Chapter 80 - Plead (1)

Predatory Marriage — Chapter 80. Plead (1)
Translator: Atlas / Editor: Eyljee
Listening to Ishakan, Leah remembered the stories Genin had told her. It had been going around in her head since the moment Genin had first explained the true nature of a Kurkan during the full moon. Only one word came to her mind now, echoing through confused memories.
Mating…
Seeing Leah speechless made Ishakan laugh. Her eyes were wide open, and her lips could barely stammer a full sentence.
“But the wound…”
“It will heal even if I do nothing,” he shrugged.
Ishakan approached the boy he had thrown, who laid motionless on the ground. He checked for a pulse and confirmed that the boy was still breathing. “He’s not dead,” he muttered.
However, he confirmed that the child would most likely remain unconscious until the next day. Since the boy had been abused for so long, it was only natural that he would exhaust all his strength after jumping to Leah.
Ishakan picked up the boy and laid him down in a corner before sighing. He had been forcing himself not to make eye contact with Leah. Concerned, he slowly backed up and leaned against the iron bars of the window.
“Haa…”
He sighed and raised his hand to touch his hair. As his fingers brushed against his dark brown strands, blood flowed down his arm. The wound was exposed, and dark red threads of blood dripped down his elbow, forming a puddle on the floor.
Leah approached Ishakan slowly, who felt surprised by her own actions. Throughout their many interactions, Ishakan had always been the first to approach. Her mind remembered the moment when he had gone to get her for a luncheon. His charming evil smile and his magnetic golden eyes were embedded in her mind.
Leaning on the iron bars, Ishakan stared at Leah, wanting her to stop. He tried to restrain himself, but it wasn’t enough to hide the indomitable desire that burned in his eyes.
“Don’t come, Leah,” he grunted, his voice restrained. “Do you realize what you’re doing?”
“I know,” she whispered, her face flushed. “Last time… It’s because you helped me last time.” Although she didn’t know what a Kurkan in heat felt like, Leah could clearly remember what she had felt when she had taken that adulterated drink. A horrible pain ignited her body, leaving her feverish, itchy and desperate to break free. Ishakan could be going through the same pain. “So, this time, I’m going to help you.”
“With your body?”
‘Must you say something so obvious out loud?’ Leah felt a little embarrassed, but nodded hesitantly.
“You are kind, Leah.” Ishakan’s eyes narrowed as he smiled, trying to hide his discomfort. “But don’t you really have another reason?”
“……”
Leah didn’t respond. In fact, she was prepared. She was tempted by him, by the man in front of her. Her reasoning might argue against getting involved with Ishakan, but her body remembered the pleasure he could give her. He attracted her, so she wanted to reciprocate. –
Leah felt the heat rising in her neck. She enjoyed the feel of her skin on his, the warm intimacy of his touch. She liked the way they bonded as one, she liked how he could set her mind free and get rid of any worries or thoughts. Those were the only times she could forget the burdens and complicated situations that clouded her daily life, even if only temporarily.
‘Once again, just once more. This is the last one.’
With this imperfect excuse driving her, Leah approached Ishakan. Ishakan’s eyes shone sinisterly as he watched her. Leah stopped in front of Ishakan before looking up. With the most determined expression and the most assertive voice she could muster, she said as she drew closer.
“We should deal with this first,” she said. Then, she looked directly into Ishakan’s eyes and bravely, though gently, took his arm in her small hands.
Ishakan withdrew his arm. “It’s okay,” he insisted.
The lie was so obvious that not even the most naive child in the world would believe it. Leah ignored him and gently made him sit down on the floor. Then she sat down across from him.
Since the inside of her dress was made of soft fabric, it would be easy to turn it into a bandage for her wound. However, Leah struggled for a while, trying to tear off a considerable piece without success.
Ishakan laughed at her feeble attempts before intervening, stopping her clumsy hands. And then, he tore a piece.
“……”
A long strip was quickly torn off by Ishakan, making Leah blush. Realizing the difference between their strength, Leah was overcome with shame. She had been trying to tear off a piece, while Ishakan had succeeded in doing so instantly.
Leah took the torn cloth and wrapped it carefully, but tightly around Ishakan’s arm. The bleeding stopped, but then, Ishakan wrapped his thick arms around her waist.
“Come here,” he muttered.
Ishakan had Leah sit on his legs while she was still surprised. The back of his hand caressed her neck, inhaling deeply.
“There is a sweet aroma…emanating from you…”
Ishakan must have smelled the fragrant wine that the slave Kurkan served him long ago. Leah shrugged her shoulders slightly, feeling a little ticklish. However, Ishakan immediately tightened his grip on her.
Bringing her close once more, he rubbed his face against her neck. Ishakan sighed deeply, his warm breath brushing against her skin.