Predatory Marriage (A)

Military Meeting (2)

"Of course, I don't know much about the military, but I do have a suggestion..." Leah's fingers moved over the paper to point at the outskirts of the palace. "Estian security is based on five procedures. The procedures are maintained for a week at a time before they change, so if someone observes for a day, they might be able to tell which of the five is in use."

She also explained how to distinguish the protocols that changed periodically, and even the guard locations that she knew about, with as much detail as possible.

"I don't know when you plan to carry out the conquest...but I would suggest doing it after the funeral." Since the funeral entourage would be composed of knights, that would be the time when most of them were concentrated in the capital. It would be best to wait for them to depart after the funeral.

"And if you plan to take the palace with a small group, then I can provide you with a place to hide, on the outskirts of the capital." Given the striking appearance of Kurkans, it would be difficult for them to infiltrate the palace unnoticed. But if they were moving through slums with no security, it would be easier.

Leah owned a few mansions near the poor quarters of the capital. She had bought them when she was posing as a slave trader, and had willed them to her ladies-in-waiting on the occasion of her death. But she was not dead. The mansions would surely be intact.

"I suggest using these mansions as your base. And if necessary, you can enter as Kurkan slaves." Leah finished, unhesitating. She drew a breath. "That is everything I can think of. If you need more information about Estia, you can ask and I will answer."

She knew Estia better than anyone else. She had devoted her whole life to her country. Before the open-mouthed Kurkans, she spoke firmly.

"I remember everything." Into the silence, she added carefully, "I will do my best to help. But in return, I would like to ask that no harm be done to the people of Estia..." She looked at Ishakan. "Will there be a new ruler, or will Estia become part of Kurkan...?"

"There will be a new ruler, Leah." Ishakan spoke, his eyes smiling. "The successor to the throne of Estia has also been decided."

As her heart pounded, Leah asked in a trembling voice. "Who is...?"

"You."

Ishakan kept surprising her. Her lips moved soundlessly, unable to produce words, at such a loss that she tried and failed several times to come up with anything sensible. Finally, she asked the question.

"...You're going to make me Queen of Estia?"

Unlike her hesitant question, his answer was firm.

"Yes. It's a wedding present, Leah." Ishakan had decided from the beginning that he would give the country to her. She had left Estia, but her love for her country had not disappeared. Even if the royal family had fallen, she did not want her people to suffer.

That was why she was fully cooperating with their conquest. The Kurkans' rule would be better for her people than tyranny under Blain, Cerdina, or Byun Gyeongbaek. At least this way, she had influence over the outcome. She believed that this would be the best scenario for Estia.

But Ishakan's plans were beyond anything Leah imagined. Still frozen with shock, she looked at the Kurkans. None of them looked surprised. She finally spoke again, with some difficulty.

"But Byun Gyeongbaek was a present..."

"That was just a trinket."

"......"

"You didn't like it?" Ishakan turned toward her, resting one elbow on the table and propping his chin on his hand. "If you want, I'll get you something else instead."

Leah quickly shook her head, her heart pounding, and he laughed.

"I told you I'll give you anything you wanted."

Really, there was no limit when he said 'anything'.

His golden eyes were so bright, and she felt her cheeks heat. Quickly, she lowered her head to hide her blush behind her curtain of silver hair.

In that moment, she truly understood the man she was going to marry.

***

The meeting continued, but since Leah was having difficulty concentrating, she decided to leave. Partly because she was embarrassed that Ishakan was making her blush, but her heart was also pounding so hard, she was sure everyone in the conference room could hear it.

Outside the door, she found Haban and Mura conversing. There was a stark contrast between the somber Haban and the vain Mura. Haban looked as if the sight of Leah had brought him back to life.

"Leah!"

Automatically, Leah looked around for Genin, and Haban smiled.

"Genin has the day off today. But don't worry, I alone can serve Ishakan perfectly."

It seemed that he wanted Leah to take Mura away quickly, but there was regret in his eyes as she took her leave. Mura's goodbye was impeccable.

"Good luck, Haban."

"...See you later, Mura."

Haban's eyes were filled with lingering feelings. They seemed like an interesting couple. If there was ever time, Leah would have liked to ask them how they met and married.

***

After rest and supper, Leah headed to the hall to meet Morga. As soon as she entered the hall, she noticed that her ladies-in-waiting didn't seem to like Morga. She didn't know why, but even though they always tried to be near Leah, when she spoke with Morga they preferred to stay away. Leaving them at the door, she approached the sorcerer.

The hall was more chaotic than her last visit. The magic pattern on the floor was larger, and in one corner of the hall various objects were accumulating. Where there had been one large brazier, there were now eight braziers surrounding the magic pattern. The braziers were filled with branches and leaves, and gave off the aroma of tobacco that Ishakan often smoked.

If there was any other difference, it was that last time there had been many sorcerers present, but this time there was only Morga. Standing alone in the center of the hall, he gazed intently at a map of zodiac constellations.

"Aries and Leo..." He muttered with a serious expression. "No, Scorpio..."

He was concentrating so intently, he didn't look up until Leah was right in front of him.

"You've come." He greeted her with great joy. "Everyone was amazed during the military council."