Status Updates From Under the Oak Tree: Season ...

“Maxi gave a bashful smile before looking back at her reflection. Once, she would have dismissed such praise as empty flattery. Now, she responded to the words as a sincere compliment. Even she could not deny the charm of the silver-eyed woman smiling at her in the mirror”

🫶🏽❤️

Looking up to meet his eyes, a fiery joy surged from the depths of her heart. In that moment, she realized she had been put on this earth to meet this person.

“I was born to love this man.”

She pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss — her knight, whom she had waited so long for.
His beautiful eyes shone with even greater intensity. Those eyes, she knew, would be etched in her memory until the end of time.

“Riftan crouched on one knee before her. Soon, he began to speak the sacred words of the oath a knight could only pledge once in his life.
“I place my head at the feet of my king, My body on the dirt of the battlefield, And my heart in the palm of your hand.”
My honorable lady,
Will you grant me the honor of becoming your knight?”

“”With a smile, Maxi kissed his other cheek.
He glared at her, his frustration still evident, then raked his fingers through his hair and stepped back. “Go ahead. Tease me all you want. Just know that I’ll return it tenfold tonight.”
Maxi chuckled to show that she was not afraid. “I took forward to it.”

🥰🥰🥰

Maxi could not help but laugh. The sight of this formidable knight acting like a disappointed child was amusing. Feeling more at ease, she kissed his cheek.
“Be patient a little longer. It is your strong suit, after all.”
Riftan’s face was stern as he asked, “Are you aware that you are becoming more wicked by the day?”

“the only way to ensure this fearless woman’s safety was to keep an eye on her at all times.
If he wanted to protect her from all possible dangers, he could never let her out of his sight. She would lead a life of peace and tranquility. That was his sole purpose for existing”

This might be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read 🫶🏽😫❤️

“”Just as he pounced, a dark hand shot out from behind the assailant, plunging a dagger into the man’s neck. Maxi screamed in shock. The would-be abductor emitted a strange gurgling and dropped to the ground, revealing a shadowy figure behind him.
“S-Sir Kuahel...”

Kuahel to the rescue 🫶🏽❤️

“ One can never have enough power or wealth,” Rosetta retorted, her voice growing heated. “If you won’t fight for it, everything will be handed over to me, which is exactly what our father wants!”
“It doesn’t matter.”

“Then, a realization came to her — much like herself, Rosetta might still feel the old constraints of their father’s noose. A festering anger shadowed her sister’s beautiful eyes. Maxi knew that sentiment all too well, except that she had already freed herself from the Duke of Croyso’s haunting legacy.
A dying old man’s hatred and ambitions were nothing compared to the challenges she had already faced”

Are you aware you are the most ill-natured dance partner? You move as if your sole aim is to make me dizzy!”
“How unfortunate that Lady Calypse finds me lacking,” Riftan lamented, clicking his tongue. “A true misfortune, since she’s stuck dancing with this ill-natured partner for the rest of her life.”
Maxi giggled and shook her head in mock exasperation”

They’re so cute 😫🩷

“People continued to gather as the army progressed along the neatly paved road. While Maxi was absorbing the exuberant scene, a girl squeezed through the knights to hand her a large bouquet.
“May God bless the Scarlet Lady!” the girl exclaimed, scurrying alongside Maxi’s horse.”

🥀🥀🥀

“Do you think you can keep quiet?”

Damn the escalated quickly 🫣🤭

Riftan arched an eyebrow. Though he looked sullen, she could tell he was secretly happy. He liked it when she teased him. He also liked it when she slapped his arm or back in exasperation, or when she playfully toyed with his hair while he slept. In truth, there was nothing she did that Riftan did not like.
You’ll get cold. Let us head back.”He carefully dried her feet with a towel, Maxi slipped her boots back”

Maxi giggled.
“Why are you laughing?” Riftan said.
“I was remembering my first trip to Anatol. You arranged my clothes for me back then as well. I used to think you were such an eccentric.”
“That doesn’t sound like a compliment,” Riftan grumbled, looking disgruntled.
Maxi playfully kissed his forehead. “I happen to love your eccentricity.”

“”Are you aware that the Dristanians are calling you the Golem Mage?” Sejuleu said exuberantly. “I’m sure there will be a new song to follow Livadon’s ‘The Scarlet Lady.’ In fact, that fellow over there has already written three poems dedicated to you.”