Chapter Text
Maximilian was sitting in front of the dressing table. The nanny was trying hard to bring her unruly hair back into line. Maximilian's mind was somewhere else.
-''I know it pains you, but no wound heals without pain.''
Maximilian couldn't get the wizard's words out of her mind. That's what he had told him in their first lesson. Maximilian had realized that she was the one who had hurt her the most that day. Involuntarily, Maximilian's hand went to the necklace, her husband's gift, hanging around her neck...
-2 Months Before-
As soon as Maximilian sent the letter, she buried herself in her books. Her nanny had expected her to stay up until midnight, so she brought him some nice-smelling tea. Maximilian both drank tea and wrote a summary of the important topics of the book she had almost finished and the parts she did not understand. She would show these to the wizard tomorrow. She basically understood the logic of the spell. When she tried a little, she could produce a small light in her hand, but it lasted only a short time, and when the spell faded, Maximilian felt weak. When she investigated this, she realized that it was because she could not accumulate enough mana in her body. She was sure they would sort this out tomorrow. For the first time, Maximilian was excitedly waiting for morning to come.
Maximilian only went to bed to sleep when it was midnight. As she lay on the bed and looked at her old ceiling, she felt an excitement she had never experienced before.
Was this bliss?
She didn't even know how this felt. Maximilian had never felt happy. She had never wished for the dawn of a new day when she laid her head on the pillow at night. But tonight was different. A sprout had sprouted inside her. And now that sprout was not afraid to grow to see the sunlight. Maximilian noticed tears coming to her eyes. Tears were flowing with happiness for the first time. She felt a sudden sense of relief and nervous release. A wound that had been aching for years had finally calmed down. The huge ocean that was raging in her mind had finally calmed down. All of this was thanks to a simple magic skill. If only she could speak properly, who knows how she would feel?
Was this how Rosetta felt? Did her heart beat that fast with every success?
Maximilian wanted to think and dream more, but her body was ringing the sleep bells. She took a deep breath. She whispered to herself.
- ‘Everything has its time. These daylights in front of my eyes indicate that the winter in my soul will end. Spring is now one step away and I will take that step no matter what.’
These were the last thoughts before falling asleep.
.
.
With the first light of day, Maximilian opened her eyes. Even though she had slept little, she felt quite vigorous. She turned her face to the open balcony. She thought about how far the bird they sent yesterday had come. She wondered how her husband, who was in the distant mountains, would react when he saw the letter. Of course he would be surprised, maybe he would be happy, maybe he would not care, maybe he would think his wife was being insolent and would get angry. Maximilian felt that these possibilities spoiled her mood. In anger, she threw aside her quilt and got out of bed.
- ‘No!’ she thought.
-'I won't think about anything negative today.'
She shook her head and took water from the bucket left on the dressing table. After washing her face thoroughly, she combed her hair thoroughly. This way, she could style her hair easily when her nanny came. Maximilian looked at her wardrobe, which was quite miserable for a noblewoman. She didn't have many nice clothes, but that didn't bother her. After all, she knew her place and who she was. Still, she felt like she wanted to dress better from now on. She chose a nice dress and quickly put it on.
It was a red, satin dress with embroidered flowers on it. She couldn't help but smile when she remembered how she had bought this dress. When her nanny bought fabric for new curtains, she had made it look like she had bought curtain fabric. She had bought fabric that would make at least five dresses. She had rushed into the room excitedly and showed her the fabric. Maximilian remembered how happy she was that day. The nanny had immediately chosen a beautiful model with the tailor and had it sewn. Maximilian and she had embroidered the embroidery with a hoop. She had one dress made and kept the remaining fabric for special occasions...
The dress was easy to wear. After quickly finishing her work, Maximilian immediately went over what she would work on today. She didn't want to go to the wizard unprepared. Maximilian was confident that the more she studied and understood on her own, the faster she and the wizard would progress. At least she had to be as quick as she could until her father returned.
While Maximilian was working, her nanny quietly opened the door. She didn't expect to see a girl who was already prepared and studying.
-”Maximilian? What time did you wake up?''
Maximilian looked up and smiled at her nurse, who looked at her with surprise.
-”It wasn’t long ago. I wanted to get up early and get ready for lessons.”
The nanny raised her eyebrows but didn’t say anything. She just nodded.
"Then I'll bring you breakfast."
Maximilian shook her head negatively.
-”I can wait a little longer to eat. Can you do my hair first?"
The nanny was about to tell Maximilian, in a moment of weariness, that she did not want to style such wavy hair. But when she looked into Maximilian’s eyes, she saw incredible excitement. Excitement…
The nanny didn’t want to ruin it. She felt deep down that this child had been neglected by her enough. Her father hadn’t paid any attention to her anyway. The nanny just watched as she tossed her aside like a rag. Although she had been upset about it at first, she had gotten used to it later and started to act like that too. Looking at it now, she realized that she had as much a share in this girl's disappointment as her father. Now, no matter how much this girl was broken, she had gotten back on her feet. Her ankles were cut, she was losing blood, it hurt with every step, but she was still walking. She was trying to pull herself out of the darkness into the light. For that reason alone, Nanny felt like she had to help her. Or maybe it was all just plain guilt. But did it matter now?
The nanny nodded with a gentle smile and seated her at the dressing table.
- “Shall I put it in a bun like yesterday? It suits you very well.”
Maximilian nodded eagerly. She laughed slightly like a child. The child inside her was very happy these days. When Maximilian thought about it, she felt good whenever her father was not at home. Deep down, Maximilian prayed that her father would stay in Drachium a little longer.
When her nurse had finished her hair, Maximilian put small pearls on her ears. She completed her look by wearing a single row of pearl necklace around her neck.
- ''I'll make you something to eat now. Then I will take you to the sorcerer."
Maximilian nodded gratefully and thanked her nurse. She sat down at her desk again and set aside the first book she had already finished and gone over. She picked up the second book. The second book was harder than the first, but this made Maximilian even more ambitious. She regained her attention and focused on the book. She noted what she did not know and was surprised at how easily she could read the ancient language. She spent a lot of time in the library throughout her life. She read books in all kinds of languages. She knew the ancient Roem language, the Elven language, the language of the Ancient Pharaohs and the languages of many civilizations. But she never thought she could understand them so easily. Maximilian couldn't help but think. She always felt bad when she had to pretend it didn't exist, when she had to hide in the library. But she had to do it because she had no other choice. However, this painful memory granted her a perfect talent. She could understand at least 6 languages easily. The only problem was that she couldn't talk. More precisely, she could not speak without stuttering. Maximilian wondered if this could be fixed with magic. After all, there was no limit to magic. Perhaps a small potion could fix it. Maximilian made a mental note to ask. She went back to work and started to occupy herself until the meeting time came.
Her nanny soon brought a pot of fragrant tea, some fruit, jam and warm bread. This was Maximilian's favorite breakfast. There were no heavy or oily dishes. Everything was fresh and nutritious. She quickly started eating her breakfast. At the same time, she was reading her book. After waiting a while, the nanny cleared her throat.
"Maybe it would be good for you to learn a musical instrument sometime."
Maximilian looked up in surprise. The tea she drank stuck in her throat.
-"What?"
The nurse shrugged.
- "I heard it from a merchant. Playing a beautiful instrument makes a woman more attractive."
Maximilian couldn't understand what her nurse was saying.
- "What kind of musical instrument can make a woman more beautiful?"
The nurse rolled her eyes.
- "A beautiful melody enchants everyone. Especially when a woman plays gracefully, it has the effect of a real wine. Maybe you should learn the violin, harp or piano."
Maximilian raised her eyebrows.
- "Did my father teach Rosetta to play a musical instrument?"
The nurse paused for a moment. She knew that Rosetta had not received such an education, but when she thought about it, Maximilian was her older sister. In fact, she was the one who should have been the most knowledgeable and cultured. She had also heard the Arian Roem-Girta play once. But her speech defect always caused Maximilian to be relegated to the background. That's why she never received a good education. If such training would help her take even one step forward, she should start immediately. Nanny straightened her head.
-"What Rosetta does is none of our business. We should focus on what will do us good. You used to paint pebbles. Maybe you have an aptitude for art too. Let's talk to a painter and a violinist."
Maximilian's eyes widened.
-"Education in painting and music? Nanny, these are very expensive. My father would never spend such an expense on me."
Nanny knew this of course, but she had a way to arrange it. A butler named Sebastian Rusko was in charge of the castle's income and expenses. Sebastian had been in the Duke's service for years. He was always principled and organized. His calculations were so meticulous that the Duke trusted him blindly. Nanny had been in a relationship with this man for almost a year. So it was enough for her to use a little coquetry to arrange these. Nanny shrugged proudly.
-"Don't mess with that. I'll arrange it. Make sure you use these well."
Maximilian looked at her nanny for a while, confused. But then she didn't want to question the sudden blessings given to her. After all, it was unknown how she would ever obtain such things again. When it was time to go to the wizard, the nanny secretly took her to the tower again.
Maximilian knocked on the door with an empty notebook in her hand, papers on which she summarized and wrote down things she did not understand, a pen and ink.
After a few seconds, the door opened and the wizard appeared with an encouraging smile on his face.
- “My lady, please come in.”
The wizard invited them in. The nanny never left Maximilian’s side.
- “Sedric the wizard, thank you for offering to be my mentor.”
The wizard smiled politely.
- “It’s nothing, young lady. If you want to show gratitude, a good achievement is enough for me.”
Maximilian nodded enthusiastically and sat down at the table already prepared for training. There were many tools, writings, books, and blank papers. There was a blank blackboard opposite the table.
The wizard took a deep breath and without wasting any time, briefly went over the book she had already read and re-explained the parts that Maximilian had difficulty understanding and talked about the terms. Maximilian was someone who could absorb information like a sponge. She understood quickly and could produce examples on her own. The knowledge of algebra and calculus that she learned through her own efforts was admirable. Most wizards had a hard time with mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. But Maximilian was considered quite successful. The wizard could not help but think about what this young girl who spent her years in the library could do with the good education she was given in her time. Maybe she would already be in Nornia Tower. She would develop her skills even more with the other professors and maybe she would be one of the professors in the future. But she was a girl who was too afraid to take a step. The wizard did not blame her. She had been intimidated for years. This had only caused her to hide and accept her fate as it was. But real life began with not accepting your fate and adding yourself to your story in a paragraph.
The lesson lasted until the afternoon. Finally, the nanny couldn’t resist and said that it was important to eat lunch and went to get them tea and food. This pause was good for Maximilian, and the absence of the nurse gave her the opportunity to ask the questions she wanted to ask the main wizard. Maximilian turned to the wizard who was looking through the notes.
- “Sedric the wizard?”
The wizard raised his head and looked at Maximilian curiously.
"Yes, Maximilian?"
Maximilian looked away in embarrassment, but perhaps the wizard could help her with this.
-'' I want to ask... Is there a spell that will fix me?''
The wizard looked at her in surprise.
- “How is there a spell that can fix you? What’s wrong with you?”
Maximilian winced as if in pain. Didn’t he really know?
- “Is there a spell that can change my speech, Sorcerer Sedric?”
The sorcerer raised his eyebrows. He didn’t know what to say. Because he didn’t know that such a spell existed. Maybe there was a taboo spell, but to do it, one had to go beyond church rules. Still, saying it existed and saying it didn’t were separate problems. The sorcerer sighed deeply.
- “Well, I’ll be honest with you. I don’t know if there is such a spell. If there is, it would probably be a taboo spell. Because we want to change something that is innate.''
Maximilian felt her hopes fading. When she started the spell, she was very convinced that there was a spell that could change her speech. Now she felt her heart breaking.
Seeing her fallen face, the wizard felt sad inside.
- “Look Maximilian, no matter what kind of spell it is. This speech disorder would come back at some point.’’
Maximilian felt like she was drowning with the sorcerer’s words. She thought that she was now completely dragged to the bottom in the huge, wavy ocean she was in. She didn't expect dreaming of light to be this painful. Because when she couldn't reach her, she would end up completely lost. Now she didn't know what to do. Now she didn’t know what to do. Or if she hopes for herself again? The sorcerer tilted his head to the side and asked in a soft voice;
- ‘’ Maximilian, how are you feeling?’’
Maximilian said in a voice that was ready to cry at any moment;
- ‘’ I don’t know how to feel… I had hoped so much, I had hoped so much that a spell could bring me to light.’’
Maximilian's voice became hoarse towards the end. Tears had already begun to flow slowly without her noticing. The sorcerer raised his eyebrows and slowly moved his hands across the table. He did not expect Maximilian to see himself in the dark and believe that he had to correct his speech in order to reach the light.
- "Did you think that magic would bring you to the light?"
Maximilian shook her head, looking at the floor.
- "Did you imagine light in magic?"
Maximilian nodded again. She was speechless. The sorcerer spoke with an understanding voice;
- "A person does not become enlightened by imagining light, but by becoming conscious of darkness." (This quote belongs to Carl Gustav Jung.)
Maximilian did not understand the meaning of the words. The wizard didn't expect her to understand either.
- "You cannot heal who you are without accepting who you are."
Maximilian waved her hand in delirium.
-"Who would accept someone like me!?"
The wizard spoke in a gentle, calm voice.
-" First you accept, accept the person you are. Love it and work to heal it."
Maximilian could not understand what the wizard was saying. ‘Love yourself?’ Who would love her? What would happen if she loved herself? Even her own father did not love her. Everyone was pushing her around. How could she fight against lovelessness alone? Maximilian shook her head. The wizard raised his eyebrows.
- ‘’Did you find my words nonsense?’’
Maximilian did not answer. But she knew that silence meant yes. The wizard smiled.
- ‘’Okay, let’s do it this way.’’
The wizard stood up and pulled out a chair. He threw a cloak over the chair.
- ‘’Let’s say someone is sitting here. And this person has a speech disorder. What do you say to him?’’
Maximilian looked from the wizard to the empty chair with the cloak on it, confused.
- ‘’What?’’
The wizard sat down in his chair. He crossed his legs and leaned back. He repeated, pointing to the empty chair.
-"You heard me. What do you say to him? He is very upset because his speech was made fun of. How can you comfort him?"
Maximilian stared blankly at the empty chair for a while. She didn't know what to say. Maximilian thought, what would she want to hear? What would she expect someone to come out and say to her?
Maximilian licked her lips and began to speak in a cracking voice.
-“I know you are sad. What people say, what you feel is a real swamp. I understand how inadequate you feel. Worthless. Incompetent. Useless. But you are none of these things. You did not choose to be like this. This happened...”
Maximilian lost her voice completely. Right now, she was reliving everything she had experienced up until now. Right now, she was reliving everything she had ever experienced. Everything inside her that she couldn't shout until now, every word she couldn't say to herself was flowing out. The magician listened in silence. He was looking at the empty chair with his fingers on his lips. He was also listening to what Maximilian was going through. And as he listened, he realized how wounded he was. How hurt, broken, crushed...
-“You tried. You really tried, you tried to change, you practiced a lot. But it was all in vain. You really tried, but it didn’t work.”
Maximilian could no longer hold back her tears. Aside from the pain, she felt relieved as she poured out what was inside her.
-“You don’t have to blame yourself. You are not who they say you are. You only have one flaw, it doesn’t make you any less valuable, inadequate or incompetent than others. You can achieve a lot…”
Maximilian finally lost her voice. She started to cry, looking at the ground in the chair she was leaning on. She was crying silently. She didn’t want to bother anyone by crying out loud. She just tried to calm her nerves. Suddenly, Maximilian felt arms hugging her from behind. When she looked up in surprise, she saw that it was the nanny. The nanny wrapped her arms tightly around her. She rocked her from side to side as if soothing a baby. She didn’t say anything. She silently made her feel that she was supporting her. But this did not calm Maximilian down, on the contrary it made her cry even more. It was the first time someone had hugged Maximilian since her mother’s death. Only her mother had hugged Maximilian. That was also very rare. Her mother was often sick. It was the first time someone had touched her so affectionately. It was the first time someone’s hands had touched him not to hit her, but to show her affection.
The magician slowly approached Maximilian, holding a handkerchief in his hand. He sat down opposite her and handed it to her.
-“Here you go.”
Maximilian nodded gratefully and accepted the handkerchief. Suddenly, she could not look at anyone's face because of the shame of crying. But she couldn't help but ask questions.
-“Shouldn’t this comfort me? Why does it hurt?”
The wizard smiled.
-“You know? In order to heal an open wound, we first clean it with alcohol and water.”
Maximilian looked at this interesting information with curiosity. She had never thought that alcohol could be used to clean the wound. She looked at the wizard with wet eyes and a red nose.
-“And when we pour alcohol on the wound, it hurts incredibly. Because at that moment, all the dirty things in the wound are cleaned.”
The wizard continued speaking, confident that Maximilian understood him.
-“I know that this game I am playing upsets you, I know that it hurts you, but no wound heals without pain.”
Maximilian shook her head unhappily. The wizard smiled and began to tell Maximilian about his time in Nornia Tower, trying to distract her. The nurse then served the food. After a final plateful of sweets, Maximilian felt her spirits rise. At the same time, she felt a sense of relief. Everything that had been building up over the years had suddenly been released. Everything that had been forced into silence had now come to light. She wasn’t sure how to deal with it all. But at least she had started somewhere. She had begun to drain the poison.
When the meal was over, they continued to work their magic. When it was time to leave, the wizard told Maximilian to wait a bit.
-”Maximilian, wait a moment.”
Maximilian shook her head in surprise and looked at the wizard who had disappeared behind the shelves. He was quickly looking through something. He must have finally found what he was looking for because he quickly and smilingly approached Maximilian.
-”Here it is.”
He had a children’s book in his hand. Maximilian raised her eyebrows and looked at the wizard with incomprehension.
-”What is this?”
The wizard smiled proudly.
-”A children’s reading book, perfect for practicing colloquial language. Read it out loud and practice spelling words with your nanny when you have a hard time.”
He placed his rough calloused hand on Maximilian’s shoulder and looked into her eyes.
-”You must do these things calmly and slowly. Don’t rush, don’t panic and don’t be afraid. You are a girl who can handle anything. You just have to work properly.’’
Maximilian nodded gratefully and made a small bow.
-‘’I can’t thank you enough. If there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know.’’
The wizard smiled kindly.
-"The greatest gratitude for me is for my student to succeed and make me proud. So the more successful you are, the more pleased I will be."
Maximilian smiled again. But this time more seriously, more determinedly. The nanny and Maximilian were just leaving the door when the sorcerer called out again.
-"Maximilian"
Maximilian stuck her head out the door she had almost exited.
-"Yes sorcerer Sedric?"
-"Don't forget to practice the breathing exercises and meditation techniques I taught you."
Maximilian nodded and closed the door behind her. She quickly started to walk to her room with her books in his hands. When she was halfway there, her nanny covered Maximilian's mouth and pulled her into the dark. Maximilian tried to make a sound, but the nanny's strong grip tightened and she hissed angrily.
-"Shh! Don't make a sound, there's someone there. They're talking about something."
Maximilian nodded meekly and waited in silence. A few seconds later, two knights emerged from the corner. They looked like her father’s special knights. Maximilian tried to listen to their words.
- “The guy will never come back from that war. Maybe Duke Corix will marry him again.”
Maximilian felt her blood run cold when she realized who they were talking about.
- “Yeah, probably. Do you know how much of a dowry the girl could have?”
The other man laughed like an ass.
- “Probably a lot. No one would take that sickly girl otherwise.”
The two men laughed maliciously and continued on their way. Maximilian slumped her shoulders sadly. She already knew what people thought of her, but it was still annoying to hear it live. The nanny waited a little longer and guided Maximilian by the shoulders. When she returned to the room, she took off her cloak. The nanny didn't say a word, only saying she would bring him tea and left the room. Maximilian sat on her bed. She looked at the almost darkened horizon and whispered.
- "Aren't you really coming back?"
Maximilian wondered what her husband was doing right now. Was he fighting? Or was he sleeping? Or was he watching the sky like Maximilian? Maybe he was thinking of her? Maximilian whispered again as if her husband could hear her;
- "You must come back to me, do you hear me? You must come back to me. You can't leave me with a bad memory for one night..."
.
.
After 2 weeks, Maximilian had gotten used to the magic. The small light in her hand was growing and this time its energy was not running out so easily. They had worked incredibly hard to develop the mana tubes with the sorcerer. Almost every day, the sorcerer would inject mana into Maximilian's body, make her a part of the circuit, and create various environments for her to discover her elemental magic. Maximilian also worked until midnight, sleeping only four hours a day. She combined her spell work and language exercises. As the sorcerer said, when she spoke calmly and slowly, she did not stutter. Her nanny would practice with her every day, even though it tested the limits of her patience. In addition, piano, violin, and painting lessons were added to these. All of these had to be kept secret, so the sorcerer had transferred a part of his tower to Maximilian. As the nanny had arranged everything. And Maximilian worked day and night, trying to make the most of the efforts and opportunities they had given her.
Maximilian exhaled tiredly. She had just finished piano lessons and now she had magic lessons. In fact, she was not bad at music. She had mastered the piano quickly. She was practicing to speed up her hands on the keys. She had started with simple songs. She had solved four songs in a week. The violin lessons were slower. The tuning issue confused her greatly. Still, she learned a short song in a week. The art lessons were like therapy. Her teacher would talk about small scribbles and basic lines. Her teacher had a beautiful voice and could play the harp. While Maximilian was trying to draw the vases in front of her, he played the harp in the background. This helped Maximilian's soul relax. She was not as good at drawing as she was at music, but her teacher had told her that she had a knack for it and assured her that with practice she would get much better in time.
Maximilian quickly climbed the stairs. She slowly exhaled as she approached the door and knocked on the door. She was very excited for today's lesson. They were going to discuss the basics of elemental magic. The wizard opened the door and invited Maximilian in inside, the knight he had seen several times was sitting at the table next to her father.
Maximilian's eyes widened. She turned to the wizard in a state of terror and fear. In those few seconds, dozens of terrifying scenarios had already run through her mind. Seeing her in this state, the wizard hurried to explain.
- "Don't worry, he's one of my friends, he would never give you away."
Maximilian nodded in disbelief. After all, that knight was her father's man. How could she trust him? She slowly approached the table. The knight looked away in shame. He tried to get up slowly, but since he obviously had an open wound, he fell back down to where he was, groaning slightly. Maximilian's eyes widened and she quickly leaned towards him.
- "Please don't get up! What's wrong with you?"
The knight, whose name she didn't know, bowed his head in shame and respect.
-"Forgive me for not greeting you properly, my Lady. My wound is still not healed."
Maximilian smiled to indicate that it was unimportant and repeated her question.
-"What happened to you? What is wrong with you?"
The knight seemed embarrassed again. It was obvious that he didn't want to say anything, but the sorcerer came out from behind, chuckling;
- "A werewolf got a claw, and our very strong knight spent two days without caring about it."
The knight turned to him angrily and said;
- "I guess it wasn't because I was happy. I was alone against ten werewolves. It took me two days to get here."
The sorcerer raised his hands as if surrendering.
- "Okay, count as I didn't say anything."
The sorcerer turned to Maximilian.
- "While my lady is here, will you help me?"
Maximilian looked at the sorcerer in surprise and shook her head. The knight seemed quite nervous about this. He tried to get up quickly.
- "I can't ask such a thing from your ladyship!"
Sorcerer Sedric rolled his eyes.
- "You didn't ask for it, I asked for it. Now sit down and don't move."
Maximilian looked at the knight. There was a troubled, even embarrassed expression on his face. Maximilian smiled, took a deep breath, and spoke slowly.
-“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to harm you.”
The knight blushed and widened his eyes.
-“My lady, I had absolutely no intention of offending you. It’s just not appropriate for me to ask such a favor of you.”
There was sincerity in the man’s eyes. Maximilian smiled gently.
-“It’s okay, if you’re going to be okay, I’ll be happy to help.”
The knight was surprised at first, but then blushed and nodded. The sorcerer returned with a bottle of pure alcohol, hot water, ointments, thread-needle and bandages in his hands.
-“Yes, my lady, I will apply the medicine after you clean the wound. Then I will stitch it up. I want you to apply a healing spell to the wounds while I stitch them up. Also, apply alcohol to the other areas at certain intervals while I stitch them up.”
Maximilian nodded confidently. She wasn’t here to hinder him. She was ready to do whatever was in her power. She looked around quickly but couldn’t find what she was looking for.
She looked at the wizard.
-“Wizard Sedric, where is the bucket of lime water? I need to wash my hands. I don’t want to get dirt in the wound.”
The wizard nodded appreciatively.
-“It’s just under the shelf on the right.”
Maximilian came to the knight as soon as she washed her hands. She dipped a clean linen cloth in hot water, then immediately poured alcohol on it and began to gently clean the wounds. But as soon as the alcohol cloth touched the wound, the knight twitched. Maximilian pursed her lips as if apologizing.
- “I’m sorry.”
The knight nodded respectfully.
- “It’s nothing, my Lady. You are helping me, it would be an honor for me if you ripped out my heart right now.”
Maximilian blushed at these words. She bowed her head in shame, as she could not find anything to say, and continued her work. But the sorcerer seemed to be annoyed by this sight. He raised one eyebrow and said humorously;
- “I am helping you too, but it is obviously not visible to you.”
The knight exhaled through his nose angrily, but did not say anything. After almost an hour of healing the wound, the sorcerer went to the back of the room to get some ointment.
The knight, who was wearing his shirt around his chest, turned to Maximilian.
- “My lady, forgive my rudeness, I have not introduced myself, I am Alexander Ardeleans. I am one of your father’s senior knights.”
Maximilian nodded hesitantly.
- “I have seen you before.”
Sir Alexander tilted his head to the side and looked at this timid woman he had known for a long time. He knew that his father had abused her. He had not heard the poor girl say much, but it was obvious that she had difficulty speaking. Apparently, that was why she was always silent. Alexander was confused. He had not expected the lady to be able to perform magic. But she had performed healing magic so calmly and professionally. She was so gentle and...
Alexander knew it was wrong to think so, but he thought the lady looked very pretty. She wasn’t a classic beauty. She wasn’t like her sister. Rosetta was beautiful, but she was like many noblewomen. Maximilian was different. She had red hair like fiery flames, skin as white as the moon, and freckles that suited her very well. Her eyes were big and gray like a young gazelle. When she entered a room, everyone would turn and look at her, but the lady was so indifferent that she was quickly forgotten. But she was truly beautiful. She was original.
Alexander scratched the back of his head.
- “Yes, I’ve seen you too.”
The room fell into an awkward silence again. Alexander cleared his throat.
- “I heard the piano. Were you playing? It was beautiful.”
Maximilian nodded nervously.
- “Yes, it was me. Thank you.”
Alexander nodded. It was clear that the lady wanted to say something, but she stubbornly hesitated to say it. But finally she sighed deeply and spoke.
-“I have a favor to ask of you, Sir Alexander.”
Alexander nodded seriously.
-“Of course, my Lady. Go ahead.”
Maximilian looked down.
-“Please forget about this magic thing and the piano thing. I don’t want this to be known. Not even by my father...”
Alexander froze for a moment. He didn’t know what to say. Of course, he could keep it a secret. In fact, he didn’t like Duke Corix at all. He was working for him out of necessity. His father was once one of his best commanders. Now he had to take his father’s place. So he had no reason to refuse the Lady’s request. Besides, he understood why the Lady kept it a secret. Duke Corix was a very dirty man and a terrible father. Alexander bowed his head respectfully.
- “As you wish, my Lady. Your secret will be safe with me. I won’t say a word about it to anyone.”
Although Maximilian had some reservations, the knight’s promise to keep it a secret reassured her a little. Maximilian nodded gratefully.
- “Thank you, Sir Alexander.”
Alexander couldn’t help but laugh. He was the one he should be thanking.
- “I should be thanking you, my Lady. I am better thanks to you.”
Maximilian smiled and looked at the wizard coming from behind. The wizard had a box of ointment in his hand. He handed the ointment to the knight.
-“No need to thank me, I am not a Lady after all.”
Sir Alexander rolled his eyes. He took the ointment and muttered wearily.
-“Of course, thank you too.”
The sorcerer smiled and patted Alexander on the shoulder. Alexander turned to Lady Maximilian. He bowed his head respectfully and left the room. The sorcerer and Maximilian, who were left alone, immediately began their lessons. After studying until the evening again, Maximilian returned to her room. After everything was settled, her nanny left Maximilian alone. Now she only supervised his speech lessons and other lessons. She dressed her in the morning and did her hair. She brought her food. She made sure everything was in order. Maximilian was very pleased with this. Her relationship with her nanny had improved considerably. They were now like friends. Maximilian prayed that this would not change with her father's arrival.
Maximilian threw herself on the bed. Today was the first time she had used a healing spell. She had helped heal a wounded person. Butterflies began to fly in Maximilian's stomach as she thought about what else she could do in the future. Maximilian pulled a pillow over her face and screamed with joy. The girl, who had been unable to do anything until now, could now dream about the future. She could look up at the sky...
.
.
Four more weeks passed like this. Maximilian was lost in music, art, magic lessons. She was constantly studying. She had almost divided himself into five parts, but that was no problem for her. It was definitely better than pretending not to exist.
Maximilian returned to her room in the evening. It was the first time she felt so tired. In the last week, she had also started taking horse riding lessons from Sir Alexander as an extra. Sir Alexander turned out to be a very good teacher. He had learned directly from his father when he was young. So he was quite knowledgeable about it. However, one of the downsides of horse riding was that his feet and legs were irritated and walking had become a torture for her. Still, she was happy. Maximilian threw herself on the bed. She exhaled tiredly. She was almost too tired to think. Her room felt stuffy to her. She went to the balcony and opened the door. Maximilian took a deep breath as fresh air entered. At that moment, she heard a bird chirping. She turned her head to the right.
Right there on the banister was that big messenger bird. Maximilian felt her heart beating so fast that it would jump out of her chest. Finally, the answer had come. The message she had been waiting for for weeks had finally come. Her husband had answered her. Maximilian went to the familiar bird. She gently stroked its head with calm, non-frightening movements.
-"Hello, my beautiful friend... it's been a long time since we met, hasn't it?"
The bird fluttered its wings as if it understood what was said to it. Maximilian laughed at its astonishment. She stroked its head again and spoke;
-''Do you have something for me?''
The bird reared up and chirped where it was. Maximilian laughed happily. With trembling hands, she opened the pouch tied to the bird's chest.
There were things wrapped in a blue cloth inside. Maximilian quickly took them and went inside, taking the bird with her.
She put the bird on the small table next to the table. It was obvious that the bird had been flying for a long time. Maximilian put a small bowl of water and some bread left for the poor bird. While the bird happily sank into the bowl, Maximilian went to her bed.
He looked at the navy blue cloth in his hand. When she brought it to her nose, she smelled a pleasant masculine scent. Maximilian closed her eyes and tried to remember the scent. Her wedding night came to mind. She remembered the beautiful aromatic scent of her husband that surprised her. It smelled like winter, mixed with the smell of trees, earth, mastic and iron. When she looked at it, they were a combination that would not be beautiful. But this scent looked very beautiful on him. Maximilian slowly unwrapped the cloth. Inside was a red velvet box and a letter.
Maximilian picked up the first letter. She didn't know what to write in it. Maybe Riftan didn't like the letter she sent. Maybe this made him even angrier and the letter contained insults and curses. Maximilian realized that his hands were shaking. The sound of her heart was deafening her ears. Maximilian couldn't help but think. What if there was something bad in it? What if it was insulting him like her father? How could she stand it?
Maximilian just stood there for a while. She took deep breaths but nothing could help her calm down. She slowly closed her eyes and tried to think of good things. But in the end, thinking that the unknown was more destructive, she opened the envelope. Her mind, her feelings, her heart were about to go crazy.
Maximilian slowly took the letter out of the envelope and opened it. She was almost about to cry. She ran her eyes over the untidy writing.
***
My darling Maximlian
It's been about three months since I left. Believe me, leaving has never been this difficult. I don't know if I'm okay. But I know how happy your letter made me.
Please don't blame yourself for what happened. Because I know it's not your fault. You were as much a victim of circumstances as I was. That's why I'm not angry with you. You can be sure that I will never reflect on you what happened between me and your father. But I have a few questions in my mind. I cannot understand why you rejected my subordinates who came to take you to Anatol, my home, without even admitting them to your presence. I know my house can't keep up with the conditions you live in now, but you can arrange it however you want. I know Anatol can't compete with the dukedom, but I promise to provide all of these when I return. If necessary, I will tear stars as bright as your eyes from the sky for your sake.
Please don't mind the conditions here.
I'm used to this. I came to this day by earning my living this way. I also now have a heat charm so everything is more comfortable now. You can be sure that I will never take it off my neck. My mission is difficult, but it comforts me to know that I will find you when I return. It makes me want to go back.
I wish we had had time to get to know each other more, but I had to go due to the urgency of the mission. I'm sorry I left without saying goodbye to you. But rest assured, I will make up for it when I return. Until that day comes, tell me about yourself, what you do, what you like, your dreams, your thoughts. I don't get bored of reading. Ask me anything you want. I will answer all of them honestly.
Finally, thank you for the sword ornament and amulet. Both of them are very valuable to me. I will use both. I didn't know you were into magic. This is a very valuable skill.
I will take care of myself for your sake, I will stay healthy as long as your scent is with me, and I will return at any cost.
Take care of yourself, stay healthy and wait for me....
Your spouse Riftan Calypse
***
Maximilian had difficulty believing what she had read. Her husband, Riftan Calypse, was not angry with her. He had enjoyed receiving her letter and most importantly, he had liked her gifts. Maximilian began to laugh. Tears were coming from her eyes. She threw herself to the balcony door and opened the window completely. She let the cold air hit her face and body. Maximilian was still laughing. What she had read was not even close to what she had thought. She had constantly prepared herself for the worst, but in the end she had received a letter that was beyond perfect. Maximilian read the letter again, again and again...
Every time she read it, he caught a new detail. The first part said how happy her letter had made him. Maximilian had never considered the possibility of this. After all, theirs was a forced marriage. The second part said that he did not blame her for what had happened. Maximilian was grateful that he was so compassionate. He also knew that Maximilian was just a victim of the situation. Maximilian had no privilege in this regard. Only his nanny came to his room one day and told her that she was getting married. Immediately afterwards, he asked why she had not gone to Anatol. Maximilian sighed deeply. Riftan did not know that nothing had been asked of her, and that it had not even been considered important. Maximilian made a mental note that she would talk to the nanny about it in the morning. While reading the end of the second part, Maximilian looked into her eyes in the full-length mirror on the side. Riftan said that if necessary, she would tear out stars that were as bright as hers for her. Maximilian looked carefully at her eyes. They were extremely bright because of the tears, but there was another brightness inside them: happiness, excitement, hope...
In the third part, he talked about the talisman. He wrote that he loved the talisman. Maximilian felt her heart warm. Knowing that she could ease the conditions there even a little made Maximilian happy. Maximilian read the third paragraph again.
- ‘My task is difficult, but knowing that I will find you when I return comforts me. It makes me want to go back.’
Maximilian pressed the letter to his chest. She laughed happily.
- He will return...
Maximilian looked at the fourth part. She felt his heart warm as she read. He wanted her to tell him about herself. He promised to do more when he returned. Maybe a month and a half ago, if Riftan had asked her to tell him about herself, sshe would not have had any answers. But now she was learning magic, interested in art, so she had a lot to tell him. Maximilian was just getting to know herself, and she was eager to share it with someone. Maximilian came to the end of the letter. she read it over and over again to understand what was written.
-‘ I will take care of myself for your sake, I will stay healthy as long as your scent is with me, and I will return at any cost.
Take care of yourself, stay healthy and wait for me....’
Maximilian raised her eyebrows in surprise.
For her sake? Why her? They were forced to get married, even the way he looked at her was angry. Why was his letter written as if he was head over heels in love with her? she thought.
She rubbed Maximilian’s throat. It was as if a weight had settled on her throat. There were tons of bad possibilities in her head. Maybe he was just trying to be polite? Or maybe it was written like that because he thought her father would know about the letter and react to the bad writings he would see in it. Maybe he didn’t even write it himself. Maximilian put her head in her hands. The letter that had made her laugh with joy ten minutes ago was now torturing her brutally. Maximilian closed her eyes and tried to take deep breaths. But nothing was enough to comfort her. The bad thoughts she had been trying to get rid of for a long time were now crashing down on her like a flood. Maximilian felt the need for fresh air. She walked towards the balcony with staggering steps. She threw herself on the small armchair on the terrace. The chaos in her head was so great that she had difficulty getting out of it. Everything was chaotic. Were these beautiful words true? If so, why? What if they weren’t true? What if he was wrong about his feelings?
Maximilian didn’t know how long she sat there in the cold. But she came to with the thick cloak thrown over her shoulders. When Maximilian looked back in surprise, she encountered her nanny who was looking at her with the same surprise.
- “Maximilian? What are you doing here in this cold?”
Maximilian didn’t know what to say. She pointed to the dark blue cloak on her bed with her head.
- “A letter has arrived.”
The nanny nervously patted Maximilian’s shoulders.
- “Is there something wrong?”
Maximilian shook her head negatively.
-''No.''
Her nanny looked confused.
-''Then why are you like this?''
Maximilian stared at the horizon that had already been drowned in darkness. She didn't know how to explain it. It was funny. In a whispering voice;
-''Everything is more beautiful than it should be...''
Her nanny sat down next to Maximilian.
-''Then what's the problem?''
Maximilian jumped to her feet in an instant. Turning to her nanny with teary eyes;
-'' Don't you understand!? Everything is too perfect. As if he didn't write it...''
Maximilian's voice became hoarse towards the end.
-'' I know his look. How can a man who looks at me as if he's going to kill me write such soft words?''
Her nanny stood up with an incomprehensible face and went to get the letter on the bed. Maximilian was watching her from the balcony. Her nanny grabbed the letter from the bed and brought it close to her face. She started reading slowly in the dim light. Her eyebrows were rising as she read the letter. Maximilian closed her eyes and thought to herself.
- ‘She can’t believe he wrote this letter either.’
When Maximilian opened her eyes again, the nanny had already finished reading and picked up the velvet box on the bed. She slowly opened the velvet box and looked at the box with her eyes focused on it. Maximilian wondered for a moment what her nanny saw there. She slowly entered. Although her steps were retracing, curiosity was more dominant. When the nanny saw Maximilian enter, she raised her head excitedly. She shouted excitedly as she turned the box towards Maximilian.
- ‘’He sent you a gift.’’
Maximilian picked up the beautiful velvet box. When Maximilian saw what was inside, she sighed deeply. Inside was a beautiful necklace. The ruby, which was shaped like a teardrop, was surrounded by small diamonds. The diamonds surrounding the ruby extended to the back of the neck. It was very elegant. It was a necklace fit for royalty. Maximilian had never had anything like it before. In fact, he could not even remember his sister Rosetta wearing such jewelry. The nurse shouted excitedly.
- "Maximilian! Maybe this man likes you."
Maximilian shook her head in disbelief.
- "Don't be ridiculous, nurse."
But the nurse did not see her in this state. She was caught up in the complacency of the situation. Maximilian slowly took the necklace from its place. She gently caressed the large ruby.
- "Do I really mean anything to you?" she thought.
Maximilian put the necklace back in its place. As she closed the lid of the box, a small piece of paper caught her attention. She took the paper and opened it. It was written in that messy handwriting again.
***
My darling Maximilian
I know it pales in comparison to the gift you made for me, but I hope you like it.
Your spouse Riftan Calypse
***
-’’Hah’’
Maximilian let out a surprised exclamation. This expensive necklace he bought her was incomparable to the talisman she made. The talisman was quite simple and amateurish. This necklace, on the other hand, was in perfect shape with fine workmanship. Maximilian closed her eyes and opened them. The emotions she was feeling were so complicated that she didn’t know what to feel. She just felt like she was caught in a huge wave and being dragged from place to place. For a moment, Maximilian wanted to tear the necklace and the letter to pieces. She wanted to destroy everything that was confusing her. She wanted to set the curtains on fire, break the windows with a stick, cut her clothes. She wanted to tear everything apart and relieve his accumulated nerves. But instead, she took a deep breath. A quote from the book she had read a long time ago came to her mind.
-‘When it’s past midnight, just sleep. Because the decisions you make after midnight are the wrong decisions. Nothing good happens after midnight.’ (HIMYM)
Maximilian cleared her throat and looked at her nanny.
- ‘’ Nanny, I’m very tired, I’ve used a lot of mana today. I’ll go to bed now.’’
Nanny smiled understandingly. Nanny understood how Maximilian felt. She nodded, took the bird to put it in the cage and left the room.
Maximilian slowly sank into bed. As her head hit the pillow, her energy faded away like a mana stone that had run out of power. As the tiredness of the years slowly came to light, all Maximilian wanted to do was sleep. And so it did. She curled up in bed without even pulling a blanket over herself and fell into a deep, long and dark sleep.
.
.
As the first light of day hit her face, Maximilian woke up to the chirping of birds. She opened her eyes numbly and looked at the chirping bird. The messenger bird from yesterday was standing caged at the balcony door. Maximilian thought about what happened yesterday. She sighed in annoyance as she remembered her hysterical state. With all the constant studying, meditation, and speaking exercises, Maximilian had forgotten how to breathe. She hadn’t thought for a long time because she didn’t have time to think. But finally, she had found a place to let her emotions overflow.
-’’ Huff’’
Maximilian huffed and covered her face with her hand. What had he thought yesterday...
She slowly got herself out of bed. When she looked around and above her, it was certain that her nanny had come to her room after she had fallen asleep. She had caged the bird, tidied up the surroundings, and thrown a quilt over Maximilian. Maximilian got out of bed. She had fallen asleep without even changing her clothes. She took the water that had been prepared for her. She washed her hands and face thoroughly. The cool water was relaxing her as it touched her face.
Maximilian took a towel and dried her face, then went and changed her clothes. She was finished when she combed her hair. Maximilian slowly sat down at her desk. She looked at the letter she had received again. They were in the blue fabric with the velvet box. She took out an ornate letter paper and envelope from her desk. She didn't know what to write, she didn't want to write right now. She had mixed feelings inside him. She put the pen aside. She leaned back in his chair and looked at the horizon.
- 'Why are you so nice to me?' she thought.
Maximilian didn't know how long she sat there, but she came to when her nanny entered her room. She had breakfast and left her room to go to his lessons. She needed to collect her thoughts.
.
.
And so another week passed. Her father would soon be home with the royal inspectors. A feverish work had taken over everyone. Even her nanny and Maximilian...
New clothes, jewelry, shoes, perfumes, speech lessons, a special song for the celebration, dancing lessons and many more...
Her father had said that the inspectors wanted to see Maximilian. And he had added a text that clearly explained that she should not embarrass him. So the preparations were quite extensive.
But this was a very good opportunity for Maximilian because she was so busy that he didn't have time to think. So she couldn't think about the letter. At least not during the day...
Now, she was sitting at her desk to answer the letter before her father arrived and was looking at the empty fancy paper. She didn't know what to write. After looking at the empty paper for a while, she picked up his pen. She would write whatever came to her mind.
***
Dear Riftan;
I am very glad that you are well. I am worried when I consider the circumstances. But I trust your word.
I am very happy that you are not angry with me. I was not sure that you would be so sensible about this matter. After all, you had very good reasons to be angry. As for going to Anatol, I did not even know about it. My father refused without asking me. He is very insistent that the duchy is safer. He does not think that I will be safe without you in Anatol. I am sorry for this mess. I did not intend to humiliate you or any of your subordinates. I would like to go to Anatol with you when you return. And I cannot lie, I would not want to be alone in an empty castle where I do not know anyone. Or I would not want to create a decoration that I cannot even get my husband's opinion on. If you want the castle to be arranged, let's do it together.
It is very nice to hear that the talisman works. It will keep you warm for at least 4-5 months without removing it from your neck. When the spell wears off, I'll send you a new one...
I know you had to leave in a hurry that day. It just wasn't meant to be like this...
When you get back, we can talk about this at length. We can get to know each other. We can give each other a chance. Because why not, right?
I'll be realistic about the sword ornament, I still don't understand how it provides blessings. I don't really believe in superstitions. But they praised it so much, I thought it wouldn't hurt to try it.
As for magic, it's one of the few things that someone like me who doesn't go out much would be interested in. Books, spells, the piano, the violin, paintings, animals, horseback riding are some of the things I enjoy. I wonder what you like too.
I'll wait for you...
Take care, stay healthy, and come back safe...
Your wife Maximilian
***
Maximilian put the pen on the table. She read the letter she had written again, it was still written quite amateurishly, but at least there was nothing to worry the person in front of her. Maximilian took the letter and started to put it in the envelope when she remembered a plac she had read in Riftan's letter.
- 'As long as your scent is with me, I will stay healthy...'
Maximilian made a sudden decision and walked to the closet and took out the scent she always used. She dropped a few drops on the inside of the envelope and closed the envelope. In this way, the scent would be in both the envelope and the letter.
She finished wrapping it by placing the scented handkerchief she had embroidered next to the envelope. She hadn't actually planned to do such a thing. But the nanny had insisted on it, and Maximilian had embroidered a red handkerchief. Maximilian sighed and turned to the bird that had been bored in its cage for a week, waiting excitedly.
- ''Yes, baby. It's time to go for a walk.''
The bird chirped as if it understood. It was obviously ready to go. Maximilian placed the package in the bird's chest pouch, making sure it wouldn't fall. Despite her hesitations, Maximilian didn't give herself a chance to give up. She immediately took the bird out of the cage and released it. As the bird flew away, Maximilian's only thought was what would happen in the future.
-Present-
Maximilian pulled herself out of his memories and looked in the mirror. Her nanny had managed to style her unruly hair into a beautiful shape. Maximilian glanced at her reflection. Her hair looked more beautiful than ever. The golden crown surrounding her hair made her look like a princess. Her nanny took the jewelry into her hands. First, she put ruby earrings in her ears. Then, she took out the necklace her husband had given her and put on a specially made necklace. Her father had had this made for Maximilian. The king's assistants shouldn't think badly of Maximilian, so great expenses had been made for her. Maximilian sighed deeply. She felt even more miserable amidst all this adornment. This extravagance was only to hide the ugliness that existed in reality. It was to hide what had been done to her. It was to hide who she was. Maximilian stood up. She looked like a princess. She didn't just look luxurious, she also looked extremely beautiful. She was very different from who she was. The nanny looked at Maximilian with a smile.
-"Oh my dear, how beautiful you are! Everyone will admire you!"
Maximilian said nothing. No one would admire her. Rosetta would be there and everyone would be interested in her, she thought. Still, she looked at herself one last time.
- ‘I wonder what Riftan would say if he saw me?’ she thought.
He would love to see her so beautiful. Not just with a bad wedding memory...
Maximilian sighed deeply four times. She had to calm herself down. Otherwise she would stutter. Her stuttering had almost subsided. No one would believe he was a stutterer. But if she didn’t get excited...
While she was thinking like this, there was a knock on the door and Sir Alexander entered. He bowed respectfully.
- “My lady, I have come to escort you to the ballroom.”
Maximilian turned towards the knight. He was wearing a knight’s armor made for special occasions. It was quite nice. Maximilian smiled at the kind knight and nodded.
They slowly left the room together. The knight understood that the Lady needed time to calm down.
-“My lady, it is important that you remain calm there, do you understand?”
Maximilian nodded slightly.
-“I am aware. But it is not easy. Being surrounded by so many strangers...”
The knight nodded understandingly.
-“My lady, I am tasked with protecting and escorting you today. If you get too nervous, remember that I am right behind you.”
Maximilian looked at him in surprise at first, then smiled gratefully.
-“Thank you, Sir Alexander.”
Before Maximilian reached the steps of the ballroom, the knight stopped her in a place where no one else was there and could not hear him.
- "Now I want you to listen carefully to the warnings I will give you, my Lady."
Maximilian looked at the knight with concern. She only nodded briefly.
- "If you stutter in the middle of an important sentence, put your hand over your mouth and cough slightly, then take a small sip from your glass. This will hide your stutter."
Maximilian nodded. The knight continued.
- "Always keep your back straight. Never flinch. Always smile politely at people and look them in the eyes when you speak."
Maximilian nodded again. She did not know what to say. She was just listening to the advice and making a mental note. Then the knight shook the back of his head, as if he was torn between saying something or not. But then he made a decision.
- "Prepare yourself to use magic later in the evening, probably not in front of the guests."
Maximilian looked at the knight with incomprehension.
-“Why?”
For a moment Maximilian thought the sorcerer was talking about the spell he taught him to escape her father’s beatings, but it seemed like it wasn’t her. When the knight’s eyes narrowed, he looked into Maximilian’s eyes.
-“I can’t tell you, but don’t worry, you won’t be harmed. Come on, my Lady.”
Without letting Maximilian say a word, the knight led her to the door of the ballroom. Her father was in front of the door. He and her sister were waiting there. Duke Corix glanced at his eldest daughter. She looked beautiful. She showed her appearance as a Roem princess. Her appearance could impress the royal advisors. But if she spoke up and opened her mouth, the spell would be broken. Oh, how he hated this girl. She was nothing more than an incompetent wretch. She would only cause trouble. But now she would be useful to him. She would both relieve him of his troubles forever and bring him the opportunity for great success.
Maximilian took his place on the left, under her father's heavy gaze. Her back was straight, her head forward, as the knight had warned her. The doors opened and the sound of pleasant music filled her ears. Maximilian took a step inside with her father. This was the first time she had attended an event, except for her wedding and special meetings. A crowd of people, as large as her wedding, stared at them. There were so many of them that Maximilian had to hold back the urge to scream and run to her room for a moment. Maximilian thought to herself.
- ‘Only forward...’
Maximilian fixed a gentle, pleasant smile on her face. She smiled at the people on her right and left as she walked to her seats. Before sitting down, they went to the royal advisors. One of the advisors stepped forward.
- “Duke Corix, thank you for this nice invitation. It was quite a nice welcome.”
Duke Corix smiled smugly.
- “For such important guests, it had to be the best.”
The two men laughed and shook hands. Immediately afterwards, Duke Corix introduced his younger daughter first.
- “This is my younger daughter Rosetta, you have already met her.”
The advisor smiled and nodded to Rosetta. Rosetta returned the greeting with an expressionless face and bowed. Duke Corix then reluctantly turned to his left.
- “This is my elder daughter Maximilian.”
The advisor turned to Maximilian with curious eyes. He looked her up and down and with a smile that showed that he liked what he saw, he kissed the back of Maximilian's hand and introduced himself.
- "Lady Maximilian, I am Grand Advisor Rondnet. It is a great honor to meet you."
Although Maximilian was surprised at first, she bowed with a pleasant smile on her face.
- "The honor is mine."
The grand advisor did not let go of Maximilian's hand. He looked at her with searching eyes. Maximilian understood. He was looking for a loophole. He was looking for something to humiliate her. In fact, there were many, but Maximilian was determined not to show it to anyone today. The Grand Advisor licked his lips and looked at Maximilian with a wide smile.
- "For a moment, I thought I saw your mother. You are a lady just as beautiful and kind as her. It is a great pity that your father did not introduce you to us before."
Duke Corix coughed into his hand. He was obviously trying to prevent a dialogue that would require Maximilian to speak further, but my advisor ignored this. Maximilian nodded.
- "That's how things turned out."
The advisor smiled.
- "Well, better late than never, as they say."
Maximilian slowly removed her hand from the advisor's and nodded. Her smile had not faded from her face. She was very careful. One mistake and everything could be ruined. At worst, Riftan might hear about it and Riftan might not want to stay married to such an incompetent woman. If this were not Maximilian's first encounter with society, sshe would not be able to ruin it.
While Duke Corix continued talking to the advisors, Rosetta and Maximilian took their seats. Rosetta looked around with an expressionless look on her face. Maximilian, on the other hand, looked at the dancing people with a gentle smile. After a while, Duke Corix also sat down. He did not say anything, but he was glad that Maximilian had not messed up anything so far. Nanny had said that she had prepared Maximilian well. She was obviously right.
After a while, Counts, dukes and other nobles began to approach Maximilian. They were meeting her for the first time and everyone obviously wanted to talk to her. Everyone was looking for the secret of her hiding for years. But Maximilian did not reveal it to anyone. She always smiled and answered people politely. Her speech was slow and gradual. No one could call her a stutterer. She only got stuck on some difficult words, which she hid by coughing as if her throat was dry. After a while, the food was finished and wine and cigarettes were served. During this time, the advisors were constantly paying attention to Maximilian. He was constantly asking questions and trying to include her in the conversation. Maximilian responded calmly and measuredly. She avoided talking too much. The advisors seemed to like her. Even Rosetta looked at her sister with a bit of surprise. If she was that weak, silent, intimidated girl, who was this sister? She thought. Rosetta wondered for a moment if she was wrong about her sister. She had hardly spoken to her. She only knew her from what her father had told her. But this woman was nothing like what her father had told her.
After everyone had finished their cigarettes, waltz music began to play. The Chief Advisor Rondnet looked playfully at Duke Corix and then at Maximilian. He stood up quickly and reached Maximilian among everyone's surprised gazes.
- "My lady, may I have this dance?"
Maximilian looked at the hand extended to him in surprise and turned to her father. Duke Corix straightened up a little in his chair to intervene immediately and answered on behalf of Maximilian.
- "My daughter is married, counselor Rondnet, this would not be appropriate."
The counselor looked at Duke Corix with raised eyebrows. He pointed to the hall with his hand;
- "I cannot see your son-in-law here. Unfortunately, he is at war. So there is no problem, is there?"
Maximilian was extremely surprised by this view. It was sheer indiscretion, but it was even more shameful to refuse a royal advisor. Duke Corix blushed for a moment, but still did not refuse the advisor. He nodded sullenly. The Grand Advisor turned to Maximilian and extended his hand again.
Maximilian came to the center of the hall under her father’s heavy gaze. He probably thought Maximilian did not know such a special ballroom dance, but Maximilian had learned all kinds of dances in the last two weeks. Advisor Rondnet placed one hand on Maximilian’s waist. This was enough to make Maximilian stiffen. She coughed slightly with warning eyes. Taking this as a warning, the Advisor laughed and slid his hand down his back.
-“Ah, I suppose my lady does not like to be touched.”
Maximilian let out a nervous breath.
-“It is true that I do not like inappropriate touching.”
The Advisor laughed again.
-“Very well, my Lady, should I be afraid for my feet?”
Maximilian knew that the man did it just to annoy her. So she replied with a bright smile on her face again.
- "Don't worry, sir."
The man nodded and smiled at the orchestra, indicating that he could start. The dance began as the music began. Although Maximilian was nervous at first, she soon gave in to the rhythm of the beautiful music. The dance was not easy, but Maximilian managed to overcome it. Maximilian's only thought at that moment was;
- "I wonder if Riftan and I will be able to dance like this one day?"
The music was slowly ending. And the dance finally ended. Maximilian almost thanked the musicians for this. When the dance was over, the whole hall started applauding. The Chief Advisor took Maximilian's hand and led her back to the table. Duke Corix looked at his daughter with a strange expression on her face, but did not comment. The Chief Advisor sat down directly across from Maximilian.
- "My lady, you are an excellent dancer! For a moment I thought I would not be able to keep up with your steps and would crush your feet. Did your father teach you to dance? ”
Maximilian paused for a moment. This seemed so funny to her that she wanted to laugh for a moment, but he held herself back. She only allowed a gentle smile to grace her lips.
-“Yes, Counselor Rondnet.”
The counselor nodded and began talking to the other people around him. As the hours slowly passed, the ladies began to retreat to their rooms. Maximilian caught her father's attention by coughing lightly. Duke Corix first raised an eyebrow and turned to his daughter. But then, as if he were a concerned father, he leaned his head closer to his daughter. From the outside, he had the image of a father who cared about his daughter's conversation. Maximilian could not help but be angry at this, but she did not say it in her voice. She just whispered in his ear;
- "Father, may I now retire to my room? You will obviously be discussing important matters."
Duke Corix thought for a moment, but then nodded his head in approval. As soon as Maximilian received her approval, she stood up gracefully. Her sister stood up with her. Their gazes turned to them as they stood up. Maximilian smiled politely and said goodbye.
- "It was a great honor to meet you, Councilor Rondnet. I wish you all the rest of the evening. Good evening."
The chief counselor nodded with pleasure.
-“Good night to you too, my Lady, I am very pleased with today. I hope it will continue and we will see you more often at balls and meetings.”
Maximilian nodded and bowed and left the hall. Her sister was right behind her. When they both left the room, the door closed with loud voices. Maximilian silently breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a very tense evening and her stomach was in knots from the tension of not making a mistake. Maximilian turned around. Her sister was just waiting there, looking at her. Maximilian nodded to her sister with an uncomprehending look.
-“Good night Rosetta.”
Rosetta shivered as if she had woken up from a trance and looked at her sister. She nodded quickly.
-“Good night to you too.”
Both girls turned around and started walking towards their rooms. When Maximilian reached the top of the stairs, she heard a knight calling to her.
-“Lady Maximilian!”
Maximilian turned around and looked at the knight approaching him.
-“Yes?”
The knight quickly bowed.
- “My lady, your father wants you to meet him in the garden.”
Maximilian raised her eyebrows.
- “My father wants to meet me in the garden?”
The knight nodded.
- “Yes, my lady.”
Maximilian looked at the knight in surprise, but then she started to follow him. When the knight started to go to the unused back part of the garden, which opened to the forest, Maximilian stopped for a moment. It didn’t make sense. Her father wouldn’t want to leave the guests and meet so far away. Maximilian called out to the knight.
- “Where is my father?”
The knight looked a little nervous.
- “In the back, my lady.”
Maximilian shook his head stubbornly.
- “I don’t think my father is around. And are you my father’s knight?”
The knight looked at Maximilian with a piercing gaze for a moment. Maximilian realized there was a problem at that moment. She wanted to step back and shout, but the man didn’t let her, he covered Maximilian’s mouth with one hand and pushed her against the wall. With his other hand he drew his knife and put it to Maximilian's throat.
-"You be quiet now, bitch!"
Maximilian's eyes widened and filled with tears. The man's hand was preventing her from screaming. The knife against her throat had slightly scratched her skin. Maximilian had thought she would die many times, especially when she was being whipped by her father, but she had never thought something like this would happen...