Predatory Marriage

Chapter 159.
Kurkan Marriage (1)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

“What gift?” He had already given her so much.
Leah couldn’t imagine what unreasonable gift he was preparing now.

But Ishakan said nothing more and quickly disappeared before Leah could say she didn’t want it.
Leah lay back down on the soft bed.

There was no longer any need to worry about matters of state, endless documents, or fear meeting Blain or Cerdina.
There was nothing before her but leisure.
For a time, she simply relaxed, until someone knocked at the door.

“Leah, it’s Genin.”

Leah quickly pulled a robe on over her nightgown.

“Come in,” she said.

Genin appeared holding a tray in both hands.
She bowed her head in thanks to the Kurkan holding the door for her, but when he tried to poke his head into the room, she immediately kicked him out.
There was a cry.

“Argh!”

In the hallway, there was the sound of someone hitting the floor.
Genin closed the door with her foot deliberately and then approached with the tray, filled with towers of food.

“Good morning, Leah.
I’ve brought delicious food.”

“Hello Genin,” Leah greeted Genin cheerfully.
“Thank you so much.”

Carefully, Genin placed the tray on the nightstand beside the bed.

“You can talk to me as you like, Leah,” Genin said firmly.
“From now on, you can speak with anyone you meet.
In the desert, there is no one more honorable than you.”

“But…” She hesitated.

“It’s related to Ishakan’s reputation,” Genin insisted.
It seemed that she must.
Genin stared at her, as if waiting for affirmation.

“I understand, Genin,” Leah answered hesitantly.

Genin looked satisfied and promptly placed the tray filled with food in front of Leah, neatly setting a fork and knife beside the plates.
She did not forget to mention that the cutlery had been custom-made for Leah.

Perhaps because of Ishakan’s tormenting, she had a big appetite.
She also had a clearer mind today than she had had for a long time.
She felt refreshed, and there were no bad thoughts.
For once, she could eat with enthusiasm.

Leah’s shoulders twitched when she tasted a very sweet jam made from palm dates, and she set it down in favor of seasoned chickpeas.
While she diligently ate, Genin’s hands were busy setting out tempting new dishes.
The Kurkan woman was barely restraining the urge to ask Leah to taste this or that.

While Leah ate diligently, Genin kept moving her hands.
She seemed to be barely restraining her urge to intrude and forced herself to make other conversation instead as Leah ate.
While she tried to keep it casual, with talk of the weather and explanations of daily life in Kurkan, but Leah’s daily life could not be considered normal.
Inevitably, they wound around to the topic of bride kidnapping.

“Bride kidnapping is the last resort,” Genin explained.
It was only used as a last resort when there were obstacles to getting married, despite the shared feelings of the couple involved.
On the mainland, it was difficult for someone to marry a Kurkan when they were despised as barbarians.

When Kurkans kidnapped brides, those women were given time to choose whether they wished to return home or to marry.
According to Genin, so far, none of them had returned.

“I also experienced bride kidnapping,” Genin added.
Leah could see a little embarrassment in Genin’s face whenever her husband was mentioned, a little blushing.
Genin confided that since it had been so long since she had been home, she had brought him flowers.
Leah smiled.

“Does your husband like flowers?” she asked.

“Yes, very much.
He liked to garden as a hobby, but now…it’s a bit difficult…” Darkness flashed through Genin’s face, disappearing quickly.
“He is curious to meet you.”

Genin said she had proudly told her husband all about Leah, so he was very curious.
Leah said that she was nothing to be proud of, but accepted nonetheless.
She was also curious about Genin’s husband.
The discussion led very naturally to marriage, and Genin explained the Kurkan customs.

“There is a ceremony for the two of you to welcome each other as a couple.
If you plan to have the ceremony, you need at least a month to prepare.” Genin said seriously.
Lead had to gain weight and exercise to improve her stamina.
“Because… a Kurkan wedding doesn’t end in one day.”

Before the ceremony began, they would have to spend five nights together.
On the last day, a wedding would take place in which they would swear fidelity in front of the guests.