Predatory Marriage

Chapter 127. Trying To Evade Him (2)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

Instantly, tears welled in her eyes and Leah bit her lip hard. She wanted to hug him and sob uncontrollably. But that was just an impulse. Really, she shouldn’t even rest her head on his chest.

But…it seemed like it was all right to lean into that warmth for a moment. A feeling of contentment filled her body. Emotions she had buried resurfaced again. At this moment, she was in the safest place in the world. No one could intimidate her here. She could enjoy total peace.

Ishakan embraced her silently, holding her icy body in his arms until it melted in his warmth.

“You’ve lost a lot of weight since I last saw you.”

He covered her cheek with his hand, but she turned her head away as a cold breeze blew against her warmed body. The cold air made her regain her composure, and she slowly parted her lips.

“Go back.”

She still didn’t make eye contact. She couldn’t look at him. She was sure if she did, she couldn’t hide her feelings. But Ishakan paid no attention to her.

“I don’t want to,” he said, smiling. He ran a hand through her hair and murmured, “Are you choosing Byun Gyeongbaek?”

She felt a tingling in her mouth. The word ‘no’ was on the tip of her tongue. Tilting his head to the side, Ishakan shook her lightly.

“I’m leaving tomorrow, don’t you have anything to say about it?”

“…From the beginning…” Leah lifted her head. “There was never anything between us.”

“……”

His eyes narrowed. Leah looked into those eyes, the most beautiful color she had ever seen in her life. She imagined the golden sand of the desert as she spoke.

“It’s enough that we’ve enjoyed each other’s company so far.” Her comment was as hurtful as a dagger. “Or do you want me to pay you for s3x? The Kurkans didn’t seem so poor.”

Ishakan’s mouth twisted.

“If it’s about pissing people off, I think you succeed to some extent.”

Leah saw her reflection in his eyes and it was horrible. She didn’t like the way she was stomping on his heart, even saying that she would pay him for the s3x they’d had, after she’d received so much love and help from him.

She hoped he hated her too.

“Leah.”

Save me, Ishakan.

She swallowed the words that wanted to escape. What exactly did she expect of him? Ishakan was a King. Asking him to take a puppet princess for his bride would be brazen. Holding back the plea that had risen in her throat, she hardened her expression.

“What is Estia to you?”

This wasn’t turning out how she had imagined. The emotions she had silenced for days boiled over as if they had been waiting for this moment. Leah tried to hide her ragged breathing.

“It’s all I have. It’s the country I love and the country I must protect.” Though her voice was cold, her words faltered a little. “I was born a Princess, so I will die a Princess.”

It was hard to bear the emotions growing crazily inside her. Repressing them deeper, Leah finished what she had to say.

“Don’t interfere in my life anymore. I’m sick of this.”

Biting her lower lip, she turned away from Ishakan as if she were fleeing. Her heart ached. It was so hard not to say what she really was thinking. Even though she had managed to hide her true feelings, Leah felt like a child who had just lied for the first time in their life. She could feel his gaze on her back.

“I’ll be back first. I hope the King enjoys his evening walk in moderation, for he will soon have a long journey to make.”

As he took the first step, he heard a low murmur.

“Life…” His voice was filled with annoyance, and Leah shuddered. “Yes, that’s your life.”

She felt an impulse as strong as if she were possessed to turn back, but she clenched her hands and restrained herself, her fingernails digging deep into her palms. The pain and pressure allowed her to keep her body from turning back to him. It was hard to move her legs. They felt stiff. She managed to take a step, and then another.

“……!”