I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 138

Asili answered with a serious tone.

“It’s not something that’s truly fine. Just like when I had to send Leon away, it will leave behind a lot of regret. But there’s something we need to consider with a clear head.”

This time, Leon spoke.

“What is that?”

“There is only one emperor’s throne, and there are three imperial heirs. In the past, former emperors would sometimes marry dominant Alpha heirs to Omegas from other empires because our imperial bloodline had only Omegas. They did that to avoid bloodshed between siblings.”

“But this isn’t a marriage. It’s adoption as a daughter… Ah…”

Leon let out a sound of realization. Asili nodded and continued.

“When an Alpha heir marries an Omega from another empire to maintain peace, the heir takes the spouse’s family name. And this time, it’s not even a marriage. The child will follow the family name of the Empress of Theian. So, in the end, it all depends on how you choose to look at it.”

Lucas was frozen in place, unable to speak a word. He felt as if the air had been knocked from his lungs. If things unfolded just as Asili said, then perhaps two nations could maintain peace without one having to dominate the other.

“But the most important thing is what Elisha thinks. Leon was able to grow up well in the North not because of the curse, but because he had the will to live there.”

In other words, they needed to ask Elisha how she felt.

Leon and Lucas looked at each other, both wearing blank expressions. They had never even considered needing Elisha’s agreement, thinking she was still just a child.

Reading their thoughts through their eyes, Asili smiled warmly and spoke.

“Wasn’t Emperor Leon about Elisha’s age when he snuck into that carriage?”

At Asili’s teasing, Lucas and Leon both burst into laughter. Yes, what truly mattered most was Elisha’s opinion.

Lucas immediately sent a message to Michelle by carrier bird. In the letter, he explained that Elisha’s thoughts were the most important part of the decision and asked Michelle to speak with her and decide together.

He included one clear condition. If Elisha were to take the name Rion, it must be as Lucas’s daughter, not as Michelle’s adopted child. That had to be made completely clear.

When Michelle received the letter, she laughed so hard her head leaned back. Then she packed her bags right away.

And so, Michelle and Elisha prepared for a serious conversation.

“What’s going on?”

“Yeah, why just Elisha?”

Andrea and Dea stood near the door, ears perked, trying to catch the voices coming from inside the room.

It wasn’t the first time Aunt Michelle had visited, but it felt strange that she came without Uncle Sion. Even stranger, she called for Elisha the moment she arrived.

Dea tilted her head thoughtfully and shared what sounded like a good guess.

“Maybe it has something to do with when she went to meet Oliver. What if something happened and Aunt Michelle just found out? She might be here to scold Elisha.”

Andrea gasped in panic.

“Oh no. If Aunt Michelle gets mad, she’s really, really scary.”

Dea, who was also clearly nervous, pretended to stay calm and gave Andrea a few comforting pats on the shoulder.

From beside a pillar at the end of the hallway, Leon had been quietly watching the scene unfold. He walked over to the children. Andrea gave an awkward laugh and scratched the back of his head.

“Ah, Father…”

“You know you shouldn’t be doing this, right? A tiger’s sharp hearing wasn’t made for eavesdropping on others. It was meant for sensing threats.”

He was hardly one to talk, having just used his tiger-like hearing to listen in on Lucas himself, but discipline was still discipline. At Leon’s words, Andrea bowed his head and muttered an apology, while Dea tilted her head slightly.

“But… what if Elisha is in danger right now?”

Leon held back a laugh and replied gently.

“Her Grace didn’t come here to scold Elisha. So how about we step away for a bit? If Elisha smells you nearby, she might not be able to say what’s truly on her mind.”

Dea wanted to argue that Elisha wasn’t the type to hold back because of something like that, but she felt guilty for trying to eavesdrop earlier and decided to quietly follow Leon instead.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Michelle sat silently, looking at Elisha. Elisha had her hands neatly folded in her lap, waiting patiently for Michelle to speak.

“You’ve grown so composed since I last saw you.”

Michelle wanted to ask what had happened the moment she sat down, curiosity burning inside her. But she held back. If she wanted to be allowed to see Oliver again next time, she knew she had to stay on Michelle’s good side.

Elisha sat politely and listened carefully as Michelle finally spoke. She explained calmly that since Rion had no heir, Elisha was being asked to come to the North as the daughter of the former Grand Duke, Lu, and become the next Grand Duchess.

Elisha could hardly believe what she was hearing.

“You… want me to live in Rion?”

“Yes. Once you’re there, your lessons to become Grand Duchess will begin in earnest.”

“Live in the North…?”

“Why are you repeating everything? So, are you going or not?”

Even though Elisha didn’t show it on her face, she felt like clapping her hands and jumping with joy right then and there.

Oliver was in the North. If she lived there, she could see his green eyes every day. Her head was filled with nothing but thoughts of him.

But one thing kept bothering her.

If she became the Grand Duchess, she might not be able to marry the person she wanted. She had learned in class that royal marriages were not decided freely, and she wondered if it was the same in the Grand Duchy. If so, it was too early to be excited. She needed to ask Aunt Michelle clearly about that.

While she was thinking, Michelle spoke again.

“Why aren’t you answering me? I asked if you would become my successor.”

Elisha swallowed and looked straight into her eyes. It was a little scary to meet her gaze, but she gathered her courage and spoke clearly.

“If just one thing is settled, then I’ll be fine with it.”

“One thing? Are you trying to make a deal with me? I am the Grand Duchess of the North, and I’m your aunt.”

Michelle’s voice became low and serious. Her face turned stiff, and Elisha went quiet for a moment.

Don’t be afraid. Aunt Michelle only seems strict on the outside. Deep down, she’s kind. Besides, she respects strong people, so I can’t look weak now.

Elisha clenched her fists tightly and spoke again.

“I’m not trying to make a deal. I’m just worried. What if becoming the Grand Duchess means I can’t do what I truly want?”

Michelle narrowed her eyes. Elisha reminded her so much of Leon when he was younger. It was easy to guess what she was thinking.

Michelle felt a strong affection for Elisha every time she looked at her. Maybe it was because she reminded her of her own childhood. Or maybe it was because her face looked more like Lucas than Leon, which made Michelle even more fond of her.

That bold little niece was probably about to bring up Oliver. And most likely, she would care only about her own feelings without even asking what Oliver wanted.

Most likely.

“All right, tell me. What is it that you want?”

As expected, she was right on target.

“Please let me marry Oliver. If you agree, then I’ll become the Grand Duchess.”

Michelle had seen this answer coming, but for some reason, the room suddenly felt more serious.

Leon, Lucas… what kind of parenting have you been doing?

While Michelle drifted off into her own thoughts, Elisha glanced at her nervously. She licked her lips and continued, sounding unsure.

“It’s just… a Grand Duchess can’t marry whoever she wants. Of course, Oliver’s feelings matter too, but I think I can convince him somehow. The law, though, that’s something I can’t change on my own.”

Michelle couldn’t hold back her laughter. Elisha looked up at her in confusion.

“Your Grace?”

Michelle chuckled and smiled.

“Yes, if that’s what you want, then go ahead and do as you please. Laws change with time and history, Elisha.”

Look at me.

If we followed the laws strictly, Sion and I wouldn’t have been able to marry either.

She didn’t say that part out loud, out of respect for Sion’s reputation.

And unlike Leon, who had boldly claimed he would make Lucas his partner no matter how Lucas felt, Elisha at least acknowledged Oliver’s opinion and wanted to persuade him. That was far better.

Blood will always pull you in. Elisha, who shared her blood, looked even more admirable than Leon in Michelle’s eyes, though she knew she was being biased.

Suddenly, Elisha jumped to her feet and held out her hand to Michelle.

“Then please wait just a few days. I want to say goodbye to my father’s properly and pack my things too.”

“I wasn’t planning to take you right this second, but if that’s how you feel, I’ll wait.”

“Yes!”

The agreement between the Grand Duchess of the Northern Duchy and her imperial niece had finally been settled in the most dramatic way.

Even before either of them could share the news, it had already reached Leon. Lulu, who had been hiding under the desk with her fur standing on end, had listened in and quickly rushed off to report it.

“Well, I guess it’s true what they say. You can’t hide blood.”

Leon spoke as if talking to himself, but Lucas picked up on it and responded.

“What did Lulu say?”

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