Predatory Marriage - Chapter 111

Leah didn’t even realize she was holding her breath. Only when she felt her heart tightening did she finally inhale. Perhaps it was because of shock, but her mind was blank. She couldn’t think of anything. Hugging the mute and paralyzed Leah, Ishakan continued whispering.

“Have you ever seen a desert? You can’t imagine how beautiful it is to look at the golden sand spread across the panorama.”

The man’s fierce eyes gazed lovingly at her, dangerously enchanting. She looked up at Ishakan as if under a spell. She could imagine a vast sandy desert stretching out like an ocean. She had never seen it, but surely it would be precious as gold.

“And it’s not all just sand. In the deepest part of the desert, where the Kurkans live, there is a meadow. In that place, the flowers you like always bloom.”

His face had moved close without her noticing, so close that their eyelashes touched. Those golden eyes before her shone like stars.

“In that place you will have everything you want.”

I will make it happen.

The words were firm. Leah’s eyes were wet and she closed them tightly. Desperation overwhelmed her and her legs trembled, as if they would give out any moment. Right now she didn’t care whether Ishakan was lying or telling the truth. Either was fine. Even if it was a sweet lie, she didn’t mind believing it, even if she died.

There was only one reason for it.

I like you, Ishakan.

The words she couldn’t say whirled in her mind, so powerfully that she feared they would slip out. Leah pressed her lips together tight and buried her face in Ishakan’s chest. In truth, she had liked him since the first time they met. From their first night together, she had never forgotten him.

The lonely princess had been sabotaged by a stranger. She had known he was dangerous and still let him come to her, and in the end, everything fell apart.

But oddly, she had liked that. She liked losing control and order. And this was just the same. She wanted to follow the man who was tempting her and break all the ties that bound her. She wanted to escape into the desert of golden sand. –

But she could not and should not. When she was born with the name of Estia, Leah had inherited the responsibilities and duties of a Princess. She couldn’t stain that name with her own hands.

Her head began to ache with the conflicting desires, and she had to force herself to calm down before she gave the answer neither of them wanted.

“…I’m sorry.”

Ishakan looked at her silently. Her words emerged haltingly, as if someone was strangling her.

“I… I can’t abandon Estia.”

And having spoken the words, she closed her mouth. Ishakan gave a piercing look, but no further words came from her trembling lips. When she bit her lower lip, his face contorted and the emotions he had wiped away appeared again.

“…You.” Suddenly he spoke, irritated. “Did you ever feel that your thoughts were strange?”

Leah blinked uncomprehendingly. Ishakan’s voice rose.

“Your dedication to Estia, your choice to die without opposing the royal family!”