Leah realized what she was thinking and chided herself harshly. When she had looked in the mirror last night, she had gained weight. Now, since she had eaten the cookie, she would starve herself the rest of the day to be sure she wouldnât gain any more. Perhaps she should consider a smaller breakfast tomorrow morning, too.
âI finished the cookie,â she said. âNow, will you answer my questions?â
âWell, okay,â Ishakan replied reluctantly. Leah gave him a sharp look and he sighed. âWell, thereâs a Kurkan who knows sorcery. I found out the Queen is a gypsy with his help.â
âSorcery⌠So that Kurkan is also a Gypsy?â
âYes. Tomari blood flows within him.â
Surprised, Leah took a deep breath. Unlike the Kurkans, whose savage heritage was visible at a glance, gypsiesâ features were more subtle and lacked any animal quality. The two groups had always been antagonistic to each other. Even now the gypsies were fleeing from the Kurkansâ persecution.
It was clear that there was more that Ishakan hadnât told her, aside from the fact that the two groups were somehow related.Leah hesitated.
âWhyâŚwhy didnât you tell me sooner?â She asked.
âIâve been busy.â
That wasnât an excuse. Leah had been busy, too, with all the problems cropping up around her.
âBesides,â Ishakan added, âThere was no reason to tell you, right? Youâll put Byun Gyeongbaek on the throne if I allow you to bend me, princess. I have to keep some secrets.â
Leah kept her mouth shut. She could feel his intense gaze on her, and it felt strange to pretend to ignore it, since their faces were only inches apart. He wasnât shy about examining her, his deep, dark pupils seeming to peer inside her.
âI donât understand you,â he said.
She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath. She had wondered what Ishakan would have done, if he were in her situation. Now, she knew. The moment the slightest opportunity presented itself, he would cut the shackles from his ankles without a momentâs hesitation. And he would not flee far. He would claim vengeance on those that had subdued and mistreated him. It was not difficult to imagine Ishakan stained with the blood of her enemies.
Her efforts seemed insignificant in comparison. He wouldnât understand her. He wouldnât comprehend her desire.
âI canâtâŚdo it,â she whispered. His eyes narrowed, and she stopped trying to avoid them. She met his gaze. âSecuring the peace treaty is my last duty to Estia.â
As much as she wanted to die, she didnât want to end her life irresponsibly. People who were precious to her would live on after her death. She wanted to build a solid foundation for them.
âOh.â Ishakan sighed deeply and ran a hand over her face. âIâm in troubleâŚâ
She didnât understand. She wanted to ask what she meant, but then Ishakan smiled at her.
âYour complaint almost makes me want to accept the agreement,â she said quietly. She blinked, surprised at the affection in his musical voice. Her cheeks flushed, and she said quickly,
âMaking an important decision just because of something like thatâŚâ
âItâs not the only reason.â He moved closer to her, and she allowed their noses to touch as he whispered, âIâm serious.â
Leahâs eyes grew very wide. His usual teasing, mischievous attitude had vanished, and his eyes were dark and magnetic.
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âWouldnât you rather become a Kurkanâs wife than marry Byun Gyeongbaek?â
Her lips parted automatically to answer, but she couldnât speak. This was something she had to think about carefully.
The Queen of the KurkansâŚ
Though Ishakan had suggested this in their negotiation, she had assumed he was just teasing her. She had never thought that he was truly offering her that position. So many thoughts whirled in her mind, she felt as if there were a storm raging inside her.
Was he being honest? There was no reason to trust his words. At most, they had a s3xual relationship. Superficial, a relationship where they only shared their bodies. Therefore, if their bodies changed, so would their connection.