Chapter 60

Maxi timidly wound an arm around Riftan's waist, joy and a dash of guilt growing in her heart. Riftan relentlessly compared his castle to her father's out of fear that she was not content. Though she could have told him the truth about how her father had treated her, pride kept her lips closed. Instead, she burrowed her face in his chest to reassure him.

"C-Calypse Castle is w-wonderful," she mumbled.

She felt Riftan let out a strained laugh above her head. It was clear that he did not believe her.

"I-It's true. With th-the castle walls looking so g-grand and u-unassailable, I f-feel safe… A-And since the c-castle is on a mountainside, I-I can see the wh-whole of Anatol out th-the window. Th-The landscape is beautiful e-everywhere I l-look. Th-The servants are c-courteous and kind—"

Worried that Riftan might think her father's servants had treated her poorly, she quickly changed the subject.