eyes.

Maxi gave him a stern look. "You seem to find us amusing, Sir Sejuleu."

"Apologies if I've caused offense, my lady," Sejuleu replied with mock remorse. "It pleases me so much to see that chum expressing actual human emotion that I'm unable to stop teasing him."

Maxi looked up at him, perplexed. She found it intriguing that he still thought well of Riftan despite her husband's shocking rudeness.

"Are you and Riftan… close?" she asked cautiously.