Predatory Marriage (Web Novel)

Chapter 18 – Ishakan

Proud and huge, the Kurkans boats and ships touched the soil of Estia. From the distance, she could tell that they came with gifts.

As Leah watched the glistening white diamonds, which loosely hang on the wooden ships, her vision became hazy. She suddenly remembered the scarce amount of food she had eaten that day—only a handful of wild berries and a cup of tea.

To her utter annoyance, she had been commanded to control her diet more than usual to achieve an even thinner waist. Her maids felt sorry for feeding her such meager meals, but they had to obey orders from above.

Queen Cerdina herself supervised the princess meals. Should she find out that Leah consumed even a mere crumb more than what shed set for her, both her and kitchen maids would suffer such horrendous consequences.

To Cerdina, Leah was a mere tool, not a human. In order to please the numerous nobles and the visiting Kurkans, Leah was required to be outstandingly beautiful, especially today.

The discomfort was almost unbearable, Leah grimaced as she supported her weight by holding on to the banister. She felt dizzy from the pain her tight corset squeezing her empty stomach caused. The fabric digging to her skin, she knew it would leave marks by the time the banquet ends.

Her eyebrows furrowed as her vision swayed. Afraid of messing up her perfectly rouged face, she forced herself to straighten her expression.

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On the corner, Countess Melissa watched the princess with pitiful eyes. The suffering this child had gone through…

Among the palaces subordinates, she had been with Leah the longest. Seeing Leahs thin frame shake, she immediately realized what was happening. Approaching her hastily, Countess Melissa quickly supported the princess collapsing weight.

Leah could barely manage to stand. However, unaware of their mistress struggle, the other maids continued to admire Leahs beauty.