Under The Oak Tree Volume 1 by Suji Kim

Maximilian Calypse - our main girl. Grew up in a wealthy home, but an abusive father and sister. She has a stutter, which is why her father doesn’t like her. 

Riftan Calypse - Worked his way to his money (blacksmith, mercenary)- and now rules a small area, and is the main defender. 

Ruth: Riftan’s best friend. Sorcerer for Rift, and becomes a friend to Maxi. 

Duke Croyso - Maxi’s abusive father

Rosetta Croyso - Maxi’s beautiful sister

The book starts off with Riftan coming back to collect Maxi. He disappeared after his and Maxi’s wedding night (which Maxi does not have good memories of), and didn’t return for three years. Maxi’s father, Duke Croyso, continuously tells Maxi that he shouldn’t disappoint Riftan, that she needs to do everything in her power to keep him as a husband. The Duke is especially worried about this, because while Riftan was gone, another kingdom offered a daughter to him. Riftan arrives and is gruff, but takes Maxi back to his castle. 

On their way back, a couple of fights break out between the two - why did Maxi not go to Rift’s castle? Why did she stay with her father the Duke? Did Rift say yes to the other betrothal? Maxi just wants to please Rift, so she doesn't fight too much. But, they do connect to each other physically - a lot. Their whole way back home, and throughout the book they continue to love each other. They develop a deep trust in each other and help each other through difficult times. Rift likes to put Maxi into somewhat embarrassing situations for her, but she is learning to love Rift and his kingdom. Rift also likes to take care of Maxi however he can, and becomes very protective of her very fast. 

Maxi is tasked with renovating the castle, as well as running it - basically the finances of the castle. She has no idea how to do that (Rift doesn’t know this though, he believes that Maxi has been raised to do all of that, and not in an abusive home). So Ruth, a sorcerer that works in the library, offers to help her. He is a blunt and sometimes crude man. But he does help Maxi. Maxi trusts Ruth, because he has been best friends with Rift since they were teenagers. Rift keeps Ruth around because he often needs Ruth to perform magic. Ruth finds out that Maxi has a small amount of magic in her. Ruth offers to train Maxi, and Maxi is excited; although Rift is not and sees no reason for her to learn. 

Maxi is able to practice healing, and does a pretty good job of it with her magic. She can now fix bruises and scrapes. Ruth decides to continue to train her, but Rift says if it hurts Maxi at all, then the training will be done. Ruth also offers to help with Maxi’s stutter (which has actually gotten better throughout the book!). Maxi is excited about this, because all other times her father tried to help her with her stutter, she was punished; but she doesn’t feel that Ruth will do that to her. 

During a long, brutal winter, things seem to be going well. Rift and Maxi continue to grow and love each other. But Maxi is still keeping her secret, that she is not a real lady, and that she was abused by her father. With the winter coming to an end, it seems that war is also coming upon them, and Rift must prepare.