Under The Oak Tree by Suji Kim
Lady 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, 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.
Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. 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.
by Lília
I found out about this story as a serial on Manta, a webtoon site, a couple of years ago, and was curious about the impossible romance between a stuttering lady and a humble knight.
I’m an incorrigible romantic and thought the story’s premise interesting enough to start reading the webtoon. And I found out that it was actually a lot more interesting and deeper than I first expected.
Started as a dare for Suji Kim to write a sleuth romantic story, the author came up with a very challenging concept: the story of two harmed souls that need to learn to love, to trust, and to be their own person while still being part of a couple.
The story begins as dramatically as is expected: wife left behind by husband needs to convince him to take her back after a long separation. But nothing is as it seems. The husband didn’t simply leave the wife behind, and she never abandoned her duties. Her father never allowed her to leave or let her know that the husband wanted her to be at his castle.
The background story
Maximilian is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Croyso, and because of her stuttering, very much despised by all, especially her father. Sir Riftan Calypse is the most admired knight in the realm, but coming from humble origins, he is also not completely accepted by the nobility. When evil comes to visit the realm, the king asks the duke to step up and fight, but the old noble does not want to spend his fortune and knights. He manages to make Sir Riftan marry Maximilian, this way avoiding going himself. Riftan will go in his stead. The campaign takes three years, and Maxi is left in the brutal arms of her father, not knowing how her future could be different than what her past has always been.
Where the story begins…
Riftan returns to collect Maxi after the campaign ends, and here begins their story for real. They are both obsessed with each other in different ways, their chemistry is undeniable, but the way they relate to each other leaves much to be desired. Maxi does not believe in herself and needs to learn her own value and to be an independent person on her own. Riftan has difficulty in exposing his feelings, making for many stuttering moments and false starts. Through many adversities, Maxi learns about herself and her own talents, and how strong she can really be. And because of the way Riftan grew up, he needs to learn how to love without suffocating her, to accept and learn to let her be who she needs to become, and in the end, still choose him. Their relationship changes with time and adapting to those changes will cost them both.
What started as a sleuth romantic fiction became a tale of transformation and continuous love. Their love will be tested in many ways and at many different moments. Sometimes they will have to fight their own instincts or each other, but their dedication to their relationship stays the same throughout the story, even when it might seem different.
The romance between the main characters is still the main focus of the story, but Suji Kim also added other interesting issues such as religion, the place of women in society, political intrigue, and friendship. At some points, there is more fantasy than romance going on, but the underlying romantic issue stays present at all times.
This story really captivated me. The narrative is well-done, and the characters are lovable even when making stupid mistakes. They are real people in strenuous situations, and their reactions are mostly relatable. Their growth process is slow and steady, making their relationship easier to accept.
I read the digital edition when it was available, but also wanted a hard copy for my collection, and was happily surprised when Random House came up with a new translation from the original Korean. A translation I actually enjoyed more, where the ideas feel more naturally translated. It’s a lengthy story, and Volume 3 will be published in June. They are also publishing the Manta webtoon as graphic novels, with Volume 3 planned for July.
Interesting note: This story has so many fans that it even has a dedicated Fandom Wiki page.
4,75 out of 5
