Comments of chapter undefined of Under the Oak Tree
Under the Oak Tree
Suji Kim
Chapter comments126
I've been thinking about this chapter since, like every one else, I'm tortuously waiting for the next update. a lot of comments are saying that Riftand's attitude here is a reflection that he's still hurt and angry that she left. while those feelings are definitely there, I don't think that adequately explains his behavior to Maxi - that's too simplistic. Think about all the times Riftan has gotten angry at Maxi before. The first scene of the novel, he's angry because he thinks his wife's "refusal" to come to Anatol his her rejection of him, and her fearful attitude towards him in person seems to confirm it. Chapters later, he becomes enraged when he thinks she's asking for divorce. Later reasons for anger are about his insecurities that he can't properly protect and provide for her - the time she was almost hurt by invaders, his learning that she wants to become a mage - none of these things are ever about what she's done, not really: the are about Riftan's fear that he isn't good enough for her, that she'll leave him or get tired of him and run away. And one of the most recent scenes we have if Riftan before this moment is going to see his sister-in-law's child and feeling despair that perhaps he will never have a family again. All that knowledge should inform us on his inner thoughts during this scene. I think the reason he turns off his emotions is because this meeting is the equivalent of meeting an ex you're still in love with. He wants to kiss or scream at her, but he fears he doesn't have the right to do either anymore. This may seem like an unreasonable conclusion especially since she's written him letters while at Nornui, but the last time the two of thrm realy spoke together, he basically said that if she left for the tower that that was the end if thier relationship and she *left anyway*. He's had a lot of time to think about that incident in the interim. Maybe her leaving was her way of saying, "OK, let's break up." Maybe she has no intention of ever returning to Anatol. Maybe the "I miss you" messages didn't mean to Maxi what they mean for Riftan, and she was just expressing loneliness. Maybe, maybe, maybe. He's had three years for his insecurities to cause him to overthink everything and for those fears to get stronger and stronger. So this scene isn't about him trying to hurt her or express his rage over what she's done, it's trying to protect himself from their inevitable break-up, to keep it together long enough to protect her life and then watch her walk away. Because of his insecurities, he doesn't think about how he might seduce her back or convince her to stay, he doesn't realize how seductive he is as a man at all, despite the many women throwing themselves at him. His dumb broken brain just goes straight to "it's hopeless, how could someone as amazing as her decide to stay with me if she has a choice?"
Considering how he’s felt towards her his whole life, and all the times now he’s happened upon her in danger (dog-lizard attack, breech of the gate, overuse of mana-wyvren attack, lost alone in the mountains-the kelpie, Eth Lene, finding her being beaten by her dad and now...) it would be insane if he wasn’t attempting a more self preserving approach. Each time he’s told her, “this can never happen again.” And “I’m at my limit.” He’s obviously still insanely attached to her, hence his riding for days on end to reach her, and being unable to eat properly whilst she’s away. But this is why I reluctantly support his needing time and space. This woman is NOT careful with his heart! Even though she’s to thank for the continued flourishing of Anatol under his command. It’s killer, but I think this agonizing slow reunion is necessary
