I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 35

“Hmm, I’m just bored. I’ve finished all my books, so there’s nothing left to read.”

“Then why not go to the greenhouse?”

Just as Leon was blinking, struggling to come up with another excuse, Lucas approached with his usual flawless elegance. A sweet vanilla scent drifted through the air, bringing a natural smile to Leon’s lips.

He must have come because he knew I’d be in trouble. As expected, there’s no one like Luca.

“Your Highness, weren’t you supposed to stay in the library? If you’re exposed to the presence of adult Alphas too much—”

Lucas didn’t look pleased. In fact, he seemed quite upset, which made Leon anxious. Suddenly, a memory of Lulu’s words resurfaced in his mind.

What was it that Lulu said? Something about inviting Lucas to sleep together? Right, it was about justification. Lucas values justification.

Leon repeated the word ‘justification’ in his head, grasping for an excuse. Then, fixing his gaze on Lucas, he spoke.

“Luca, I didn’t just come here for no reason. I have something to tell you.”

Sion looked dumbfounded. Just moments ago, Leon had claimed he was here out of boredom, yet now he was changing his reasoning in front of Lucas. Still, Sion chose not to expose Leon’s adorable lie.

“Something to tell me?”

Leon nodded firmly.

“Yes! The more I think about it, the more unfair it seems.”

“Unfair? About what?”

Leon swallowed nervously before speaking carefully.

“Not long ago, I caught a thief in the storage! That rabbit that stole the precious vegetables!”

“Yes, you handled it remarkably well.”

Lucas’s praise made Leon’s cheeks flush with a faint blush.

“Do you think I’m amazing?”

Lucas smiled and nodded. Seizing the moment, Leon clung to Lucas’s arm.

“Then, since I haven’t received a reward yet, I’d like to sleep with you tonight—as a reward for catching the thief!”

Lucas was too flustered to respond immediately, but Leon’s eyes remained fixed solely on him. That gaze, brimming with infinite trust and affection, melted something inside Lucas—something he hadn’t even realized was there.

Before he knew it, his chest tightened, and his lips moved of their own accord.

“If that’s the case, then so be it. A reward must be given, after all.”

He wasn’t sure why sleeping together counted as a reward, but Lucas spoke with composure. However, Leon beamed as if he had just won the entire world. Behind him, the sun, the same hue as his hair, was setting.

Lucas stood by the window in his room, gazing at the moon while waiting for Leon, who had gone to wash up.

Michelle’s condition showed no improvement, the empire was unstable enough that they had to stage a false funeral due to the New Faction’s threats, and the number of monsters had suddenly increased…

There was no shortage of problems demanding his attention, yet every time he saw Leon, his heart softened.

And not just that. Earlier, when their eyes met, something stirred deep inside him—the pain he had long ignored, the loneliness he had forgotten.

That was why Lucas feared Leon. Or rather, it wasn’t Leon himself he feared, but the situation surrounding him and his own fragile heart.

The fate of the nation, Leon, and Michelle rested in his hands, and yet he was still so inexperienced that the simple act of a child leaning against him left him utterly shaken.

A troubling thought surfaced: Could he truly be a good role model for Leon?

That child, so radiant, was slowly coloring his world. But what would Leon learn from him?

Thinking back, it was inevitable that Leon would grow attached to him—after all, Lucas was the one who had saved him. But that didn’t mean he was capable of leading Leon down the right path.

…Leon seemed to be getting along better with my sister than I expected.

On the day Leon had brought a monster out of the greenhouse, the attendants had mentioned that Michelle had allowed it. Lucas doubted he would have done the same.

Moreover, Michelle had a bold personality and, like Leon, was an Alpha. She had also lost her parents at a young age and had practically raised Lucas when he was just a snot-nosed kid.

In that sense, perhaps Michelle would be a better guardian for Leon. She would undoubtedly shape him into a fine emperor.

Lucas let out a slow breath. He needed to seriously consider entrusting Leon to Michelle.

For now, he would bury these thoughts deep inside and ensure that Leon didn’t notice.

Just for tonight, he would be kind to him.

After bathing, neatly combing his hair, and changing into clean pajamas, Leon stood in front of Lucas’s door, glancing at his reflection in the marble surface.

“Hmm…”

Seemingly unsatisfied, Leon stroked his chin in thought. Then, mimicking the knights he had seen at the training grounds earlier, he puffed out his chest and squared his shoulders as broadly as possible.

“This should do.”

Knock, knock.

As he entered the room, Lucas turned to look at him.

“You’re here.”

Lucas stood by the window where the moonlight streamed in. His voice was stiff, and his expression was tense.

That look… he must be troubled by something.

Even if others couldn’t tell, Leon knew. After all, he spent every day by Lucas’s side, constantly observing his face. If both his eyebrows furrowed, it meant he was angry. But if only one was slightly drawn together, it was a sign of deep contemplation.

Did the Lucas who had smiled at me earlier disappear? Or… does he not actually want to sleep with me?

Leon’s heart sank. Even the familiar, sweet scent that always tickled his nose seemed weaker somehow.

Lucas’s sudden shift in demeanor made it hard for Leon to approach him. Instead, he stood still, simply staring at his face.

His expression was cold, yet… those straight brows, the well-defined bridge of his nose, and those deep, sincere eyes—he was still Lucas. And because of that, Leon couldn’t help but smile.

“If you’re ready, go up to bed.”

“Huh?”

Aren’t we supposed to sleep together? Could it be…

Leon widened his eyes at Lucas before cautiously approaching the bed. He placed his pillow next to Lucas’s and tugged at his arm.

“We’re supposed to sleep together.”

“…We will.”

As soon as Lucas reluctantly got into bed, Leon wasted no time burrowing into his arms. Being close to him, the familiar sweet scent returned, warmth enveloped him, and his heart filled with a gentle fuzziness.

I must have been overthinking. Luca is still the same as always. And if he has a lot on his mind, I just have to help him!

Lucas seemed even stiffer than usual tonight, perhaps because it had been a while since they last did this. Leon snuggled against him for a while before lifting his head. As soon as their eyes met, Lucas instinctively tried to pull away. Panicking, Leon grasped his arm tightly. He hadn’t meant to release any pheromones, but a small amount slipped out. Fortunately, Lucas didn’t seem to notice.

“Hey, Luca, can you stop avoiding me and just hold me until I fall asleep?”

“…”

Lucas didn’t respond, but Leon continued speaking.

“You know, when I was little, I used to sleep with my mother. Whenever I couldn’t fall asleep, she would hold me until I did. Being in your arms reminds me of that time. Do you think she’s doing well? I worry she might miss me a lot.”

As Leon spoke, the tension in Lucas’s gaze softened. The once-cold black eyes glistened slightly, as if filling with warmth.

“Hmm… You don’t have to hold me if you don’t want to. I just remembered, so I brought it up. Honestly, I’m happy just being here with you.”

At that moment, Lucas’s fingers slipped between the strands of Leon’s golden hair, gently combing through them. His touch was warm.

Soft, like his mother’s, yet different. Every time Lucas’s fingers brushed the nape of his neck, Leon felt a tingling sensation, his heartbeat quickening.

Ah…

He clenched his toes tightly, fearing he might unintentionally release more pheromones. Above him, Lucas’s low voice resonated.

“Sleep well. You’ll be able to meet her in your dreams.”

As if enchanted by those words, all the tension drained from Leon’s body, and he quickly drifted into slumber.

Lucas, watching the steady rhythm of Leon’s breathing, carefully withdrew his hand from his hair.

“Ha…”

He gazed at the sleeping child in silence. The small figure, still carrying traces of youth, shifted slightly in sleep, exhaling soft breaths.

Without realizing it, Lucas reached out again, his hand instinctively drawn back to Leon’s head. The moment he touched him, the turmoil in his heart seemed to settle, as if the tremors had never existed.

“You are… truly difficult.”

Awake or asleep, Leon melted Lucas’s frozen heart far too easily.

It was like tying a rope between two solid pillars and pulling from both sides—he kept trying to maintain a distance, uphold propriety, but the child’s sincerity always broke through.

For a long while, Lucas stroked Leon’s forehead and brushed his cheek. He was the one meant to provide comfort, yet somehow, he was the one being comforted.

He had considered entrusting Leon to Michelle, but the truth was… he didn’t want to.

He wasn’t good at expressing it, but Lucas knew—he had already grown quite attached to this child.

As warmth spread through him, it felt as if he were sinking into a deep, soothing bath. And soon, Lucas too, fell into a deep sleep.

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