Under the Oak Tree - A Sip of Momentary Grace

Act VI - An Earnest Effort

I wonder if he will like this. Maybe he will think it's stupid.

Max dipped her brush into silver paint and carefully filled in the gaps within the outlines on a flat, white rock. She found some peculiar looking rocks and brought them back to her room to craft a rock garden. Max had previously read in a book that it represented strength, something Riftan mentioned he liked.

After finishing the last rock, she placed it carefully on a bed of sand and arranged some other plants and shrubbery around it. The container holding the rock garden looked terribly out of place in their lavishly decorated room.

As she thought of the dresses and jewels that Riftan had given to her without so much as a blink of an eye, she shuddered in shame. Riftan had even given her Rem, and her three kittens, Ron, Rola, and Roy. Her mediocre attempt at a thoughtful gift paled in comparison and she thought about hiding it away before he returned.

Fate was not on her side as she heard the door open and the familiar sound of strong steps echoed throughout the room. He was earlier than she thought he would be.

Max stood up in front of the rock garden to try to hide her embarrassing gift with a nervous expression.

"Ri-Riftan... Y-you're back." She smiled faintly as he removed his armour piece by piece to change into something more comfortable.

He stayed silent and looked at her from head to toe. Riftan's neck convulsed and his eyes burned at the sight of his beloved wife dressed in such tight attire. He walked towards her and his dominating aura sent chills down her spine.

What was he thinking? Max bit her lip anxiously, unsure of what to do.

He embraced her and groaned as his hands traced down the velvety backside of her dress. "My beautiful lady. What a sight for sore eyes..." He released her and put his hands on each of her shoulders to admire her again. A subtle heat washed over her as his eyes feasted over her chest in this low cut dress. She truly felt like a woman when he was captivated like this.

"Happy birthday, Riftan." She smiled shyly and Riftan rubbed his face as if he could not believe what he was seeing.

"Thank you." He stroked her cheek, then around her ear to give her earlobe a little tug. "What did you do today?"

"O-Oh nothing. I just-" She glanced behind her at the rock garden, but not wanting to draw attention to her pathetic gift, she jolted her head back and only to meet his dark, onyx eyes.

"What is it?" Riftan asked, curiously, and peered over her shoulder. He steadied her as she stumbled backwards to hide it from him to no avail, and looked at the rock garden confusingly.

"Uh-um... I-It's not much, but I made this for you..." She avoided his gaze as he placed one of the rocks between his fingers to take a closer look. "I-It's a rock garden. I painted some of the r-rocks." Max had painted the Remdragon Knights symbol in silver, Talon in black, and the flag of Anatol.