Predatory Marriage

Chapter 128. There Is Nowhere To Flee

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

A sudden force pulled on her shoulder and her body turned around. Leah caught her breath, looking up at dazzling golden eyes. Ishakan’s face was unperturbed, but his fierce eyes were piercing. The beautiful color she would never look upon again was etched in her memory.

When she belatedly came to her senses and looked away, his large hand grabbed her chin, forcing her to make eye contact. Ishakan opened his mouth to speak.

“Listen to me carefully, Princess.” His low, haunting voice made her feel a little nervous. “The noble life you have as a princess. I’m going to trample and ruin it.”

His fingers gently touched her cheek as he whispered, his words embedding themselves deep within her.

“I will make you stop talking like the Princess of Estia…”

It felt like a golden light flashed in her heart.

“There is nowhere to flee.”

And with that, Ishakan was gone, as if she had blinked and he vanished into darkness. Leah, left alone staring into the emptiness, smiled bitterly.

“……”

She didn’t have to run. If he looked for her, all he would find was her corpse. Her eyes went to the tuberoses strewn on the ground before her. Amidst the pile was an intact one, but she couldn’t see it now. Gazing at the empty, fertile land, Leah went slowly back to her bedroom.

Now she was completely alone.

***

The night before departing the palace, the Kurkans were busily moving, stowing luggage and completing the duties ordered by the King. In front of the guest palace, a row of carriages and wagons were lined up. Suddenly all of the Kurkans stopped at the same time, looking in one direction. A man was walking quietly toward them.

“Ishakan!”

Haban, who had been supervising the loading, ran to greet him, and Genin put down the heavy box she was carrying. All the Kurkans gathered quickly with nervous expressions on their faces, and Morga exchanged glances with Genin and Haban.

“The Princess…” Genin began cautiously.

“She said no. She turned me down splendidly.”

Although he spoke nonchalantly, Ishakan couldn’t hide his feelings. He covered his eyes with his hands and a cry of pain escaped.

“…Ha.” He removed his hands after a moment to ask, “She seemed very unsteady, are you sure she’s all right?”

The King looked unusually vulnerable. Morga blinked in surprise at the question, gaping until Genin nudged him lightly in the side.

“Nothing can be done for now,” he said belatedly. “It would be best to get the princess to Kurkan as soon as possible.”

“……”

Ishakan sighed, tapping his chin.

“Genin.”

Genin tensed as soon as her name was called, and answered, “All preparations are ready.I and Haban will be leading the two wings.”

“Morga.”

“We can’t remove the tracking spell, but it can be obstructed. I can take care of it as soon as I have the Princess.”

“Haban.”

“We have the equipment ready. As for the location, it will be on the plains.”

He was referring to the plains on the outskirts of the capital, where eulalies grew. Ishakan looked over the load the Kurkans had diligently packed so far. When he removed the cloth covering the wagon, a rope with an iron hook appeared. A sturdy hook, strong enough for heavy loads.

“We thought we’d use them to tip the carriage over.”

“Not bad.”

With Haban beside him, Ishakan lifted the iron hook and pulled on the rope to make sure it was secure.

“She doesn’t have to take any responsibility,” he muttered. Not really. He didn’t care if he was called an evil man. He set the hook back in the wagon and turned to face the Kurkans, smiling coldly.

“So…” His golden eyes glittered. “We’re going to kidnap my bride.”