The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 5

Inside, a brighter light enveloped Stella as she stepped into the room. She blinked and looked around.

The bedroom was far larger than the previous one, with a massive bed in the center. The air was chilling, enough to make her shiver.

Stella swallowed nervously. She had been brought to the lair of that frightening man.

“Come in,” Islay’s low voice echoed through the spacious room. It was a deep voice that commanded immediate attention.

Islay Peruno stood with his back to her, in front of a mirror. His upper body was completely bare, and Stella almost stopped breathing.

In the mirror, he tilted his head slightly, moving his arms slowly. White shaving foam clung to his angular jawline, indicating he was shaving.

With a bang, the door behind her shut. Startled, she turned to see that the subordinate who had brought her here was gone.

Now, it was just Stella and the half-naked man in the sealed bedroom.

“Don’t just stand there. Come and sit down,” Islay instructed, watching her through the mirror, nodding towards a spot. Stella’s eyes darted around. A rectangular table stood a few steps away.

“Do you need someone to pull out the chair for you?” Islay asked.

“…No.”

“Then sit down.”

Hesitantly, Stella walked over. The man’s voice, low and resonant, continued.

“If you want me to follow proper etiquette, let me know. I’m an uneducated man, and I don’t know how to properly treat a princess.”

Stella had no such desire. She glanced warily at him.

Every time he moved the razor, the muscles in his bulging arms and broad shoulders flexed. His back was a tapestry of defined muscles, evident even along his spine.

Dora had been right. His sturdy body seemed impervious to a knife.

Her fingertips trembled slightly. She had no idea what he planned to do, but if he harbored beastly intentions, she would be helpless.

“Peruno even has… two of them!”

For some reason, Dora’s voice echoed in her mind. Stella shook her head to dispel the thought. It wasn’t helpful now.

As she approached the long table, she lowered her gaze. Only then did she notice the food laid out.

Rye bread, potato soup, freshly roasted venison, and wild berries were served.

What is this about?

“Why did you call me here?” she asked aloud.

“To have a private conversation,” Islay replied, rubbing his smooth chin after shaving. “Understand if the place feels cramped. This is just a temporary stay whenever we pass through Pantege.”

It was indeed a temporary residence, confirming what she and Dora had speculated.

So, how much of what she had heard about him was true? Stella’s gaze fell on the steaming food again.

This was the second time today she found herself at a stranger’s table. It wasn’t funny. She had rarely had conversations with strangers in her life.

With a self-deprecating sigh, she slowly pulled out the chair and sat down.

At that moment, Islay, now wiping his face with a damp towel, approached. Stella’s nerves were on edge.

“Let’s introduce ourselves properly,” he said.

He threw a black shirt over his bare chest and plopped into the seat of honor, even smiling as if greeting an old friend.

But she remembered how he had dealt with Prince Hendrick.

“My name is Islay Peruno. From Calis,” he introduced himself.

The brief introduction made Stella’s body stiffen. Hearing it from him directly left no doubt. The man before her was no ordinary human.

“I know who you are,” Stella said.

“Do you?” he responded with interest, leaning forward. “What do you know about me?”

“I heard you’ve inherited cursed blood.”

“No need for a long explanation then,” Islay said, smiling. “You’re from Largo, right? Where is that?”

“Largo is a small kingdom at the southern end of the continent. It borders Pantege to the northeast.”

“A small kingdom, huh? No wonder it’s not noticeable on the map,” Islay murmured quietly. Perhaps it was the aftershave, but he smelled fresh. Stella held her breath unnecessarily.

Suddenly, his gaze fell on the plate in front of her.

“Why aren’t you eating? Is it not to the taste of a well-bred princess?”

“…It’s not that.”

“Should I feed you?” Islay raised an eyebrow.

Did he bring me here to mock me? Stella bit her lip and reluctantly picked up the rye bread. She took a bite.

The bread, despite its rough appearance, was soft and savory. Having not eaten all day, she quickly finished it.

After washing it down with some drink, Stella glanced at the man, feeling a bit embarrassed. Her eyes met his red ones, watching her intently.

Islay rested his chin on his elongated finger, his gaze unwavering. He didn’t seem to realize it was rude to stare at someone eating.

“Um, excuse me,” she began, her voice trembling embarrassingly. She clenched her skirt tightly. “You seemed to have business with Prince Hendrick, but why did you bring me?”

Islay took his time answering, as if surprised by her direct question.

“Estella, right?” he muttered her name to himself. “Why do people call you the Star of Largo?”

“…Well.”

“Is it because of your looks?” Islay asked, his probing gaze lingering on her honey-colored eyes before moving to her golden hair.

Stella remembered overhearing whispers at banquets when her uncle had invited dignitaries from various countries.

The Star of Largo. She never felt the nickname suited her. Such a title seemed fitting for someone who could be a symbol of their country.

Despite the prolonged silence, Islay didn’t press for an answer. He just watched her with half-lidded eyes, making her feel awkward. She eventually looked away.

“Maybe it’s because of my name.”

“Your name?” Islay echoed.

“In ancient Largo language, ‘Estella’ means the brightest star. It was a name given to me by the late king,” she explained.

Islay observed her quietly as she bowed her head. When she looked up again, she asked, “I heard Prince Hendrick call you Grand Duke. Are you a noble of Calis?”

“No,” Islay chuckled, grabbing a glass of water. “There’s no such thing in Calis. I’m just a nobody.”

Stella blinked, surprised by his unrefined language, matching his rugged appearance.

“The Emperor of Pantege gave me land on the condition I wouldn’t raid. With the land came a title. Since then, the nobles of the continent conveniently call me Grand Duke,” he explained.

He gulped down the water, his Adam’s apple bobbing prominently. Slamming the glass down, he wiped his wet lips with his knuckles.

Pantege, which had once conquered Largo, was still a powerful empire ruling many vassal states on the central continent. This man had forced them to surrender land to avoid his raids?

“Of course, I had to continue what I was doing. I didn’t care about the land, and I was in a hurry,” he continued.

“……!”

“They regularly pay tribute to me, but it’s never enough,” Islay added, snapping his fingers over the table. His red eyes pierced through Stella.

“I’m looking for something important,” he said, his lowered voice settling over the table. “I’m struggling to find it, and I want you to help me.”

“Help you? With what?” Stella asked, utterly confused.

A man who didn’t even know where Largo was had kidnapped her, a stranger, and now wanted her help finding something.

“Can I test my guess before that?” Islay asked, his eyes glinting.