Predatory Marriage

Powerful defiance was directed at Blain. The stillness of the reception room only amplified her clear and loud voice.

“Did you know what happened to me yesterday?”

“…”

The ridiculing smile that had been plastered onto Blain’s face disappeared. Hearing her words, he stiffened.

But Leah, paid no heed to his reaction. Despite being infuriated, her breathing suddenly became even. Her hands started to feel clammy as cold sweat dripped from her neck. Forcing her wobbling leg to stay still, she looked up at him.

Blain was taken aback at Leah’s fierce and glaring expression.

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on the people here. These people are all innocent.” She managed to spit out those words as her heart, which had palpitated briefly a while ago, began to race. At the edges of her vision, flashes of dots started to appear, and her sight blurred.

Leah would never relent. For the people, she would defy him over and over again and not back down. Even if Blain, at this very moment, dragged her to Cerdina, she would keep her stance.

Blain, who had been looking straight at Leah, contorted his eyebrows.

“You…” Speechless at Leah’s bravery, at that moment, Blain fumbled for what words to say in response.

However, Leah was hit with a severe sensation of nausea and dizziness. Her legs that she had been coercing to keep her up, stumbled. In an instant, her hands came up to cover her mouth as she felt something rise up inside her.

Suddenly, she spat a hot substance. Her palms, which were wet with sweat, reddened. A dark, red lump of blood lay in the middle of her palms in a messy stain. Her tongue tasted the iron that lingered and her mouth dribbled a line of red saliva til her chin.

Leah stared at her hands and blinked. “Ahhh…”

In the very next moment, her legs gave out. Her body collapsed onto the ground, and Leah felt her surroundings quieten, welcoming the darkness that occluded her vision.

Pandemonium struck as Leah lost consciousness.

“Leah!!!”

Amidst the screaming, someone caught her falling body.

***

The Gypsies were creatures of lawlessness. They were pilgrims who adorned themselves exotically in rich deep textures and gold plated jewelry. Their headwear, made from luxurious silks and lavishly embroidered clothes, were symbols of their free spirit.

They roamed freely around the continent as they were unconfined of the customs. These people, who did not possess anything, nor had ties that grounded them to a certain country, had nothing to lose. Because of this, they acted without fear for anything nor of the consequences that they brought amongst the people.

However, the Gypsies, who were known to be fearless, only avoided one thing—the Kurkans.

Every corner of the continent could be home to the Gypsies, yet one region was left untouched by them. Throughout history, the Western Sand Desert was void of Gypsies. It was uncertain as to why they innately avoided the Kurkans, but one thing was for sure—they were terribly afraid of them.

“Haban.”

Ishakan moved his hand towards a man, who immediately took out a cloth to wipe off the blood from his kings’ calloused hands. But the fabric, already stained crimson, was not enough to clean Ishakan’s bloodied palms.

In addition to his palm, the entire body of Ishakan was covered by blood. The deep liquid trickled down his dark skin, none of which belonged to him. It was a stark reminder of how powerful the man was.

Ishakan wiped his cheek with the back of his hand and looked at the mess he had made. A low mumble came out as he observed the mess.

“Did I overdo it?”

“I think so.” Haban replied curtly. But for Ishakan, doing it this way was much simpler and faster.

“However, I am more comfortable using my hands. A blade would be too cumbersome to use.”

He threw those words casually, as if he had just finished some light exercise. However, the scene before him was terrible. In front of the twisted and torn corpses, Ishakan calmly took out a cigarette. The tobacco was the usual—wrapped in a leaf, and Ishakan gestured to Haban once more.

A fire was lit, and Ishakan drew a deep breath, inhaling the soothing scent of tobacco.

The gruesome scene of mangled bodies and splattered blood was a grim reminder of how monstrous the Kurkans were. Their wild nature was revealed at times such as this.

“If you meet the aristocrats of Estia in that state, you won’t even be needing a bribe to resolve the problem.”

Haban, who was witnessing the scorching eyes of Ishakan slowly cool off, spoke up.

“I’m not too sure. I have not yet brought up that topic to them.”

Haban gave a low chuckle at Ishakan’s words. Not a day had peacefully passed by, since he had arrived in Estia. The anti-peace party, including Byun Gyongbaek of Oberde, were trying to interfere with the agreement.

Byun Gyongbaek seemed oblivious of the fact that the military strategies he had employed were practically useless. The assassins that he had sent, were also completely incompetent.

In this regard, even the Kingdom of Estia was guillible. Only the Princess of Estia had surmised that the Kurkans were not interested in the peace treaty.

“Anyway, it has become more complicated now because of assassins. We have lost sight of the Tomari.”

Haban also took out his cigarette and frowned. They went to this place today because of the Gypsies. However, because of the sudden attack from the assassins, their plans had been rerouted. The Gypsies that they had initially targeted to kill had all fled.

“Tomari is able to conceal themselves and circumvent any tails. With their ability to hide well, once you miss them, it’s hard to catch them again.”

Haban nimbly chewed the cigar. Tobacco felt bitter on his tongue, but he ignored the unpleasant taste. He fretted as to whether or not he would be able to accomplish Ishakan’s plans. So far, his efforts had gone to naught. Ishakan rubbed off the hair that stuck to his face, and roughly drew it behind his back.

“Can we set up a group of people who will run after them? Do we have enough men?”

“Our numbers are a little bit tight, but I will try.” At the thought of seeing their plans go to success, Haban flamed with newfound motivation.

Amidst the blood dyed floor, the tap of someone’s footsteps echoed.

“Genin!” Haban gladly greeted her. However, Genin had no time to respond to his greeting. With a terse expression, she went before Ishakan and reported. Her tone was faintly tense, and anxious.

“The princess fainted.”