PREDOTARY MARRIAGE

58

With a small, soft laugh, Lisa was brought out of her daze. She saw Jungkook smiling at her, wearing a slightly puzzled expression on his face. He looked at her, the meaning behind his golden eyes was clear.

Did you give it to her?

Lisa subtly shook her lowered head. For a split second, a wave of nausea overcame her, which caused her to immediately bring the back of her white hand to her mouth, covering it.

Without a doubt, within the princess’ palace, there must have been a traitor. One, who also had a very close relationship with Lisa.

Until yesterday, the princess’ palace was strictly forbidden to outsiders. Only those who were allowed in and were close to the princess, knew about the extremely valuable treasures hidden away–tyrian silk. Made from the dye of ten thousand crushed snails, the deep rich purple silk was reserved only for the royals.

In order for the dress to be taken away, a person from the inside of the princess’ palace must have intervened. To be exact, it’s one of Lisa’s maids.

It was a scheme to separate Lisa from the maids of the princess’ quarter. Only, it became problematic for them by using such an obvious method they could not escape.

Therefore, this was not the end of Lisa’s cover. She’d move on as a royal daughter. Even if they made a decision, there would be a division among the maids. Lisa was not in a position to find out the suspect and didn’t know what to do to begin with. She was also worried that Count Jisoo, the head maid, would severely blame herself.

Lisa glanced at Dara who was smiling. Beneath her cruel smile, she was quietly hiding her sinister intentions, anticipating Lisa’s reaction. Lisa had thought that the queen would grace her by leaving her alone for a while. However, again, Dara twistedly started her play, slowly strangling Lisa.

For now, she had no energy to entertain Dara. Lisa kept her gaze low.

“The dress is beautiful.” An obvious sarcastic voice flew in.

“I didn’t expect the queen to wear Kurkan’s clothes.”

Dara and Jungkook’s eyes met. Unlike Jungkook whose face was void of any emotion, a coquettish smile flitted across Dara’s lips.

“This is to serve the King of Kurkans.”

something Lisa was unaware of. She refocused on her surroundings, and glanced at Dara, taking note of her attitude towards Jungkook during the luncheon. It seemed necessary to properly observe her actions…and, the tyrian purple silk dress…

“…”

She felt strange today. Usually, if it were the same, she would have been able to control her emotion skillfully, but it was hard to do so. Useless impulses kept flaring up out of nowhere.

Right now, Lisa wanted to get up and slap Dara in the face. She wanted to yell at her to take it off right away because it’s hers. These were thoughts her usual self never had.

Since she had become close to Jungkook, had her nature changed? The powerless royal daughter and the king who reigns over the western desert are worlds apart.

Lisa glanced across the table, towards Jungkook who sat indifferently. The chair seemed a little small for him. In comparison to those seated, his large and tall stature dwarfed everyone.

He was watching Dara. His eyes were subduing a certain impulse that stirred. A dim flame lit in his golden eyes. Despite being relatively subtle and soundless, the air around him was heavy. After all, such a frightening man was in front of them. Waiting on him was the Estian servant who had been assigned to attend Jungkook. He looked ashen as he battled the intense nervousness and fear of serving the great man before him.

The expression Jungkook wore was ghastly, and his sharp eyes felt like daggers that would pierce one and root them in place. Feeling Lisa’s gaze, he suddenly turned his head. Immediately, the golden eyes that flickered with embers of rage, and were sharp as a blade, softened at once.

Lisa realized. Jungkook was enduring Dara for her.

In his mind, he also had the urge to strangle the Estian queen. The image of her body lying face down on the grass with the dress torn to shreds seemed appealing. After all, it was an insult to the dress to be worn by her, tearing it would save it.

However, Jungkook breathed out calmly. If he acted on impulse, Lisa would be in trouble. So, he had no choice but to keep his rage at bay.