I Became a Barbarian's Bride - Chapter 16
“I wasn’t trying to run away; there seems to be some misunderstanding.”
Nisha slowly moved her lips.
At her brazen and almost laughable remark, Kagan ‘s eyes narrowed.
“You went off in a carriage with just your maid?”
Kagan glanced at the girl standing a little distance away, her face pale and freckled, looking utterly lost.
‘If only I had warned them in time…’
Mary thought, closing her eyes in dismay.
“…I just wanted to eat some fruit and get some fresh air for a while.”
“…Fruit?”
“Yes.”
It was an incredibly shameless and flimsy excuse.
Yet, there was no way to outright deny it.
After all, she had returned of her own accord, and no one could know the truth unless they could read her mind.
Kagan bit the end of his cigarette, then burst into loud laughter.
Hahaha, he threw his head back, laughing heartily, which made Nisha frown.
“So, did you find the fruit you were looking for?”
“…The shops were all closed, so I came back.”
“Well then, I’ll make sure we have plenty of fruit at tomorrow’s banquet. Since you were willing to go out so late at night for it, I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed.”
With a tone that seemed almost cheerful, Kagan slowly tossed away the cigarette he had been holding in his mouth. At the same time, his hand shot out so quickly it was almost invisible, grabbing her chin with a large, firm grip and forcing her head up.
‘…Ah.’
His golden eyes, not unlike those of a beast, were filled with cruelty and slowly turned red right in front of her. It was like watching the sun set and the red moon rise. No, it was more like the red moon swallowing the sun.
Their breaths mingled, and their noses were almost touching.
“Princess, for your effort, I’ll humor your ridiculous excuse this time. But there won’t be a second chance.”
“…….”
“We are born hunters and trackers. Even if you run, you will find yourself back before me.”
As Nisha remained silent, his voice suddenly dropped to a low, threatening tone, discarding any semblance of politeness.
Nisha bit her lip with a grim expression at his warning.
“And if you ignore my consideration, someone in this country will pay the price, if not the princess herself.”
His voice was still even, but Nisha’s eyes widened in alarm.
Her pupils dilated, almost swallowing the amethyst hue of her irises, as she stared at him.
Kagan continued speaking, watching her reaction.
“Yes, someone in the palace… or perhaps your loyal knight or your maid.”
Kagan rose from his seat.
“I value my people highly, so no harm will come to the princess…”
Only when the man stood did Nisha fully realize how imposing his size was.
‘…He’s huge.’
He looked nearly 2 meters tall. The body she had thought lacked much muscle now seemed quite imposing, as he had only appeared smaller because he had been slightly hunched.
Kagan, looking down at her pale, rigidly upturned neck, impulsively bent down and planted a light kiss on her exposed nape.
The act felt more like a beast marking its territory than anything romantic.
At the same time, Nisha’s eyes widened slightly.
She was startled by the sudden action, and the spot where his lips touched felt too hot.
“Don’t be scared. I have no intention of harming the princess. We’ll see each other again soon.”
With those brief words, he and his men quickly disappeared.
Thud-.
Nisha’s legs gave out, and she sank to the ground.
“Princess!”
“Are you all right?”
The ones held back by Kagan’s guards quickly rushed to her side.
“Ah… Yes, I’m fine. Let’s go back now.”
Softly muttering, she staggered to her feet.
Even though the red moon had already disappeared, Nisha felt as if it were still flickering before her eyes.
The image of the crimson moon, devouring the sun, seemed to remain imprinted on the inside of her eyelids. She took a slow, deep breath.
