Predatory Marriage

With a small, soft laugh, Leah was brought out of her daze. She saw Ishakan smiling at her, wearing a slightly puzzled expression on his face. He looked at her, the meaning behind his golden eyes was clear.

Did you give it to her?

Leah subtly shook her lowered head. For a split second, a wave of nausea overcame her, which caused her to immediately bring the back of her white hand to her mouth, covering it.

Without a doubt, within the princess’ palace, there must have been a traitor. One, who also had a very close relationship with Leah.

Until yesterday, the princess’ palace was strictly forbidden to outsiders. Only those who were allowed in and were close to the princess, knew about the extremely valuable treasures hidden away–tyrian silk. Made from the dye of ten thousand crushed snails, the deep rich purple silk was reserved only for the royals.

In order for the dress to be taken away, a person from the inside of the princess’ palace must have intervened. To be exact, it’s one of Leah’s maids.

It was a scheme to separate Leah from the maids of the princess’ quarter. Only, it became problematic for them by using such an obvious method they could not escape.

Therefore, this was not the end of Leah’s cover. She’d move on as a royal daughter. Even if they made a decision, there would be a division among the maids. Leah was not in a position to find out the suspect and didn’t know what to do to begin with. She was also worried that Count Melissa, the head maid, would severely blame herself.

Leah glanced at Cerdina who was smiling. Beneath her cruel smile, she was quietly hiding her sinister intentions, anticipating Leah’s reaction. Leah had thought that the queen would grace her by leaving her alone for a while. However, again, Cerdina twistedly started her play, slowly strangling Leah.

For now, she had no energy to entertain Cerdina. Leah kept her gaze low.

“The dress is beautiful.” An obvious sarcastic voice flew in.

“I didn’t expect the queen to wear Kurkan’s clothes.”

Cerdina and Ishakan’s eyes met. Unlike Ishakan whose face was void of any emotion, a coquettish smile flitted across Cerdina’s lips.

“This is to serve the King of Kurkans.”

She was not flustered at all. She stole other people’s gifts, and even in front of the gift owner, she appeared confident.

“The peace that the two nations will pursue together will certainly require mutual understanding. I am merely doing what I can, as a hostess from the royal family.”

The King of Estia raised his head. His eyes were filled with nothing but admiration for her, upon hearing her speech. The way he looked at his wise wife was full of affection. Leah bit her lip as she felt her nausea coming back. The urge to vomit was so strong, she could barely suppress it.

Ishakan’s mouth twitched. He was even more irked at Cerdina’s shameless behaviour, but surprisingly, reigned in his emotions and endured it. He glanced at Leah quietly, who was still biting her lips, and headed for her seat whilst maintaining her cool facade.

With her sluggish pace, she silently seated herself. However, the moment she touched the seat, the dizzy spells made her head heavy again.

It was the royal family who were desperately in need of negotiations of amity. There was no reason for Cerdina to make Ishakan’s temper change. Particularly, when Cerdina wanted Blain to enjoy full power.

Just to harass Leah, they were attempting to break Byun Gyeongbaek, whilst scraping the peace they held with the Kurkans. This sacrifice was highly suspicious, if not, unusual. It appeared that there seemed to be something Leah was unaware of. She refocused on her surroundings, and glanced at Cerdina, taking note of her attitude towards Ishakan during the luncheon. It seemed necessary to properly observe her actions…and, the tyrian purple silk dress…

“…”

She felt strange today. Usually, if it were the same, she would have been able to control her emotion skillfully, but it was hard to do so. Useless impulses kept flaring up out of nowhere.

Right now, Leah wanted to get up and slap Cerdina in the face. She wanted to yell at her to take it off right away because it’s hers. These were thoughts her usual self never had.

Since she had become close to Ishakan, had her nature changed? The powerless royal daughter and the king who reigns over the western desert are worlds apart.

Leah glanced across the table, towards Ishakan who sat indifferently. The chair seemed a little small for him. In comparison to those seated, his large and tall stature dwarfed everyone.

He was watching Cerdina. His eyes were subduing a certain impulse that stirred. A dim flame lit in his golden eyes. Despite being relatively subtle and soundless, the air around him was heavy. After all, such a frightening man was in front of them. Waiting on him was the Estian servant who had been assigned to attend Ishakan. He looked ashen as he battled the intense nervousness and fear of serving the great man before him.

The expression Ishakan wore was ghastly, and his sharp eyes felt like daggers that would pierce one and root them in place. Feeling Leah’s gaze, he suddenly turned his head. Immediately, the golden eyes that flickered with embers of rage, and were sharp as a blade, softened at once.

Leah realized. Ishakan was enduring Cerdina for her.

In his mind, he also had the urge to strangle the Estian queen. The image of her body lying face down on the grass with the dress torn to shreds seemed appealing. After all, it was an insult to the dress to be worn by her, tearing it would save it.

However, Ishakan breathed out calmly. If he acted on impulse, Leah would be in trouble. So, he had no choice but to keep his rage at bay.