Her New Life

Chapter 8: The Price of Dreaming

The glistening halls of Drachium Palace were filled with rosy-faced nobles. Foods that the knights had not seen in years or never heard of, filled the tables and made their mouths water. The Remdragon Knights gladly partook in the scrumptious feast set out by their generous King. However, even amidst the buzz of music, and jubilant guests, a tense atmosphere loomed over the knights. Riftan Calypse had been inconsolable for days. The intense journey to the Capital was even more uncomfortable.

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The knights rarely stopped for a break to get to Drachium Palace, despite it usually taking 10 days. Riftan had somehow halved that time. 

Riftan raced through the forest and urged Talon on as if he were running... running from the truth. Maximillian had been dead for two years, and no one told him anything. He refused to speak with the knights about anything related to Croyso, or the princess.

 Although, the annoyingly staunch Sir Ursuline was hellbent on informing his commander of the blatantly obvious: He was an unwed man. He had argued that the marriage was a farce, to begin with. Of course, that did not bode well for him, as Riftan had to be pulled away before he could pound his face in.

Fortunately, Hebaron and Ruth kept Ursuline at bay, so as not to provoke their feral commander.

"I've never seen the commander so wound up before," Hebaron muttered after rubbing the back of his nape.

"His wife just died." Ruth sighed in irritation as if the idea of a man grieving the death of his wife was so unusual. He understood that everyone was discontent with the reasons surrounding their marriage. But it seemed a little insensitive even for the knights.

"Yes, but...never mind."

During their scarce breaks, Riftan would sit as far away as possible and stare into the distance. Like he was looking for something or someone but knew it was all in vain. The knights anxiously sat by the fire. They threw wry glances toward their commander before returning to their conversations quietly.

"You think he married her off so fast because he knew she was weak?" One knight asked cautiously.

"He married her off so he could get out of his duties. Everyone was aware of her frailty, that's why our commander was the perfect scapegoat. He'd get his sick daughter married, and upon his son-in-law's death, he would gain all his assets." Ursuline spat out. He seemed to be the angriest over their commander's predicament.

"Keep your voice down! I'm not trying to wake a sleeping bear."

"It's the truth Nirtha! Everyone here knows it. Not to mention she refused to return to Anatol with Gabel."

"She was weak. She could not handle the journey..." 

"Still..."

"Enough. This is not our business to discuss so openly." Ruth finally cut in, worried Riftan would hear. "Let's just make it to the Capital. Please hold your tongues until then. Especially you, Sir Ursuline. He grumbled but complied.

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As expected, Riftan remained in his quarters after greeting the King rather brusquely. He knew what he would say, what he would offer, and he refused to deal with it. All that was on his mind was how he would go on living without her. 

So many years of yearning for her, and now those dreams of their future together have been crushed. He should have listened to his stepfather and kept his nose to the ground. 

Hebaron, as vice-commander, took the initiative and banged on his door. "Commander! It's the last day of the banquet....your presence is required."

Riftan did not move. 

"...I understand you're grieving, but we can not invoke the ire of the King." He lowered his voice, "You know he can hold a grudge." How could Hebraon understand the feeling of a decimated heart? How could the King or those pompous nobles understand? Did it matter? Everything he had done was for her. Why should he care for his titles anymore?

"It's just one evening, and then we can head back to Anatol...The knights need their commander. I'll even offer you my company, free of charge." 

Despite his intense desire to strangle the large man, he knew he was right. Just one night of acting as the King's "favored vassal" and then he could hole himself up in his empty estate...

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Riftan refused to put on a placid face. He was surrounded by nobles vying for an opportunity to meet with the Dragon Slayer. Some of the more tactful pests would offer their condolences, causing him to grow even more irate. For once, he did not mind the princess hanging around him, as her domineering personality often warded off the more pushy nobles. 

Ruth could not stand to see his old companion look like this. He had seen him go through many trials and tribulations. But he never expected that a woman, of all things, would cause him so much pain. He had been hiding in the corner of the ballroom, regretting his decision to come out. He only agreed to come at the behest of the concerned knights. Ruth knew he felt the hateful eyes of the Royal wizards and decided he had done his due diligence. Gabel gave him a knowing look before he scurried off. He stepped outside and tried to catch his breath before spotting a familiar nuisance. A Croyso Knight was talking and drinking with one of the performers from the banquet. He found it of little consequence and went to leave. Until his ears perked at the words "duke's daughter."

He could not help but eavesdrop. He ducked behind a column so he would not be seen. It seemed the knight was interrogating the poor fool about a woman from their troupe. The red-faced performer began looking uncomfortable. When he tried to make an escape, the knight grabbed the man by the collar and lifted the man in the air, cutting off his air.

Before Ruth could react, the performer raised his hands and choked out, "O-O-Okay! We may... may have traveled with a young redhead or two. B-b-but that was three years ago! Her whereabouts are unknown to me!!" 

The knight lifted the man higher.

The man began to turn blue, and his eyes became bloodshot. 

"L-Livadon! The last time we saw them was in Livadon! W-With our former leader...Orion. Orion Celric!!" 

 "Where in Livadon, exactly?" 

"N-Noire!"

The Croyso knight dropped the man as he gasped for air. Ruth turned pale.

The Croyso knight dusted his hands before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a Liram. He gripped the man's cheeks roughly before shoving the coin in his mouth. 

"The Duke appreciates your troupe's cooperation. If we need anything else, we know where to find you." The knight sauntered off as the man began coughing, before shakily running in the opposite direction.

Ruth was stunned after witnessing the intense confrontation. Croyso knights were looking for a red-headed woman....or more specifically, the deceased Maximillian Croyso. The woman who sent his Lord into a frenzy. He gulped, realizing how much of a burden this information was, whether fact or fiction. Ruth couldn't fathom Riftan's reaction to being told a mysterious redhead could possibly be his dead wife. Should he alert him immediately based on such flimsy information? Or should he ignore it as a mere coincidence? Before he could run back and formulate a reasonable plan of action, he heard a gruff voice behind him.

"Well, what a shocking turn of events."

*Author's Note: 

When writing this, the song By Michael Bolton "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" began playing. It seemed appropriate.