Chapter 112

"You accuse me of caring more for myself?"

Riftan's tone dripped with utter disbelief.

Tears threatened to spill from Maxi's burning eyes, which she held back through sheer willpower.

"C-Can you deny it?" she fumed. "You never listen. You never try… to understand what I want! Because I refuse to follow your wishes and be tucked away in a castle! I want to do everything with you, be the person standing beside you! But that means… I can h-hurt you again… and th-that's why you push me away… over and over!"

Her voice was shrill by the time she finished. Riftan's eyes blazed as he grabbed her arms, bringing his face inches from hers. His throat bobbed in fury. Though he looked positively frightening, Maxi felt no fear. She glared back at him, her gaze venomous, waiting for him to explode.

In the next moment, his primal rage disappeared behind the mask of a cold knight. He released her and slowly stepped back.

"Think as you wish," he said before striding off.