I've sunk so many hours into 'Under the Oak Tree' that the characters feel like old friends, and the two who anchor the story are definitely Maxe and Rittan.
Maxe is the heroine — shy, awkward, and endlessly kind, but also quietly resilient. The story spends a lot of time showing her growth from a timid, insecure girl into someone who finds her voice and stands up for herself. Her vulnerability is written with care, and her attempts to navigate court life, motherhood, and a complex marriage are what make her so compelling.
Rittan (sometimes seen as Ritan in translations) is the brooding, scarred knight who initially reads as cold and harsh but slowly reveals layers of trauma, protectiveness, and devotion. Their relationship is the emotional backbone: a slow-burn reconciliation where misunderstandings, regrets, and gentle, painstaking healing take center stage. Around them you'll also meet various household members, retainers, and nobles who shape the couple's world — they add politics, humor, and warmth. I still get a soft spot for the way their bond evolves; it's messy, human, and oddly comforting.