The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 41

“A southern custom?”

“I don’t know it very well, but I learned a little, and I can teach you. How does that sound?”

Islay raised one thick eyebrow, clearly perplexed by her suggestion. “Surely, it’s not flower arranging, is it?”

Stella chuckled softly. “No, it’s a bit more active than that.”

He often called himself a barbarian or uneducated, but she knew he had little interest in the snobbish customs of the southern continent.

Even so, she had a reason for wanting to share this with him, despite her brief explanation.

“To be honest, it’s not really something you’d call a ‘custom.’ No southern noble would ever do this in the moonlit forest.”

“What is it?”

Islay’s genuine curiosity shone in his eyes.

Sometimes, despite his rough exterior, he displayed an innocent side, almost like a child. Especially when he encountered something new.

A clear smile spread across Stella’s face as she answered, “It’s faster to show you than to explain. If this song ends, we might not get another chance.”

Since her proposal was driven by impulse, Stella knew that her courage would disappear as soon as the enchanting music stopped.

Islay didn’t reply immediately but looked down at her in silence. His sharp eyes had softened, but his red irises, like glass, revealed nothing of his thoughts.

…He doesn’t seem opposed. Did I overstep?

As their eyes met, Stella slowly stood and cautiously extended both hands to him.

He glanced down at her outstretched palms.

Her hands were small and soft, in stark contrast to his large, rough hands, which seemed more suited for killing than anything delicate. His hands were strong, with prominent veins and scars, clear marks of his strength.

As she carefully examined the stark contrast between their hands, Stella gently pulled him to his feet. When Islay stood, his long shadow enveloped her, yet she didn’t feel the least bit afraid.

This large man quietly allowed himself to be led by her gentle tug. The harmonious melody filled the space around them.

“Now, hold this hand… just like this.”

Stella intertwined her fingers with his. Islay slowly curled his fingers around her small hand, watching their shared warmth as if he were observing some fascinating new creature.

“And with your other hand…”

As she continued, Stella felt a bit nervous and swallowed hard. Islay, sensing her tension, shifted his gaze from their clasped hands to her eyes.

“And with the other hand?”

“…Hold my waist.”

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. Stella exhaled shakily.

When she had watched the women dancing with candles during the starry night ceremony, she had longed to move as gracefully as they did. She had never danced before, nor had she ever attended a ball.

She had only ever briefly appeared before guests at royal balls as commanded, but she had never danced in the swirling crowd. She had never even held hands with a partner.

Of course, she had learned the theory of dancing as a part of her education, just like flower arranging. But studying it from books as a child hadn’t helped much.

Now, standing here for the first time, preparing to dance with an adult man, she realized she didn’t really know what to do or how far to go.

And now that she had taken this step, there was no turning back.

“……!”

Suddenly, Islay gripped her waist. Though he hadn’t used much force, his strong grip felt overwhelming on her slender frame. Stella jumped slightly.

“G-Gently…!”

“You told me to hold you.”

“I didn’t mean for you to grab me like you’re drawing a sword!”

In front of this man who knew nothing about dancing, Stella struggled to recall the most important rule.

“When you dance, you mustn’t startle your partner. The key is to move smoothly and comfortably, like flowing water.”

Despite her admonishing tone, Islay obediently followed her instructions. The pressure in his hand on her lower back eased.

He now touched her delicate curves with the care one might use to handle a fragile sugar figurine. Yet, she could still feel the strength that made it clear he wasn’t going to let her go. He held her firmly enough that retreating was not an option.

“Like this?”

“…Yes, just like that, with a light touch.”

Though Stella was excited by the realization that she was leading this large man, she couldn’t help but wonder if the control she felt would soon slip away. The difference in their strength was so overwhelming that she almost envied him. A man this strong could do whatever he wanted with people.

“What comes next?”

Having quickly grasped the concept, Islay asked the question. What came next, indeed?

Realizing she wasn’t the best dance teacher, Stella placed her hand on his upper arm, where his biceps met his shoulder. His solid build was just as muscular as it appeared.

When her hand touched the pronounced curve of his muscle, the man, who had been calm the entire time, momentarily stiffened.

“Now, move in time with the rhythm of the music.”

Stella glanced down at her feet, peeking out from beneath her dress.

It had been ages since she had practiced the basic steps she had learned theoretically in her bedroom. Stella remembered well just how poorly she had executed them.

Still, she tilted her chin up and looked at Islay as if she were confident.

“Imagine drawing an invisible diamond on the floor, and step as if you’re placing your feet on the corners.”

Islay didn’t look down at his feet, as she had once done when she was younger. Though it was undoubtedly his first time, he easily followed her movements.

“Well done.”

He really is good at following instructions. Maybe it’s because of his natural physical ability. Or perhaps he’s even more diligent than I thought….

Amused by her train of thought, Stella couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. She couldn’t stop thinking about the black dog he reminded her of.

Though she had promised not to compare him to an animal, she figured it was harmless as long as she only thought it. This was a night of easy laughter, an unusually strange night.

Islay didn’t laugh along with her. But as he looked deeply into her eyes, a faint joy spread across his face. It was the kind of expression one might wear when discovering an unexpected bliss.

His black pupils dilated as they captured the image of Stella in his red eyes, the hue deepening. But she, still stifling her giggles, didn’t notice.

The women’s song beyond the castle walls grew quieter, and the tempo slowed. It was around then that Stella started to feel that something was off.

Islay’s hand slid from her waist to her back, and he pulled her closer to him. It was more accurate to say he embraced her rather than merely holding her.

Their bodies pressed together, her flat stomach completely against his. His hand moved up to press gently between her shoulder blades.

Now her cheek was awkwardly resting against his chest, and she froze in place, her laughter dying away.

This was… more suited to the final slow dance at a ball. It was more of an embrace than a dance.

Did he do this on purpose?

‘…Or did he?’

Now that she thought about it, Islay had received the title of Grand Duke in the southern continent. He had likely visited the civilized continent, including Pantege, many times and had probably been invited to countless balls in grand castles.

Could he know all of this and be pretending not to? Perhaps he had danced this way with dozens, even hundreds of women, and was just pretending for her sake.

Stella took a shaky breath.

“You said it’s important not to startle your partner when dancing.”

“That’s right.”

“So what did I do to surprise you this time?”

Islay asked the question with genuine curiosity. He had noticed the drumming of her heart and wondered what had caused it. Suddenly, the trembling in her chest seemed to intensify.