{"product_id":"under-the-oak-tree-volume-1-the-novel-isbn-9780593871195","title":"Under the Oak Tree: Volume 1 (The Novel)","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES\u003c\/i\u003e BESTSELLER • Most fairytales end with a wedding and a happily-ever-after—but this is no fairytale. The updated and official translation of \u003ci\u003eUnder the Oak Tree\u003c\/i\u003e, the #1 webnovel on MANTA.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Currently the most popular romantasy webnovel . . . \u003ci\u003eUnder the Oak Tree\u003c\/i\u003e is a Korean romantasy with intense emotional depth, weaving trauma and love in a medieval setting. [It] explores the internal and external struggles of Lady Maximillian and Sir Riftan in a fraught, evolving marriage.”—Bleeding Cool, in praise of \u003ci\u003eUnder the Oak Tree (The Comic)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis volume collects chapters 1-76 of the original webnovel by Suji Kim.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eSuji Kim\u003c\/b\u003e is the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of \u003ci\u003eUnder the Oak Tree\u003c\/i\u003e. Her novel won the Romance Webnovel Award from South Korean ebook platform RIDI, and its webcomic adaptation has earned global acclaim. Suji Kim’s other published works include \u003ci\u003eTwilight Poem\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThere Is a Mouse in My House\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cb\u003eChapter 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaximilian Calypse paced around the drawing room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe was so nervous that she did not realize she was biting her fingernails—not until the Duke of Croyso entered the room. The clack of his heavy cane shattered the silence, and she rushed to hide her hands behind her back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Have I not told you time and again to cease that revolting habit of yours?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe duke’s words were like a biting chill, and Maxi fixed her eyes on her feet.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“F-Forgive me, Father . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe duke clicked his tongue disapprovingly. “You’d best not embarrass me, girl. You have been far more fortunate than you deserve. Should your repulsive behavior besmirch our family name, know that I will not forgive you.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA cold sweat formed on Maxi’s back, and an icy bead trickled down her skin. She opened her mouth to try and form a smooth reply, but her spine stiffened with fear, choking her words.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I-I w-w-w—I shall . . . ​I shall d-d-do as you c-command, F-Father. W-When he c-c-c-comes, I w-w-w . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi did not have to raise her head to know that her father was grimacing at her. Disgust shadowed his face whenever he heard her speak. She tried to remain calm, even as she scrambled for words.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I-I . . . ​I w-will p-persuade him t-t-t . . . ​t-to stay i-in this m-m-marriage . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Enough!” The duke rapped his cane on the floor. “Is it too much to ask that you speak normally for a day? For even just an hour? Can you think of any man who would want a stuttering wife?!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I . . . ​I . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“As you are well aware, Riftan Calypse is no longer just a lowborn knight! He is now revered as one of the best swordmasters on the entire continent, as the hero who defeated the Red Dragon, Sektor! He need only ask, and the church would rush to annul this marriage!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe duke paused to catch his breath. He pressed a palm to his temple, as if the mere thought of divorce scandalized him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I will not allow the eldest Croyso daughter to be divorced by a lowborn knight! I will not stand idly by while my halfwit daughter ruins the reputation of this house!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi bit her lip, unspoken words burning her throat like bile. It’s not my fault, she wanted to say. Neither she nor Riftan had ever expressed a desire to be wed. It was her father and her father alone who had willed the marriage to happen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe duke continued his tirade, lips snarled in rebuke. “If only you were half as beautiful as Rosetta . . . ​No, if only you were normal! Then I would not have to grovel at that lowborn’s feet, to humor his every whim!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi’s half-sister, Rosetta, was like a rose in full bloom. At the mention of her, what little defiance Maxi had mustered slipped from her grasp like water through her fingers. She had turned deathly pale, but her father was relentless.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“King Reuben may wish to make Riftan Calypse his son-in-law, but there is nothing he can do if Calypse refuses! If only you had managed to win your husband’s affection, you would not be facing a divorce! You have no one to blame but yourself!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“B-But he . . . ​he left for the c-campaign the day after . . . ​after the w-wedding. . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi had hardly had a chance to talk to Riftan, let alone win his affection! But just as she was about to give voice to that protest, her vision flashed white as her father slammed his cane into her side. The pain was so severe that she curled over, gasping for breath and unable to scream.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“How dare you talk back to me?!” the duke demanded. “Just thinking about your wretched impediment is enough to infuriate me!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi nodded in desperate submission, lest he strike her again. The duke’s lips twitched, as if he were readying himself to spew forth another stream of vitriol.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA knock at the door saved Maxi. The duke spun to face the sound, and he was addressed by the meek voice of a maidservant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Your Grace,” she said. “The Remdragon Knights have arrived.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Show them in!”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi’s face flushed with terror, and she finally raised her gaze to meet her father’s. The duke hissed through gritted teeth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Make it very, very clear to Calypse that the marriage will not be annulled. And a reminder, should you have forgotten—if you bring shame upon our house, you will have a price to pay.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe duke stormed out of the room. When she was sure he was gone, Maxi slumped against a window. She tried to slow her breathing as she waited for the throbbing pain to subside.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe light of the autumn sun streamed in through the window, and Maxi blinked back her tears. Crying would only serve to drag her deeper into the abyss, where her sorrows would consume her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi clasped her shaking hands together. She had to collect herself. For a noblewoman, divorce was akin to death. Not only would she be ridiculed, but she would also disgrace her entire family. It was an unspeakable dishonor, and a duel was the only path to redemption. But a duel, against Riftan Calypse?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Duke of Croyso had no sons, and none of his relatives or sworn knights would stand the slightest chance against Riftan. He was a swordmaster who had felled a dragon! Who could possibly match him in combat, let alone best him?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt seemed inevitable that she would tarnish her family name. The duke would never forgive her—it was possible he would even kill her with a timely “accident” before the annulment was complete. Such machinations were not beneath her father.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI must do all I can to prevent something like that. . . . \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut would Riftan Calypse listen to her?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi bit her lip. She was trapped at the edge of a sheer cliff, with no way to safely descend. After all, her marriage had been arranged solely for the convenience of the duke and his knights.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThree years prior, when news spread across the continent that Sektor the Red Dragon had awoken from its slumber, King Elnuima Reuben III called his vassals to arms, to embark on a campaign to subdue the beast. Duke Croyso and his forces were bound by law to participate, but he had found a way to shift his duty to Riftan Calypse by marrying off his daughter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi shuddered, recalling her wedding day. The air had been thick with thinly veiled insults, whispered among the guests. As a lowborn knight, Riftan had no choice but to obey the duke and appear at the wedding hall. Just how much resentment had he felt? How humiliated must he have been?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat day, Maxi had been terrified of Riftan’s expression. He had looked as if he was holding something back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf I were half as beautiful as Rose, could I have won his heart?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSuch thoughts deepened Maxi’s torment. Riftan Calypse was a stunning man. Even Rosetta, who often mocked his humble origins, could not help but blush when she saw him dressed in his order’s ceremonial attire.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRiftan could have courted any woman he wanted. How could he possibly be attracted to a plain, stuttering woman like her? Especially now that his accomplishments had elevated him from his lowborn status?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow that he’s likely to marry a princess, pleading won’t be enough to change his mind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe night after the wedding was their only night together. Riftan had left for the campaign the following morning, without saying a word, and he never wrote to her once while he was gone. Maxi was not sure if he even saw her as his wife.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe buried her face in her hands, dark thoughts clouding her mind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“What a sight you are,” said a familiar, sullen voice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStartled, Maxi looked up. A giant of a man glowered at her from the door. She hadn’t heard him enter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A wife trembling in fear while awaiting her husband’s return from mortal peril.” Riftan’s voice dripped with sarcasm, and he approached her with slow, silent footsteps.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDressed in silver armor and a navy-blue tunic reminiscent of a monk’s robes, Riftan was far more powerfully built—far more intimidating—than Maxi remembered. She held her breath as he drew closer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I didn’t expect a warm welcome, but do you have to tremble as if I’m carrying the plague?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis frigid tone snapped Maxi out of her trance. As she realized that she had managed to displease him within mere minutes of their reunion, the blood drained from her face.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I . . . ​I am relieved t-to see you un-unharmed. . . .”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi’s voice trailed off. What else could she say? She was not even sure how to address him. Riftan? Too intimate. Sir Riftan? He would surely mock her. Unsettled by his piercing gaze, she took a step back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy was he looking at her like that?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRiftan’s face hardened further as she retreated from him, until he grabbed her arm and yanked her back. His words came in a threatening whisper. “At least pretend you’re happy to see me.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi froze. Their bodies were close. Too close. The potent undertones of leather, horses, and sweat filled her nostrils, and the overwhelming maleness of his scent unearthed memories that she had kept buried for the past three years.","brand":"Inklore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46302286250213,"sku":"NP9780593871195","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780593871195.jpg?v=1767743224","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/under-the-oak-tree-volume-1-the-novel-isbn-9780593871195","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}