Predatory Marriage

Leah’s beautiful white dress was ruined. No one would ever have known it was a wedding dress; it was not only blood-stained, it was in tatters, and the bride was walking down a long corridor in bare feet.

Coming to a halt before a large door, she slowly pushed it open. It was the Glory Room, filled with masterpieces made by artists who had wanted the light to shine on Estia forever.

On a clear day, there was a light that streamed through the window in the center of the domed roof, illuminating the room. But the sky outside was covered in black smoke, and the light in the room was very dim.

Leah gazed out the window blankly. It didn’t take long before she could hear noises from outside the room, and she hoped the door would open soon. The noise was getting louder as it approached.

Her hands trembled, and she had to force herself to stifle it. It would be a lie if she claimed she wasn’t afraid, but she had to get over it. There was something more important.

—I’m not afraid of anything, so long as I have you.

She remembered a calm voice, a man who was not afraid. Thinking of his golden eyes calmed her.

The wait was long and time fleeted by as the noise drew nearer and finally reached the Glory Room. The door swung open abruptly, and Leah turned her gaze toward it.

“……”

The first thing she noticed was his blond hair. Blain had not come alone. As they entered the room, Leah looked away. Behind him were many other Tomaris.

Cerdina had betrayed them. She had eaten the hearts of her own people, a crime that was unforgivable in every nation. But still, there would be those who were attracted by her great power.

It was ridiculous, but Leah did not assume that they were merely stupid. Perhaps they followed Cerdina because their natures were the same.

Of course, the one most like her is the one she conceived…

Blain’s blue eyes went to Leah, and he couldn’t help laughing when he saw what she held in her hand, even as anger flooded him.

“Hahahahaha…! Are you planning to kill me with that?”

In Leah’s hand was a dagger. It was small, but sharp enough to cut through someone’s flesh.

“That’s ridiculous…”

Blain raked his fingers through his hair. He was so furious he didn’t know what to do with himself, and he turned away, muttering curses, then suddenly exploded, slamming his fists into nearby statues. A bust perched on a marble pedestal toppled to the floor.

“Kill me, bitch, kill me!” He shouted as he approached, his voice echoing loudly through the room.

Leah said nothing. There was no longer any point in speaking. He had been twisted from birth, and he would never regret anything he had done. It would be a waste of energy to talk with him.

He came to a stop before Leah, and his hand shot out and closed around her neck.

“You babble all the time, and you don’t have anything to say now?” He shoved his face into hers. “Then why don’t we both die…”

This was not just a threat. He really meant to do it. Looking into his eyes, it was clear that he had completely lost his mind.

“I’ll kill you first,” he panted. “Just with my hands…”

But the moment his hands squeezed her neck, the glass window above them shattered, and Mura burst into the room, aimed straight for Blain, but he dodged aside and narrowly avoided her. At that same moment, more Tomaris came racing in from the corridor.