Predatory Marriage Chapter 74 - Leah's Plans (2)

Predatory Marriage — Chapter 74. Leah’s Plans (2)
Translator: Atlas / Editor: Eyljee
Ishakan seemed satisfied with her plan, which relieved Leah, since the person who could cause the most disruption was now willing to cooperate. She was about to continue talking when suddenly, they heard someone knocking on the door.
It turned out to be a legitimate employee of the auction. In an instant, the Kurkans disappeared and the room was devoid of their presence, as if they had never been present. They carefully hid every trace of their presence and went into hiding.
Leah and Count Valtein also quickly put on their masks.
As soon as they allowed the employee to enter, the door opened and an escort entered. “Everyone is waiting,” he announced.
Before the auction, the slave traders were expected to meet to conduct a short meeting. It represented the most difficult obstacle in their path, but the most important part of her plan.
“Let’s go now. Guide the way.” Leah’s voice surprised the employee, who quickly looked down.
“Okay, I’ll guide you then, lady.”
Leah and Count Valtein followed the escort. Count Valtein silently wiped the sweat-soaked palm of his hand on the hem of his robe. Seeing how nervous he was, Leah felt sorry for not explaining to him the situation properly beforehand and just dragged him into this.
Leah looked forward indifferently, contemplating the dark surroundings. Ishakan was probably following them in silence, but she couldn’t feel his presence at all.
At the meeting with the slave traders, Leah had planned to take the lead. She could not trust Count Valtein, since he was a fearful person and would have difficulty doing so. After all that had happened, it would be useless to provide misinformation to these cunning slave traders. So after careful consideration, Leah decided to participate actively.
However, her plans were abruptly interrupted when she was disturbed by the unexpected appearance of the Kurkans. She didn’t know the extent of Ishakan’s rudeness, but she knew that he was very capable of doing certain things…
As she walked, her mind was full of complicated thoughts, and she expected Ishakan to be patient.
After passing through a maze of corridors, they finally arrived at the meeting of the slave traders. The room was quite dark. There was a round table in the center, and the escorts of the slave traders were side by side. Count Valtein hesitated as he moved to stand next to the escorts.
There were a total of eight people, including Leah. Among the slave traders, there were not only citizens of Estia, since some came from different corners of the continent. They were covered with masks and tunics, hiding their entire bodies. Leah watched them, and they watched her in turn.
From the moment of Leah’s arrival, they looked at her openly. Even though she was covered from head to toe like the others, with her own robe and mask, she could not hide her thin little physique. The fragile skin that peeked through her attire was obviously not that of a man.
The round table did not have any elevated seat, but in spite of the supposed equality, the implicit ranking between them would not disappear. Sitting opposite Leah was a sturdy figure. He was the most powerful slave trader among those present.
The slave traders continued to watch her intently even after she sat down, their eyes glowing maliciously. Aware of their lewd looks, Leah held on and slowly opened her mouth.
“This is the first time that I am before you all.”
A gale of laughter erupted. The man with the robust physique spoke in a hoarse voice. “I didn’t know you were a woman,” he said.
The other slave traders spoke, one by one.
“Your voice is beautiful. Will your face be the same?”
“Her body is so small.”
“Women with small physiques are very popular these days. Because of the princess, they sell quite well.”
His words were discourteous. Leah had prepared herself for their bad behavior, however, her heart began to sink into worry. Her nervousness came from the knowledge that Ishakan was hiding nearby, watching them.
Leah tapped the table with her finger. The slave traders were instantly silent.
“Is gender so important when it comes to buying and selling?” she asked, in a tone of voice that was strong and cold. “Shouldn’t profit be the most important thing?”
Although she couldn’t look at their faces and witness their reactions, she knew that all their attention was focused on her. Leah bowed her head.
“If I’m the only one present with that mentality, then I guess I shouldn’t have come.”
As soon as Leah finished, the man on the other side of her laughed out loud again.
“It’s a rare thing for a woman to be a slave trader. Everyone is amazed. I hope you understand,” he said, one hand on his chin. “Also, it is very surprising to discover that the one who has brought us all together is a little lady like you.”
The mockery was clear in his voice. A wide smile spread across his face.
Leah looked at him coldly. “I will accept that as an apology.”
“Haha, yes… Anyway, let’s cooperate properly. We’ll see each other often in the future.”
It wasn’t a bad start, but it meant that from now on, Leah couldn’t retire. Her conversations became serious, and her plan had begun to unfold. Leah remained firm in her intentions.
However, an event that happened soon shook her heart.
“Since this seems like fate, I’d like to offer everyone a little entertainment…”
Then, the man shouted loudly for some people to come in. The back door opened, and a line of sweet-smelling women quickly entered the room. They held trays loaded with alcohol and sat down, one by one, next to the slave traders.
“You don’t have to feel so stiff,” the man laughed. His arms were wrapped around the waist of the woman sitting next to him. Leah had become tense, surprised by his sudden and unpleasant display of generosity.
“Oh, and don’t worry, I’ll attend to you too,” he assured her, chuckling at her embarrassment. “Give this lady a barbarous man!”