Under the Oak Tree

397 Chapter 158

Maxi's face clouded with confusion. "Is it...not a bathhouse?"

"It is, but..." the knight hesitated, briefly appearing troubled before forcing a smile. "It is no place for a lady such as yourself."

Frowning, Maxi scrutinized the long row of tents enclosed by the fence. Though somewhat worn, they did not look disreputable. Laborers navigated between the rows, balancing buckets on shoulder yokes, while maidservants carried laundry hampers toward a small stream. Beyond the tents, a stable housed horses and donkeys. A wooden structure, which she assumed was a tavern, stood beside it, filled with soldiers enjoying food and drink around outdoor tables.

Maxi's brows knitted together. Certainly, a place teeming with rowdy men was no place for a woman of noble birth. But had she not spent the last few months mingling with thousands of soldiers? Pretending to be prim and proper now would be absurd.

She turned to Elliot, her eyes filled with longing. "But one can bathe there, yes?"

"Well..." The knight averted his gaze before adding with a sigh, "My lady, the baths are a place where transactions are made with men."

Dumbfounded, Maxi stared at Elliot. "Are you saying...I am not allowed to use them because I am a woman?"

"N-No, that is not what I-"

"They are essentially brothels, my lady."

Maxi's head snapped around to find Ruth, who had been riding ahead, now trotting next to her.

"You had best steer clear," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Sir Riftan would be livid if you even thought about visiting the baths."

Flustered, Maxi's eyes darted between Ruth and Elliot. That both men, who had never shown interest in such vices, were aware of the bathhouses' true nature made her feel unexpectedly disenchanted.

"I-I wouldn't want to deprive you of your entertainment," she retorted icily.

"Your ladyship wounds me greatly," Ruth said indignantly. "Why would I pay to do that with a complete stranger? Even if you paid me a chest full of gold, I wouldn't be tempted."

Maxi shot him a sidelong look, pondering just how deep his vanity and audacity could go.

As she was sizing up the sorcerer's gaunt face and thin frame, Elliot interjected in an aggrieved voice, "I am not fond of such places either, my lady. But after a life on battlefields, one inevitably learns of their existence."

"Are such places...common near battlefields?"

"An army encampment is rarely without one."

They looked over as maidservants emerged from behind the fence to beckon the knights. Maxi watched with a steely expression as the young women, scantily dressed despite the chill, attempted to lure a group of passing soldiers. One woman was in nothing but a robe, which she provocatively parted. Blushing, Maxi averted her eyes when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of the woman's bare body. Her gaze then darted to her husband at the head of the army. She would never forgive him if he showed even a sliver of interest in any of these women.

As if aware of his wife's scrutiny, Riftan was focused steadfastly ahead. Eventually, he halted the march upon reaching what appeared to be a military base.

Maxi took in her surroundings as she slid off her horse. A four-store watchtower loomed next to the high palisade. The adjacent armory and guardhouse were the only stone structures she had seen since they had entered the city.

A man rushed out of the guardhouse. He called out warmly, "What a long time it has been, Sir Riftan."

"Indeed," Riftan replied impassively, dismounting from Talon.

The man automatically accepted the reins from Riftan. "We've prepared rooms as you requested, but as you can see, our lodgings aren't large enough for your entire army. The city has two other inns, but they can accommodate no more than a hundred in total."

"We have no intention of taking your beds. I noticed a place near the stream wide enough for the army to set up camp. We will stay there. I only ask that you look after our horses."

Almost immediately, knights began directing the wagons to the vacant lot.

Maxi felt faint disappointment at not being allowed to sleep in a warm room with a fireplace, but she took comfort in the fact that they would be safer camping within a fortified city. After entrusting Rem to the stablehand, Maxi followed the knights to the other side of the stream.

Her expression hardened when she realized how close their campsite was to the brothels. A few soldiers were already trying to peek inside. Casting them a frosty glare, she turned her attention to Riftan. He was deeply engrossed in a conversation with a man who appeared to be the city's custodian. Most likely, they were negotiating the issue of supplying the army.

His apparent indifference to the nearby brothels, as if such a thing was a common sight for him, unnerved her. Would she need to grow thick-skinned about such things if she wanted to accompany the knights into battle? Resolving to focus on the immediate task at hand, she began helping the army cooks prepare the evening meal.

Just then, she heard Riftan calling for her.

Startled, Maxi approached him. He slid an arm around her shoulder and guided her toward the two-story building behind the logistics office.

"You will be staying here."

"B-By myself?" she asked, her eyes widening.

Riftan offered her a reassuring smile. "The custodian's wife has agreed to attend to you. She will see to your needs during our stay."

Maxi blinked, taking in the inviting wooden residence. The aroma of roasted meat filled the air from the half-open window, and smoke billowed from the chimney.

Riftan gave her a gentle nudge toward the door. "It's just for a few days until the supplies arrive. I want you to be comfortable."

"But...I want to stay with you."

She turned around just in time to see his features visibly harden.

After a moment of silence, he sighed and said, "I think it would be best for us to sleep separately for now."

Maxi flinched.

Seeing her reaction, Riftan let out a low groan. "Have you already forgotten what I did last time? I find it exceedingly difficult to control myself with you clinging to me so closely."

Though his honest - and slightly helpless - admission made her cheeks burn, Maxi had no intention of agreeing.

Scuffing her shoe against the ground, Maxi shot back, "I-It was you who clung to me...not the other way around."

"Either way," Riftan said, brushing back his long front locks and fixing her with an irritable stare. "You are staying here."

"Is that...really necessary? I could stay in another tent."

"I've been lenient because we are at war, but," Riftan said, his eyes chilling, "it vexes me to no end to see you sharing a tent with other men."

Maxi's vacant expression turned into a scowl. It was true that men and women often shared barracks during campaigns, but exhaustion left everyone too worn out for anything beyond sleep. She was about to argue this point when she realized she would be equally jealous if Riftan were there with other women. No doubt she would have fought tooth and nail to prevent it.

However, admitting this to herself would only worry her all night, given the camp's proximity to the brothels.

"Th-Then let us sleep separately in the same tent!" Maxi suggested desperately. "Your private tent is large enough. We can sleep on opposite-"

"Stop being stubborn and do as I say," he interrupted, emphasizing each word sharply.

Maxi bit her lip. She trusted Riftan, but trust did not quell her unease.

Finally, she looked up. "I don't want to."

"What?"

"I don't want to!"

Riftan's eyes darted between her and the inviting building. "Is the place not to your liking? It's humble compared to the castle but still better than -"

"Y-You foolish man! That is not the reason at all!" Fuming, Maxi pointed to the public baths. "H-H-How could I leave you alone with such...establishments nearby?"

For the first time, Riftan seemed to fully register the presence of the brothels. Still, he looked baffled by her objection.

"What is the problem?" he asked, frowning.

"Th-The problem?"

Riftan let out a bark of laughter. "Are you afraid I'll go buy myself a woman?"

Maxi winced at the derision in his voice.

"I-It's not that I don't trust you," she said, her shoulders hunched. "But.."

"But what?"

He folded his arms, waiting.

After nervously shifting her eyes, Maxi blurted out, "But...a-a woman might sneak into your tent after falling for you at f-first sight! Who's to say...y-you won't... m-mistake her for me in your sleep?"