The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Side Story 8

“Estella.”

Determined to regain control, Islay hastily grabbed her waist with both hands. But it was difficult to lift her now that she had already sunk down so deeply.

Startled by the strange sense of fullness in her belly, Stella flinched. Instinctively, she tried to twist her hips, but like a thick stake driven in, she couldn’t pull away from him.

“Uh… Islay, don’t tell me this is…”

Islay barely calmed his rough breathing and pulled Stella tightly into his embrace. At this point, there was no helping it. However, unlike before, he wouldn’t completely lose control and thrust into her like a beast worse than a dog.

“Don’t move, Stella.”

“…Ah, wait, it hurts too much…”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“How far is it growing—ahhk, Islay…”

Unable to endure the overwhelming sensation, Stella buried her forehead against his broad shoulder. Islay held her tightly as if to bind her and pressed kisses against her flushed cheek and ear.

“Just a little longer. Just stay like this for a moment.”

“Hh, ngh…”

I’m sorry. Just a bit more. Don’t move, Estella. Don’t cry… He kissed her lips again and again, too many times to count, and gently patted her trembling back.

Her delicate body, rigid with tension, gradually began to relax. From the tightly joined place where not even a sliver of space remained, pale fluid continued to leak out. Stella, panting, rested her cheek against him and glanced down at the distinct outline rising under her belly skin.

“Estella.”

His large hand wrapped around her lower back and continuously stroked down. Even in the moment her mind went white with ecstasy—and after that—he never stopped soothing her with his touch.

Once she’d steadied her ragged breathing, she held his face and kissed him. While holding him deep inside her, she kissed him as if what she felt wasn’t pain or pressure, but only overwhelming affection.

Their bodies touched without a gap, reaching the deepest depths as they held each other tightly. Tongues intertwined, they kissed as though desperate to get even closer.

Fortunately, and of course, it was a night filled with love.

***

It was about a month after that night when Stella saw the resident physician of the Ice Castle.

The doctor was a very elderly woman with snow-white hair and a rather stern face, but she was said to be a renowned physician with a supernatural sense for pulses. Having been raised from a young age by elderly priests, Stella got along well with the elderly, so she didn’t find her difficult at all.

In fact, it wasn’t their first meeting. After that night, the physician had been summoned to the tower at Islay’s request to check Stella’s pulse. And then she gave her opinion:

“Even if I’m a renowned physician, it’s only been two days since the deed. There’s no way I can confirm pregnancy by checking a pulse!”

With that, she made Stella blush as red as a ripe apple and exited the tower. While it was wonderful to have such a doting husband, it was also a moment that made her realize he could be quite embarrassing at times.

When typical symptoms of pregnancy like nausea, fatigue, and breast tenderness began to appear, Stella implored Islay—though it was hardly begging—to let her see the doctor again.

So, when she began gagging at the sight of steak and started craving tart fruits, the physician was called once more.

“Hmm.”

Lowering her wrinkled eyelids as she felt Stella’s pulse, the elderly doctor suddenly opened her eyes wide and declared, “There’s no doubt. It’s the pulse of a pregnant woman.”

“Oh my, I can’t believe this day has come! Congratulations, Princess! Sob…”

Dora, who had been standing in the corner of the bedroom, jumped up and clapped, then burst into tears. Stella, too, who had suspected but now had confirmation, couldn’t hide her joy.

How could she not be happy? It was the child she and Islay had longed for. Feeling the fluttering beat of her heart, Stella gently touched her still-flat lower belly and looked at Islay.

“Did you prepare parchment and a quill?”

“I did. Go ahead.”

“Then, first and most important…”

As the physician began listing all the changes a pregnant woman would experience, the necessary items, must-eat foods, and precautions, Islay listened attentively and wrote down the key points.

“Also, this is a time that requires ample rest, so the couple mustn’t be too affectionate. In fact, it’s strictly forbidden. Absolutely forbidden.”

“…Yes…”

“The lord must respond.”

“I heard you clearly.”

“Additionally, I place great emphasis on the husband’s responsibility and role during his wife’s pregnancy.”

The elderly woman blinked and cast a glance toward Islay.

“Considering our lord summoned an old woman from her sleep just two days after consummating the marriage to check his wife’s pulse, I’d say he’s a most devoted husband. So I don’t believe there’s any need for concern on that front.”

“Th-that’s a bit much.”

“If there are no particular issues, I’ll personally visit for the next examination.”

The old woman left the tower leisurely, leaving Stella’s cheeks red once more.

After that day, except for scheduled checkups, Stella never needed to see the doctor again. Thanks to a remarkably smooth pregnancy.

***

“It seems bigger than yesterday.”

“It tickles.”

On a sunny weekend afternoon in the tower, Islay gently pulled back Stella’s collar as she lay on the long velvet sofa and planted soft kisses on her faintly rounded belly.

“Don’t you think so? It feels like it grows every day.”

“I don’t know about that. Ah, it really tickles.”

“It’s amazing to think a life that looks like you is growing inside.”

“It might not look like me. Why are you so sure already?”

“I guarantee it’ll look like you.”

With certainty, Islay pressed a kiss carefully on her round stomach.

“Does your body feel heavy or hurt?”

“Not at all. Just sometimes my toes feel tingly…”

No sooner had she said it than Islay, who was kneeling on one knee on the floor, sat at the end of the sofa and lifted her foot onto his thigh. He promptly removed her low-heeled shoes and began to massage her bare feet without hesitation.

By now, Stella had become so accustomed to Islay’s devotion that she accepted it as naturally as the air around her and quietly offered her foot.

His large hand completely wrapped her dainty foot and rubbed it firmly. Like a satisfied cat, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh.

“That feels nice…”

“Your belly will keep getting heavier. Should I help you bathe from now on?”

“Dora and I can manage just fine.”

“I resent the maid who gets to see you naked every night.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. You’re already so busy. Are you planning to help with my bath every single day too?”

“Is it just my imagination, or are you being wary of me?”

“I’ve never seen you act decent in a bathroom.”

At those words, his hand, which had been massaging her small foot and creeping up to her calf and knee, reluctantly returned to its place as if feigning innocence.

“Estella, please continue treating me like a servant until the day I die.”

Stella couldn’t hold back her laughter. Islay didn’t laugh with her; he looked almost desperate, his flawless face entirely serious.

“You know what? You’ve gotten more affectionate lately, darling.”

“You’re calling me that on purpose, aren’t you? Trying to bind even my soul to you.”

“Everything you have is already mine.”

“I can’t deny that.”

Stella smiled quietly, lifting her pretty lips without a word, and tapped them with her fingertip. Islay leaned his upper body toward her and kissed her. It was a sweet, shy kiss, the kind shared by lovers who had just fallen in love.

“I got another letter from Alexio recently. Did you hear? He got married.”

“Ah, yes. I heard.”

“Can you believe it? When I said I couldn’t go to Largo because I was pregnant, my brother joked about postponing the royal wedding until next year. I’m scared there might’ve been even a speck of sincerity in that joke. The Lady of Belluccini would be pitiful. She seems so kind… and I think my brother’s starting to warm up to her.”

Ever since becoming pregnant, Stella had become quite talkative. Her lips moved nonstop as she shared the latest news from Largo.

Ever since becoming pregnant, Stella had become quite chatty, her lips moving nonstop as she relayed news from Largo.

Islay didn’t care a whit about Alexio’s love story, but he liked hearing Stella’s sweet voice, so he listened attentively.

“So should he be keeping the Lady waiting? I told him not to delay and to go ahead with the ceremony.”

“Offering such sound advice to your brother… you truly are a wise woman.”

Unable to resist Stella’s loveliness any longer, Islay lifted her into his arms and settled her on his thigh. Then, he blew warm breaths on her temple, her rosy cheeks, earlobes, and around her jaw. Her scent, which had grown even sweeter since she became pregnant, was wearing down his patience day by day.