Chapter - 1 : Leah de Estia

Before the wedding , Leah wrote a

suicide note . As words slowly filled

the crisp fees of parchment paper , heart heart Sang melancholic tune .

She was certain that she would die after the first night of her marriage . A bright suicide would bring disgrace to her family . But a dishonorable , ignominious death was what Leah wanted the most .

Death

Is it what she deserved ? A measurable end of a royal Princess , who devoted her life to the country and to her royal family ? Hi accomplishment and effort into ashes the day her family sold her like a common good - in exchange for wealth . No matter how hard she tried , at the end of the day , she was only a mere tool for other's convenience .

Oh , but death would be a sweet escape from the life she was to face .

Byun Gyeongbaek , the man betrothed to her , could easily pass as her father . However despite her exercising a veto , she was left without a choice . The man was insanely powerful death her parents could not refuse in giving her hand - or did they even hesitate in the first place ?

When the royal family accepted the Byun's proposal - Leah vowed to retaliate . To blemish the high quality good prepare by royal family which is herself . It was the only revenge Leah , in her powerless state , could possibly do .

Horse was already saddled up . Today , she would travel towards the Byun's home where the wedding would be held .

The arrangements had been made without her permission . For the coming days , Leah pictured out what was going to happen in her head . After a three-week-long carriage journey , she would arriv at Oberde . There , she would exchange vows with an old Byun's, share the kiss of oath and..... Spend night with him .

The face of Byun Gyeongbaek , excited the thought of having his filthy hands on his new , young bride , was drawn clearly in Leah's mind. Unpleasant Shivers ran up her spine , disgusted to think that he , who look like a toad , would ride her body .

But Leah already did the irreversible . After the first night , Byun will find that his new bride is impure .

The virginity of the bride in Estia was considered most important then anything else . Knowing that a deflowered bride was sold to him , to who is he paid a great deal of wealth , Byun would be livid and thoroughly insulted .

He was not a man to trifle with . His power extenteded even to the barbarians on the periphery . Moreover , his fury was enough to strangle the noebls of the capital . Therefore , the royal family , which had already lost all there power and remain on a luxurious shell , would suffer a terrible fate under Byun's rage . They would have to vomit out more than they had received from him , just to quell his anger .

And Leah will be stripped of her royal name and forever be condemned as a prodigy who slandered her royal honour .

It was a perfect ending . The only unfortunate thing was that Leah would not able to wittness the ruin of the royal family with her own eyes . Because by then , she would already be a cold crops .

"Princess , these are the wedding papers ."

Just before leaving the Estia , the court-martial brought in papers Leah had to sign . Without resistance , she wrote her name , smearing a fine ink on the paper .

[ Leah de Estia ]

The lavish signature was the same shape as the one she left on the note she made . The black letters on white paper where as clean as night .

When she put down her pen , countess melissa , the meat of honour watching from the side , burst into tears . As soon as she wapt , the other woman who were holding back tears began to sob in unison . Even the court-martial who brought the wedding hall also had a disastrous look on his face.

Everyone was grieving for her , but Leah was calm . She elegantly put down the paper and straightened her back .

"Stop . I must go . There's no time to waste ."

"Princess..."

"Leah!" An urgent voice resounded . Leah halted in her steps , and slowly looked back a man of a forebading stand , panting as he reached her .

The crown Prince of Estia , Blair .

Looking at her half-brother with the dazzling silver hair , Leah smiled serenely . One of the few advantages of this terrible marriage was that it was no longer necessary for her to see Blair .

Blair beckoned the servants and guards around the Leah to stop loading Leah's luggage to the carriage at once . At his arrogant display of authority , Leah only looked straight at him . The sight of her not avoiding his gaze , like she used to , made Blair laugh hoarsely .

"Well ,well ,well . Isn't it the whore who baited a large fish . She seemed to be full of herself now ."

It was a remark devoide of any dignity , resembling that of a street vendor . But since she wouldn't have to deal with him anymore , now that she was to leave the palace , Leah responded with trace of a agitation .

"Please step aside . If I delay any longer , I won't be able to leave the capital by today's end ."

This is not the reaction he expected . Her indifference unnerved the prince and he raised his hand with a grimace . Instead of flinching , Leah gave a cold retort to the man who was above to slap him on the cheek .

"I am now the property of the Byun Gyeongbaek . Do you dare to mar his property , brother ?"