Blain was still sitting upright at the table, using the lifeless luncheon, as an excuse to make Leah stay. “I said don’t go, Leah.” However, Leah did not reply to him. Unable to endure her lack of response, Blain kicked his seat. His eyebrow twitched; it was clear that he was furious at Leah. Great bitterness swept across his face, as her disobedience caused unstoppable rage to surge through Blain. The always compliant Leah, had dared to defy him. His fist balled up and he slammed the table, clattering the plates as he tried to intimidate her into staying. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂 However, it was already too late. Leah’s hand was already extended towards Ishakan. As soon as her fingers touched his, Ishakan immediately entwined them. His grip was so powerful, that even she was astonished. Ishakan grabbed her hand, his grip was stable and assuring, and pulled her to his chest. In the blink of an eye, with a few powerful strides, they had left the table of the luncheon and the garden. Blain, still wrapped in his wrath, tried to chase after them. However, his hand which had tried to steal Leah back, missed by mere inches, before Ishakan had whisked her away. Nothing but hollow, cold air met his skin. “...” Releasing his grip on the air, Blain brought his fist down, and clenched so hard, his nails dug into his skin and pierced his flesh. However, he ignored the pain. It was nothing, compared to the feelings of turmoil and rage that consumed him in that moment. For a minute, his eyes grazed over the empty spot that Leah had sat, moments before. His icy blue eyes trembled intensely, directing all his hostility towards Ishakan, at the chair. It was his last chance. As Ishakan dragged Leah out of the garden, Blain reacted and shouted at the knights who stood guard at the luncheon entrance to stop them. However, it was too late. Coupled with how long his legs were, the distance they covered with their speed increased, and soon, the garden where the luncheon was held, was nowhere in sight. In front of the maze of the palace, they stopped in a corridor lined with marble pillars. The sons and daughters of nobles who were playing nearby, noticed the intense figure of Ishakan dragging Leah, and realizing that they were figures of importance, quickly dispersed like ants doused with water. Their surroundings immediately became silent. Even a pin dropping would be audible. Ishakan looked down at Leah and breathed out, finally releasing his grip on her wrist. The moment his hot hand let go, Leah hid her hand behind her dress, however, Ishakan noticed her action and instantly drew it to him again. His hand had left reddish marks on her white, slender wrist. Even though Ishakan had tried to grip her gently, Leah’s skin was so pale and fragile that the grasp Ishakan had thought was light, had handprints on her skin. She was truly made of glass. “Why...!” Caught in the middle of surprise, Ishakan stopped his words as his voice rose sharply. He brought his hand to his face, covering his eyes, as mixed emotions ran through him. A loud sigh left his mouth and he disheartenedly murmured. “You should’ve told me it hurts.” When Ishakan said that, Leah realised how distracted she had been. His grip, though left marks, did not hurt her at all. Those little things were insignificant to her. She raised her head and her light violet eyes met Ishakan’s deep golden ones. Her lips opened and spilled out the words she had intended to say all along. “I deeply apologize in lieu of the royal family.” However, Ishakan roughly stopped Leah, nudging her. “Stop.” He commanded. The sun that glowed in his eyes, pulsed as his pupils dilated. A swarm of emotions ran through them. “You’re not a sinner. Why are you always being so apologetic?” A sense of frustration and anger crashed down on him. Each time he interacted with her, it was like a wave upon wave of intense fury. However, the reason behind this was far different from what Leah was thinking. “What the hell did Estia do to you? Is it not enough to sell you to Byun Gyongbaek? You’re a damn shield...” From what he knew, in Ishakan’s mind, only Leah had made any effort in the luncheon. She alone had held herself trying to maintain an amicable relationship; only she had selflessly thought for her country. Rendered speechless, and unable to fathom her actions, he tucked his head and whispered lowly. “Is the kingdom too important to you? To the extent of protecting the Crown Prince?” Ishakan vehemently tried to control his raging emotions. It was only for Leah’s sake that his anger quelled. Leah chewed on her lips, without uttering a single sound. He raised his hand and tilted her chin up. “Why did you not say anything?” His thumb grazed over her lips and pressed, parting her mouth. Leah almost bit his fingers but stopped herself in time. “If you feel wronged, you should also express your anger. Shout, say anything. Even if you’re not...” Hearing his words, the stirring emotions that had been dead, came to life. Even if she had thought she could bear it, her lips moved on its own accord. “...What would change if I do that?” Nothing. There’s absolutely nothing that it would change.