The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 96

“Come this way.”

Dora’s voice, rather than a reply, was resolute. Overwhelmed by confusion, Stella stared at the maid. Why was she trying to leave the castle? Had Dora made a mistake?

“Dora, we can’t go this way…! Do you even know where this leads—”

Stella abruptly shut her mouth mid-sentence. Despite her protests, Dora continued to tug insistently at her wrist.

A few months ago, after attending the Starry Night Ceremony at the Ice Lake, Stella had eagerly recounted the experience to Dora.

She had told her how Islay led her through a hidden door and a secret passage, revealing a transparent lake where she had witnessed the mesmerizing dance of candle flames.

She had even mentioned her surprise at how readily Islay had guided her through the secret passage. So, there was no way Dora didn’t know where this door led.

“You…”

“You must leave now, Your Highness.”

“Are you telling me to flee the Ice Castle?”

The last trace of color drained from Stella’s already pale face. She had never once considered leaving Islay. And today of all days…!

As soon as she reached that thought, she realized Dora’s true intention. The questions that had surfaced upon seeing her earlier suddenly made sense.

“Don’t tell me… The story about intruders was all a lie?”

“I’m sorry. But I had no choice.”

Tears welled in Dora’s eyes as she grasped the door handle.

“The passage should be empty. Mikel has unlocked the doors and cleared the way so we can leave without difficulty. Please, Your Highness, come this way.”

“Mikel opened this door?”

Disbelief clouded Stella’s expression as she shook her head.

“He’s Islay’s most trusted aide! There’s no way Mikel would act on his own—”

“……”

“Don’t you get it? Islay is the one who left the door open. He’s trying to send us away, to get me out of the Ice Castle, so I won’t suffer any longer…!”

Tears clung to her lashes as Stella screamed, nearly hysterical. But she suddenly froze in place. Dora’s expression was far too calm.

“…You knew.”

And not just that.

“You and Islay planned this together in advance.”

The scattered fragments of Islay’s conflicting emotions over the past days finally came together. He had already made up his mind to let her go.

“Since when? Did you tell him after I asked for your help with the sacrificial ritual?”

“Yes! But he already knew…!”

“Dora… How could you.”

“Lord Peruno said that he could no longer keep you by his side. But he knew you wouldn’t go willingly. And he couldn’t simply lock you away in the tower or stand by while the priests took you. So he…”

“That’s ridiculous…!”

Islay had schemed with Dora, Mikel, and his closest aides to force her departure. Without hesitation, Stella turned back toward the path she had come from. The startled Dora caught her wrist.

“Your Highness…!”

“Let go, Dora! I’m going back to Islay. No, I’m going straight to the priests to complete the ritual—”

Their struggle stretched on until the door to the passage burst open, and someone stepped inside. Stella flinched and took a step back.

A complete stranger.

A man covered in scars, one who had clearly survived many brutal battles.

“Why are you taking so long?”

“P-Princess Estella…”

Unlike the startled Stella, Dora seemed familiar with him. Pale-faced, Dora gestured toward the retreating princess. The man’s eyes widened slightly upon seeing her.

Without hesitation, he dropped to one knee in a respectful bow.

“Roderick Elgin, at the service of Your Royal Highness, the Princess of Largo.”

Then, without warning, he rose to his feet and reached toward her. Stella barely had time to gasp.

“Forgive me. I must take my leave with you.”

“Who— Ahh!”

Stella let out a scream. The massive man had hoisted her onto his shoulder in one swift motion.

“Do not treat her roughly!”

Dora’s sharp voice rang out. Despite her reprimand, she helped secure the passage door as they moved forward. Stella, unable to believe what was happening, struggled wildly as though she were truly being abducted.

“Let me go…!”

“Calm yourself! I, too, am of Largo! If I still had my pendant, I would have shown it to you as proof, but that wretched man refused to return it…!”

Between her frantic thrashing, she barely caught fragments of his words.

One thing was certain—this man was working alongside Islay and Dora. Dora alone wouldn’t have been able to stop her; he must have come to assist her escape.

In an instant, they exited the passage and dashed through the forest path leading to the lake. Passing the ice lake, where the melted surface shimmered in the spring air, they entered a steep embankment.

Panting, Dora anxiously glanced at Stella’s complexion. Understandably so—Stella looked as if she would vomit at any moment. Given her deteriorated physical condition, the shock, and the struggle she had put up, it was only natural.

“Ahk.”

To make matters worse, a sharp pain struck her lower abdomen. Grimacing, Stella clutched at Roderick’s clothing, prompting Dora to cry out in alarm.

“Wait, Lord Elgin! The princess is unwell.”

“What?”

“She’s far too pale… Didn’t you say there was a physician among your group? How much further must we go?”

“We are very close. Just ahead, His Highness and the elite forces are waiting.”

“Are you certain? The path is far too rough!”

“I am certain. It has been cleared for easier passage… though not by our own hands.”

Stella, utterly drained, could not take another step. A blinding headache and searing pain in her abdomen overwhelmed her at once.

“They have even arranged a carriage. Once we exit the canyon, the princess can ride it.”

Roderick, saying so, carefully adjusted Stella in his arms. She barely managed to blink at Dora’s blurred face nearby.

Even amidst her dizziness, one thing was certain: Islay had planned to send her away for a long time.

She assumed he had hesitated on that decision. Only upon learning of her and Padro’s plan had he finally forced his will forward.

That meant Islay had known that last night was their farewell.

Recalling the look on his face when he had swallowed back unspoken words, fresh tears spilled from her eyes. The way he restrained himself, embracing her tenderly like a lover in their final moments—it was because he knew it was the last time.

Yet Stella had been ignorant of it all, goading Islay, debasing herself into a wanton temptress, demanding that he take her roughly. She had stubbornly insisted on her desires, even knowing it would tear both of them apart.

And the result?

When Islay woke, he would see the traces left on the bed, proof of her suffering. That would be the final gift she had unwillingly left behind for him—a cruel offering, unable even to break the bloodline curse that tormented him.

Before she realized it, tears streamed down her cheeks. Stella was suffocating with feelings of betrayal toward Islay, sorrow, and an overwhelming love she had never been able to confess.

Her thoughts ended there. Leaving the steep canyon slope behind, they entered a relatively even forest path. Stella forced her heavy eyelids open. In the distance, a familiar figure approached.

Golden hair, glistening under the breaking dawn like ripples on the water. A fair and elegant face. A man who, at first glance, bore an uncanny resemblance to her, as if she were looking into a mirror.

“Stella!”

The moment she met those deep green eyes she had longed for, her vision faded, and she lost all thought.

***

When she next opened her eyes, it was a night of swirling snowstorms.

The raging blizzard, accompanied by heavy snowfall, swept through the land with an unrelenting force. The group, camped temporarily in the misty forest, was bundled in thick coats, yet their blue lips betrayed their unfamiliarity with the bitter cold.

Sitting by the bonfire, Stella blinked dazedly.

“…Dora?”

Strangely, no sound came from her throat. As she looked around, none of the familiar faces—including Dora’s—were in sight.

Why was the blizzard so fierce? It was unbearably cold. Wasn’t this supposed to be the season of emerging spring?

Beyond the fact that they were suddenly camping in the middle of the night, everything around her felt unsettling. The bizarre clothing of those surrounding her, the ragged and makeshift appearance of their tents…

‘Is this… a dream?’

Even if it was a dream, she could feel the biting cold. Stella, wrapped in several layers of coats and blankets, shivered violently. Not even the harshest winter in Calis had cut through her like this.

Just then, a boy in a light-colored winter robe came running toward her in haste. His face was filled with excitement.

“Lady Theia, I have found someone who can help!”

That was not her name. Yet, against the thoughts rising in her mind, Stella’s lips moved naturally.