Chapter 14 Torn Apart (2)

What?

I stripped it off of you and had torn it in the process..

Ohuh, how? Did you, uh, take it off? Max could not help but ask back.

The question sounded a little disconcerting to him. Turning his seat around, he faced her and watched her figure clutch the sheet like a shield, and then shouted.

What am I supposed to do? You couldnt breathe becauseyou were turning blue even, due to your drawers. I was trying to untie the knot because the terrible underwear was too tight! No matter how hard I tried, the knot didnt come loose, so I ripped it off! Damn it. I didnt even know it could be taken up and down!

Maximilians face reddened to the point of steaming. She was mortified to death, thinking that he had seen her underwearand the flesh beneath it.

Her nanny forcibly made her wear tight drawers in her husbands absence. She said it would keep her chaste.

Max was forced to wear that horrible thing on her body, but she never dreamed that someone would see it. As she clasped her face in an impulse to jump out of the window immediately, Riftan said with a small sigh.

Ill get you a new underwear tomorrow, so dont look like that. Or do you want me to lend you mine?

Oh, no! Its okay.

Max shook her head fervently. She didnt have the slightest intention of wearing other persons underwear, or a mans for that matter. Besides, wearing only one loose-fitting mens tunic already made her feel unease. Riftan scanned her eyes and watched her rummage through the soup with her spoon.

When will you finish stirring that? Hurry up and eat. You didnt even touch the bread.

She popped a few more spoonfuls into her mouth. However, the short mouth of her original body and her bulging stomach made her lose her appetite soon. She didnt even think of touching the hard bread, only swallowing a little more soup, and then putting the bowl aside.

What? You havent eaten half of it, Riftan started.

I have no appetite, so.

Dont be so hard on me. You cant dream of luxurious food until we get home. Even if it doesnt suit your taste, your body wont hold out if you dont tolerate it.

Max blushed at the sound of him akin to admonishing a spoiled child.

Or are you going to be so picky and annoying throughout the journey? He added irritably.

IIll have

She ended up having a few more sips but was so sick that she couldnt eat anymore. The man made a disjointed expression when she put the spoon down. Fortunately, however, instead of forcing her to eat more, he sighed and accepted the tray with the bowl.

You are going to go bald if you keep being picky.

He clicked his tongue and turned around. Max shrugged her shoulders, unable to adapt to his constantly changing mood like unreliable weather. He seemed kind enough to take care of her meal, but then he would quickly get angry the next moment.

Are my words and actions so incriminating? She felt that inside, he may already be regretting bringing her with him. Why would he.

Some negative and servile thoughts filled her head. Max, who looked at his eyes, couldnt stand it any longer and uttered the question on impulse.

Well, why, uh, why are you taking me away?

What?

The man, who was going out with the bowl, paused and looked back at her.

What does that mean?

Well, I, uh, against me, getting married Ha, ha, you did it because you wanted to do it. Oh, you didntWhy are you taking me with you? II dont understand

His face became visibly stiff. She swallowed hard. It was hard to tell whether the stuttering was causing a bad impression on him or her own question was upsetting. Although filled with hesitancy, she still added,

In the first place were, uh, no You and I are both rich married couples, youre too better for me we barely know each other that and you, youre taking me somewhere, b-but as much as you like..

Shut the bullshit!

Riftan let out a sudden roar, staring furiously at her. He laid down the tray and strode back to the bed.

Be honest! Dont you want to come with me?!

Th-thats not what it is, its!

No, its not! Although its not huge as your fathers, my castle is big enough for a little girl like you to live! Damn it, I have enough money. If youre worried that you wont be able to live in luxury like you used to, cut it out!

She shrank like a child scolded. Why on earth does he think she worries about living like royalty when she has lived a poor life all along at her fathers castle? She answered in a flurry of words and desperately waved her hands, as if the mere action would erase her former statements.

No! That sort of thing doesnt worry me. Its just why, w-why are you taking me? Im only curious

Naturally, you are my wife! Our marriage is real, officially recognized by the church! Its only common sense to take you to my house! You did wrong by living at your fathers house even after you got married!

Ha, but I though you would want a divorce

What?

He clasped his hands sternly on her shoulders. Max turned blue like a mouse in front of a snake. The anger on his face suffocated her. Perhaps this was where violence, one stemmed from the impatience of understanding a stutter, would ensue. She closed her eyes with fear, as she always did when the Duke of Cross beat her.

But no matter how long she waited, pain did not come. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted with his dark orbs glaring fiercely at her. His hands, holding on to her shoulders, were trembling faintly, as he managed to control his simmering anger.

Divorce? You want to divorce me now?