{"product_id":"under-the-oak-tree-volume-2-the-novel-isbn-9780593871225","title":"Under the Oak Tree: Volume 2 (The Novel)","description":"\u003cb\u003eNATIONAL 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, continues in this second volume.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe gorgeous first edition hardcover of \u003ci\u003eUnder the Oak Tree: Volume 2 (The Novel)\u003c\/i\u003e will feature designed sprayed page edges, full-color patterned endpapers, foil stamping on the cover, and a ribbon bookmark!\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs her first winter in Anatol turns to spring, Lady Maximilian finds herself confronting an unfamiliar feeling: hope. Her voice and her magic strengthen every day; the only parts of Calypse Castle left to refurbish are its gardens, which she plans to fill with blooming flowers; and the way her husband, the recalcitrant war hero Sir Riftan, looks at her from across their bedroom makes her feel, for the first time in her life, that she might be worthy of love and affection. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHowever, Maxi's life is never that easy. Just as she begins to feel at home with Riftan, Maxi receives a surprise visit from Princess Agnes, the renowned sorceress who might have become Riftan's wife if he'd decided to divorce Maxi after the Dragon Campaign. Not at all what Maxi expected, the princess stirs up complicated emotions and politics that could lead to monumental changes in Maxi and Riftan's relationship. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis volume collects chapters 77-133 of the original webnovel by Suji Kim.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eSuji Kim\u003c\/b\u003e is the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling 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 Twelve\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe end of the cold snap marked the start of Aquarias. Maxi kept herself busy by practicing defensive magic and persisting in her efforts to fix her speech impediment. Progress was slow in the beginning. However, through repeated practice of remaining calm while speaking, Maxi could now read a line of poetry without stuttering. Of course, these were not the archaic poems her father used to make her read but simple verses of the bards.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEven so, when Maxi first managed to utter a full sentence without stumbling, it had brought tears to her eyes. Ruth had been right; staying calm and speaking slowly had shown steady results. Long sentences or words that were difficult to pronounce were still a struggle, but Maxi made a conscious effort to converse as much as possible, and it was paying off. Her stutter was improving day by day.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecently, Ruth had started writing sentences for her to read aloud to loosen her tongue and improve her enunciation. The exercises would make her tongue feel stiff and sore afterward, as though she had eaten a mouthful of needles. Perhaps staying quiet for so long had made her muscles weak. Still, Maxi practiced every morning without fail. She would gladly have bitten a knife if it helped her speak her mind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I would like . . . there to be . . . a flower garden beneath . . . the second-floor balcony. . . . How long do you think . . . it would t-take?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf there was one downside to her recent improvement, it was that she spoke terribly slowly while trying to articulate her words. Ruth had assured her that this would improve in time, but Maxi still fretted that those listening might find it frustrating.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi lifted her gaze from the landscape plans she had been inspecting to study Aderon’s face. The merchant, being the shrewd man that he was, answered with utmost deference.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“It would be difficult to acquire such large quantities of seedlings right away, my lady. Might I suggest starting with shrubs? I believe my guild would be able to acquire azalea saplings. They look quite impressive when their red flowers are in full bloom.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“But . . . I also wish to fill the flower beds.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRodrigo, who was in the middle of serving tea, spoke up. “If daffodils please you, my lady, I can procure bulbs without delay. I shall let the gardeners know.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi tried to picture it in her head. Grasses and shrubs planted in rich soil. Colorful flowers and ornaments transforming Castle Calypse’s bleak gardens. She was certain it would look magnificent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt the same time, she could not help but worry about the expense. Not only would she need to hire more gardeners, but the trees and flowers themselves would cost a fortune. She should have had Ruth there to review the order before she signed it. Sighing, Maxi lowered the parchment onto the table.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I think . . . I shall require more time . . . to think about it.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I understand, my lady,” said Aderon. “In the meantime, I shall try to procure as many seedlings as I can.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Thank . . . you.” Maxi smiled at Aderon and rose from her seat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe market had reopened now that the weather grew warmer, and merchants once again came into Anatol for trade. The knights spoke of how mercenaries would be next, flocking to Anatol for work. The drakes that dwelled beyond the northern end of the Anatolium Mountains usually emerged around this time of year. Though monsters of the dragon race were extremely dangerous, their scales, magic stones, and bones commanded high prices as power sources for magical devices.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJust as the knights had predicted, when spring came, fortune-seeking mercenaries and merchants began arriving in Anatol, with even more expected once Aquarias was in full swing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI would like to finish the garden before then. . . . \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith spring came duties for the Lady of Calypse Castle. Maxi would have to hold banquets, invite traveling bards, and host theater troupes to perform. She could not allow people to gossip that the continent’s most renowned knight lived in a dreary castle run by an unsociable wife.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi walked down the stairs, still mulling over the greenery to plant in the garden, when she heard a maidservant calling to her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Oh, there you are, my lady.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Maxi gave her an inquiring look, the aged maidservant politely added, “His lordship has requested your presence in the council room.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Has . . . something happened?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’m afraid I do not know the details, my lady.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was rare for Riftan to be in the council room so early in the day, but it was rarer still for him to request Maxi’s presence. Perplexed, she quickly made her way back up the stairs. The council room was located directly across from the stairwell, one floor above the library. Maxi strode over the deep brown carpet and came to a stop in front of the large mahogany door. The maidservant, still trailing behind her, stepped forward to knock and announce Maxi’s arrival.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Come in.” Riftan’s deep voice rumbled through the wood.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe maidservant creaked open the door, and Maxi tentatively stepped in. The spacious room was overlaid in soft carpet. A fluttering of wings came from somewhere in the room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEyes full of curiosity, Maxi gazed around the brightly lit space. Next to the large window opposite the entrance stood a birdcage taller than Maxi full of cooing messenger pigeons. A massive sword and shield hung on the left wall. To Maxi’s eyes, they looked far too heavy for any knight to actually wield.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs Maxi lingered by the door, taking it all in, Riftan looked up from behind his desk, where he’d been writing on a piece of parchment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Well? Come in. Take a seat.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi approached. Riftan’s expression was grave, his black hair disheveled as if he had been running his hand through it. The muscles of his forearms, visible with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, contracted as he went back to writing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorry clouded Maxi’s face. “I-Is something . . . wrong?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’ve received a message from Drachium Palace. I thought it best to let you know.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A m-message?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRiftan hesitated, which was uncharacteristic. He let out a sigh. “Guests will be arriving in a few weeks. There will be twenty, maybe thirty people. I’d like to have the best rooms ready, as well as a small welcome feast.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi’s eyes widened. She had been expecting guests, yes, but not this early in the season. “May I ask . . . who . . . we are expecting?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A royal inspectorate, a dispatch of the king’s knights . . .” Riftan trailed off, throwing Maxi a furtive glance. His sensual lips twisted into a troubled expression, but in the next moment, all emotion faded as he continued casually, “. . . and Princess Agnes.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi’s breath hitched. She stared dumbly at Riftan.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe princess.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe princess everyone assumed Riftan would marry once the campaign was over.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat princess was coming to Calypse Castle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi had no idea how to react. When she remained silent, Riftan’s tone took on a hint of agitation. “She is only coming to inspect the land at the king’s behest. He likely appointed her as she is the only member of the royal family I am acquainted with, not to mention she is already on friendly terms with the Remdragon Knights.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I-I see.” Maxi swallowed hard. He had used such a distant word. Acquainted. Yet it still struck a nerve. The two were comrades who had fought alongside each other during the Dragon Campaign. How could they be mere acquaintances? And if Ruth was to be believed, Riftan and the princess’s relationship had seemed close enough to fuel gossip.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot wanting to be seen as the jealous wife, Maxi swallowed past the lump in her throat and willed herself to smile. “I-I will . . . h-have the servants prepare . . . the best rooms. I-Is there anything else . . . I should do?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRiftan’s gaze bored into her. “You need only to instruct the maidservants to make thorough preparations for the welcome. Don’t trouble yourself beyond that.” As brusque as ever, he turned his attention back to his desk.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi was too caught up in her own emotions to worry about his strangely chilly attitude. She hastily rose from her seat before he could notice her distress.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Then . . . I-I shall go inf-form them r-right now.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’ll leave it to you,” Riftan said without looking up.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaxi hurried from the room to seek out Rodrigo and inform him of their impending guests, her mind a muddle of inner turmoil as she tried to process the news herself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWas it normal for a woman of royal birth to call on the estate of a man who had refused to marry her? What reason would the princess have for visiting Riftan? It was possible that King Reuben had not yet given up on making Riftan his son-in-law. The inspection could simply be an excuse to send his daughter to try and win Riftan’s heart for good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe thought filled Maxi with dread. Riftan had ordered her to put any thoughts of divorce out of her mind, but there was no guarantee that his feelings would not change. What could she do if the princess decided to use every one of her charms to beguile him?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“You look quite pale, my lady. Are you feeling unwell?” Rodrigo asked worriedly when Maxi found him in the castle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe shook her head. “I-I am . . . just . . . a bit tired.”The Novel; New York Times bestselling author","brand":"Inklore","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46299888845029,"sku":"NP9780593871225","price":32.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780593871225.jpg?v=1767743217","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/under-the-oak-tree-volume-2-the-novel-isbn-9780593871225","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}