Ishakan’s reply echoed through the silent banquet hall. Judia’s face stiffened.

It appeared she hadn’t expected him to reject her so openly. For the moment it took to compose herself, she couldn’t speak.

“…I see,” she managed.

Her eyes shifted to Leah, pointedly observing her.

“I am pleased to meet the Queen of Estia,” she added with a smile. “I hope the Queen will allow friendly relations between Balkat and Kurkan.”

There was a ripple of murmuring at the provocation.

“I will allow it,” Leah replied, deadpan.

Judia’s eyebrow lifted.

“But unfortunately there are some things in this world that are impossible no matter how you try,” Leah sighed, laying her hand on Ishakan’s arm, which was wrapped tightly around her waist, and allowed a small smile, as if she were enjoying herself. “It looks like it will be difficult for you to get what you want.”

“……”

Judia’s eyes chilled, and her plump lips quivered once at the humiliation. But then she lifted her chin, as if nothing had happened.

“Thank you for your permission, Your Highness,” Judia said, and led the dancers back out of the banquet hall.

Instantly, there was an uproar.

Leah did not like that woman. She really believed she could achieve her goal by acting like a bitch. And as hostess of the banquet, Leah had to retrieve the situation.

“That was a wonderful show,” she said, looking at Herod instead of the retreating Judia. “I did not expect that from Balkat.”

Herod smiled. He seemed to have enjoyed watching his queen’s misfortune.

“It is an honor, Your Highness.”

“I hope you enjoy Estia’s banquet from now on.”

“I will enjoy it to the fullest.”

She sensed innuendo in his words, but Leah only smiled and signaled for the musicians. The music filled the hall again.

The Estian nobles behaved as if nothing had happened, but on every face among the Balkat delegation, tension was palpable.

“Aren’t you going to praise me?” Ishakan whispered, interrupting her thoughts. Leah giggled. Ishakan could be as insistent as Lesha. “Hurry up.”

As soon as no one was looking, Leah turned to kiss his cheek

“Thank you,” he said, satisfied. “Now I feel better.”

Ishakan sat back, smiling contentedly.

***

“It doesn’t make any sense.”

Judia’s voice rose shrilly as she shouted.

“This can’t be happening!”

Judia grabbed her hair, her voice filled with disbelief.

“He didn’t show any interest in me…!”

She liked Ishakan, even though his eyes were a bit scary. His chiseled face, his muscled body, his rich tanned skin, which was so rare on the continent…all of it made him even more attractive. She wanted to have him.

Judia gritted her teeth at the memory of her humiliation at the banquet. Unable to contain her temper, she turned her head and shouted at the man lying on a couch nearby.

“Herod!”

Herod leaning back over the arm of the couch, scowling. His fingers rose to gently massage his temples.

“Do it on your own. We agreed that we would each manage our own targets,” he reminded her, and then smiled suddenly. “Or are you losing faith in yourself?”