I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 34

Sion’s face turned pale.

A monster wave referred to a phenomenon where the monster population surged dramatically, causing them to flood out of their habitats like an unstoppable tide, sweeping through human settlements. Typically, monster waves occurred in cycles of several decades. Considering that the last recorded monster wave was the very incident that had claimed Lucas’s parents, this was happening far too soon.

“We need to investigate further, but preparations must begin immediately. When selecting senior knights this time, recruit additional new knights as well.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Lucas’s judgment had never been wrong, so there was no need for Sion to question it. However, the real issue was the severe shortage of senior knights to train the incoming recruits. Even after answering, Sion remained standing with a troubled expression, prompting Lucas to speak again.

“Don’t worry. Now that His Highness has learned to control his strength and gets along well with the animals, I no longer need to stay by his side all day. I’ll personally assist with training the new knights.”

Relief washed over Sion’s face.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

One day, while the knight recruitment process was in full swing under Lucas’s orders…

Lucas was in his study, reviewing state affairs, while Leon sat nearby, watching him intently.

He never got tired of looking at Lucas’s face, even though he saw it every day. No matter how long he stared, he liked it just the same.

But for the past few nights, he hadn’t been able to sleep next to Lucas. Now that he had learned to control his strength, Lucas had declared there was no longer any need for them to share a bed. Because of that, he hadn’t even had a chance to attempt his pheromone shower again.

‘Tch, I shouldn’t have acted so capable.’

Lucas had praised him, saying that His Highness excelled at everything, which made it impossible for Leon to feign incompetence now.

“Um… Luca…”

He softly called out, intending to ask if they could sleep together that night. But Lucas didn’t even acknowledge him.

From earlier, he had been muttering to himself with a serious expression, rambling about new knights and other matters, completely absorbed in his thoughts.

“Luca!”

“Yes, I hear you. Please go ahead.”

Yet even as he responded, Lucas’s gaze remained glued to his documents.

Frustrated that he wasn’t getting any attention, Leon sighed, slid off his chair, and dashed over to Lucas. He then leaned in close, pressing his face directly in front of Lucas’s.

“Luca! You should look at me when we’re talking.”

“Yes, please speak.”

Only then did Lucas finally meet his eyes.

But now that he was staring into those deep, steady eyes, Leon suddenly found it difficult to ask if they could sleep together. He hesitated, trying to gather the courage to speak.

Just then, Lucas abruptly slapped his thigh.

“That’s it! That will work.”

Lucas quickly rose to his feet.

“Your Highness, please wait here for a moment. I need to check on the new knight training.”

“W-Wait! I still haven’t—”

Leon reached out to grab him, but Lucas brushed past, promising to listen later before disappearing out the door.

Left alone, Leon stood there, staring blankly at the closed door.

Not only had they spent nights apart, but now, even when they were together, they were getting separated again.

This can’t continue.

Determined not to let things end like this, Leon quickly followed Lucas out of the study.

Lucas had headed to the training grounds, where the newly recruited knights were undergoing their drills.

As soon as Leon arrived, he instinctively pinched his nose and hunched his shoulders.

“Ugh… the smell.”

The air was thick with the overpowering scent of alphas. Without meaning to, Leon began to release his pheromones in response.

That was when Lucas, who had been speaking with Sion a short distance away, suddenly turned toward him.

Crap! He can’t find me here.

Leon quickly suppressed his pheromones and darted behind a pillar, pressing his small body against it.

Lucas had told him to wait in the study, so hiding seemed like the best option.

Lucas tilted his head slightly but, seemingly unable to pinpoint the source of the disturbance, resumed his conversation with Sion.

Even though the stench was suffocating, Leon steeled himself—he couldn’t risk releasing his pheromones again.

Holding his breath, he observed the knights.

It seemed only alphas could become knights. Even though they were fresh recruits, they all had an imposing presence.

At that moment, Sion, who stood in the center of the training field, suddenly drew his sword.

Lucas followed suit.

Clang!

Blades gleamed in the sunlight as they clashed in midair.

The moment Sion struck, Lucas deflected the attack and immediately sought an opening. When Lucas attacked, Sion countered with the same precision.

Their duel was like a breathtaking sword dance.

The new knights watched, spellbound, their mouths agape.

“The Grand Duke and the Captain are demonstrating their skills.”

“To think we’re seeing this with our own eyes…”

While the knights gazed in awe, Leon, too, watched intently.

Lucas and Sion were always perfectly in sync.

One day, I’ll block Lucas’s sword myself.

The moment Leon made that vow, Lucas—having completed his demonstration—turned to the gathered knights and spoke in a commanding voice.

“This recruitment has exceeded expectations. Therefore, we will conduct an additional test.”

The once silent atmosphere immediately buzzed with excitement.

At the same time, Bernd, a newly promoted senior knight, placed several swords on the ground in front of the recruits.

“Each of you, take a sword.”

As the knights stepped forward to claim their weapons, Leon tilted his head in curiosity.

When he first learned, he had to start with a wooden sword, and his stance had been carefully corrected.

But these knights were already wielding real swords, and none of them looked inexperienced.

Huh? Did they train beforehand?

Just then, Leon felt a presence beside him.

At some point, Lulu had quietly curled up beside him, her tail tucked in. She whispered softly.

<The alphas here learn swordsmanship from a young age. You never know when a monster might appear, so they have to be able to protect their families.>

“Oh… I see.”

Leon understood, but for some reason, it still felt like he had lost. He had only begun learning proper swordsmanship after coming to the North, and now, it turned out he was already behind.

While Leon stood there, sulking, the knights took up their swords, and Sion continued speaking.

“The first test is to block my sword.”

At those words, all the knights took their stances.

“You may have the right spirit, but none of you are ready to face me one-on-one. Form groups of five and attack together!”

What followed was nothing short of chaos. A frantic melee ensued, but Sion parried every strike with ease, countering swiftly and efficiently.

Meanwhile, Lucas had somehow climbed onto the highest platform, watching them with an approving expression.

“…Why is he looking at them like that?”****

Leon grumbled under his breath.

That kind of expression should only be reserved for him. It was absolutely unacceptable for Lucas to be smiling because of someone else—especially in front of so many people!

Lulu let out a chortling laugh and playfully flicked Leon’s leg with her tail.

<It’s just a sword fight.>

“Still, it makes me mad!”

<You’re such an idiot, Léon.>

“What?!”

<You’re an idiot because you’re jealous over nothing.>

Lulu smugly pranced around him, then playfully tapped his leg with her paw.

<Even if they train together, Lucas can only come to your side. He won’t get close to anyone else. So what’s there to worry about?>

Oh. That was true.

Lucas could only stay by his side.

Hearing Lulu’s words reassured Leon—at least a little. But before he could fully relax, something else happened that made his irritation flare up all over again.

One of the knights, who had been knocked over, groaned about the heat and casually yanked off his shirt.

Under the bright sunlight, his well-built physique glistened with sweat—undeniably masculine, even in Leon’s eyes.

And, as if that had been some sort of signal, several other knights followed suit, shedding their upper garments without hesitation.

No! Lucas shouldn’t be seeing something so indecent…!

Is this what he witnesses all the time?

Leon stood frozen, gritting his teeth. Should he run over and cover Lucas’s eyes?

While he was still debating, Lulu let out an exasperated sigh and stomped the ground with her paw.

<Idiot Léon!>

“What now?! Why do you keep calling me that?!”

<Just ask him to sleep with you.>

As if that was the problem!

If he asked, Lucas would surely give him that slightly stern look and say, “Since Your Highness can now control your strength, it is best for you to sleep alone.”

So how was he supposed to convince him otherwise?

Maybe he should sneak into Lucas’s room while he was sleeping and steal a kiss before leaving…?

No, that felt too much like doing something bad, and he didn’t like the thought of that.

Leon let out a series of heavy sighs, not responding, prompting Lulu to click her tongue.

<Léon, listen. Lucas might seem cold on the outside, but he’s a very kind person.>

“I know that.”

<And he values justifications—proper reasons for his actions.>

Justifications?

Leon’s gaze shifted to Lulu at the unexpected word.

But instead of elaborating, Lulu simply let out a soft “meow” and began grooming herself like a cat.

Lulu only ever acted like this when someone was nearby.

Sensing something off, Leon instinctively turned around—only to find Sion standing behind him.

“What brings you here, Your Highness? I was told you were waiting in the study.”

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