Predatory Marriage

Chapter 198 – Emotional Whirlwind (1)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

“Good. I gave you the tea because you’re not feeling well, so be sure to drink it.”

As the listening ladies praised Cerdina for her thoughtfulness and attentiveness, Leah offered her own thanks.

“Enjoy the banquet. I must converse with our guests who have come so far,” Cerdina said, smiling broadly as she observed the nearby dignitaries. “We must be diligent today if we want a magnificent wedding celebration.”

The Queen Mother went to where Blain was standing to speak to the gathered emissaries. They had looked uncomfortable, but their expressions became more natural as they talked to her. Except for the Kurkans.

They stood apart like an island in the banquet hall. They had come to partake of the banquet, but their faces looked so ferocious that no one dared to approach them. Even Cerdina had not yet gone to speak with them.

Leah’s attention automatically focused on the Kurkans. It would be bad if Blain caught her watching them; he seemed to dislike them.

After she spoke for a while with the ladies, Leah discreetly approached Blain to tell him she was going to rest in the lounge. He was laughing loudly as he spoke with the emissaries from the southern countries, and maybe drunk; his face was flushed and he seemed to be in a very good mood.

“Your Highness.”

“Oh, my wife is here.”

She was not his wife yet; they had not yet been married, but Leah ignored it. Blain introduced her to everyone, hugging her to him and kissing her neck. Leah shrugged uneasily.

I wish he wouldn’t do this in front of people…

She had also disliked it when he kissed her cheek in front of the Kurkans. But Blain wouldn’t stop just because she didn’t like it. She had to tolerate this kind of thing because she loved him. After she had submitted to it for a while, she gently pushed Blain away.

“I’ll be back in a little while, I need a short break in the lounge.”

“All right.”

With his permission, Leah hurried out of the banquet hall. Her nausea had only gotten worse with contact with Blain. Countess Melissa followed her, accompanying her to the lounge.

Lately, Leah had felt burdened by her ladies-in-waiting. Unless it was for official business, she preferred to have only Countess Melissa accompany her. Of course, the Countess also burdened her, but it was better to be followed only by her chief lady-in-waiting.

In the past, she’d had a close relationship with her ladies, but now they made her uncomfortable. Everyone’s personality seemed to have changed.

Now that she thought about it, it all seemed so strange. So many things she had ignored until now were obvious. Looking back, she wondered how long all of this had been going on.

Suddenly, she realized she had arrived at her palace. Countess Melissa should have stepped forward to open the door, but she had not. Leah turned around, her eyes widening.

She tried to scream, but nothing came out. One of the Kurkans had covered her mouth with a large hand, and the bronze-complexioned woman apologized, as if she were embarrassed.

“Oh, Leah, I’m so sorry to startle you…”

Leah looked around her. A thin Kurkan man was dragging away the unconscious Countess, and as soon as she met his eyes, he lifted a hand in greeting.

“You two will only talk for a moment,” the Kurkan woman said, holding Leah tightly, “but that will be enough.” Gently, she pushed Leah into the lounge, and the door shut behind her. Leah’s lips parted in astonishment.

It was Ishakan. The man had boldly entered the lounge of the princess’s palace and was sitting in an armchair.

“Hi,” he said casually.

Slowly, he stood and approached her. Her heart pounded as he drew near, and Leah backed up until her back struck the closed doors.

“If you plan to profane me…!” She shouted, her voice trembling.

Ishakan’s eyebrow lifted.

“If I intended to, I would have done it in front of the fountain.”

“……”

Leah covered her mouth with her hand, shocked by the rude words. The man’s hands pressed against the door on either side of her, trapping her.

Suddenly, a scent came to her nose. She didn’t know what scent he was wearing, but the refreshing smell was so pleasant, she even felt the upset in her stomach subside. It was so startling, she was sniffing discreetly as he spoke again.

“I won’t do anything you don’t want me to, Leah.”