The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 77

Stella spoke firmly, her voice unwavering as she continued.

“I understand that a sacrifice is necessary. But I don’t know how it must be done.”

“……”

“So, when offering the ‘Eye,’ do I need a specific ritual using a sword or an altar… or should it be done in a particular way?”

“One moment.”

Padro couldn’t hide his astonishment. The delicate princess, without hesitation, asked what was required for her sacrifice. Her directness seemed to surprise him.

“First, let me clarify one thing. There are no holy relics required for the ritual. What matters is your unique ability.”

“So the ancient jewel isn’t truly necessary? I can’t believe his ancestors wasted so much time pursuing it.”

“I suspect the term ‘jewel’ was a metaphor for your brilliant Mind’s Eye.”

Stella still felt uneasy, but she blinked silently, trusting that Padro, who had received and interpreted the prophecy himself, understood better than she did.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be conducted by priests, but to preserve your dignity, certain formalities can be observed.”

After a pause, Padro adjusted his glasses and spoke with a firmer tone.

“As you know, the prophecy is vague, leading to various hypotheses. We intend to attempt every possibility.”

“Ah…”

“We’ll minimize your suffering. First, we’ll confirm if the Mind’s Eye refers to your physical ‘eye,’ and if no change occurs after that, then…”

Stella remained silent, listening attentively. Padro, observing the young princess who had barely reached adulthood, sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“This isn’t a conversation we can have lightly.”

“……”

“But we must act quickly. Lord Peruno has ordered us to leave for Nortelli. Though he framed it as a mission for the priests to gain enlightenment in the nation they founded, I believe you know the true reason.”

Stella nodded grimly. Islay wanted to send away the priests who sought her sacrifice. After his death, the Northern curse tied to his bloodline would vanish, and the priests would no longer have a justification to use her for Calis. Likely, they wouldn’t be recalled until after winter passed.

“The date was only postponed due to the unrest in the city caused by the elders’ crimes.”

“If that’s the case, could the timing be…”

Stella hesitated, stammering out her next words.

“Could it be delayed by just a few days?”

“Pardon?”

“I understand the sooner the ritual takes place, the sooner his pain will end. But if possible, I’d like to spend a few more days with him. We’re staying together in the tower right now.”

Padro, who had been tormented by the decree to leave, was already pondering when the sacrifice might take place. His expression stiffened briefly, then softened as if with regret. A hint of sympathy flickered in his gaze before he masked it again.

“Would one week suffice? That’s the longest I can delay it on my own authority.”

“One week…”

It felt far too short. Islay was occupied with duties from morning until night; they could only share the evenings. Just this morning, Stella had believed she would have two full seasons to remain by his side. The brevity of the time left pained her.

“I will prepare a place under the pretext of commemorating the soul of the deceased victim.”

On the other hand, Padro, believing that one week would suffice, made this statement while briefly bowing his head toward the statue. It seemed he thought his earlier remarks might have been disrespectful to the victim.

“We’ll handle all preparations, but Lord Peruno’s guards will be with you, making movement difficult. On the day itself, you must act quickly. Remember to avoid their watchful eyes as much as possible.”

“I understand.”

“I promise to uphold your dignity until the end.”

His polite tone made it difficult to express gratitude. Stella simply nodded. Though this was her first decision made entirely of her own volition, she didn’t feel pride or satisfaction.

After placing flowers before the statue to honor the victim, Stella quietly exited the sanctuary.

***

“Look at this. Doesn’t it look better than before?”

In the adjoining room connected to the bedroom, Stella sat at a desk, diligently whittling a piece of wood. She held up the unknown carving and a small knife for Islay to see.

True to his promise, Islay had taught her carving techniques late into the night. Despite his fatigue, he showed no trace of weariness as he watched her clumsy efforts. To make it more enjoyable, he had even come up with a whimsical lesson theme: “Creating a Magnificent Stick.”

But he wasn’t one to flatter insincerely.

“It looks the same, Estella.”

“What about from this angle?”

“Still the same. It takes more than a day or two of carving to see improvement.”

“So, it’s still lousy?”

“Lousy? What kind of language is that for a princess?”

He chuckled incredulously. Undeterred, Stella continued to wield the knife.

“That’s what Mikel said. I thought it was an amusing phrase, so I decided to try it.”

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“Huh? Doing what?”

“Bringing up another man just to see me get jealous?”

Stella paused her carving and looked up at him, perched casually on the edge of the desk. Her eyes betrayed her amusement.

“That wasn’t my intention, but if it makes you jealous, is that too wicked of me?”

Islay folded his arms and said nothing. Then, like ink spreading across paper, a sly smile crept onto his face.

“It’s wicked indeed. Since when did you grow so brazen?”

“Hmm… Who knows?”

“I think a spanking might set you straight.”

“……!”

“Come here.”

Reaching out playfully, his hands were anything but innocent. Stella laughed as she dodged his grasp, but his large hand soon swept her off her feet. In a swift motion, Islay scooped her into his arms.

“Let’s head to bed.”

“I don’t really want to sleep.”

Carrying her with ease, Islay strode toward the bed, his hand not ceasing to tease her as it rested on her rear. Stella squirmed and protested.

“Islay, you once said it’s a waste to let time slip by unconsciously. I feel the same way.”

Reaching the bed in no time, he laid her gently on the sheets. Her golden hair, shimmering like starlight, spread over the pristine bedding.

“Who said anything about sleep?”

Grasping the neckline of her chemise, he pulled it down with a mischievous smile.

Her bare chest trembled from the motion. The moment his gaze fell upon her sensitive skin, Stella’s breath quickened.

“Even if you beg for sleep tonight, I won’t grant it.”

“…Ah.”

Damp breath landed directly on her pert nipples. His tongue licked at her areola before his moist inner lips bit down on her nipple in one sudden motion. He toyed with her pale, soft breast, kneading it as if to tease, and filled his mouth with it entirely. The movements of his tongue and lips were shamelessly indulgent, like those of a man who had spent days sucking on nothing but a woman’s breasts.

Thanks to his caresses, her mind was already clouded, her stomach tickled with a strange sensation, and the deepest part of her, growing wet, throbbed involuntarily. Stella clung to his head, releasing increasingly unrestrained moans that she could no longer control.

She didn’t dislike the feeling of her bare skin pressed against his. In fact, there were times when she even welcomed it, as it allowed her to momentarily ignore the heavy unease buried deep in her heart.

Perhaps it was because she now knew that there wasn’t much time left. Stella found herself wanting to whisper anything to him as she gazed into his eyes. She wanted to ask what was in his heart, how he intended to live from now on, and whether, after she was gone, he might occasionally visit her grave to leave flowers.

‘…No.’

Stella blinked her eyes and then shook her head. The sacrifices each of them envisioned were entirely different, making it a delicate topic to broach.

She didn’t want to fill these precious moments with nothing but heavy, solemn conversations. It seemed Islay felt the same, just as he didn’t want to dwell on their miserable fate any more than she did.

As Stella lay quietly, receiving his caresses, her gaze dropped. The man, who was utterly convinced that the sacrifice would be his to bear, was entirely focused on bringing her pleasure, touching her as he pleased with careful attention.

Yet, in the midst of their passion, Stella caught a glimpse of something unsettling.

Dark veins appeared briefly on Islay’s neck, writhing like countless black snakes. They were unlike anything a human should have.

Startled, she sat halfway up and stared at him with wide eyes.

“What’s this…”

…Huh?

But in the blink of an eye, the ominous lines vanished as though they had never been there.

Panic-stricken, Stella reached for his thick neck, searching for the veins she had seen. Her hands found nothing. Islay, pulling away from her chest, looked at her quizzically.

…Did I imagine it? But I’m sure I saw something dark moving just now…

Fixing her worried gaze on him, Stella met his scarlet eyes, glowing even in the dim light. They stared back at her, steady and intense.