Predatory Marriage

Chapter 204 – Busy (2)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

Trying to have s3x with Blain scared her so much, though. She couldn’t understand why she felt so repulsed by it.

“……”

Leah frowned. There was a heaviness in her belly and a little pain. Her period had always been irregular, but lately it had not come at all. And suddenly she remembered that the tailors said her waist measurement had increased slightly. Looking down, it even seemed as if her belly was protruding a little. But that didn’t make sense, she was hardly eating at all.

It was worrying. If Cerdina noticed, she would surely reproach her for ruining the shape of her wedding dress.

Leah forced herself to stop thinking about it before she distressed herself further. She had too much work to do. But as soon as she started reading through documents about security in the capital, she heard a commotion outside. The door was flung open and a blonde woman entered her office.

“Let the light shine on Estia,” said Lady Mirael, moving to stand before Leah’s desk with clicking heels, and smiled. “Hello, Princess.”

Leah did not respond to the greeting. She only turned her gaze to the door, where it was clear that both her ladies and the knights on guard were unsure what to do. Lady Mirael was unwise in entering, but everyone was afraid of Blain. His aggressiveness was well-known in the palace, and he never forgave anyone that contradicted his will. They must be cautious, because there was no knowing what punishment they might receive for offending Lady Mirael, who had his favor.

Leah set her quill down with a soft sigh and nudged her documents aside as Lady Mirael sat down.

“I thought you knew the basic etiquette for entering a palace,” Leah said coolly. “You need a new tutor to teach you proper manners, Lady Mirael.”

But despite the cold greeting, the lady didn’t back down.

“Don’t misunderstand me,” she said with a wide smile. “I have only come to get to know you better.”

Countess Melissa frowned at her overly familiar language and impolite manner. Leah only looked at the lady in silence. It was better to do nothing, and see how far Lady Mirael would go. The lady’s eyes went over Leah’s office and her desk, laden with documents, and then to Leah’s ink-smudged finger and smiled.

Leah followed her gaze. She had been so busy at work, she hadn’t even noticed.

“Work is important, but aren’t there other, higher priorities?” Lady Mirael asked softly. “I could help you in many other ways. For example…” She dragged out the word with heavy insinuation. “With His Majesty.”

She wasn’t done. Appalling as that was, she went on to say something even she couldn’t get away with.

“You have to try, Princess. Surely you want what happened to your mother to happen to you.”

The atmosphere in the office was rigid with tension. Lady Mirael looked at her expectantly, and Leah understood the reason for this visit. It seemed she wanted to provoke an argument. Perhaps she even thought to get Leah to slap her, so she could go to Blain and cry that she had been abused at the princess’s palace and create a problem for Leah.

And Leah just felt overwhelmed with fatigue. She was in no mood to engage in a war of attrition with Lady Mirael. All she wanted to do was go back to reading documents.

“Lady Mirael.” Pulling out a handkerchief, Leah wiped the ink blot from her fingers. “Are you worried about losing the King’s favor?”

“……!”

Lady Mirael’s expression confirmed that Leah’s hit had landed squarely.

“Then why don’t you try to take care of your beauty instead of coming to talk to me?”

“H, how…can you say…”

“You’re a consort.” Leah said quietly. “Not the Queen.”

Lady Mirael’s eyes widened.

“You’re a mediocrity who can’t even have s3x…!” She exclaimed, glaring furiously at Leah.

“What’s going on?” The cold voice echoed through the office, and Leah and Lady Mirael turned toward the door where Blain stood, dressed in his hunting clothes and wearing an icy expression.

Dropping the peach blossoms in his hand, he strode over to Lady Mirael and grabbed her by the hair. She was so shocked, she didn’t even cry out.

“What’s going on?” He asked again.