The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 29

The Resting Festival was an annual event held over an extended period. What began as a celebration for the well-being of the people of Calis had evolved into a festival enjoyed by all, featuring beautiful candlelight ceremonies and lively dancing around large bonfires every day.

Elrod, the city connected to the Ice Castle and essentially the capital of Calis, hosted the largest festival in the northern region. The celebrations extended within the castle as well. Various dining halls, including the main banquet hall, were filled with endless supplies of food and drink. White flower decorations and cheerful music were ubiquitous.

Islay didn’t mind the bustling festival atmosphere. The Resting Festival was a welcome respite for his men, weary from monster hunts. He also felt that, given his inevitable fate, he might as well enjoy the annual event.

However, there was one thing that irked him.

“The elders of Hegir will arrive tonight?” Islay asked as he walked toward the banquet hall.

“Yes, that’s what the messenger bird reported,” Mikel replied from behind him.

“They’re earlier than expected.”

“They must have avoided the snowstorms and didn’t encounter any black beasts.”

“Those old men are lucky. It’s surprising they make it here from Hegir each time, given their age,” Islay scoffed lightly.

The five elders were descendants of the close aides who had sworn loyalty to the first Peruno. They had served the Peruno lineage for generations and lived at the Ice Castle until a few years ago.

However, their obsession with their lord’s bloodline, bordering on fanaticism, led Islay to exile them to Hegir in eastern Calis after a particular incident where they crossed the line. Now, they were only allowed to visit the Ice Castle for special occasions.

Islay, having no intention of continuing the cursed bloodline, was never pleased by their visits. He hoped they wouldn’t bother him, but their influence, built over nearly a thousand years of serving the Peruno, made it difficult to cut ties completely.

As Islay continued his irritated thoughts, Stella suddenly came to mind. It was strange to picture her among the faces of the elders.

He silently chided himself. It was simply because the image of Stella smiling with a white flower crown had been deeply imprinted in his mind.

…Come to think of it, was it the first time I saw her smile?

Her hair, adorned with snowflakes, fluttered in the wind. Her small face bore a sunshine-like smile. It was a sight hard to look away from. Her expression had cleared when he explained the meaning of the gifts. Standing close to her, he had noticed the nervousness on her clear face and her ears turning red.

Islay took a silent breath in and out. He stopped himself from dwelling further on that unfamiliar moment. Now was not the time to be mulling over the peach-colored blush that had spread across her face.

The five elders were eager for Islay to lie with a woman and produce an heir. If they encountered Stella, it might lead to unnecessary trouble.

“Move the elders’ quarters to the farthest place from the inner castle. To rooms where they can’t see the inner castle from their windows.”

“As you command,” Mikel responded.

Mikel, having received the order, hesitated for a moment before asking, “Are you concerned about the Princess of Largo?”

“…Concerned? About Estella?” Islay turned to look at his subordinate, as if he had heard something absurd.

“The princess resides in the inner castle,” Mikel explained. “The elders are always on the lookout for a bride for you, scrutinizing every woman they see. I thought you might be worried the princess would be frightened.”

“A bride? That’s a polite way of putting it,” Islay scoffed. “It’s not that I’m particularly concerned about her. It’s just that it’s unsettling to have the innocent princess near them, so it’s best to keep them apart.”

Mikel started to speak again but quickly swallowed his words. The five elders of Hegir wanted Islay to maintain the pure Calis bloodline. They believed the curse tied to his blood stemmed from the first Peruno’s union with a non-Calisian woman. The chances of them considering the foreign princess as a suitable bride for Islay were slim, but it was still better if she didn’t encounter them.

“Very well. I’ll relocate the guests from Hegir to the third annex of the outer castle. As you know, the view from there is limited to Elrod and the Misty Forest, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I’m not worried.”

“I’ll ensure they don’t catch even a glimpse of the princess’s hair.”

“When did I ever give such an order?”

“Of course, since they will need to visit the inner castle to pay their respects to you, it would be wise to be cautious during those times…” Mikel’s voice trailed off as he stared at something, his mouth hanging open.

Islay’s gaze had already shifted in the same direction, drawn to the figure in the center of the banquet hall who was attracting everyone’s attention like a magnet.

Stella stood there in a rose-colored dress that seemed to have just bloomed. Her golden hair, cascading down her back, was half-tied, exposing her delicate shoulders. Her fair skin shimmered without the need for necklaces or bracelets.

The dress, which revealed the curves of her upper body, fit her perfectly, as if it had been tailored just for her. Each time she turned her head, her flowing hair swayed, revealing glimpses of her bare back.

Islay frowned slightly. The dress Stella was wearing was one he had given her.

Was it really this revealing?

It was a red evening gown he had sent along with a practical, thick winter dress on the day he brought her to the Ice Castle. He had included it as part of the deal, hoping to win her favor, thinking she might prefer something luxurious even in her captive situation.

However, Stella had shown no interest in the stones he offered as part of the deal or the expensive dress. As far as he knew, she hadn’t looked at the rose-colored dress since that first day.

Therefore, her appearance, dressed so elegantly for their meeting today, was something Islay hadn’t anticipated at all.

“Beautiful,” Mikel’s quiet exclamation broke the silence. “No wonder rumors have spread throughout the castle that the captain brought a bride from the south. In fact, I’ve heard the gossip has even reached the city of Elrod.”

As Islay blinked slowly, the awe that had briefly flickered in his dark red eyes quietly faded away.

“It’s a good story for them to enjoy.”

“And it’s quite believable. Everyone except those who went on the expedition to Pantege believes the princess is your bride.”

“Who sends their bride to the basement to work?”

“That’s why you’ve made an exception during the festival, haven’t you?”

It was a jest Islay had no need to hear more of. Leaving Mikel behind, he walked into the banquet hall.

Stella was still looking around with a tense expression, clearly unsettled by the unfamiliar atmosphere. The ambiance of the Ice Castle’s banquet was vastly different from the courtly gatherings she was used to.

There were no refined orchestral performances, no guests dressed in bright, elaborate evening gowns, and no low-alcohol, sweet beverages. Here, everyone spoke loudly and laughed boisterously without pretense. Some, after finishing their drinks, would throw their empty glasses on the floor as a gesture of their good mood.

At that moment, the sound of a glass shattering rang out. The northerners, men and women alike, roared with laughter. The only one who jumped in fright was Stella.

‘I’ll have to forbid such behavior in the future,’ Islay thought unconsciously. The sight of the delicate princess almost fainting was unsettling.

As he closed the distance between them, he noticed her searching the room with desperate eyes, looking for someone. It didn’t take long for him to realize that someone was him. Islay let out a soft, almost amused sigh. He felt a twisted sense of satisfaction rise within him.