Under the Oak Tree - A Sip of Momentary Grace

Act IV - A Dangerous Woman

The next morning, she woke up to an empty bed and sighed at the crumpled sheets beside her. He could not even wait for her to wake up so she could wish him a happy birthday. She frowned and paced around the room before washing her face. Max scolded herself for having these expectations of him. He was the Lord of Anatol. They are in the middle of a war with monsters. He has responsibilities and obligations that deal with the livelihood of his people and the land that he worked hard to build. It was reasonable that Riftan would be too busy to even bat an eye at anything unrelated to his duties right now.

"Good morning, my Lady. Did you rest well?" Rudis knocked at the door.

"Good morning, R-Rudis. Yes, thank you... Where is the Lord?"

"Lord Calypse is in the conference room with the other knights."

"Ah..." She didn't know what she was expecting. Max swallowed her disappointment in not being able to spend time together for his birthday. She found consolation by holding onto Riftan's promise of meeting her later that evening for dinner.

"Is there something that the Lady needs?" Rudis asked with a worried face.

"I-It's the Lord's birthday today. I want to do something special." Max pouted. She didn't even have enough time to prepare an extravagant gift.

"Pardon me. May I be of assistance in any way?"

Max searched through their memories of the pleasant times they shared together for something meaningful to give to Riftan. Suddenly, the leisurely stroll they took through the flower garden where they shared fruit and conversation came to mind.

Maybe I'll find something there.

"W-will you accompany me to the garden?" She asked Rudis thoughtfully. Riftan scolded her for wandering out alone yesterday and she did not want to upset him on a day like today.

"Of course. Let's get you in a lovely dress. Would you like me to call Linda to help?" Rudis smiled with a mother's warmth.

Max shook her head, just Rudis was enough. She did not want to cause a whole commotion over impressing her husband when there was a battle going on. It might appear inconsiderate in the eyes of others.

Max wore a sleek black velvet dress that hugged every curve of her taut body. It had beautiful golden embroidery along the hem and sleeves that captured the sunlight with even the subtlest of movements.

Rudis ran camellia oil to smooth out her unruly hair, then adorned a delicate hairpin that Riftan had gifted to secure loose strands away from the sides of her face. The shimmer accentuated the warm copper pigment of her long, flowing locks.

Finally, golden jewellery that fell just above her décolletage completed her sultry outfit. She looked at the mirror and enjoyed the reflection that stared back at her.

This is... different. I look different.

"Would the Lady like to use this perfume oil? It has notes of vanilla, cinnamon sugar, and floral honey." Rudis held out a small bottle of lightly coloured liquid. The subtle aroma smelled both alluring and comforting. Max felt herself blush as she applied it on her pulse points and reminisced about the times Riftan pecked at the freckles on her body.

She was getting used to dressing up and being pampered as the Lady of Anatol, but today she felt like a vixen. She wondered what Riftan would think of her when he saw her like this later that evening.

Max exited her chambers with confidence and went to the great hall with Rudis to eat a small breakfast before heading out to the garden. The meat stew was quite heavy yesterday, so she only wanted a bit of oatmeal porridge with fruit.