The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 33

“Yes, very… Ah! Bored? Me, bored?” Dora quickly waved her hands in denial.

“Not at all! It’s never boring when I’m with you, Princess. Every moment is fun and delightful,” she insisted, though it was clear that staying by Stella’s side all morning had probably made her restless.

Unlike Stella, who had no reason to leave the Ice Castle except to visit the underground vault, Dora had volunteered as a maid and had plenty of tasks to keep her busy, running around from morning till evening.

Yet, feeling uneasy about leaving the Princess alone in her self-imposed confinement, Dora had chosen to stay with her in the room.

Stella, sensing Dora’s attempt to hide her boredom, looked at her warmly and spoke softly, “You don’t have to stay here with me. If there’s something you’d like to do, you’re free to go.”

“How could I possibly abandon you and just run off on my own…?” Dora shook her head firmly, then suddenly brightened as she slammed a fist into her palm. “Why didn’t I think of this before? We could go out together!”

“Hmm… It’s just that Lord Peruno asked me to let him know whenever I go out, so I’ve been a bit hesitant…”

“Is that so? Well, we can just inform his loyal subordinate!”

Dora, now energized by the idea, leaped from her chair and ran to the bedroom door. She flung it open, startling Mikel, who was, as usual, standing guard outside. For once, he looked genuinely taken aback.

Pointing at Mikel with the edge of her hand, Dora looked back at Stella. “See? He pretends to be patrolling the hallway, but the moment we even hint at going out, he’s right here, eavesdropping at the door like a ghost.”

“……”

Mikel looked down at her with a slightly exasperated expression. Dora, however, emboldened by her newfound courage, met his gaze fearlessly.

“Please inform your Captain that the guests are planning to go out and enjoy the festival.”

“Right now?”

Dora responded with a look that said, What do you think?

After a brief glance towards the window at the end of the corridor, Mikel gave a slight nod. “The Captain is busy with other matters today, so I will accompany you instead.”

“Very well.”

With that, Dora shut the door and hurried to the wardrobe, enthusiastically searching for an overcoat for Stella. Stella, who had been watching the sudden turn of events with wide eyes, couldn’t help but laugh. It seemed she wasn’t the only one adapting to life in the Ice Castle.

***

Stella, stepping outside, inhaled the refreshingly crisp air. Accompanied by Dora, she strolled through the courtyard where snowflakes gently danced in the air, listening to the faint strains of music wafting from a distance. Dora was captivated by the scenery, decorated as if winter flowers had bloomed in full, her eyes unable to look away.

They offered white flowers in reverence at the sacred site of the millennium tree in the back garden. As they passed through the gates and entered a more lively area, children, giggling, ran up to them and handed Dora handfuls of charming trinkets. Dora, overwhelmed with joy, didn’t know what to do with herself.

Despite becoming more accustomed to life in the Ice Castle, Stella was always amazed at the reality that she was standing on the soil of such a developed northern land.

An unknown land. A barren territory of savages lagging behind civilization. A perilous, harsh snowfield inhabited by monsters.

Who would believe that such a large and beautiful festival could be held daily in Calis, known only for these things? Before her stood a towering castle, its majesty surpassing even that of the Largo Palace.

As she watched the children crown Dora with garlands, a bright light caught the corner of Stella’s eye. It was the chapel she had visited before with Islay.

The sanctuary was one of the few places where she felt at ease. Stella thought of Father Padro, who had warmly welcomed her despite their first meeting. He reminded her of the priest who had taught her at the Largo Monastery.

“Sir Mikel, may I visit the chapel for a moment?”

Mikel, keeping a close eye on Dora as if she might dart off somewhere, glanced at the tightly shut doors of the chapel.

“To pray?”

“Yes… Is that alright?”

“Please go ahead. I’ll have the guards stand by nearby.”

“Thank you.”

Stella adjusted her cloak and turned towards the chapel.

Inside the quiet chapel, there were no priests or worshippers to be seen. Only one worshipper, with a gray hood pulled over their head, sat alone. Stella walked past the carpet stretched out in the sunlight and sat on a nearby pew.

She gazed up at the statue placed behind the altar, clasping her hands together. The midday sun, filtered through stained glass, softly caressed her face.

‘Please, let no one get hurt.’

She couldn’t bring herself to pray solely for her safety.

‘Please, let him find what he’s looking for.’

Stella hoped that Islay wouldn’t transform into a dreadful beast. And…

‘When it’s all over, let Dora and I return home safely….’

Fierce faces briefly flashed in her mind, blocking her prayer. Stella’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she closed her eyes.

Her uncle’s harsh beatings and imprisonment, her mother’s disdain, and the maids’ mocking glances. Sharp memories flitted through her mind, but she continued her prayer.

‘And even after we return home, please don’t let anything frightening happen….’

“Miss.”

At that moment, a voice, raspy with phlegm, whispered in her ear. Startled, Stella opened her eyes to find an old woman in a hood sitting beside her.

The old woman’s profile was half-hidden under the hood, revealing only a hooked nose and the shrunken lips typical of the elderly as she gazed at the statue ahead.

How long has she been sitting there?

“What… do you want?”

“May I ask what you just prayed for?”

Surprised, Stella couldn’t respond immediately, but then she realized that this was the same worshipper who had been sitting alone. Among the faithful, it wasn’t uncommon to share or discuss the contents of one’s prayers.

“I prayed for peace, as I always do.”

“Peace, you say. Do you truly believe the god will grant your wish?”

“……?”

“Do you think that god is truly omnipotent? No matter how much we cry and beg, that god has never once lent an ear to the voice of a humble lamb. On the other hand, the god I believe in….”

The old woman trailed off, letting out a long breath. It was more of a soundless gasp of admiration than a sigh.

“My omnipotent god brings peace and prosperity to this vast land. The bloodline of the strongest leader, passed down through generations, is the one that will eternally revive Calis.”

…Is she a heretic? Stella narrowed her eyes. The old woman shook her head slightly, still facing forward, clicking her tongue in dismay.

“But it’s such a pity. Truly, it’s a pity…. The bloodline, which possesses strength and valor far surpassing that of ordinary humans, must not be severed, it simply cannot be.”

“……”

“Oh! How I wish I could offer my body and soul entirely to him.”

Muttering to herself, the old woman suddenly hunched her shoulders and began to laugh in a high-pitched cackle. Seeing her snicker, her nose twitching, sent a chill down Stella’s spine, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

‘Could she be one of those fanatics who worship Islay like a god…?’

Feeling a strong sense of unease, Stella shifted her seat subtly, trying to distance herself. Just as she did, a gnarled hand, resembling a withered branch, suddenly clamped onto her wrist with surprising force.

“Ah…!”

It was then that Stella could finally see the old woman’s face clearly. The woman had thrust her wrinkled, rough face mere inches from Stella’s.

The old woman’s appearance was shockingly similar to that of a witch from a storybook, leaving Stella bewildered.

“Wh-What are you doing?”

“You truly shine, my dear.”

Bloodshot, cloudy eyes gleamed with a mad intensity. The grip on Stella’s wrist tightened even further.

“You’re so young and beautiful. Your skin is so soft and fresh….”

“P-Please, let go of my hand.”

“Do you know? This current Lord of Peruno is the closest to the first ancestor. However, he is momentarily lost, wandering down the wrong path. How wonderful it would be if there were someone to soothe his mind and body. And, and….”

The old woman’s bleary eyes sparkled ominously.

“Has he taken you?”

“T-Taken me? What on earth are you talking about…!”

“I’m asking if Lord Peruno has claimed this tender body of yours. His ancestors always coveted the most beautiful women. Delicate, fragile women like you, who seem like they would break with the slightest touch….”

As she spoke, the old woman gripped Stella’s arm as if she were about to snap it in two. It was astonishing how such brute strength could come from a woman who seemed to be well over ninety years old.