Chapter 39 – Love Potion (1)

Leah felt as if she was doused in cold water, trapped in a nightmare as her mind grew hazed as she listened to his words. Her breath shuddered as she fought to regain control on her body, which was beginning to turn sluggish…

“Drugs..? What… do you… mean?”

As much as she wished he was only teasing her, and to laugh it off with a statement he was way too drunk so early in the day, she knew the truth wasn’t so kind. Was there no end to the trouble that would come at her today?

Byun Gyongbaek chuckled dryly at her question, “Ah, pretending to be naive, I see,” he hummed as his fingers grasped her chin roughly. Despite the pain his touch gave her, Leah couldn’t bring herself to even scream.

Her entire body, including her tongue, grew heavy, as if she was filled with lead. Her limbs refused to cooperate…

“I’ve treated you nicely because of your status as a princess,” he sneered, “And yet you repay me by acting like a bitch.” He shook her chin roughly in his anger, “I witness you lose your mind at the sight of that savage, how could I be sure you’ve remained untouched?” he whispered.

He licked his lips, stared at her as he held a smug look before he leaned closer to whisper by her ear…

“It seems I’ll have to see for myself,” and cold dread filled Leah as she struggled to move. She watched as he brought his hand up to caress her neck, trailing down his fingers, and grabbed the neckline of her dress, and had begun to tug it down.

She squeezed her eyes shut in her helplessness. She’d never felt so stupid. She wanted to push him away, get away from as much as possible, but all she could do was shake beneath his touches. She choked back a sob, unable to call for help.

She felt her dress loosen up, saw the ribbon tying it together fall onto the floor. She felt him draw closer, his hot breath hit her bare skin as she shivered in disgust.

She then saw her vision go dark.

In the recesses of her mind, she could hear drunken laughters, fading in and out around her. It gave him pause to what he had planned doing to her, as he looked back to see the source of the noise.

It was at that moment, that Leah had begun to regain movement. Using all her strength, she gave a mighty stomp on his foot, dug her heel with so much pressure, Byun Gyongbaek removed himself from her with a yelp and stumbled back onto a heap on the floor.

“You bitch!” He hissed at her.

Leah wasted not a second longer, gathered all her clothes close to her chest, and ran. Byun Gyongbaek yelled profanities after her, as he scrambled to get up on his feet to follow.

She winced at the sensation of the wayward branches as they brushed and scratched her delicate skin. Somewhere during running, she lost her shoes, and now her feet ached as if she was walking on a floor pinned with nails. She tripped on her saggy socks, and quickly got back up heading towards the banquet hall.

She looked around frantically, hearing hushed exclamations and hid. She chanced a look, before she ducked back out of sigh and muffled her breathing as she clasped her hand around her mouth. The shrubs concealed her perfectly, and when she peaked through the leaves, she saw Byun Gyongbaek’s servants looking for her.

It was fortunate they gave up searching the place before they found her, and quickly left to look at the other areas. Leah sagged her shoulders in relief, before she took calming breaths and looked around.

The garden was like a maze. It’s shrubs were expertly placed to increase its aesthetic, and the trees and bushes framed it perfectly, providing shade upon its visitors, even giving lovers their sought privacy. When she had regained her strength, Leah steadily stood up from her hiding place, gave her surroundings one last once over, and darted into the shelter of the garden.

Her arms and legs hurt, and despite her wish to sit down and rest, she couldn’t. Escaping from Byun Gyongbaek was paramount.

However, every twist and turn she took was a dead end. With no way to leave, she was soon overcome by a sensation as if she was the prey, hunted down for sport.

She could see how this would end now. Byun Gyongbaek’s servants would capture her, and be brought to him. Her family wouldn’t even be able to do anything about it despite how unnoble his intentions would be. And the aristocrats, they would just step aside and spread rumours, telling her what a pity her situation was and make excuses.

No one would protect her. No one would be able to help her.

She figured if she had to give up her body, she would at least have a choice in that matter. Not like this. She didn’t want to give into Byun Gyongbaek like this.

“Wait! I see her!”A shout alerted her that someone was coming, “She’s that way!”

Something cool and sweet wafted into her nose as she resumed running away, squeezing every bit of strength remaining in her and towards her legs. With her mind telling her to go towards the smell, she followed her nose, and hoped it would lead her to sweet relief.

She bursted out of the trees as she bulldozed her way through the shrubs and saw the clouds turn dark as the moon peaked out and shone down on her. But the night sky only multiplied the feeling of being trapped.

The air around her went thin as she felt the shortness of her breath.

Then, as if a burst of fresh air, she saw a man, leaned casually against the tree, smoking a cigarette as the smoke wafted all over him. With a cry, the man was alerted to her presence, and looked at her in shock as she barrelled her way towards him and finally, clung onto him for dear life.

Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed against him. His warm hands wrapped around her protectively as he patted down her mess of a hair, and she finally looked up and pulled away.

She was safe.

“I-Ishakan,” she choked back as the tears fell unabashedly once more. She could only call out his name in desperation. She felt like she was about to burst, everywhere around her hurt so much, chest, arms, feet, head…