I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 142

Without thinking, Leon stepped forward and tried to hug Lulu. But Lulu, who had been lost in his emotions, jumped back in shock, his back arched.

I asked you to tell Lucas my story, not to hug me.

Leon sat up and replied calmly.

“What’s wrong with a little hug? Don’t you know about friendly hugs?”

That’s not the point. The only ones allowed to hug me are Lucas and his children. I never even let Michelle, the Ice Witch, hug me.

Leon laughed and nodded at the cat’s pure-hearted loyalty. Love was stronger than any differences in form, gender, or even generation.

That was why Leon decided not to feel jealous of Lulu. What Lulu felt didn’t look like romantic love. It looked more like faith, something deep and unwavering.

So, Leon. Will you do it? Can you tell Lucas everything I said?

“I will, but only under one condition.”

What is it?

“Be there with us when I tell him. The moment I start talking, the person Lucas will want to see most is you.”

Lulu paused and thought carefully.

He needed Leon to speak for him since he could not speak human words. But even if he could, he wasn’t sure he could say it while looking directly at Lucas.

Because in the end, he was the reason Lucas had died in their past life. He was afraid Lucas might still hold on to those painful memories. He feared that Lucas would blame him, or worse, feel burdened by the revenge that Lulu had taken without permission. And knowing how kind Lucas was, he might even ask why Lulu did something so painful all by himself.

All kinds of thoughts tangled together in Lulu’s mind, and he couldn’t answer right away.

“What are you hesitating for?”

As expected, Leon was too simple. Lulu thought to himself that Leon still had a long way to go if he ever wanted to understand the depth of Lucas’s emotions.

While mocking Leon in his heart, Lulu finally nodded. He had no choice.

Even if it was scary, this was something he would have to face eventually.

When Lucas woke up, he looked at the empty space beside him and felt a sense of relief. His entire body ached from his toes to his shoulders. He wondered if he would even be able to make it through the tenth anniversary celebration.

Since the ceremony was happening tomorrow, he decided he had to find a way to keep Leon away, at least for today.

As he looked out the window, the sky had turned dark, as if it might rain. His body felt sluggish like he was coming down with something, and his heart felt heavy.

It was because Elisha would be leaving with Michelle once the ceremony was over.

Lucas understood the weight of being a Grand Duke, and that made everything even harder. He had already spoken the words, so it was too late to take them back. Still, he couldn’t celebrate the occasion with a heart full of joy.

All he could do now was spend as much time with Elisha as possible before she left. Hold her. See her smile. Let her know she was loved.

Just as he got out of bed with that thought, Leon and Lulu walked into the room.

Lucas instinctively took a step back.

Leon looked so full of energy, it was hard to believe he was the same person Lucas had shared such intense nights with. Lucas stared at him, unsure what to think.

“Lucas, what are you backing away for?”

“Just think about everything you’ve done the past few days. Then you’ll understand.”

Leon smiled gently and nodded. Without another word, he pulled out a chair and sat down quietly.

Lucas widened his eyes and looked at him in surprise. This was the same person who refused to leave his side no matter how many times he was told not to. Something was different.

“I have something to tell you,” Leon said.

The smile disappeared from Leon’s face, and a serious expression took its place.

“What is it that you need to say…?”

Lucas thought the conversation would be about Elisha. But Leon began by saying, “It’s something truly incredible. So prepare yourself.”

And to Lucas’s surprise, the story was about Lulu. Or rather, about Hayan.

When Lucas first saw Lulu, he had thought he looked like Hayan. Every time that thought crossed his mind, guilt crept in. He had believed it was just a coincidence, that he was only imagining the resemblance because of the guilt he felt for not treating Hayan better.

But now he knew. Lulu was Hayan.

“Why are you only telling me this now…?”

“I asked him the same thing. Why didn’t you say something earlier? And Lulu told me he didn’t want to remind you of a past life that brought you pain.”

Lucas looked at Lulu with a rush of emotion. He could see the small tremor in the cat’s fur, a slight shiver that told him Lulu was afraid.

How could he, in both his past and present lives, always choose to put Lucas before himself?

Lucas felt the same. They had always been each other’s only one. Before Leon came into his life, when he had no one to lean on, Hayan had been there. That same soul had returned, even beyond death.

“Hayan… Hayan… Lulu…”

Lucas gently picked Lulu up and softly called his name. Even though the words stayed stuck in his throat, it felt like everything he wanted to say was reaching Lulu.

As he pressed his face into the cat’s soft fur, a deep sadness, a heavy sense of regret, sorrow, and longing began to slowly settle. Those buried feelings finally found peace.

Leon had been quietly watching the two of them. Then, in a lighthearted voice, he spoke.

“Do you know why he chose this moment to tell you?”

Lucas looked up and met his gaze. Leon was smiling like a boy with a secret.

“He said it’s because you look truly happy now. That you’re happy because of me. That’s why he decided it was time. Lulu really is a genius cat.”

As soon as he heard that, Lulu sat up and turned his head toward Leon, as if to say, When did I ever say that?

Lucas couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

It was the kind of laughter that came from deep inside. A laugh that felt like something had finally been set free. It was as if the years of sorrow trapped in his chest had finally melted away.

There had been a time when he lived buried in sadness. He was afraid of people, afraid of getting close, and had built walls to protect himself. He used to think he had lived those years all alone. But now that he looked back, he realized he never truly was.

Lucas gently stroked Lulu’s head and whispered,

“Thank you for staying by my side longer than anyone else. Because of you, I was able to love Leon with all my heart.”

Lulu let out a soft “Meow” in response.

Leon quietly stepped forward and wrapped Lucas in a gentle hug.

That night, Lucas invited Elisha into the couple’s bedroom. He planned to sleep with her between them. He thought it would be a good way to protect himself from Leon, who could be unpredictable at times, and to hold Elisha close as much as possible before she left.

But when Elisha stepped into the room, she looked confused and asked,

“Why did you call me at bedtime?”

Lucas couldn’t answer. It was a simple question, one he could have answered like always, but the words got stuck in his throat.

Why did I call you? When you were little, you used to come here every night without even being asked.

Just as Lucas was about to say something, Leon spoke first.

“We called you to sleep with us. After the anniversary ceremony tomorrow, things are going to get busy.”

“Hmm…”

Elisha crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly. Lucas stared blankly at her face, which now seemed unfamiliar. She was still as lovely as ever, but there was a certain distance in her expression that left a sting in his heart.

She was still so young, not even fully grown, but the way she already showed signs of pulling away made Lucas ache inside.

She’s fine, and yet I’m the one who feels sad. That’s not fair.

He felt as if that voice came from deep within himself. As if sensing his thoughts, Leon gently reached over and took his hand.

“If you don’t want to stay, you can go back to your room.”

Elisha looked at both of her fathers, then smiled and climbed up onto the bed.

“Why would I leave? I always feel safest in your arms.”

Only then did Lucas’s expression soften. Leon lay down beside Elisha and added with a grin,

“I thought you were choosing Oliver over me. I was feeling a little hurt.”

Elisha sighed and answered playfully,

“Your Majesty, please have some dignity. You can’t be jealous of a ten-year-old.”

“You little rascal…”

Leon suddenly pulled Elisha into a tight hug. She squirmed and let out a cough, but he didn’t let go.

Watching them, Lucas suddenly felt like he was going to cry.

This might be the last time I see them like this. I probably won’t get to see this again.

Then he scolded himself silently.

We’re not parting forever. Why am I getting so emotional?

No parent can be completely calm when it comes to their child, but lately, Lucas found it harder and harder to hold back his feelings.

“What are you doing? Come here.”

Leon stretched out one arm, still holding Elisha with the other. When Lucas lay down beside them, the refreshing scent of peppermint from Elisha tickled his nose.

How is it that our Elisha always smells so fresh?

He gently pressed his nose to the soft fuzz behind her ear and took in a quiet breath.

“Elisha, when you were little, you used to smell like chocolate.”

“What? No way! I only smell like trees now.”

“You really did back then.”

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