Ishakan X Leah

Chapter 36-38

Chapter 36. May I have This Dance? (1)

Translator: ??? / Editor: ???

He moved like a seasoned hunter who had his sights set on his prized prey. He waits and goes in for the kill when they least expect it, just like what Ishakan was doing to Leah now.

Ishakan had tied up her hands in a metaphorical sense, and she realized she couldn’t escape him easily.

In silent frustration, Leah bit her lip and tried to pull her hand free from his grasp, but he only tightened his grip in response, before finally letting go when he noticed her erratic breathing.

He couldn’t help but frown at the sight, and Leah finally breathed out in relief.

“I assumed you would be eager to welcome me,” Ishakan continued, “I guess I was wrong.”

He drew closer, stopping just a hairbreadth away from her ear and whispered, “Are you angry, princess?”

Leah shot him a sideways glare.

“People are staring.” She replied firmly in a low voice, reminding him of his promise to treat her justly as a princess when in public, and Ishakan pulled away with a smirk directed at her.

Their entire exchange was being watched by everyone within the vicinity. Eagerly anticipating what would happen next as one would with a play. Leah knew she could not afford to lose her cool now. Ishakan was a barbarian, who didn’t know or would care about propriety and manners, so the blame would fall entirely on her shoulders. It would put her in an undesirable position within the court and her people.

She tries to think of an appropriate response, and Count Valtein moved to help her, but the sound of trumpets cut off their conversation. Its horns blew in a way that let everyone know that the king had finally entered the fray.

When the trumpets cease their sound, the orchestra begins to play a majestic piece as the king marches inside to greet everyone. The nobles too, stop their staring and pay their respects as he passes them by, bowing their heads in a show of reverence and respect, but despite that the tension in the air remained unchanged.

Lingering eyes were still on the King of Kurkans and the Princess of Estia.

And the king was quick to notice, if the way he narrowed his eyes in disapproval were anything to go by.

Just like everyone else, his eyes were drawn to the purple silk sash Ishakan wore in boastful arrogance before looking away. Even Cerdina and Blain had been astonished by his sash, but were trying not to let their amazement show.

However, the sash wasn’t really Blain’s focus, but rather the physical closeness between Leah and Ishakan.

And if Ishakan noticed his subtle glare, he did not react to it at all. When that proved fruitless, he turned his eyes to Leah, giving her an icy blue stare as if to say, “Remember your place as Estia’s royal princess.”

Leah moved silently, quickly putting a distance between her and Ishakan, and followed the other royals of Estia as they found their seats. The other three sat down, but the King of Estia remained standing as he gave a welcome speech to him and their esteemed guests.

Blain took it as an opportunity to move closer and gave Leah a warning.

“I thought I told you to stop hanging out with those barbarians.” he growled softly, looking like he was paying attention to the king’s speech. Leah had hoped she could ignore him too, but found it rather difficult to do so.

“I thought you were smart, sister. What didn’t you understand with that statement?” he continued, “Don’t tell me you’re in love with that barbaric king?” He scoffed as he took a sip of his goblet, “Are you planning to sell out your country after all?”