Predatory Marriage

Chapter 22 - Estia's Crown Prince (1)

"I only want one thing."

As she tasted the strong, sweet flavor on her tongue once again, Ishakan whispered with a dreary look.

"I want you to accept whatever I give you."

The underlying meaning of his whisper was implicit. Her heart leaped fast. As if possessed by something, Leah delightfully savored the date in her mouth.

Dried date palms were not a staple food in Estia. She had eaten it only once when a Kurkan slave gave it to her when she was still but a child.

That was such a long time ago. So long that Leah could no longer remember the taste of the dried date palm—nor the face of the boy who so kindly shared his food to her.

Savoring it, she felt elated with its unfamiliar sweetness. Sucking every date dry of its saccharine pulp, soon Leah unintentionally sucked her own lips. Hence, emitting slurping sounds to the air.

A tinge of regret lingered on the tip of her tongue.

In contrast to her, Ishakan didn't find it embarrassing. Rather, he was deeply invested in getting her to consume some nourishment for her frail body.

The probing eyes of the king watched Leah as she feasted on the dates he brought with him. Before he stuffs the fruit into her mouth, she turns her head down and spits the seeds on her palms.

Now that she had finished eating all, she appeared clueless of what she must do with it.

For a moment, he hesitated and reached out his hands. Ishakan grasped the seeds coated with her saliva and instantly hurled it to the bushes.

Leah did not conceive such a stunt right away, hence, Ishakan was fast to supply a quick explanation. "It's a seed, so it shall be returned to the soil."

She found no fault in his words, and nodded in acquiesce. For sure, the gardener wouldn't mind some small seeds littered here in his work area. He probably won't take notice of it.

Leah wiped her lips and, without a word, drew close to the fountain and washed her hands. While washing off the sticky residue left on her hands, she sneakily took a glimpse of Ishakan.

She found everything about him peculiar.?Maybe because he was from a foreign land??Everything that he did perplexed her. Most of all, he utterly ruined her systematic routine for today.

Alas! She realized it too late. Cerdina would be inspecting all the preparations for the upcoming conference. And by preparation, it included herself! My, did she finish all dates knowing that she would have to wear a waist-tight dress tomorrow in front of Cerdina.

Worry was etched on her face as she feared her belly would bulge out.

Despite the train of regrets, she could not resist eating the sweet dates, which melted in her mouth.

When was the last time I had eaten well??She could not even remember it—oh, but she did!

Quickly, the aftermath of their heated night occupied her train of thoughts, the time Ishakan fed her a generous amount of bread and stew. She scowled upon remembering so.

Moving behind her, Ishakan brought her back to her senses when he grasped her hand, to which Leah jolted in surprise. She was even more bewildered when Ishakan put something on her palm. He then gently closed her hand with his, making her clench it.

As she looked down, she saw a box of dates. Leah blinked her eyes as she peered on an evenly arranged dates, enclosed in an elegant box.

Looking at Ishakan's appearance, he looked as if he devours meat with blood dripping on it. But seeing him carry this box of dates was a bit surprising, looked out of character even.

"Kurkans believe that sweet food can expel bad spirits. I also like sweets. Take my gift along with you."

As soon as she heard this, she rigidly closed the lid of the box—the delicious dates disappearing under it.

She shoved the box to him. It was a firm refusal. Instead of accepting the box, Ishakan retorted.

"I didn't put poison on it."

"It's not like that. I cannot accept this, so take it with you."

"Why?"

"Because I am on a diet." She blurted out.

Ishakan's eyes sparked with interest, the thought of her starving herself intentionally riled him up. "Diet for what?"

"..."

"The reason does not involve you at the very least."

She didn't want his pity at all. Instead of letting their conversation take an undesired path, Leah veered the topic. "Why did you come here in Estia?" Gazing at him directly in his eyes, she asked intrepid, "Are you certain that you don't need anything from me?"

"Of course, I do." He jerked his head to the direction of the box.

"Eat all of those. It's an order from someone who knows your?weakness." He touched the corner of the box. The oiled wood was smooth without any scratch. "Should I feed you more?"

Her face stiffened as he chuckled. She absolutely could not be swayed anymore. With his threatening words, she was compelled to accept the box of sweets, and uttered in a cold voice.

"I ask you to forget what happened that night. If you really regard me as the princess of this kingdom, please do not behave indecently."

"Behave indecently?"

"I am pertaining to touching without permission."

"Be specific. I am an uneducated beast, so I am completely clueless to what you are insinuating."

"Like suddenly grabbing my arm... or putting your fingers inside my mouth."

A sly smile rose as the corners of Ishakan's eyes crinkled. Unable to stop himself, he cracked up with a boisterous laugh. Just as water drops from the mouth of the fountain splattered and disturbed the calm stock water beneath, illuminated by the radiant sun, his laughter too caused mayhem in her.

"You like me putting it in, right?"

Leah squeezed her eyes shut—understanding right away his coarse statement. He was far different from the people she had met before. However, she could not deny that she had always been drawn to people with an unfamiliar background.

She sharply raised her eyes, wanting to snap at him and reprimand him of his lustful temperament. However, her hair suddenly stood as she sensed someone else's presence...

The sounds of shoes bumping against the poorly paved stones of the garden made her heart race.

"...!"

She nearly dropped the box as her face turned aghast. man with the same silvery hair stared at them with a blank face.

He was Leah's half-brother, Blain.