Predatory Marriage - Chapter 398

Chapter 398 – Snow in the Desert (26)

Translator: Atlas / Editor: Regan

Under Genin’s gentle guidance, Leah stepped inside the house. The warmth within was just as comforting as the garden outside.

The interior was filled with countless delicate decorations—far too refined to match Genin’s rugged demeanor. It was obvious that Lushan had arranged them all.

Their eyes were drawn to the items scattered across the table: someone had been sewing. At first glance, it resembled a quilt, but upon closer inspection, it was clearly a garment in the making. There was no doubt—Lushan had been crafting clothes for Genin.

Lushan led Leah to the sofa while Genin prepared tea using the leaves Leah had brought as a gift. Unfortunately, brewing tea was not one of Genin’s talents. Only posted on NovelUtopia. Despite the high-quality leaves, the drink turned out bitter and harsh.

Sensing Leah’s discomfort, Lushan discreetly offered her some homemade sweets.

“Would you like to try one?” he asked. “I made them myself.”

True to his words, the pastries were delicious—far better than expected. It seemed Lushan had quite the skill for domestic tasks.

As they chatted, the conversation flowed easily, and eventually, the topic turned to how the two had fallen in love. Noticing Leah’s interest, the usually reserved Lushan grew animated as he shared their story.

“I was once a prince,” he began, “though only the eighth in line for the throne of a small kingdom.”

His title held little real power, making him little more than a privileged noble with ample free time.

“I had a habit of collecting plants in the forest,” he continued. “That’s how I met Genin.”

To Lushan, their meeting was nothing short of destiny.

On that particular day, he had wandered deep into an unfamiliar part of the woods, far from the palace. Since he often explored alone, it was no surprise when he lost his way. As dusk fell, he huddled beneath a tree, clutching a basket filled with mushrooms, flowers, and rare fruits—helpless and on the verge of tears.

Then, a bear appeared, drawn by the sweet scent of his harvest.

Lushan froze, his grip tightening on the basket. The beast lumbered closer, but fear rooted him in place. Just as he braced for the worst, an angel descended—a warrior as formidable as the bear itself.

With a single, decisive strike, she beheaded the creature. As its massive body collapsed, bleeding into the earth, the warrior turned to Lushan and spoke:

“You’re safe now.”

That was the moment he fell in love.

From then on, he returned to the forest daily, hoping to see Genin again.

“I wanted to marry you,” he told her, “in the Kurkan tradition.”

At the time, the Kurkan people were scorned across the continent as barbarians. Had Lushan openly declared his intentions, he would have been imprisoned.

So he devised another plan—he asked Genin to kidnap him. She obliged, carrying out a daring abduction that doubled as a marriage ceremony.

“It happened during a royal hunting tournament,” Lushan recalled with a boyish grin. “Genin stole me away so boldly… I fell for her all over again.”

His heart had pounded so fiercely he thought it might burst—a thrill he still remembered vividly. But then, as he gazed at Genin, his laughter faded, and his expression grew solemn.