The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Side Story 4

Islay had been waiting for this moment ever since he left the Ice Castle for his territorial inspection.

He had longed for Stella so intensely that she seemed to flicker before his eyes. The burning desire to hold her tightly had eaten away at him.

Enduring the time apart with difficulty, he hurried back home—only to be greeted with the news that his beloved wife had prepared a honeymoon home just for them. With a space of their own secured, he thought all that remained was to enjoy some cozy time together…

But the intense lust that had flared up now felt like it had been doused with ice water.

A child. A child, she said. A visceral sense of rejection chilled his chest. Even if the curse of Peruno had lifted, the aversion that Islay had felt all his life could not so easily vanish.

He simply couldn’t see any merit in pregnancy. The burdensome nausea and fatigue, the physical changes, and the life-threatening pain of childbirth—none of it sat well with him.

Even just imagining the steps Stella would inevitably have to endure because of a child made him shudder. Especially if the child were to resemble him.

“At first, I was disappointed that I couldn’t finish the cradle before you came, but now I think it worked out better. If you build it yourself, I think it’ll be even more meaningful.”

Whether she knew what he was feeling or not, Stella picked up the design drawing resting on the wooden board and handed it to Islay.

He lowered his gaze to the blueprint, then lifted it again to look at her.

“That thing you asked me to give in return earlier—was it this?”

“No, it wasn’t.”

Stella shook her head and stepped forward slowly. Beneath her long lashes, her round eyes sparkled like stars—those beautiful eyes that had always held firm resolve and which Islay had never once been able to resist.

“What I want… is a baby. I want you to give me a child.”

“……”

“Honestly, I’ve been wondering for a while. It’s already been half a year since we returned from Metlica to the Ice Castle. Why hasn’t a child come to us yet…?”

Stella lowered her gaze gloomily, then glanced up at him.

“You’ve been taking that contraceptive tea made with lily root and acacia, haven’t you?”

Islay didn’t bother denying it. Long ago, after losing control and embracing Stella, he had once given her the tea himself, but now there was no need for that.

The powerful curse that would have doomed his bloodline to spread monstrous offspring had been lifted from his body, and by drinking the tea himself, he could now preemptively prevent any accidents.

“I don’t understand why you find it so strange.”

“What do you mean?”

“I simply enjoy being with you more than trying to have heirs. And we’ve never had a proper conversation about having children. Isn’t it only natural to avoid an unplanned pregnancy?”

“Well, we’re having that conversation now.”

“I’m not saying I’m completely against it. But I think just the two of us is enough for now. Do we really need something to come between us?”

Perhaps it was his choice of words, but the once-gentle Stella narrowed her eyes. Still, Islay had no intention of backing down on this topic.

“When I think about pregnancy, all I can see is the pain you’ll go through. And it’s not something I can take on in your place.”

“You can’t carry all my pain and suffering for me. If you had only ever protected me out of worry, we wouldn’t be here now, Islay.”

Her calm but firm response, despite being so much younger than him, left him speechless. She wasn’t wrong in the slightest. Reaching out, Stella gently entwined her fingers with his and asked softly:

“Aren’t you curious what a child who looks like me would be like?”

“Of course. If they look like you, they’d be adorable without a doubt.”

He could easily picture a baby who looked exactly like Stella.

A child with golden hair and sparkling eyes—gentle, so cute you’d want to nibble them, someone who’d make you smile just by existing. Her proposal was shaking his heart violently—he was honestly curious.

“And I… want to give birth to a child who looks like you, too.”

…Such a dreadful thought.

Islay barely stopped himself from blurting it out. Even as he looked at the cherubic baby with curly hair, he couldn’t understand why she would want to have a child that might turn out cursed.

He stayed silent, gently rubbing the warmth of her soft hand against his palm. Stella stepped in even closer to him.

“Islay.”

“……”

“Darling.”

The moment the sweet pet name left her lips like honey, Islay froze. The swelling pressure in his trousers was no joke.

…No way.

“Estella, are you trying to conquer me using another method?”

“Conquer? Why would you say that?”

Stella still wore a pure and innocent expression. A face capable of seducing him completely without even trying.

“If you’re against it, I don’t want to force my opinion on you.”

“I never said I was completely against it.”

“Ah! Then…”

“Let me finish what I’m saying. I said I’m happy just the two of us for now…”

Suddenly rising on her toes, she placed a soft kiss on the tip of his chin. Then, stopping at a breath’s distance, she looked up at him before tilting her head to kiss him fully on the lips. Her small tongue parted his lips, letting out a slow, warm breath.

That endlessly gentle and soft strength kept washing over him. He could’ve pushed her away, but like someone trapped in a swamp with their limbs bound, he couldn’t move.

This was also the place where they had shared their first kiss. Back then, he had laughed at her clumsy attempt, only to be swept away helplessly.

‘This is dangerous.’

If there ever was a perfect moment to get her pregnant, it was now.

He had been away on a three-week trip and hadn’t taken his contraceptive tea, and having been forcibly abstinent, his body was already burning hot.

“Estella, wait.”

Islay gently cupped her face and pulled her away.

“I get it. Just a little more.”

“……”

“Please give me just a little more time to think.”

Blinking her long lashes, Stella met his eyes.

Islay spoke in a low voice, “It’s a serious matter. I’d like to have some time to think it through. That’s okay, right?”

“Of course.”

Unexpectedly, Stella nodded without resistance. He found it a bit suspicious, but with his wife saying that, what more could he say? Islay rested his forehead against her round one, exhaled a trembling breath, and gave her a gentle kiss.

“Let’s have dinner first.”

“Mm, okay.”

He reached out his hand as if to say, “let’s go,” and Stella gently took it in return. Beyond the window, the sky was already tinted with the colors of sunset.

***

A few days later, a grand party was held in the inner castle banquet hall to welcome the inspection team’s return.

Since it wasn’t just a meal but a full celebration, by the time the two of them pushed back their chairs and stood, it was already late—nearly time for bed.

Ever since Stella had shown him the cozily transformed tower, Islay had been living there with her, and tonight he was once again about to return to their bedroom in the tower.

Just then, as he stepped out of the banquet hall, Stella quietly caught his arm.

“Dora’s going to help me bathe for the first time in a while.”

“…Help you bathe?”

“My body’s sore from all the renovation work on the tower. Especially today…. I thought maybe soaking in warm water might help.”

Their new honeymoon home had only one bathroom. Since Stella would be assisted by a maid, there was no way he could join her or even stay and watch. It simply meant he’d have to bathe in the inner castle tonight. Nothing major.

Even so, Islay paused and looked at Stella for a moment, then gave a slight nod of understanding.

“Alright. I’ll bathe here, then.”

“Okay. See you in the bedroom later.”

“……”

Islay stared as Stella walked away, her skirt swaying softly. It was just an ordinary exchange between husband and wife, and yet, he couldn’t quite figure out why it left him so unsettled.