Chapter Text
In the hustle and bustle of the duke’s estate, Riftan, a young apprentice, labored hard at the blacksmith's forge. His young, eight-year-old hands were no strangers to hard work, and his eyes, despite their age, held an old weariness.
While the grandeur of the estate was evident in its towering walls and opulent decor, a closer look revealed the shadows that lurked within its confines. Duke Croix was a widower with two daughters. Maximilian, the elder daughter, received exactly two forms parental attention: neglect or abuse. In stark contrast, Rosetta, the younger daughter, was doted upon as the Duke viewed her to be the ideal noblewoman - beautiful, graceful and quiet. While Rosetta's beauty and grace attracted many, Maxi's struggle with her stutter left her overshadowed and sidelined.
One day, as Riftan was busy with his chores, he noticed a figure sneaking out from a hidden doorway leading from the castle. The figure, cloaked to hide their identity, piqued his interest. As she ventured closer to the woods, curiosity got the better of Riftan and he decided to follow her at a distance.
There, in a small clearing surrounded by wildflowers, the figure removed their cloak, revealing a six year old Maximilian. She sat there quietly, singing softly to herself.
He felt like he had stumbled upon a forest fairy. Her curly red hair cascaded down her shoulders and back like fiery tendrils, dancing playfully with every movement. It contrasted starkly against her porcelain skin, making her seem ethereal. Her face was dotted with a smattering of cute freckles, which, in Riftan's eyes, added to her charm. In the soft glimmers of sunlight that broke through the canopy, she looked otherworldly.
Riftan approached her, and their eyes met. A silent understanding passed between them. From that day, the forest clearing became their secret haven. Maxi would bring books, her escape from the cruel reality, and the two would read and share stories.
The bond between the two grew stronger with each passing day. Riftan slowly learned of Maxi’s painful reality within the walls of the estate. The taunts, the neglect, and the physical abuse. In return, Riftan shared his own tales of woe. Living with an ill mother and neglectful step-father. Leaving Riftan to his daily struggle of fending for himself.
Each of their burdens had aged them beyond their years.
For Maxi, their secret meetings were a respite from her life of torment. Riftan became her anchor, the one person who listened without judgment. He would often craft small trinkets for her, tokens of their time together.
And for Riftan, Maxi was the silver lining in his otherwise dark world. Her kindness, her resilience, and her ability to find joy in the smallest of things gave him hope. She would often bring him food and sing for him, though he missed her stutter when she did. Her singing voice held a haunting beauty that touched his soul.
As the years went by, their bond deepened. They became each other’s safe haven. However, with time, the risk of their meetings being discovered grew. They started using coded messages and developed secret paths to reach their haven.
Maxi, ever creative, would often leave small tokens or notes for Riftan, guiding him to their next meeting spot. Riftan, in turn, would leave her small carvings, each symbolizing their bond.
On the eve of Maxi’s 10th birthday, Riftan surprised her with a pendant, carved intricately with their initials intertwined. With tears in her eyes, Maxi placed it around her neck, vowing to cherish it forever.
Despite the hardships they faced, their bond remained unbroken. Their secret haven in the forest became a testament to a friendship that defied all odds, proving that even in the darkest times, a ray of hope can shine through.