Predatory Marriage

Chapter 61 – When Patience Runs Out (2)

The luncheon atmosphere felt like it had been doused by ice-cold water, sending chills to those onlooking. Although the continent despised the Kurkans, calling them barbarians, the remark was said behind their backs.

One would never dare to say it in front of them, much less to their king!

Cerdina stared at Blain, shocked by how upfront he was in the presence of Kurkans, let alone Ishakan.

In the freezing tension, bright golden, yellow eyes and frosty blue eyes collided with each other. An internal battle raged as Blain glared down at Ishakan. A relentless hatred conveyed in his glare.

“I’m saying this out of concern.”

Ishakan, who had never lost a fight in his life, was not the type to avoid Blain’s provocation. Instead, he chuckled at Blain, who openly brought out his claws and emanated hostility. It was a smile that looked like the tease of a playful young child.

He tilted his head back slightly and raised his eyebrows.

Seeing his languid gaze, Blain clenched his jaw, preventing the string of venomous words to leave his mouth. He utterly despised the man before him.

“Estia doesn’t seem to have much intention of making friends.” Leah looked at Ishakan with trembling eyes, but his gaze focused on Blain, missing her. “I thought you had the same goal, but now, I don’t think so.”

The relaxed laughter disappeared. With his mouth closed in a straight line, in his golden eyes, a storm gathered.

“Is today’s luncheon to interrogate me?”

“No.” It was Leah who answered on behalf of the Estian family, breaking the silence.

“Misunderstanding, my king.”

“…”

Ishakan turned his gaze slowly. He looked at Leah with an expressionless face.

Knowing the weight of the situation, Leah quickly covered up for Blain. “The prince wants peace with the Kurkans more than anyone else. He’s the one who is abolishing the slavery of your kind.”

She did not know what Blain or Cerdina were thinking, but she was desperate to keep the peace in Estia.

Blain opened his lips to say something but stopped when he felt Leah clench his forearm. Fortunately, he kept his mouth shut again.

“However, he made a slip of the tongue as he is not particularly good at expressing his feelings.” She breathed a sigh before continuing, “May I ask for forgiveness on his behalf?”

Everyone knew that everything Leah had said was pure flattery, in an attempt to pacify the disrespected King of Kurkans. It was just a matter of whether he would decide to accept the apology or not.

Soon, Ishakan, who was staring at Leah without even blinking, raised a question.

“…is it the prince’s work to investigate slavery?”

“That’s right.”

Ishakan belted out a laugh, as if he was in a jovial mood. On the contrary, Leah went silent. There was no way that Blain would be interested in the Kurkans nor the slave trade. It was all Leah’s work. But as always, what Leah accomplished became Blain’s contribution.

This arrangement had become natural that Leah had become used to being robbed. Her whole life was not hers.

Ishakan glanced at Leah, and lowered his voice softly.

“This is the second time, princess.”

It was a pointless answer. But only Leah understood.

“…Thank you.”

For Leah’s sake, Ishakan endured again. Patience was not a virtue of the Kurkans, especially one of Ishakan’s status. She was already at a loss of what to pay him for controlling his temper for her, twice.

The luncheon continued again in spite of the unsettling atmosphere. The formal conversation was cut short, and no one mentioned the heated exchange, which transpired just moments ago. The servants waited carefully, not daring to move lest they make a mistake and disobeyed. They were treading on thin ice.

Leah finely cut the aromatic lamb into small pieces. It was as if a stone had been lodged in her throat. She couldn’t swallow; it felt painful to even gulp. Her appetite had completely disappeared, but she kept on filling her mouth, keeping herself busy.

Suddenly, a soft voice spoke up.

“Leah.”

Her body became stiff as the queen called her.

“How’s the food today?” Cerdina smiled brightly as she said so.

She then leisurely used her silver fork to dip a piece of lamb into an herbed sour cream, then popped it into her mouth. It was a warning from the queen.

Hence, Leah laid down the tableware as she watched Cerdina eat. She was unconsciously overeating, her way of steering her attention away from Ishakan.

Her heart had calmed down. For several days, because of her sudden illness, she was able to eat to her heart’s content without Cerdina’s interference. Of course, it was ridiculously small compared to a typical meal, but it was far beyond the queen’s standard.

“Isn’t the princess eating too much?”

This was said with the intention to humiliate her. Glutton. 

“I don’t think I eat a lot,” Leah responded, and dipped her head.

“Ah, the food must be terrible.” The moment these words left Ishakan’s mouth, Cerdina let out a disgruntled sigh. It was a luncheon hosted by the royal palace. The fact that the food was flawed was no different than an insult to her.

Leah looked at Cerdina nervously. The queen’s facial expression went sour since Ishakan’s exchange with her beloved son.

“Is it because the king doesn’t like it? We should have prepared some Kurkan food, but I wanted to show you Estia’s culture, so…”

She smiled, sweeping the silk dress which glimmered in the sunlight. Ishakan was thrilled, he found her character ridiculously amusing, that she dared steal his gift to Leah.

“I even thought of wearing Kurkan clothing. Ah, I’m ashamed.”

There would be no third time. Ishakan was no longer patient. His large bronze hand picked up a glass of wine, the deep rich contents swirling a brilliant red. He rose from his seat and then, without hesitation, tipped the glass over Cerdina’s head.

“Argh!”

Cerdina screamed. Her perfectly rouged face and plated hair were soaked with alcohol. The dress she was wearing also had a large splatter stain. The precious clothes that could not be bought, even with a noble household’s wealth, was ruined.

“Oh, dear.”

Cerdina shot daggers at him. The wine dripped from her hair, and down her chin. She was completely drenched.

What’s more, Ishakan still had the nerve to wear a smile. Amusement and irritation dancing across his golden eyes.

“It’s my fault, Your Highness. I’ll send you a new dress.”

But unlike his smiling mouth, his eyes were cold.

“This time, in a color that suits the queen.”