Predatory Marriage (Web Novel)

Chapter 353 – Wine (1)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

That night Leah went to dinner with Lesha. The prince wore a formal suit with a bow at his collar, carried in Baroness Cinaels arms and telling her all about the delicious lemon sorbet he had eaten the other day. He wanted to eat more.

As Leah walked down the corridor, the sun had already gone down, and dusk had been replaced by darkness. There were many lights in the palace to drive it back, but it seemed that they cast very long shadows.

The sight of those swaying shadows made her heart inexplicably flutter. At that moment, Lesha hopped out of Baroness Cinaels arms and came to walk beside Leah, looking up at her and smiling.

He was just like his father. Somehow Lesha didnt even give her a chance to think bad thoughts. Leah walked the rest of the way to the banquet hall with a smile on her face. But as soon as the doors opened, she realized her ominous premonitions had been correct.

In all the large banquet hall, only one person was seated.

“Ive been expecting you.”

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Herod was the only one there, and rose from his chair to greet her. Leah smiled wryly. He had come alone, even though all the emissaries of Balkat had been invited to supper. Since it had been difficult to create an opportunity for a private conversation with her, he had resorted to this.

“Your Highness…” Baroness Cinael said quietly, an unspoken question about what they should do. Leah responded by entering the hall.

She wanted to see how far he would go. She sat down opposite him with a cool smile on her face, and Lesha climbed into the seat beside him. Herod beckoned to an attendant behind them to have their food brought.

Watching him, Leah blinked in surprise. Herod wasnt wearing his glasses today, and it was strange to see his face without them. But that wasnt the only unusual thing. In spite of the warm weather, he was wearing a high-necked shirt.

Leah eyed him stealthily. There were faint red marks on his neck.

Hand marks…?

It almost looked as if someone had tried to strangle him. She glanced again, wondering if she had made some mistake, but Herod turned back to face her, and the marks were hidden again.

“Im sorry that I came alone,” he said with a smile.