Predatory Marriage

Chapter 14 - Unwelcomed Guests

It was Leah's worse nightmare. She tried to conceal it, but from the moment she'd received the message, she was on edge.

She accidentally bit her tongue. This was not the time to think of such things. Countess Melissa wasn't the only one with her. The minister of finance and the court's count were accompanying her as well. Leah tried to calm her nerves and concentrate on her work again.

At this moment, she was looking over the work of the officials of the royal palace. Since she was in charge of most of the royal matters, she was assigning tasks and giving instructions about the details to make up for the time that would be lost due to the wedding.

The royal family may have abandoned Leah, but the people were innocent. She wanted to carry out her responsibilities until the end.

"I'm thinking of reorganizing the tax system one last time before I leave the palace."

Leah handed out the documents that she'd prepared beforehand. She gave them to Laurent, the minister of finance, who sighed and then passed it to Count Valtein.

Count Valtein's expression immediately turned serious. He murmured, stroking his handsome mustache.

"I think there will be a lot of resistance from Great Britain, especially from Byun Gyeongbaek of Oberde..."

Count Valtein wanted to say more, but caught himself in time. Sharp on her senses, Leah was able to pick up on his expression. Countess Melissa was glaring at the count as she stood right beside him. For Leah and her subordinates, Byun Gyeongbaek was nothing short of an enemy.

"Countess."

"My apologies, Princess."

It wasn't until Leah called her that Countess Melissa stopped throwing daggers at the count. Impassive of the exchange between the two, Leah fixed a look at Count Valtein as he continued speaking.

"Continue."

Her cool voice did not contain any emotions. Count Valtein carefully continued speaking.

"Byun Gyeongbaek recently used the barbarians as an excuse to ask for a reduction of the taxes being imposed on Oberde."

Leah furrowed her brows. The biggest reason behind Byun Gyeongbaek's power was the Kurkans; he used them as an excuse to enjoy all kinds of exclusive benefits. Even though he already enjoyed numerous privileges compared to the other rulers, he vigorously kept asking for more.

As Leah dipped her quill in ink, she opened her mouth.

"There is no end to his greed. At this point, an invasion by the Kurkans would benefit us more."

Count Valtein and Laurent cleared their throats in chorus. Leah tried to hide an amused smile as Countess Melissa laughed out loud at their discomfort.

"Doesn't your secretary communicate with them? First, let's check whether Oberde needs the tax cuts. We'll make the decision based on those findings."

"Okay, princess. We'll proceed as you say."

Laurent replied politely. Leah hesitantly signed the document and muttered bitterly under her breath.

"Or maybe it would be better if I myself go to Oberde."

"...."

Silence filled the office. Her unconscious words created a heavy atmosphere. She felt herself become still—she regretted spilling her thoughts like that. Now the atmosphere was awkward and suffocating no less.

Luckily, a voice from outside intervened, breaking the tension.

"My Royal Highness, this is Baroness Sinael."

"Please enter."

But as soon as Leah saw the baroness' anxious countenance, Leah braced herself for awful news. Nonetheless, her calm exterior didn't shatter.

Baroness Sinael worked at the main palace, and her visits would always mean grave news. She entered the office, her face looking pale and tired. All eyes were fixed on her as she clenched the sides of her long dress.

"The barbarians...sent a letter to the royal palace."

"...!"

Leah jumped out of her seat as everyone looked at Baroness Sinael with terror in their eyes.

"It says, 'I would like to have friendly relations with Estia. Thus, I would like to send an envoy for the conference for a meeting...'"

Sinael held her breath for a moment and then said in a trembling voice.

"The barbarian king said he would lead the envoys and visit Estia himself."