Chapter 76

Maxi narrowed her eyes.

When she did not go to speak, Riftan said impatiently, "Your answer?"

She stared down at his blunt-toe sabaton before calmly asking, "How many knights… will you be sending?"

"About fifty." Relief flashed across his face, mistakenly taking her question for assent. "Charon will go with you, and I'll hire a maidservant to attend to you during the journey."

"Thank you… but I shall have to refuse. I won't be going back," Maxi replied softly.

She plucked her books out of his hands.

Riftan's eyebrow twitched. He leaned close, his voice dropping low. "Come again?"

"I-I will not be going back."

Clutching her books to her chest, she stepped backward.

She saw his jaw clench. Before he could say anything, she said quickly, "D-Does it make sense for you to divide your men at such a time? Yes, the royal army is coming… but those knights are not loyal to you. You should be consolidating more men under your command, not—"