The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 11

Islay, his eyes leaving the spot where the beast had disappeared, rose to his feet and extended a hand to Stella.

“Let’s go. It’s best to get some rest tonight,” he said.

“W-wait a minute. I have questions…” she began, but her words were cut off as he effortlessly lifted her by one arm, pulling her to her feet. Any attempt at resistance was futile against his strength. She looked up at him, bewildered, but there was no apology in his gaze.

“I’d like to know why you brought me to Calis,” she said.

“You’ll find out soon enough. Now, walk ahead,” Islay replied, gesturing towards the path they had come.

He had brought her to the lake to wash her face and shared intimate stories, but now he treated her like a prisoner about to escape. Did he think she would run away in fear from their earlier conversation?

Stella didn’t believe she could escape from him anyway. She just wanted some clues. Islay seemed to think she could help lift his curse, and she was curious about why he believed that.

No matter the reason, soon he would realize he was wrong. The fate of a useless woman was all too clear, especially in the hands of a man whose hopes had been dashed.

“You’re misunderstanding something. Whatever you hope to gain from me, I can’t help you,” she said.

“That’s for me to judge, Princess,” Islay replied.

“But…”

“We’ll discuss more at the Ice Castle. You’ll have plenty of time with me there.”

“…Ice Castle?”

Islay didn’t respond, merely waiting for her to move. Realizing she wouldn’t get more answers now, Stella wrapped her cloak tighter around herself and began to walk.

***

In a region of Calis shrouded in mist as thick as frost, lay a place of exceptionally cold temperatures. Somewhere within this area stood a fortress known as the Ice Castle.

This towering structure, with its sharp, sky-piercing roof, was made of thick stones that appeared translucent under sunlight, giving it the name Ice Castle. As the faint outline of the castle emerged through the mist, Stella’s eyes widened.

“Oh my,” she exclaimed. Dora, looking out beside her, also wore a look of astonishment. The castle, illuminated by bright sunlight filtering through the fog, looked like something out of a fairytale.

“What is that? I never imagined Calis had such a castle,” Dora said.

“I heard it’s called the Ice Castle. It must be where they live,” Stella replied.

It was a fortress of unknown age. Perhaps Islay and his ancestors had lived there for generations.

“I feel like a scholar exploring an unknown world for the first time. I wonder if my friends back home would believe this. But… can we ever go back?” Dora mused aloud, her excitement giving way to sadness.

Stella squeezed Dora’s hand in a comforting gesture. However, she couldn’t hide the worry in her own eyes as they approached the castle.

The carriage crossed a vast, gray plain, arriving at the castle’s entrance. They passed through the massive gates and drove into the city within.

Stella was amazed. The city’s architecture and clothing styles were different, but its size and sophistication rivaled any developed city on the continent.

As the carriage neared the Ice Castle, a drawbridge lowered slowly over the moat. Stella watched intently as they crossed. The moat, wide and deep, was filled not with water but with sharp stakes, clearly designed to kill anyone who fell in. Dora, horrified, closed her eyes tightly and looked away.

Despite its transparent appearance, the Ice Castle was a fortress with formidable defenses. It seemed designed to keep both intruders out and prevent anyone from escaping. Perhaps these measures were because of the Peruno within.

Vaguely guessing, Stella leaned against the wall and pressed her face close to the window, her eyes darting around.

At each gate connecting the sections of the castle, burly men stood guard. No matter how much she looked, there appeared to be no escape routes.

Then the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Before she could react, the door swung open, and Stella, leaning against the window, was propelled forward.

She couldn’t even scream as she fell, gravity pulling her down. Had the person opening the door not caught her immediately, she might have planted her face into the cold ground.

Instead, her cheek pressed against a solid chest, enveloped in a robust, masculine scent. Large hands supported her back and hips, holding her securely.

“I was going to help you down anyway,” came the chiding voice above Stella’s head, accompanied by an exaggerated sigh. His tone was laden with deliberate intent.

Stella, wide-eyed and blushing furiously, found herself almost nose-to-nose with Islay, while several men stood around, watching.

“Please, put me down!” she demanded, her feet dangling helplessly in the air.

“Anyone would think I’m bringing home a spoiled bride,” Islay remarked.

“If you don’t want such misunderstandings, then put me down!” she insisted.

“I don’t mind misunderstandings,” he murmured near her ear, his voice teasing. “I don’t mind holding a beautiful woman, especially when she asks.”

“When did I ever ask you to hold me?” she retorted.

“You said your legs were tired from the long journey. It’s my duty to serve you, Princess,” he said, his tone mischievous as he carried her inside.

Stella clung to his coat, glimpsing Mikel behind her, helping Dora out of the carriage.

“What do you think?” Islay asked.

“What?” she responded, confused.

“You were examining my castle. What do you think of it?”

Caught off guard, Stella stopped struggling, realizing she had been caught. Her silence spoke volumes.

“It’s a fortress built by wise ancestors over a long time. You must have noticed how well-guarded it is. It’s nearly impossible for intruders to get in, and just as hard for anyone to escape. In three hundred years, no one has ever escaped from here,” Islay explained as he carried her.

“Recently, there was one exception,” he added quietly.

As they approached a door leading directly into the castle, two guards pulled on the handles. The door, large enough to dwarf Stella, required the strength of both guards to open fully. Stella remained cradled in Islay’s arms, watching the effort.

“Welcome to my castle,” he whispered in her ear as the doors finally opened, revealing the grand interior.

The inside of the castle was majestic, with towering stone columns supporting a high ceiling. Sunlight streamed through numerous arched windows, illuminating the space. It was a magnificent contrast to the harsh, barren land outside.

The chandeliers filled with countless candles and the grand staircase splitting into two elegant curves added to the castle’s splendor. Only then did Islay set her down.

Stella stood on the stone floor, staring up at him, dazed. He smiled.

“I promise to treat you as an honored guest during your stay,” he said.

***

Stella was led to a bedroom on the upper levels of the castle. The room was lavishly furnished with a large bed, a sofa, and a table for reading. One wall opened into a spacious bathroom.

It was a room fit for a noble guest. Stella had never imagined such a refined place existed in Calis. Nor had she expected such hospitality despite being kidnapped.

Just then, the bedroom door opened, and several tall women entered.

Stella, who had been looking around in a daze, tensed up.

Dora quickly ran to Stella’s side, clutching her arm. They resembled small animals puffing themselves up in the face of a predator.

The northern women, saying nothing, placed clothes on the table and began filling the bathtub in the bathroom. They then left quietly.

Though not overly friendly, their demeanor wasn’t rude. This place had no class system, so they probably felt no need to show deference to a princess from another land. They served only Peruno.

Stella had no desire for courteous treatment. She had rarely been treated as a noble princess even in Largo.

“What do you think their intentions are?” Dora glared at the closed door.