Riftan's perspective in 'Under the Oak Tree' is a rollercoaster of raw emotions and relentless duty. From the moment he's forced into marriage with Maximilian, his internal world is a storm of protectiveness, insecurity, and simmering longing. He’s a man shaped by war and survival, so his love is fierce but tangled in self-doubt—he can’t believe someone like Maxi would truly choose him. His POV chapters reveal how every cold glance or hesitation from her cuts deeper than any sword, yet he’d still throw himself into hellfire to shield her.
What’s fascinating is how his military precision clashes with emotional vulnerability. He plans battles flawlessly but can’t articulate his fears, leading to explosive misunderstandings. The later arcs show growth—small moments where he lets his guard down, like when he secretly learns embroidery to mend her clothes. It’s these quiet details that make his POV chapters gut-wrenching; you see the scars beneath his armor, both physical and emotional.