The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 53

Islay extended his hand as she approached.

Stella placed her fingertips lightly on his large hand. A warm sensation enveloped her wrist as he helped her climb into the carriage.

“…Thank you.”

Silence was the only response. Stella, now seated, felt her face flush slightly.

Was she concerned about appearing like a naive princess? Or perhaps it was the memory of the kiss they shared in the tower that was coming back to her.

Just as she expected him to close the door and step away, Islay suddenly entered the carriage. His distinct masculine scent wafted toward her.

Stella, caught off guard, looked at him in confusion. “You’re riding in the same carriage?”

“Yeah.”

Islay answered nonchalantly, closed the door, and took a seat beside her. She had expected him to lead the group on the highest horse, but here he was, sitting comfortably in the carriage. It was clear that this was because of her.

He had come to see her the previous night.

Late in the evening, as the rain drizzled down, Stella had been just about to go to bed when a knock startled her.

The slow, heavy knock wasn’t Dora’s. Guessing who it might be, Stella cautiously opened the door.

As expected, she jumped slightly upon seeing him. Islay, drenched from the rain, stood there, looking down at her. His broad frame, clad in black clothing, and his dark hair were soaked, with strands clinging to his forehead.

And without preamble, he said:

“We’re heading to the southern continent.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow. I’d like you to accompany me.”

Stella, dressed in her loose nightgown with a hastily thrown-on robe, didn’t answer immediately. She blinked, observing Islay, who stood at the door to her chambers.

Was he in a hurry because of the rain? Oddly enough, he seemed more rushed than usual.

It wasn’t like him to use an umbrella just because it was raining, nor was he the type to run, and even if he had, he wouldn’t be out of breath.

Islay was a consistently calm man. His temperament was naturally composed, which made it even more strange that a man who would turn into a beast in less than a year seemed so at ease.

He had never shown any signs of urgency before. Until now.

“We’re going to collect the tribute. Come with me.”

His dry tone left her feeling resigned. She had heard before that some nations paid tribute to Calis in gemstones, either in exchange for protection or to avoid raids. They weren’t merely plundering.

Had he found a clue related to the ancient gems?

Moreover, Islay had been exchanging the seemingly useless gems that Stella had selected from the basement for materials needed by the north. This time, it seemed he planned to personally collect the gems, using the “Mind’s Eye” to appraise them, and if nothing of value was found, he would exchange them for other goods.

“Alright, I’ll go.”

Stella quickly agreed, nodding. Following Islay seemed far better than spending each day in the basement, unable to detect any traces of holy power.

However…

The carriage wheels turned steadily, and Stella’s gaze, fixed straight ahead, kept straying toward Islay, who sat beside her.

Since last night, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

It had started when she saw something strange ripple across Islay’s face, drenched in the rain. It was like a slow, colorless wave.

At first, she thought it was just the rainwater streaming down his face, but it wasn’t. When she squinted to examine it more closely, Islay had quietly told her to go to bed and left. Stella had stayed awake all night.

Was he hiding something from her?

But as usual, there was no malice or intent to harm her that she could detect from him. All she felt was the same sensation she had when faced with a thick, impenetrable fog. It wasn’t a clear emotion, just a vague “feeling.”

‘The Mind’s Eye is truly useless.’

Sitting quietly, Stella blamed her abilities, which couldn’t provide her with any real insight or help.

Couldn’t she at least see more clearly? How was she supposed to recognize the ancient gem at this rate?

‘Maybe I’m just useless…’

After all, she was the Mind’s Eye itself. Stella suppressed her frustrations, trying not to let her disappointment show.

“Our destination is Nortelli.”

Islay’s smooth voice broke her thoughts, and she looked up.

“Nortelli?”

“It’s a peninsula nation that’s been in contact with Calis for nearly a hundred years. It’s at the edge of the coastline, so it’ll take us a few more days to get there.”

“I see.”

“Even if it’s tiring, try to endure. We’ll stop at an inn after crossing the border.”

There was a faint hint of consideration in his calm tone, showing that he was aware the journey wouldn’t be easy for her, especially since she wasn’t used to traveling by carriage.

Stella smiled, pushing away the thoughts that had clouded her mind since the night before. “I don’t think it will be too hard, even if we spend several days sitting in a carriage.”

“You’re not exactly in peak physical condition, Estella.”

“…Me?”

“I still remember how out of breath you were climbing to my chamber.”

He was referring to the time she had panted while climbing the stairs to the top of the tower.

She must have looked like a tired puppy, panting and disheveled. She thought he hadn’t noticed and was pretending not to, but apparently, he had.

“Still, I’m not as weak as you think.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, much stronger than I look.”

“If you say so, I’ll believe it.”

“It’s true. I’ll prove it if given the chance.”

Stella insisted, meeting his dubious gaze with determination. Islay looked at her quietly. Stella didn’t avoid his eyes, holding his gaze steadily.

Even seated, his broad shoulders towered over her, causing his gaze to lower slightly. His eyes, framed by long lashes that cast deep shadows, were sharp in shape, yet whenever they focused on her, they softened with an unmistakable languor.

Unconsciously, Stella thought to herself how gentle his gaze was.

“Anyway… this journey is important. I think I’ll feel more fulfilled than physically exhausted.”

“……”

“I have a good feeling about this. I hope this will be my first and last journey. I want to find that hidden gem.”

She was rambling unnecessarily. Stella realized that Islay’s red eyes held a power even stronger than her Mind’s Eye. Those eyes made her speak without being asked.

“It’s fascinating. Since when has this work become so meaningful to you?”

His words, spoken as though to himself, struck a chord with the growing sense of dissonance she had felt ever since she came to the Ice Castle. Fortunately, it wasn’t a question. Stella didn’t respond, instead fidgeting with her hands resting on her lap.

Then, Islay’s gaze lowered to her neck.

Leaning slightly forward, he reached out and brushed her hair back from her shoulders. Her long golden hair fell away like a curtain, revealing her slender neck. The tension made her throat dry, and she felt a sudden rush of heat.

“There’s a mark.”

“……?”

“You didn’t know?”

“A mark?”

Islay’s fingers traced her neck below her earlobe. The soft warmth of his touch made the fine hairs on her skin stand on end, and a faint shiver ran down her spine.

“There’s still a mark on your neck from me.”

A mark? Stella, lips slightly parted, recalled where his lips had touched her that night.

“D-Dora didn’t say anything about it… Is it noticeable?”

“Anyone can tell it’s from when we were, let’s say, biting and sucking on each other.”

“Why do you say it like that? Besides, strictly speaking, I didn’t bite you or anything.”

“True. You just stood there like a statue when you kissed me. Didn’t even use your tongue.”

His voice was as flat as if he were reading from a book, with no intention of teasing her.

…A statue? Stella didn’t know whether to feel offended or complimented, so she hurriedly pulled her collar up and hastily covered her neck with her hair.