Predatory Marriage

Chapter 191 – Mistake

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

It was the rudest and most ridiculous thing she had ever heard. But somehow, Leah couldn’t scoff at the foolish words. His eyes were filled with such a tumult of emotions, and all of them were directed at her. Staring into his eyes as though hypnotized, she only belatedly regained her composure.

“Kurkan…?” She murmured, feeling dazed. This handsome man had the brown skin and bright eyes characteristic of Kurkans.

She didn’t understand how a Kurkan had entered the palace, however, and then come to this place. Leah looked up at him suspiciously.

Suddenly, he grabbed her hand, and she let out a cry of surprise, trying to tug free of his grip. The man only narrowed his eyes, glaring at the ring on her finger.

“I think I’m freaking out,” he muttered bitterly, and let go of her hand only to pull her into a one-armed embrace, holding the umbrella over both of them.

The moment he hugged her, she froze. She should have pushed him away, but for some reason, she couldn’t move. Her body was ice cold from the rain, and he felt so warm. Even her anxiety was immediately soothed. It was as if she had been wrapped in a warm blanket, and for a moment, she forgot everything else.

It startled her to realize that she had just fled into the rain because she couldn’t stand her fiancé’s touch. But now, in the arms of a stranger, she was completely calm.

Quickly, she tried to push his body away with all her might, but she couldn’t budge him.

“Leah…” Casually, he spoke her given name. It was incredibly impolite to call a royal by their first name without being granted permission. But a moment later, the man did something even more insolent.

The hand at her waist slid up to grip the back of her neck. Leah’s eyes flew open as the man kissed her.

Startled, she struck his chest, but he only pressed further, stroking his tongue into her mouth. His tongue slid over her teeth, caressing her palate so skillfully that it felt as if he had kissed her a hundred times before. It kindled a strange warmth in her lower belly.

The moment she couldn’t bear it anymore and thought about biting his tongue, he pulled away as if he had heard her thoughts. Panting, Leah stared up at him.

The sound of the rain echoed through the courtyard. Bare tree branches swayed, and mist had appeared. Her heart was beating so frantically. She felt no revulsion at this man’s touch, so why was this happening to her with Blain?

The man’s gaze went to her red, swollen cheek, her rain-soaked body, and the wedding ring on her finger.

“…You,” he said slowly. “You must have thought it would be better to die than suffer like this.”

She wanted to argue those words, but she couldn’t. The sound of rain filled the silence as she waited for his words.

“But like that day, when you feared my death…” Every word was filled with sorrow, and this man who looked sturdier than anything in the world somehow looked simultaneously frail. “It’s the same for me. Ever since I lost you, do you know what I’ve been thinking about?”

His golden eyes momentarily filled with rage, but quickly that murderous intent vanished. His lips moved, and then he closed his mouth again. Instead, he just ran his hand slowly through her rain-soaked hair.

Leah was not usually swayed by compassion, but she was trying to understand this man. There was pain deep in her heart, and the urge to comfort him, even though she was not the person he was looking for.

“I think you’ve made a mistake,” she said, more gently than usual. “I’m engaged to someone I’ve loved for a long time. We’ll be married soon.”

She couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like this man had lost his wife. She could not imagine the pain of such a separation, but she had sympathy for those feelings. She decided to forgive him.