I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 41

“…Are you telling me to keep an eye on him?”

“Yep!”

The idea of being assigned to follow and monitor someone wasn’t exactly appealing. But he had already promised. If only that little brat hadn’t brought up the whole lion’s honor nonsense, he could have just ignored it.

As Rai grumbled internally, he turned his head and met Leon’s golden eyes. A sudden chill ran down his spine, prompting him to mutter begrudgingly,

“Well… what’s done is done.”

Leon pressed himself against Rai’s back, hugging his neck tightly.

“Thank you. My lion is the best.”

“Don’t touch me! It’s gross!”

Leon giggled, his laughter annoyingly bright. Despite himself, Rai lowered his back slightly and walked with care.

“What a peculiar brat.”

A human with an aura like that? Nowhere in the world could another be found. If he grew up any more, Rai wouldn’t be able to tease him so easily.

Even now, this boy, smiling so innocently while exuding something so unsettling, was a mystery. How would he grow? What kind of influence would he have? Not even Rai could predict.

Back at Rion Castle, Lucas unpacked his belongings and changed into casual clothes. Sitting blankly in his room, he pressed a hand to his forehead and muttered,

“There’s no need to overthink it. I was the one who chose to be his guardian from the beginning.”

Resolving himself, Lucas stood up—just as Leon suddenly burst through the door.

“Lucas!”

“You should rest now that we’re back from the trip.”

“I want to be with you!”

Though his voice trailed off at the end, his determined gaze made it clear—he would not back down. Lucas met his stare for a moment before turning toward the door.

Leon quickly grabbed his hand.

“Where are you going, Lucas?”

His eyes wavered, darting back and forth anxiously, yet his grip was firm. It was endearing, so much so that Lucas had to suppress a chuckle.

“I’m going to see Michelle. Do you want to come?”

Leon’s expression immediately twisted in horror, and he took a hurried step back.

“N-No! Have a safe trip!”

With that, he bolted out of the room. Lucas watched his retreating figure disappear down the hallway before letting out a soft laugh.

“If I had known he’d be this terrified, I wouldn’t have even mentioned leaving him with her.”

But what was done was done. Regret, no matter how swift, was always too late.

Lucas arrived at Michelle’s room and knocked lightly.

“Sister, it’s me. I’m coming in, so please step away from the door.”

After a brief pause, her voice answered.

“Alright, come in.”

As Lucas entered and took a seat on a chair a short distance away, Michelle’s sharp gaze flickered over him. His straight shoulders and composed movements were just as they had always been, yet something felt different. His expression was more relaxed, his posture unguarded. He seemed at ease.

“I came to speak with you.”

“You’ve finally made your decision, then. Very well. When should I start taking care of Leon?”

Lucas hesitated briefly before answering firmly,

“I will continue to educate Prince Leon myself.”

Michelle narrowed her eyes.

“And your reasoning? Lucas, I’d like to hear an explanation that makes sense.”

Lucas paused in thought.

Because consistency would be better for Leon’s education?
Because the boy was too anxious?
Because his curse didn’t affect him?
Because he wanted to be the one to heal Leon’s curse?

“…Because I want to.”

All of those were valid reasons. But in the end, he chose to speak only the truth of his heart.

Michelle’s eyes widened for a fraction of a second before narrowing again. Then, with a sharp intensity, she fired back,

“…You understand that having him by your side is dangerous, don’t you? The curse aside, that boy is an Alpha. Do you really grasp what kind of effect he could have on you?”

She was right on all accounts.

But Lucas felt strangely calm. Perhaps because his mind was already made up.

“I understand. Even so, I want to raise him.”

Their eyes met, neither yielding. After a long standoff, it was Michelle who sighed first.

“…So, you’ve made up your mind.”

“I’m sorry, Sister.”

“…No, it’s fine. It’s just… If I had known you would grow this attached, I would have separated you sooner.”

Lucas chuckled softly.

“Haha. What’s done is done.”

Michelle regarded him with a complicated expression.

Lucas had never been this resolute before.

She worried for him. And yet, she couldn’t help but feel relieved.

Despite always being tormented by loneliness, Lucas had never allowed anyone to truly get close. Even if the boy was a child of an enemy nation, as his sister, Michelle couldn’t help but feel relieved that Lucas had finally found someone precious to him.

Lucas was a smart child—he must have understood the consequences of his choice.

“If you start slacking off because of that boy, I won’t sit idly by. Keep that in mind.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

Lucas stood up and bowed. Michelle, reclining slightly on her bed, watched his retreating figure as he closed the door and murmured,

“As long as it makes you happy, Lucas.”

Worrying wouldn’t change curses or fate. But Lucas, who had always been swept along by destiny, had now made his own choice. Michelle could only hope that, at the end of it all, he would find true happiness.

After finishing his conversation with Michelle, Lucas headed straight to the study. As he opened the door, he called out in a warm voice.

“Leon.”

At the sound of his name, Leon closed his book and beamed. But soon after, he hesitated, his expression turning hesitant. Since Lucas had told him he was going to see Michelle, he was obviously curious about the outcome.

“Um, Lucas… About Michelle…”

Leon spoke cautiously, his tone uncertain. He looked so adorable that Lucas was tempted to tease him a little longer. But then, the image of Leon crying flashed in his mind, and he quickly abandoned the thought.

“Yes, I spoke to my sister. I told her that I will personally continue your education.”

Leon’s eyes widened in shock. Though Lucas had promised to protect him, he had still been plagued by anxiety. He hadn’t expected Lucas to resolve everything so quickly.

Suppressing the urge to dance with joy, Leon instead grabbed Lucas’s wrist, pretending to act composed. Lucas, amused, smiled as he looked at him.

“Thank you, Lucas. I’m truly happy that I can stay by your side.”

Lucas stifled a laugh.

Flushed cheeks, hair that refused to stay still, lips curling into a barely restrained grin, and twitching cheeks—everything about him screamed happiness. And yet, he was trying so hard to appear mature.

The sight was so endearing that Lucas had to resist the urge to kiss his cheek. Instead, he responded in an equally composed manner.

“I’m glad you’re truly happy. I will take full responsibility for you from now on.”

Leon’s hand, which had been gripping Lucas’s wrist, slid down to his palm. He shook it twice, as if sealing the promise, then bowed slightly.

“Now that my worries are settled, I’ll head to the greenhouse.”

“Alright. See you later.”

Leon turned around to leave.

“…?”

Lucas’s eyes widened in surprise.

A long tail was swaying behind Leon.

Clutching his stomach, Lucas covered his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter. It had been a while since Leon had made such a slip-up. He had assumed the boy was only growing more mature, but to see him make such an adorable mistake…

“Leon.”

“Yes?”

Leon turned back to face him.

“Wouldn’t it be best to tuck your tail in before leaving?”

Leon craned his neck and looked down—only to freeze in horror. His tail had been swinging behind him the entire time.

Without missing a beat, he hurriedly concealed it, his face flushing red. When he looked back, Lucas was gazing at him with an amused expression, barely holding back laughter.

I need to grow up quickly. Why do I keep showing him this childish side of me?!

Fuming, Leon stormed out of the study.

That night, he prayed more fervently than ever, asking to become as strong and dignified as Lucas.

Time passed swiftly, and soon, Leon was fifteen.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In the training grounds, Leon finished an intense sparring match with Sion and approached Lucas, who was watching from a distance.

“I don’t think I’m falling behind Sion anymore. What do you think, Lucas?”

He had grown significantly taller, to the point where there was barely any height difference between them. His once purely adorable face was now beginning to take on a more mature, defined structure.

“Leon, you always do well. But in real combat, you must understand your opponent. You also need to recognize that an expert like Sion is still going easy on you.”

That wasn’t entirely true.

Lucas had long noticed that Sion was beginning to struggle against Leon. Though he was a dominant Alpha and had grown considerably stronger, he was still only fifteen. For someone like Sion—a highly skilled warrior—to find him challenging meant that Leon was exceptionally talented.

But Lucas couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge it outright.

He was willing to praise Leon for his ability to command and tame half-monsters. But when it came to wielding a sword, he wished he would take his time.

Leon wasn’t learning swordsmanship simply as a skill—he wanted to hunt monsters alongside Lucas. But a child who dreamed of hunting could also get hurt. And that was something Lucas wasn’t willing to risk.

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