Predatory Marriage

The first rays of sunshine crept in, peeping through the window onto the slumbering princess. The peaceful surrounding was intoxicatingly rich, free of chaos, enticing her to remain forever. Deep into a sweet dream, she was absolutely unfazed by the outside world.

For someone who had been unable to have a proper sleep lately, the tranquility of pure silence that enveloped her, was a ray of salvation.

After a while, she finally roused from sleep.

“….”

A groggy Leah woke up, disconcerted. She rubbed her eyes, trying to brush away the traces of drowsiness.

Ah!

Bringing her fingers to her eyes, felt like moving mountains. Her limbs cried out in unison, the aching soreness of her muscles was beyond the point of unbearable – it was so painful that as she moved, she thought she could hear the bells of death ringing in her ears.

She struggled for a bit, but resigned to her body’s vehement protests and fell back onto the bed. Her shifting made the beddings that encapsulated her rustle move, giving off a cool feathery sensation that soothed her.

Suddenly, her eyes opened wide as she realized what she was covering herself with. The soft elegant fabric was in fact, silk; dyed in deep navy blue. The silver sheen reflected on the quilt indicated it was made of the highest quality. Additionally, it kept her warm, despite its thinness.

An intricate pattern of dahlia night flowers and wreaths was embroidered with gold and rustic bronze threads. On the hem, two swirls, which appeared to resemble waves, outlined the floral pattern. Flicks of branches and leaves were also dotted in thread between the pattern of the quilt, harmonising with the dahlias.

It was needless to say an exotic pattern that was completely unfamiliar to Leah. It was not a product of Estia.

Leah’s eyes fluttered open to the sea of indigo and gold around her and slowly, she scanned her surroundings.

Above her, was the elegant canopy of a bed, and a darkly painted ceiling that had shapes of wild horses and dahlias carved into its wood. A gold plated rim surrounded the edges of where the ceiling met the walls, which too had been painted a deep shade of celestial blue.

Looking around, the walls also bore the same pattern of her quilt—delicate swirl designs were found on its surface. To her side, the sculpture of a horse head hung above, hovering a circular table made of redwood.

Not far from it, a huge windokw that spanned the height from the floor to the ceiling could be seen. Large mauve curtains were drawn to obscure the light, though some beams had managed to pass through, illuminating the soft velvet carpet.

After observing the unique color and patterns of the room, she gradually realized that she was in fact, inside the Royal Palace of Estia. Yet, the room she was in was decorated in Kurkan style. Most likely, it was probably how the royal palace, as courtesy, decorated the rooms where the Kurkans stayed.

But why am I here?

Leah blankly looked at the container placed on top of the table where a refreshing scent came from. Squinting her eyes, she found that its source was none other than a tobacco which Ishakan smoked.

She tried to shuffle closer, but stopped by a radiating pain coming from her feet. When she rolled up the blanket, she saw her feet wrapped in bandages. Fragments of her memory soon started to hit her as she gazed at the meticulously wrapped linens from the soles of her feet up to her thin ankles.

So, I drank the wine that Byun Gyeongbaek handed to me and…

As she recollected the events from yesterday, her parted mouth slowly widened—what had transpired between her and Ishakan dawned on her. Instantly, her cheeks turned red, looking as if they were about to burst. Leah grabbed the pillowcase and abashedly buried her face.

“Ahh…”

As thoughts of yesterday flashed through her mind, she wished she had not remembered it at all. She was appalled as she thought of how she had clung to Ishakan, crying and pleading for his help in such a disorderly, way. Her mouth spewed out disgraceful and brazen words as they made love to each other.

Alas! The princess had behaved like a beast, losing herself under the influence of the potion. She tore at her innocent pillow. No matter how much she regretted what had happened that night, she could not undo her actions.

“…”

Leah carefully curled her aching legs. The throbbing pain was a vivid reminder of how Ishakan had taken her wildly. The tone of his bronzed skin, slick against hers, the smooth texture of his rippling muscles, and the rhythmic motion of their nether regions slapping against each as they connected—her limbs felt feverish and sore as she remembered how untamed they had been.

She was not sure but certain parts of her body may likely be swollen too. Leah intended to endure the pain quietly but the feeling of hopelessness slowly crept into her.

From the light coming from the window, it appeared to be noon—the sun had risen, already high in the sky. Half of the morning had just disappeared, Leah surmised. She realized that, due to her absence, a pandemonium in the palace might have already occurred. Worst, she found herself unsure on how to settle it.

Her fingers swept through her hair, parting it to one side. She couldn’t help but sigh at her spinning thoughts, which she tried to passively organize.

The first thing she had to do, was to go back to the main palace.

Leah forced her throbbing arm, which could barely move, to pull the string hanging from the canopy of the bed. In response, a bell rang and the door opened after a faint knock.

The woman who appeared had quite a large build, making the door dwarf in comparison. Tall muscular physique, with deeply tanned skin and broad shoulders—these were all features unique to a Kurkan. The woman dipped her head low and politely greeted Leah.

In return, the princess looked at the woman in the eye.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, princess. I am the escort guard of Ishakan. You may call me Genin.”

Leah’s eyes raked over the woman in front of her. She had not seen her during the welcome banquet and conference for the Kurkans. Yet, despite not appearing in public, for her to be an escort guard, Genin must have possessed a high status.

To her surprise, Genin returned her scrutiny with an equal curious gaze. It was only after a short while that Genin, who had been blatantly observing her, realized the rudeness of her actions. Flustered, she hurriedly apologized to the princess before her.

“Pardon my rudeness for staring.” A reddish tinge on the woman’s brusque face appeared. “I was just startled by the fact that you have such a white and small physique.”

Her following remark, too, was considered rude in Estia. However, Leah found her frankness rather pleasant, making her smile gently in response.

It was indeed true that she was smaller than what was considered average for women. Moreover, her pale complexion was quite extraordinary, especially when paired with her silver hair. For the Kurkans, she resembled a glass mannequin rather than a human.

“I apologize. Please forgive my lack of courtesy,” Genin sincerely voiced her remorse.

“It’s fine.” Leah insisted, waving her hand at the woman, who was incessantly apologizing.

Genin then gingerly approached the bed, and carefully placed on it the tray she had been carrying.

“I have brought you something light to eat,” she said with her head down.

However, it was today that Leah discovered the disparity between Estians’ and Kurkans’ culture. A tray, towering with a variety of delicacies, with just the assortment of bread alone being three storey high, was the Kurkan’s definition of a light meal.

She let out a furtive sigh at the culinary spectacle before her. Then, hesitantly, she reached out to the top loaf, afraid that one wrong touch and the delicately balancing loaves would crumble down.

“These are your drinks, but I am not familiar with your preferences, hence I prepared these… This is for your dessert…”

The glasses she had placed on the table, crowded the small space. The one standing on the edge would at any moment, fall and shatter, thereby spilling its contents. Leah reached out to save it from dangerously falling. Her action of picking up only one glass of milk, startling Genin.

“This is enough for me.”

“Yes??”

Due to Genin’s shocked response at her choice to eat only a meager amount of food, Leah popped one more fruit to her mouth. Watching her eat, Genin uncomfortably fidgeted. She cautiously raised her voice in an apprehending tone.

“Is the food not good? I prepared Estian food though…”

“I do not eat much.” Leah curtly responded.

“…”

Genin’s facial expression became even more puzzled—doubting whether the princess was trying to starve herself to death. Leah smiled a little as if she read Genin’s mind. Concurrently, it seemed that she had also discovered as to why Ishakan chose not expose Genin to the public.

Leah’s meal quickly ended with a piece of bread, a glass of milk, and several fruits. While gathering the dishes, Genin stole glances at Leah, internally brooding if she would want to eat more.

However, Leah’s resolve was undeterred. For her, she had already eaten too much.

Whilst Leah was looking at Genin who was cleaning up the dishes, she noticed a tattoo carved on the back of her hand. As she looked on, she noticed that the tattoo extended to her forearm covered by her sleeves.

She suddenly remembered Ishakan, particularly his b0dy, which was surprisingly devoid of any tattoos.