Predatory Marriage (Web Novel)

Chapter 33 – Bribery (2)

Watching the servants in silence, was a woman, whose hair made it look like her head was bigger than the rest. She carefully sidestepped the array of servants, before holding out an ashtray for her king, to which Ishakan effectively dropped the growing ash from his cigarette.

“Genin,” he acknowledged, “Wheres Haban?”

“Hes scoping out the conference hall.” She answered. “He told me he wanted to make up for last nights little skirmish.” Her tone was haughty as she spoke bluntly to him. It might have sounded like she was defending Haban, but Ishakan knew better as he shook out more ash, and blew out another puff of smoke.

Last night, Princess Leah had witnessed a glimpse of a Kurkans true nature. He would have preferred if she did not—she didnt need to see it.

Certainly, it would have been better if Haban had managed to get her away before the events occured, but Ishakan was thinking perhaps it was another factor that couldnt be avoided in that circumstance.

“What can I do then?” he asked her, “I was born like this, I couldnt hide it for the rest of my life.”

“I know, but-”

“And Im not one whos easily frightened either,” he continued, cutting her off, before letting out a fond smile, “Do you know how brave she was? Instead of being frightened and scared, shes working hard, worrying about last night.”

Ishakan then let out a sigh, “I dont know how to use her to our advantage in the negotiation.” He admitted as he discarded the cigarette, placing it on the ashtray as he put on his robes. “She was always like that, so devoid of fear.”

His unruly brown locks were then slicked back as they were combed over, clearing out any obstacle to reveal his sharp eyes and forehead. The collared garment was engraved with colorful embroidery embedded with gold threads. The servants thoroughly filled the small buttons one by one in a row and trimmed them neatly so that there were no wrinkles on the cloth.

_{The latest_epi_sodes are on_the ʟɪɢʜᴛɴᴏᴠᴇʟᴘᴜʙ.ᴄᴏᴍ website.}

“Once the negotiations begin, I think the most problematic part will be the princess since she is the core of the royal family.” He fretted.

“But the negotiation is just an excuse, right?”

“Yes…but…”

Ishakan held the leaf tobacco in his hands again once more, hovering it close to his mouth. Shes one of the many reasons why he came to Estia. But it seems that Leah is becoming more and more the priority than anything else. Ishakan sighed and puffed up smoke, lost in his thoughts.