Chapter 26 – Seized by a Dauntless Predator(1) 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 “...” Leah’s body suddenly froze. When Blain carelessly dragged her away from the garden, she could still remember Ishakan mouth the words “Need help?” She thought of his underlying intention, whether it was an evil scheme or a political move. However, in contrast to her complicated thoughts, the man in front of her was quite simple. His intention was pure—in fact, he just wanted to know why she did not ask for his help. His eyes, as though of a curious child, persuaded her to answer. In a trance, Leah’s lips had started to move. “I...” After hesitating several times, her prudently chosen words finally came out of her mouth. “Don’t you know the reason?” Among the various rules, laws, etiquette, and political conditions required of a royal princess, he has no clue? There were numerous other reasons why Ishakan could not help her. As a king, he should’ve known that. However, he seemed confused—probably, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know.” His calm and relaxed voice resonated. “Kurkans are quite simple. If we hate something, then we say no. If we like it, then we say yes. Simple.” Leah slowly flickered her eyes to the window. Through it, the cold wind slowly entered her chamber, making the long curtains swung rhythmically. The dark chamber, with only the two of them inside, was illuminated by the moonlight. If anything, this setting, it reminded her of that night. That time when she didn’t have to think of anything and had only succumbed to her pure instincts. Thinking of it, her mouth felt dry. Leah avoided his piercing gaze and said in a stern voice, “Get out.” Ishakan grinned, not a bit offended of her sending him out. “Alright. If that’s your wish.” His nonchalant response brought relief to Leah—but it didn’t last long. For in the next second, her sight rocketed to the ceiling as Ishakan grabbed her close to his body. Using one hand, he lifted her petite body by supporting her buttocks. She froze, but hugged Ishakan’s shoulders eventually, afraid to fall. She was in a daze. In an urgent tone, she spoke. “Put me down!” As expected, he paid no heed to her orders. Seeing that words alone could not restrain his actions, she struggled to wriggle her body with all her might. But, how could a frail woman be ever at par with a beast’s strength? Instead, Ishakan effortlessly held her, firmly locking her to her position. Finding his face amidst her struggle, she was greeted by his two eyes, which glowed of delight. Ishakan intentionally inched his face closer to her and whispered. “You told me to get out.” His warm breath touched her lips. He was so close to her that upon a little move, their nose would touch. Leah hurriedly tilted her head backward and hastily spoke. “Put... me... down!” “No.” And with that, Ishakan crossed the bedroom with rapid and light footsteps and nimbly jumped off the railing, where Leah had always wanted to leap from but had not even dared to do so. ♔♔♔ The king of Kurkans was a fierce being, embodying his savage dominions. Such power and strength, everyone believed that he held no fear of almost everything—not even perturbed of abducting the princess from the palace. Holding Leah in his arms, his expression did not once flinch. It was as if he was only holding a feather. Amidst the night, his figure glided on the ground agile and light, before finally disappearing behind the shadows of the nearby trees... Even the tight security in the palace had not become a hindrance to him. He drifted through the area and took unpaved roads, which were not accessible for the commoners. Despite the place swarmed by guards, he easily avoided them. Dainty movements, he made not a single sound—a hunter’s characteristic his kind was born with. The damsel in distress, Leah, thought of screaming so that he would let her go. But thinking twice, she eventually dropped the idea, knowing that she would suffer the most damage once they were discovered together at this time of the night. She gazed at her surroundings as Ishakan held her. They swiftly passed by the castle of Estia. She could not imagine that someone could easily breach the palace like this! It seemed ridiculous, imagining herself struggling through the secret passage all this time. The cool wind ruffled her hair, making tangles. Nights in Estia had always been cold, but despite being in her thin nightgown, Leah was kept warm by Ishakan’s naturally hot body temperature. As soon as they stepped out of the palace’s perimeter, she felt her heart race fast. Afraid he might feel it,  Leah pressed her hand over her chest. She had always acted tough in front of him, unwilling to appear vulnerable, and she didn’t want her heartbeat to give her away. She internally sighed. She sought recluse in the confines of her room, but it was the source of her anxiety, who came seeking her instead. Not only that, her supposed to be serene night was now stirred in all ways. Nervous and excited at the same time, she felt like a child committing a wicked act behind her parent’s back. Soon, they reached the edge of the forest, and Ishakan put Leah down to stand on her feet. From a distance, the palace could be seen; its faint sounds reverberating and glowing lights beautiful. Unlike her well-lit home, the forest was dark. Leah had to blink her eyes to adjust to the dimness of her surroundings. Ishakan gazed through her silver hair, faintly shining under the moonlight. The silver hair that represented the Kingdom of Estia. Then, he bent his neck upwards and spread out his arms in the air. Noticing this, Leah was dumbfounded, even more so when he flicked his fingers. What are you doing? She wanted to ask, when suddenly, a cloak flappingly dropped from the sky. Ishakan grabbed it effortlessly. With this bizarre scenario flashing before her, Leah widened eyes scrutinized the top of the nearest tree. Looking up, she squinted, uncaring if her neck would snap at such an uncomfortable angle. But, no matter how she looked, she saw nothing, not even a slight movement. Hence, she could only assume that someone was hiding in the shadows... It was then that she felt soft fabric wrapped around her. Ishakan gently placed his cloak to cocoon Leah, who was barely dressed in her slightly sheer nightgown and briefly said. “Someone is tailing after me—one of my men. They are called escort knight here in Estia, right?” On their way here, she didn’t sense any hint of an escort knight following them. It seemed that his senses were beyond average. Leah covered her hair with a considerable amount of cloth, as it was her attribute that would likely get attention. She securely tied the ribbon and tightly stretched the hem of the cloak to fully conceal her form. Revealing herself to any onlooker was the last thing she needed. Only after Ishakan was certain that Leah was fully covered did he speak. “I wanted to tour around the royal metropolis, but I am not exactly knowledgeable of this kingdom. I am just a countryman from the east side of the desert. So I thought it would be nice to see you again...and Estia, of course.” He smiled and repeated, “Of course.”