This chapter is from Radiohead- Creep

Ruth had once warned Riftan that abusing that spell, constantly throwing himself into that peaceful illusion, would make him hate reality. Little did the mage know how slowly those illusions would come to life. The only difference now was Riftan was no longer an outsider looking into the serene scene of Maxi in the garden but a participant. They were sitting once again in their spot, with his back against the tree and his legs crossed as one of his arms lazily wrapped around Maxi's waist while she rested against his chest.

He felt incredible content, just holding her while he rested his chin on her shoulder as they read the book in her hands. She had brought it with her as an excuse in case her maids questioned her. However, either Hebaron or Gabel had worked their magic and Maxi swore her maids seemed to have vanished the second she looked away.

Riftan still wasn't sure how to feel about how he was using them or how well those two could steal away her maids. However, the outcome was worth it. If he hadn't unwillingly agreed to their help, he wouldn't be able to hold her like this as they read the story of Wigrew and his twelve knights in comfortable silence.

He had tried to convince her to read to him but as soon as he asked the color drained from Maxi's face and for a split second it looked like she was about to flee. It broke his heart, after all this time could she not see that it didn't bother him? Riftan wanted to tell her how much he loved her voice but was too scared to accidentally ruin the moment more than he already had.

Perhaps someday he could convince her, until then, being able to kiss her shoulder to let her know he was finished reading the page was good enough for now.

As they continued to read in silence Riftan lazily played with the end of her long braid, his fingers twirling around the curled strands being held together by a cheerful yellow ribbon. When they got to part of the story he had heard countless times growing up, Riftan slowly leaned back to lazily untie the silk ribbon and meticulously began to slowly unravel the braid. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he watched the coils and waves stretch out only to spring back into shape as he continued to set them free.

Riftan became so focused on releasing her hair and watching as it started to flow in the summer breeze, he failed to notice Maxi that had closed her book until she playfully tried to push his hands away.

"Y-you m-must stop...d-doing that." she told him while taking hold of what was left of her braid to keep it safe.

Smiling, Riftan moved some of her hair away so he could kiss the back of her neck, causing the lady to shiver as he left his lips there as he spoke.

"Mhh? Doing what, Maxi?"

"T-t-taking m-my hair down. My...m-maids have s-started to a-ask about it."

Riftan frowned as he rested his head against her neck. He couldn't help but feel a little foolish because, goddamn it, his first reaction was to actually pout.

What is this woman doing to me?

Closing his eyes, he took in the sweet soft scent of her perfume and hair oil before kissing her neck again.

"Just one more time?" he asked as he reached for her hair.

"R-Riftan..."

"I'll re-braid it."

Maxi turned to look at him over her shoulder. If it wasn't for the fact he could tell she was holding back a smile she might actually look annoyed.

"D-do you kn-know how?" she asked as her hold on the braid faltered enough for him to take it back.

He gave a lazy shrug as his hands continued to slowly unravel her braid until it was completely free. "It seems to be the same as braiding rope."

"M-my h-hair isn't r-rope." He laughed at her little complaint while running his fingers through the curls, making sure to be as gentle as possible whenever he encountered a small tangle.

Leaning farther back against the tree he carefully re-braided the fiery curls before gently taking it back out to do it again. It felt as if he was performing some sacred ritual, one that would allow him to burn the feeling of her hair under his hand forever into his mind.

He could tell she was enjoying the feeling as well, whenever his hands came close to her scalp, she'd let out a small shiver and as he worked the braid farther down her shoulders would relax as she turned slightly so she could watch as his hands finished off the braid only to start unraveling the strands again.

"I have to ask."

Maxi perked up at the sound of his voice and he watched as her focus went from his hands to her own.

"Y-yes?"

"What about my hands is so fascinating?" It had made sense before when it seemed she was focused on his arms, but this still puzzled him.

He smiled as her ears turned red from her blush, having been caught. After a small moment of silence, she spoke up.

"Th-they're v-very...large." she confessed in a shy voice making Riftan laugh.

"I fail to see how that is so fascinating."

"W-well...th-they're large and...y-you're very s-strong but..."

"But?"

"Th-they're soft."

"What?"

Riftan's movements stopped as he looked down at his hands, focusing on the contrasting small light scars that nicked the skin and the calluses that had built up over the years.

She gave a timid nod causing him to let out a small huff. "That's a new way to describe me." he mumbled

Maxi nodded again, this time with a little more conviction.

"It's t-true, th-they're soft and g-gentle...and..." she looked over her shoulder at him before turning back around. "S-so is y-your hair."

"My hair is gentle?" he teased, making her laugh.

"It's soft."

Feeling a little curious, Riftan brought a hand up to run through his hair, he supposed it was but hers was so much...richer.

"I prefer yours." he stated while twirling a few curls around his fingers.

The statement seemed to be oddly strange for Maxi to hear as she turned to give him a confused look.

"B-but...it's always g-getting t-tangled up. I-It's uncomfortable."

"Don't say that." his tone was soft as he brought up the captured curls to his lips. "I love your curls, they're cute."

Riftan watched in amusement as her blush turned a deep red at the complement.

Dropping the curls, Riftan leaned in and placed a small peck on her cheek before whispering in her ear.

"But not cute as your blush."

He could feel the heat of her blush radiating off her face as she quickly turned her head away to face forward while mumbling a soft thank you.

It was truly criminal how adorable she could be.

As much as he would love to continue playing with her hair, Riftan had the sudden urge to hold her for the rest of the time they had. So, he swiftly put her braid back together before tying it back off with the little ribbon. As soon as he was satisfied with his work, Riftan wrapped his arm around her as he nestled his face into her hair.

Despite being the one holding her, Riftan felt as if he was completely surrounded by Maxi as everything of her took over his senses, from the smell of her perfume to the soft sound of her breath. He would have thought she had fallen asleep if it wasn't for the fact she had taken his hand in hers to examine it. That was the best word to describe what she was doing, turning his hand over in hers while delicately gliding the tips of her fingers over his palm, tracing the lines there. The fact she found even one part of him fascinating enough for her to want to touch made him happy.

He would have remained happy if the bells ringing out didn't ruin the mood. Before Maxi could even try to stand up, Riftan tightened his hold on her like a child unwilling to give up his favorite toy.

"I h-have to g-go."

"Just a little longer."

"I c-can't be l-late again."

Riftan felt his shoulders sag, but he still couldn't find the will to let her go.

"Riftan..."

"I know." Riftan grumbled as he slowly released his hold on her, but he still didn't let her go, not until he at least kissed her. Though they both knew she needed to leave Maxi didn't pull away right away from the kiss as her hand timidly brushed over the nap of his neck.

He didn't like how bittersweet the kiss felt or the way she eventually pulled away from him, leaving him alone in the garden where the only evidence of her ever being there was the faint smell of her perfume.

At the following banquet, Riftan made the mistake of using Ursulin as a way to avoid both Hebaron and Gabel. It only made the other knight treat it as an invitation to introduce Riftan to any noble within reach. This also seemed to encourage all the women he had been able to avoid to come and introduce themselves.

Riftan was able to keep from having to touch most of them, but a few seemed insistent as they held out their hands for him to kiss. The thought of it made his skin crawl. Luckily, Triton had taught him a trick to simply act it out by bringing their hand just close enough that only he and the lady would notice the lack of contact allowing Riftan to be free from the act while keeping the lady from being humiliated.

It wasn't ideal but it worked for the most part, until he was introduced to a woman with a familiar name.

"Sir Riftan Calypse, this is Sir Clarus Fillios and his younger sister lady Duranne Fillios."

It took him only a moment for him to realize where he had heard the woman's name before as his eyes shifted over toward Maxi and watched as she hastily looked away.

This is who you are jealous of?

Riftan mostly let Ursulin lead the conversation as he glanced at the two. Sir Clarus had a kind face but the way he was holding himself gave the impression of a child playing pretend, constantly shifting his stance as if he didn't know what to do. His sister on the other hand presented herself as if she was royalty and these banquets had been put in place in her honor. She was beautiful, that was true, but it was a generic type of beauty that one could find almost anywhere.

What really stood out about her was the look in her eyes that gave Riftan the feeling of leeches writhing around in his gut and when he did that trick on her to avoid kissing her hand the lady pouted.

"My, now that was a cold greeting."

The three knights halted their introduction at the woman's words as she continued to look sullen while pushing out her bottom lip.

Her brother gave her a panicked look, giving Riftan the impression this wasn't an unusual occurrence with her. If it wasn't for his timid nature, Riftan might have had some hope that her brother would intervene as she took a step towards him while continuing to hold her hand out despite Riftan having already let it go.

"I'm hurt that you wouldn't kiss my hand, Sir Riftan. However, I'll forgive you if you honor me with a dance." As she spoke the lady's pout twisted into a sly smile.

"Duranne!" Sir Clarus hissed out with panic in his voice. He took a step towards her to stop what she was doing as is eyes darted around at those who had started to notice. It was for a good reason. A woman asking a man to dance was highly unusual and her blandly calling him out was far worse.

Lady Duranne simply waved off her brother without even bothering to look back at him. "I have yet to see Sir Riftan truly enjoy these events. It's only right that somebody remedy this."

Riftan looked over at Ursulin who seemed just as shocked as he was. However, he ultimately cleared his throat and gestured for Riftan to take the woman's hand. Riftan shot him a look that he hoped conveyed the message that he would rather cut off his hand than dance with her. Ursulin returned the look with a warning glare to not humiliate her any further.

Sighing, Riftan reluctantly took the woman's hand and awkwardly began to lead her into the middle of the hall, leaving Ursulin to deal with her flustered brother.

"I'm told you played a vital part in resolving the recent conflict." she murmured. "His Majesty must be very proud."

"It would be a relief if he didn't rebuke us for taking longer than expected," he replied bluntly.

"Is his Majesty so harsh?"

"He holds high expectations for his vassals."

"I hear you are his Majesty's favorite."

Riftan didn't answer her, but he could have laughed at that statement. The king merely saw him as a living weapon to use as he saw fit. It was an opinion he had only shared once with Triton who merely shook his head while giving Riftan a look of pity.

Despite his awful manners, the woman continued to chatter mindlessly and looked to be enjoying the dance while Riftan suffered through it as he spun her around. He wanted nothing more than for this to end as he could feel Maxi watching them. He prayed she didn't think he wanted this, that she knew he would trade anything for her to take the place of this harpy.

When the music finally stopped, Riftan detached himself from the woman as if he was prying off a goblin that had thrown itself at him.

However, lady Duranne seemed to have other ideas as she suddenly teetered and leaned into him for support.

"Forgive me, Sir Riftan, it would seem I have overindulged. Would you be so kind as to escort me back to my room?" she asked while attempting to look seductive as she pressed her lithe body against him.

His skin crawled at the contact as an irritated sigh escaped Riftan's lips at the blatant invitation. Seeming to completely ignore his reaction she lowered her voice in a further attempt to seduce him.

"I would like to make this banquet one to remember."

Just as he was about to snap a boisterous voice broke though the cold tension building up.

"Sir Riftan! I see you found yet another beauty."

Both turned to watch as Hebaron skillfully maneuvered around the others dancing to join them. Before either of them could react, Hebaron took hold of the lady's hand and kissed it.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced, my lady. I'm Sir Hebaron Nirta"

The confused lady looked between both him and Riftan before faking a smile as she answered.

"Lady Duranne Fillios."

Hebaron smiled brightly and started to not so subtly push Riftan away while moving closer to the clearly irritated lady. Riftan made no complaints as he did so and eagerly took the opportunity to flee from the woman as Hebaron started to lead her into the next dance.

As he made his escape, Riftan glanced back at where Maxi had been standing beside her father and sighed in relief to see she was still there. Though, he could tell she was upset by the dance as she stood there sullenly with her head down as her hands pulled at the sleeve of her beautiful dress. There was a moment of conflict where part of him felt delighted at the fact she was jealous while the other wanted to chastise him for not going to hug and comfort her.

"Tomorrow will be the last banquet."

Riftan quickly looked beside him to see Triton standing there. The comment made Riftan's already soured mood worse as he sighed.

"Why are you reminding me?" he asked curtly.

"Don't you find it odd that no one has yet to dance with Lady Maximilian?"

Riftan glared at his commander. "I was told to be discreet."

"Now, Calypse, it's only right that we thank our host for his hospitality and what better way to do that than to have the guest of honor gift his daughter with a dance." Triton gave Riftan a soft smile as he shook his head, unable to believe what his commander was suggesting.

"The duke would never allow that. I've told you before, that man doesn't even see me as human."

Triton huffed as he crossed his arms. "So, you'll sneak off with her, but you won't dance with the lady?" Riftan was about to rebuttal him but was cut off as Triton laughed. "Oh, but you will dance with another woman as she watches."

Riftan felt his face heat up as a feeling of shame washed over him.

"Would you have preferred me to make a scene rejecting that harpy?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"I'd prefer it if you weren't so stubborn all the time."

Riftan couldn't help but give a sharp cynical laugh as he ran his hand over his hair.

"You think the duke would allow me, a half breed bastard, to dance with his daughter?" he asked even though he already knew the answer. Despite drilling into his head all the way to avoid humiliation with nobles, his commander seemed dead set on Riftan making a mockery of himself.

Triton just smiled reassuringly as he rested a hand on Riftan's shoulder.

"Leave it to me, you'll get your chance tomorrow."