Chapter 62 – Get Lost
Cerdina blinked. Then, like a gaping fish, she slowly parted her lips and then closed them again.
Speechless, her eyes twitched in irritation.
The situation at the luncheon was a complete mess. Leah watched blankly at the scene unfolding before her—her mind was too shocked to process the catastrophe that had erupted the moment Cerdina had provoked Ishakan and pulled his last thread of patience.
In all honesty, this was indeed an anticipated occurrence. From the instance Cerdina had stolen Leah’s dress, her action had ignited a fuse. The blatant disrespect and deceit, was merely the match that had lit the ticking time bomb.
No matter how desperate Leah was, her attempts to amend matters were futile. The eventual clash would occur between the two parties, regardless of the efforts she made to delay the future. Her pleading attempts to pacify the King of the Kurkans, were only used to buy time. In the end, the explosion would still inevitably happen.
Droplets of crimson red dripped from the edges of the crystal wine glass. Ishakan slowly placed his glass down, and a scornful smile spread on his lips. His eyes directed pure hatred at Cerdina, and their meaning was clear. Get lost.
Meeting Ishakan’s eyes, Cerdina stiffened. The man before her had a frighteningly powerful aura, and she stuttered in his presence.
Staring down at her pitiful state, Ishakan let loose words of sarcasm.
“That dress, I thought it didn’t suit you.”
His statement was a clear insult, with nothing but contempt portrayed in his tone. All Cerdina could do was dip her head and raise the corner of her mouth. Her deep red lips curved into an arc as she projected was the most elegant and beautiful smile, that tried to conceal her previous daring actions. The pure image of her bright smile, mixed with the smell of alcohol, was, in this strange atmosphere, like an oddly grown weed in the outdoor garden.
Cerdina raised her hand in an elegant gesture, and beckoned towards a maid. Then, she stood from her seat and spoke refinely to Ishakan.
“I will take my leave for a moment to change my clothes.”
With the support of the maids who hurriedly came to help their mistress, Cerdina left the luncheon, without a falter in her step. The king, who remained alone after suddenly being abandoned by his wife, glanced around nervously at the luncheon.
His eyes landed everywhere, except for Ishakan. The coward king was so tense, he could not even fault Ishakan who had been so openly rude with his actions. The King of Estia, was exactly like a puppy, who had lost its master.
Indeed, he was most undeserving of the title: King of Estia. The little dignity that he had left in him to hold him upright, even that, was now ruined. A leader like him, could only lead their country to one fate: ruin.
Leah’s eyes flitted to the king. In front of her, she felt the weight of her family bearing down, on her shoulders, heavier than a crushing boulder. Her heart knotted up, constricting with frustration at the mess she now had to deal with. An aggrieved sigh left her lips.
How foolish are you? This negotiation decides the fate of the country, yet…rather than helping…I can’t believe you are ruining it…
Even if the King of Estia begs for forgiveness and kneel in front of the King of the Kurkans, it would not be enough. Mercy was too gracious, and on top of that, the pride of the Estian royal family would be an obstacle in their way.
A dreadful solitude sunk in. Leah felt like she had been thrown into a warzone. On both sides, a brutal slaughter was ongoing, and no matter how desperate she was to stop their madness, her shouts landed only on deaf ears. In the wild plains, the echo of her voice did not return, even when her throat became hoarse and bled.
Enveloped with misery, Leah slowly rose from her seat. She saw that there was no reason to remain in the luncheon any longer. Everything had been ruined, and because that, it was better for her to leave and do something else than senselessly kill time here.
When Leah was about to move, a shadow loomed in front of her.
“Princess.”
The man who had been dealt continuous disrespect, extended his hand towards Leah. Slowly, she looked up at him. Her eyes travelled his large frame, until they reached his eyes, then his hand. The size of his hand was almost twice as large as hers, yet within those fine lines, were so many possibilities.
Hesitantly, she raised her arm, intending to place her fingers in his large palm. However, she paused. She was not sure what future it could lead to if she did so, and therefore, she could not bring herself to readily accept him.
Seeing her unsure, Ishakan did not press her. He only calmly observed her, waiting patiently as Leah froze. Her mind was clouded, her emotions conflicted.
At times such as this, Ishakan, was strangely patient. Even though he was such a man, to use force and act recklessly to gain what he desired, this was a side that he showed only to her—care and patience.
Sensing that being with Ishakan was better than staying here, she reached out to hold his hand, when suddenly a stern voice interrupted.
“Sit.” Blain coldly spoke. “Where are you going? The luncheon has yet to end.”
