The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 54

“Don’t worry. I won’t touch you anymore.”

Even the deep tone that dropped over her head was serious. Before their eyes could meet, he turned his gaze toward the window.

Stella looked up at the sharply defined side of his face.

What else was she supposed to say now? Should she say she didn’t regret that day? That it didn’t matter if he promised not to touch her again? …Unbelievable.

As she deliberated, time passed, and the silence stretched on, unbroken for what felt like forever.

It was frustrating. Just a moment ago, her chest had felt ticklish, and now it was as though a soaked cotton ball had filled the space, making it heavy and uncomfortable. She couldn’t even understand what she was feeling.

She didn’t even know the name of her own emotions. Even if her Mind’s Eye could read someone else’s agitation, it seemed useless to her, and she was sure it was her fault.

***

They crossed the vast plains safely.

They hadn’t encountered any black beasts, and they passed through the border smoothly, descending into the region they called the South. As the days grew longer and the temperature rose, Stella shed her winter cloak and donned a thin robe Dora had packed for her.

One late night, after several days of travel, Stella entered an inn in a small village to rest and recover from the accumulated fatigue of the journey.

Although the journey by carriage hadn’t been overly uncomfortable or difficult, she couldn’t hide her relief at finally arriving somewhere with a bed.

The first floor of the inn, where drinks and food were sold, was bustling with noise. Customers seated around tables in groups of twos and threes quieted when they saw the unusually tall and large men in their group.

“Calisians!”

“Look, they’re men from the north…!”

Their true identities were instantly recognized, and whispers followed, though they were more curious than hostile. One child even jumped up from his seat and gawked at them with his mouth hanging open.

Islay rented out the entire fourth floor, giving the largest room to Stella. He immediately instructed the innkeeper to prepare a hot bath and have food ready once she had washed up.

After personally escorting Stella to her room, Islay closed the door with a thud and disappeared. For a while, she stared blankly at the closed door, unsure of what had just happened.

“They say that whenever he comes south, he usually stays in temporary lodgings, not inns.”

Dora, who was now pouring water over Stella’s shoulders as she soaked in a large wooden bathtub, spoke while wetting her shoulders. Bathed in warm water mixed with fragrant oils, Stella hugged her knees.

“Mikel said that since Calis interacts with many countries, they have such places set up all over the continent. Do you remember?”

“Oh… yes, I do.”

Of course, she remembered.

“Sometimes, they don’t even stop to rest; they just keep traveling nonstop. Apparently, they don’t really need breaks. Anyway, the reason we’re staying at an inn this time is…”

“It’s because of me.”

Stella glanced around the immaculately kept room.

Islay had only chosen this place to ensure she could wash up and eat in comfort.

Even though he was a man who was supposedly pressed for time, he was taking things slowly instead of rushing the journey.

The longer time passed, the more Stella found herself gripped by concern. Ever since she had realized that he harbored no real attachment to life, the feeling had only intensified.

“He’s not as bad a person as he seems, is he?” Dora spoke cautiously from behind. As someone who always prioritized the princess’s well-being, it was clear that Dora had started to see Islay as a more generous person.

“Right? He’s certainly different from how he first seemed.”

“The Ice Castle is the same. There are hardly any people there who act cruel just because they were born with noble blood… Oh, don’t get me wrong. What I mean is, I’ve come to realize that people here are just like people anywhere else.”

Stella turned and smiled warmly at Dora.

Dora must have found her time in Calis over the winter not entirely unpleasant either.

At first, she had tried to escape the castle, disguising herself as a maid and wandering around, only to end up making several close friends along the way.

And, of course, the Resting Festival had played a crucial role in easing their fear of Calis.

“What do you want to do from now on, Your Highness?”

The day Islay had promised to let Stella leave the Ice Castle was quickly approaching. However, he continued to ask for her cooperation, suggesting that she stay at the castle if she wanted, even after the deadline passed.

Stella had a faint sense of what Islay’s true intentions were. He didn’t want to keep her around because of her Mind’s Eye.

“I want to help.”

Stella’s small voice, filled with newfound courage, cut through the sound of water trickling down. Embarrassed, she rested her chin between her knees.

“If I can, I mean.”

“Of course you can! That’s why you’ve come all the way down to the southern continent!”

Dora’s loud declaration was meant to bolster Stella’s courage, which she had barely mustered.

“I might stay in Calis until the winter. Dora, what would you like to do? If you want to return to Largo first…”

“I want to stay by your side, Princess!” Without a moment’s hesitation, Dora replied brightly.

Stella couldn’t help but smile at her maid’s strong resolve. “It’s reassuring to hear that.”

“Trust me. I’ll protect you, even from the fires of hell. Though, the chances of you ending up in hell are about as likely as Mikel taking a liking to a flowered lace bonnet.”

“Haha.”

“By the way, I heard Nortelli, where we’re headed next, was founded by a group of priests. They say they even go on treasure hunts by the sea and that they have many relics. Who knows? Maybe this time we’ll actually find that ancient gem.”

“That would be wonderful.”

I hope Islay won’t have to suffer anymore.

As Stella lay in the bath, bubbles rising to the top of her head, she felt as though the sticky thoughts that had clung to her mind were being washed away with the fragrant water.

***

As soon as she finished her bath, a steaming meal was brought to her room.

There was clam stew, grilled root vegetables seasoned with pepper, sausages with herb butter, and pies topped with lime cream. The food was plentiful and delicious.

Stella sat across from Dora, eating until her stomach was full. After the meal, she refreshed her palate with a glass of tart apricot juice. Just as she was finishing, the sound of fireworks exploding came from outside. It seemed there was a fireworks display going on nearby.

“How beautiful! Princess, let’s go outside and watch!”

Dora, who had been enchanted by the fireworks during the Resting Festival, exclaimed excitedly. Stella hesitated for a moment but, realizing they were staying here for the night, decided that watching the fireworks wouldn’t hurt.

As they left the room, Mikel, who had been standing guard at the top of the fourth-floor stairs, naturally followed behind them.

Stella descended the stairs and reached the first-floor tavern. Just as she was about to head outside, she noticed Islay sitting alone at a table.

For some reason, he was by himself. Although his men were passing by, drinking, none of them seemed to be sitting with him. Sensing that she might miss the chance to join him if she hesitated, Stella decided to act.

With a newfound sense of courage, she turned away from the fireworks and approached Islay.

Islay, who had been sipping a glass of deep purple liquor, looked up at her as she came near.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

“There’s a fireworks display outside, so I was about to go watch… ahem. Also, it’s not that late yet.”

“It’s late enough for you to be in bed.”

“No, it’s not. Sometimes I stay up late too,” Stella replied with a feigned casualness as she sat across from him. Even though it was well past her usual bedtime, she pretended otherwise, hoping to appear more mature.

Islay watched her as she pulled out her chair, then called for someone to bring her a drink. Soon, a drink was placed in front of her—it was warm milk mixed with honey and cinnamon.

Milk? The complaint that she didn’t want to be treated like a child almost escaped her lips, but Stella kept quiet and took a sip.

The sweet, creamy liquid slid down her throat, and she sighed as her body relaxed. After soaking in a fragrant bath, the warm milk was lulling her to sleep. She could feel it helping her drift off.

However, Stella fought to stay awake, determined to focus on the man sitting across from her.

“What were you doing?”

“People-watching. There’s plenty to see in a busy inn. Look over there.” He gestured toward the far side of the room.

On the small stage set up for traveling performers and minstrels, a wiry middle-aged man was juggling three apples in the air. His oversized hat wobbled precariously with each move.

Before long, he fumbled, and all the apples tumbled to the floor. In his attempt to catch them, the juggler fell over with a loud crash, drawing laughter from all around.

Stella smiled and glanced at Islay. “I thought you didn’t like crowded places.”

“They’re not bad for a change of pace. When you spend too much time alone, you start to miss the noise sometimes.”