Under the Oak Tree - A Sip of Momentary Grace

Act II - A Thoughtful Gift

"What is going on in that mind of yours?" Riftan gently caressed the back of her head, contrasting his usual harsh choice of words.

"N-nothing... I am surprised that Riftan can dine with me today," Max replied, leaning into his touch.

"We have been in the conference room a lot lately. I want the others to rest and recharge for the rest of the evening." He quickly closed his mouth, not wanting to say more.

The servants came in with a tray of hearty meat stew, a selection of breads, and fresh fruit. They set up the serving plates in front of the pair, but Max was too preoccupied to have much of an appetite. A maid filled two glasses with wine, bowed, and left the hall.

"The meetings... How are they? I-I wonder if the messengers-" Max suddenly spat out. She was bursting at the seams with questions racing through her mind.

"Stop concerning yourself with this and eat." Riftan interrupted and broke off a small piece of bread to bring to her lips.

"I-I just want to know..." Max murmured, feeling rejected. She felt responsible for the tension in the air, but could not quench her curiosity.

"You have already been hard at work with Medrick. Rodrigo says if you are not healing in the infirmary, you are studying in the library. It is too much." Riftan took a swig of wine, his eyes wrinkling from irritation. He wanted to end this conversation as soon as it started.

"It's not too much... I-I want to help as much as I c-can... I have been reading a book about healing herbs." She blurted out, feeling the heat on the apples of her cheeks. She was growing tired of his constant scolding.

However, Riftan softened his expression seeing her flush in frustration, the rosiness of her porcelain face seemed to capture his heart each time without fail. It was alarming how much control she had over him as his only weakness. She was his ultimate hamartia.

"I know." He squeezed her hand gently. "I have something for you." He reached into his tunic and pulled out a bookmark made with pressed flowers. The top was decorated with a colourful tassel in shades of blue and green.

Max's mouth opened in surprise, she had never seen such an intricately made bookmark before. Riftan was always generous with his gifts, but it was the small gestures like this that made her heart flutter. The tension between them seemed to melt away, even just for a moment.

"W-when did Riftan find time to get this?" Max held the bookmark carefully with both hands. It smelled faintly of chrysanthemum.

"Do you like it?" Riftan smiled at her dainty movements.

"I like it. Thank you. You don't h-have to always get me gifts... it's not like it's my b-birthday." Max looked down at her stew, which was still piping hot.

"I will get you anything your heart desires. This is but something small to accompany the work you insist on doing." He took another sip of wine. "...When is your birthday?"

Max chewed on a piece of bread and looked up at him again before shifting her silver-gray eyes to the side sheepishly. No one had ever asked her when her birthday was. No one at Castle Croix acknowledged her more than necessary so it hardly came to mind.

"When is Riftan's birthday?" She asked, trying to avoid the question. Somehow, it felt strange to talk about such lighthearted topics while their comrades were fighting for their lives so far away from home.

"I asked you first," The man chuckled and drank his soup.

"January 16th," Max replied, hesitantly. Riftan appeared to make a mental note in his mind. "Mine is October 24th."

"Ri-Riftan! That's tomorrow! W-why didn't you tell me?" Max raised her voice, then put her hand over her mouth. Was it unsightly to be so worked up?

"It doesn't matter to me. Besides, I have no time." Riftan responded. He was the one who asked her about her birthday though. Birthdays must matter at least a little bit.

"Is there anything you would like to do?" Max tilted her head innocently to the side. It was out of the question to hold a banquet right now given the circumstances, and Max did not enjoy them anyway, but if Riftan wanted to somehow celebrate, she would fulfill every request.

"Nothing in particular. I will be busy." He quickly dismissed her. Does this man not tire of work?

"At the very least, can we dine together again?"

"Alright... What would you like to eat?"

"Ri-Riftan should decide for his birthday."

Max found it ridiculous that he would ask her what she wanted to eat when it was his own birthday. He was always like this, tending to her needs, and neglecting his own. His eagerness to please and care for her was unsettling and Max wondered if she deserved his undying, relentless efforts. She wanted to do the same for him and quietly built a home for him in her heart. Every detail about him was woven in the fabric of her mind and engrained in the deepest parts of her being.

"Surprise me." He said cheekily, as he tried to feed her again. He brought a grape to her mouth and she chewed it slowly. She wondered if Riftan knew that grapes were her favourite. Riftan finished his stew and cleared his throat. How Max longed for more moments like this when he was at ease.