The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 55

Even considering Islay’s direct nature, “longing” was a rather vivid word. For Stella, it was a sentiment she would only reveal to someone very close to her.

Stella carefully studied Islay’s face. Though he carried the usual relaxed air about him, something was different. It felt as if he had removed one of his masks, revealing a more genuine expression. If she were to push further, she thought she might catch a glimpse of his innermost feelings.

As Stella cautiously chose her words, a man, the one who had been juggling apples earlier, approached them with a wide grin. Up close, she noticed his sunburnt face.

“Hey there. You folks came from Calis, right?”

He beamed at them, not waiting for a reply.

“You look like northerners at first glance, don’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmmm, but this young lady is quite different. So, are you traveling together?”

“…We are.”

“Oh, I see.”

Without even acknowledging Stella’s small response, the man grinned and glanced over his shoulder.

“Young lady, one of my companions over there is about your age. If you’re alone, maybe you’d like to have a drink with us…”

“She’s my wife.”

Islay cut him off without hesitation. The man’s cheery face shifted to one of surprise at the sudden declaration.

Stella, too, opened her eyes wide in astonishment. Islay’s expression was utterly nonchalant, even after telling such a blatant lie.

He probably said it to stop the man from crossing the line, but to be able to say something like that without blinking an eye… how outrageous.

“I’m terribly sorry. I have no intention of committing the dishonor of flirting with another man’s wife.”

The man placed a hand over his chest and bowed in apology.

“But since you two are from the north, let me treat you. How about a free card reading? You see, I’m a well-known fortune teller.”

“Not a juggler in need of more practice?”

“Hey now, young lady, juggling is just my side gig. This card reading is quite special. It can even make a distant couple as close as newlyweds again.”

The man flashed a cheeky grin, glancing between Islay and Stella.

“You two look like you’ve grown apart.”

“…That’s not true.”

“Is that so? Well, you young folks must be in the honeymoon phase, right? But you don’t seem close at all. Anyone would think you haven’t even held hands yet!”

The man raised his eyebrows suggestively, clearly teasing them. Stella was utterly at a loss, while Islay simply chuckled and adjusted his posture. He then leaned toward Stella.

“Apparently, we look distant, honey.”

“……!”

“Doesn’t it hurt your pride that he thinks we’ve never even held hands?”

His low voice, laced with affection, sent a shiver down her spine, as if he were whispering directly into her ear. Stella gasped and flinched in response.

Why would he call me that…!

“A little while ago, we did have a bit of a quarrel. Go ahead, let’s see this card reading.”

Islay straightened up and, in a playful tone, seemed genuinely curious about the sudden fortune-telling offer.

“All right, all right.”

The fortune teller dragged a backless wooden chair to the center of the room, removing the silly hat he had worn for his juggling act.

“This is a card reading for couples, helping to align their hearts and resolve any differences. It even gives a glimpse into the future. By the time we’re done, you’ll be thanking me.”

Though his words made him sound like a con artist, his expression was sincere. He pulled a deck of cards from his coat and spread them in a smooth arc on the table. Unlike his clumsy juggling, his movements here were practiced and elegant.

“Now, madam, pick a card. Each card has a number on it.”

All the cards were placed face down, their backs adorned with intricate designs. Stella hesitated.

‘The Mind’s Eye…’

She decided to use her ability to figure out the number on the card. Narrowing her eyes, she focused, trying to read the number hidden beneath the ornate patterns.

Just as she was concentrating, the fortune teller let out an amused laugh.

“Staring won’t help. Just pick one already.”

“…Alright.”

Feeling deflated, especially since her powers hadn’t been working well lately, Stella quietly pointed to a random card.

“I’ll choose this one.”

“Good.”

The fortune teller placed his hand over the card but didn’t flip it over yet.

“First, I’d like to ask the couple something. What are your thoughts on having children?”

Stella’s heart dropped into her stomach as she shot a glance at Islay. Surely, that was not a topic he would take kindly to.

Even so, Islay answered without showing any displeasure, “We’re not planning on it.”

“Oh…? That’s an unusual stance. Why’s that?”

“I don’t want my wife to suffer.”

His answer was brief. The fortune teller blinked in surprise before turning his curious gaze to Stella.

“And what about you, madam?”

“…Plans for children, you mean?”

Of course, they had no such plans. Quickly thinking of a suitable response, Stella gave her answer.

“I don’t want children either.”

“Aha! Now, that’s a lie! You do want children, but your husband is just too stubborn, isn’t that right?”

“No, really, I’ve never thought about it.”

“How could you not want children when you have such a wonderful husband? What a peculiar couple.”

The middle-aged man seemed less concerned about the reading and more focused on giving marriage advice.

“In my experience, children create the strongest bond between a couple. That’s why you simply must have a child…”

“That’s a selfish opinion,” Islay’s short laugh cut the man off. “How could a child who exists only to fulfill a purpose be happy?”

The man was taken aback by Islay’s cold, emotionless tone, which made the words feel even more chilling.

“Well, yes… I suppose, but…”

Before the embarrassed fortune teller could say more, Stella carefully interjected. “But isn’t it rare for children to be born purely out of love? Especially for people like ‘us.’”

For those in their social class, continuing the family line was a priority above all else. It wasn’t about the child’s happiness or joy, especially for royalty. And surely, the Peruno bloodline was even more so.

“Even if a child isn’t born out of love, they still have the right to find happiness. And a child born in such a way could grow up to be someone who works hard to break the sad cycle.”

“By not repeating the mistakes of their parents?”

“…No. By wishing only for the happiness of their loved ones and their child, waiting eagerly for the new life to be born.”

Since he didn’t respond, the conversation ended there. Stella fidgeted with the glass of milk in her hands. Even the cheeky fortune teller had fallen silent, and she wondered if she had said something wrong.

When she thought about it, Islay was nothing like her. As a Peruno, doomed to a horrific fate, he could never guarantee happiness, even if he were to have a child with someone he truly loved. By the time he turned twenty-eight, he would become a monster.

Her words about love and children must have sounded hypocritical to him.

“Of course, I’ve never thought seriously about children, so maybe I’m just spouting a fantasy.”

No one responded to her sheepish remark. The awkward silence was finally broken by the fortune teller.

“Ahem! Anyway, let’s check the cards, shall we? Both of you claimed not to want children.”

He finally flipped the card. Stella’s heart raced as she looked at the card’s face.

The number written in the center of the white card was two.

“My reading says you’ll have two children!”

“……!”

“This is one of the most interesting readings I’ve ever done. Despite both of you denying any plans for children, it seems you both secretly desire them.”

The fortune teller winked at Stella. “Looks like the wife will be more enthusiastic, huh?”

As Stella, her face pale, opened her mouth to protest, the fortune teller continued, “But from what I can see, you need to be bolder. A grown woman shouldn’t be sipping milk like a child.”

“W-What? This wasn’t my choice, Islay—no, my husband ordered it for me. He probably thought it would help me sleep better…”

“That just means he sees you as a baby, not a woman.”

The man burst into hearty laughter. Even Islay, who had been silently sipping his drink, chuckled softly, his gaze lowering to meet hers. Was he agreeing with the fortune teller? Stella felt a surge of frustration.

“By the way, since we’re on the topic, I have to ask.”

Still laughing, the fortune teller threw one last curveball.

“In Calisian mythology, they say some northerners have… two of those. Is that true?”

With that absurd question, the fortune-telling session came to an awkward end.

***

Stella made her way back to the fourth floor, where their rooms were located.

Exhausted from the fortune teller’s endless banter, she climbed the stairs, not noticing how tired she was until now. Islay followed behind her, his footsteps quiet as ever, despite her heavy breathing.

“Wait for me, Estella.”

By the time they reached the third floor, Islay finally spoke.