The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 138

Unlike the shamelessly lustful words he had just said, the kiss he placed on her ear was impossibly gentle.

“So when that time comes, you’re free to devour me as much as you want.”

Stella gave a light laugh, her shoulders trembling. Even the sound of such a clear, innocent giggle made his trousers strain to bursting—truly, it wasn’t normal.

“Mmh. Got it. But you have to offer me everything—your hands, your lips.”

…Maybe it was because there was such wicked intent behind that laughter.

Islay glanced downward at himself, convinced there was no better word for his state than “in heat.” The sight alone would’ve made any ordinary woman bolt in fear.

“Are you trying to turn me into a beast?”

“I only said exactly what you did.”

With a playful air, Stella wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her cheek against his firm chest.

It had only been moments since she’d suggested they stop by Largo, yet Islay now wanted nothing more than to throw her over his shoulder and run off somewhere they could be alone. Maybe lechery really was his true nature.

“Can I sleep here tonight?”

Stella, who didn’t want to be separated from him for even a moment, asked. Her half-lidded eyes were heavy with drowsiness.

“Of course, Estella. You never have to ask me anything.”

Islay placed a soft kiss on her cheek and scooped her languid body into his arms. After blowing out the candle and laying her carefully in bed, he lay beside her and offered his arm as a pillow. As his fingers slipped between her hair and gently combed through, she quickly fell asleep in his embrace.

His heart swelled. Watching her sleep peacefully through the night was one of the moments he cherished most.

Islay, whose long-held wish had finally come true—beginning tonight, and every night hereafter—couldn’t hide his smile as he gazed down at Stella bathed in moonlight.

***

Just as they had promised, instead of heading straight to the North, they returned to Largo with Alexio and his party.

Just as she’d said, Islay was showered with the people’s blessings and songs in the royal capital of Largo. A colorful carpet of flowers, symbolizing love and gratitude, stretched before the carriage he rode.

He hadn’t helped win the war for accolades, so it felt a little strange. But seeing Stella so delighted at his newfound status as a hero, he couldn’t help but feel content.

Once at the palace, Stella busied herself packing, as if she were moving houses, and her maid went about bidding farewell to everyone and wrapping up her life in Largo.

At last, it was time for the siblings to part.

“Write often, El. No matter how much you like that man, you’d better come home every national holiday.”

Alexio, who had come in person to see her off, patted her shoulder as he gave his instructions.

“Don’t forget you’ll always have a home to return to.”

As Islay loaded Stella’s luggage into the carriage, he raised an eyebrow at the remark. But Alexio, wanting to make it clear that her birth home—the royal palace—was still intact, didn’t care how overprotective he seemed.

“I’ll be just fine, so don’t worry. You stay healthy too, Brother.”

“When you get married, I better be the first one you notify. Got it?”

“Oh, come on.”

Stella, cheeks slightly flushed, playfully swatted her brother’s arm. Unwilling to say goodbye, Alexio fussed with the collar of her robe, though the light coat Islay had already dressed her in was perfectly neat.

After exchanging farewells with Priest Gabriel, the knights of the monastery, and Roderick, Stella finally stepped into the carriage.

“Be happy, all of you. Thank you so much for everything.”

Sticking her head out the window, Stella waved until they became little black specks in the distance, then turned back into Islay’s embrace. He pulled her in tightly, planting light kisses on her temple and cheek.

The joys and happiness she deserved to have in the days ahead—those were his to provide. And any fears she might face—those, too, were his to shoulder as her new family.

Family. Only after binding themselves in that word did it feel real.

At last, the journey back to their home began.

***

On their way back to the Ice Castle, past the plains. Even in midsummer, the cool, clear breeze of Calis tickled Stella’s lashes as she gazed out the window.

When the castle, glimmering transparently like ice under the sunlight, came into view, she couldn’t hide her excitement. It was the reaction of someone returning from a long journey and finally seeing the warmth of home just ahead.

How could anyone be this lovely? Islay, as always, seized the moment to kiss Stella, using that as an excuse.

After crossing the drawbridge and passing through the city of Elrod, the majestic Ice Castle finally revealed its splendor. Islay, who had stepped down first from the carriage, lifted Stella in his arms to help her alight. Her small feet gently touched the ground.

“It’s so strange. I didn’t even live here for half a year…”

Walking ahead of him across the wide garden path, Stella turned and smiled back at him. Her golden hair, flowing down to her waist, fluttered gently in the breeze.

“It feels like I’m truly coming home.”

Wasn’t that exactly the feeling he had just had while looking at her? By now, just seeing her lovely face, he could fully understand what she was thinking.

“Of course. Calis is your home now.”

As if entranced, Islay halted and quietly gazed at Stella, who stood a few steps ahead.

He looked at her profile, repeatedly turning back to him with anticipation, her lashes sparkling in the sunlight, the soft flush on her cheeks, the smile that never failed to bloom when their eyes met.

The woman who had entered his heart so dazzlingly was blindingly beautiful. Even now, as he was blessed with her overwhelming love, he couldn’t help but question whether he was worthy to call her his.

And yet, separate from the pride that had always hit rock bottom because of his fate as a man doomed to become a monster, his love for Stella was as relentless as the thousand-year-old curse.

Of course she was his. She had to be his. That was a truth no one could ever deny.

“I think I need a bath first. Your arms were, of course, fragrant and cozy, but after days in the carriage, I just want to soak in hot water for a while.”

With her hands clasped behind her back, Stella looked at Islay.

“If you don’t mind… how about we bathe together?”

Islay closed the distance in an instant. Wrapping an arm around her slender waist, he dropped his deep voice by her rounded ear.

“Of course, Estella.”

“Of course…?”

“Since we’re on the subject, do you remember that the place I used to stay in was that isolated tower?”

“Mm… of course I remember.”

That lonely tower had once served as both bedroom and prison for his ancestors, who inspired reverence throughout the entire castle. Because they had all inherited the fate of eventually becoming monsters.

But Islay was different.

“I no longer need to lock myself away in that place. So I was thinking we could live together in your room instead.”

“You mean the room I’ve stayed in since I first arrived at the Ice Castle?”

“Yes.”

That spacious bedroom was located deep in the inner castle, where the sunlight poured in, and it had its own dining and bathing space as well.

Islay had long ago ordered all his belongings from the tower to be moved there, and instructed that no one should approach it for at least two weeks.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could’ve looked forward to it much earlier.”

With a flushed face, Stella tugged on his hand.

“We should at least draw the bath first…”

“I already told them to have it ready the moment we returned.”

That meant the hot bath she so dearly wanted was already prepared, and that the moment they reached the bath, they would be washing together.

Stella’s cheeks turned a rosy red. Because she knew a bath would be just the beginning. The man who had kept shaking his head whenever she asked to be with him had now laid all the preparations himself…

“You really… Ah!”

Islay scooped her into his arms and strode toward the inner castle. He pushed through the doors and ascended swiftly to the bedchamber, passing through empty halls and stairs.

Stella clung to his broad shoulders, laughing non-stop. Just like the wish they had once longed for so desperately, they were now ordinary lovers—able to love each other without reservation.

It was the beginning of sweet days to come.

<The End>