I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 56

When Lucas had called for him, saying he had something to discuss, Leon had felt genuinely happy. His heart pounded with anticipation. But the moment he opened the door to the study, he felt it.

Something was wrong.

The excitement turned into unease.

Leon cautiously approached and sat across from where Lucas was seated. Without even a greeting, Lucas took a sip of tea and pushed the other cup toward him.

“Drink. It’s herbal tea you grew yourself in the greenhouse. They say it helps calm the nerves.”

But Leon didn’t even glance at the tea. He kept his eyes fixed on Lucas. An unexplainable tightness gripped his throat. The warmth and kindness that had always surrounded Lucas were gone. Now, he acted like a nobleman facing someone unfamiliar.

It didn’t feel like he wanted to be with Leon. It felt like he had no choice but to be here because something needed to be said. That bitter realization stung.

“I don’t want any.”

I don’t need something to calm my heart. I need your smile, Lucas.

Leon held back the words and lowered his gaze, but he could feel Lucas’s eyes locked on him. And then, something shifted in the air. The scent Leon had always associated with comfort changed—no longer sweet, but bitter. Sad.

No way…

A heavy dread crawled up Leon’s spine. His mouth dried, and his fingertips began to tremble.

Just the thought that he might be separated from Lucas emptied his mind completely.

Trying to stay composed, Leon picked up the teacup. And then—a desperate idea flashed through his mind. He acted on it without hesitation.

Clatter!

But in his flustered state, the hot tea splashed not on himself, but on Lucas’s shin. Shocked, Leon jumped to his feet.

“Lucas!”

He rushed forward to check on him, but before he could get close—

“That’s enough. Don’t come any closer.”

Lucas remained seated, calmly wiping the spilled tea from his leg. From between the shattered cup and the spilled tea, he saw Leon’s panicked expression.

Yet Lucas stayed still. As though what had just happened meant nothing at all. That indifference—Leon couldn’t bear it.

Unable to hold back, he bent down to gather the broken shards himself—but Lucas grabbed his wrist.

“I’ll call a servant. I can’t let someone of your standing injure their hands.”

Those words hit Leon like a stone to the chest.

Lucas stood, ready to call someone—afraid that if he didn’t move, he might embrace Leon without thinking.

So much for all his resolve. Was he really wavering just because of a broken teacup? Lucas swallowed down the sigh rising in his throat, when—

“Luca…”

The way Leon used to call him as a child. That voice froze Lucas in place.

“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? This isn’t like you. It’s making me anxious. Did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me? Then why are you being so cold?”

Leon stared directly at him, refusing to look away—though his eyes were red, on the verge of tears. That expression reminded Lucas of the frightened little tiger cub who had once silently pleaded for him to stay.

Why is it that, despite thinking he could control his emotions, he always became weak in front of Leon?

Was it the overwhelming sense of responsibility? The debt of having his life saved by someone he should be protecting?

Lucas looked at Leon, his heart aching. Was he burned by the shards? Had any of the tea splashed onto him? He wanted to go to him, hold him, ask if he was all right.

But then—he remembered it.

The symbol of Draco, with its gaping jaws and fanged teeth. It cut through him like a bucket of ice water. And Michelle’s voice echoed in his mind: “Once affection takes root, it becomes difficult to let go.”

He should’ve taken that warning more seriously. But it was too late for regret now.

Though his heart was tearing apart, Lucas forced the cold words to leave his mouth.

“I hadn’t yet said it, but since you’ve sensed it, I’ll speak plainly. I intend to send Your Highness back to the Theian Empire.”

It took a long moment before he could say it.

Leon’s eyes filled with disbelief. He began speaking in a rush, not even sure what he was saying.

“How could you say that? No—why? Why are you saying this?”

“It’s the natural order of things. This was always planned, ever since you arrived.”

“But I’m not even grown yet! I can’t accept this!”

“A few months won’t make a difference.”

“How can you say that won’t change anything?”

Leon had planned to spend more time together, to confess properly, and then tell him he wanted to stay by his side. No—in truth, even after a few more months, even after coming of age, he had never once considered leaving Lucas.

“…Luca, what’s going on? At least tell me why. I can’t accept this without a reason. It’s all too sudden.”

Lucas responded with a cold, composed expression.

“It isn’t sudden. Our relationship with the Theian Empire seems stable enough now, and with that, I believe Your Highness and I have fulfilled our roles. So, it’s time for you to return to your rightful place.”

“How could you… No—Luca, why are you acting like someone else? Why are you being so cruel?”

“Whatever Your Highness may have thought of me, this is how I truly feel.”

Leon shot back without hesitation.

“Don’t lie to me. You think I wouldn’t know if you didn’t say anything?”

“It’s not a lie. I accepted Your Highness solely for the sake of the North’s safety and peace.”

“…That’s not true! You were worried about me. You treated my illness. And now, you’re doing this because of the intruders, aren’t you? You’re afraid something will happen to me.”

“…Do you understand that it’s a curse, not a blessing?”

“How could I not? I’m not that foolish. But you were the one who called it a blessing. You were always the one worrying about me. So why are you doing this now, Lucas?”

Lucas turned away and bit down on his lip. He had thought if he was cold enough, Leon would be hurt and turn away—but that had been a mistake. For someone who had never truly opened his heart to anyone, Leon was surprisingly perceptive—he knew exactly what was happening.

Unable to find the words, Lucas fell silent. Leon, growing desperate, stepped closer and grabbed his hand, his voice breaking as he pleaded.

“Lucas… Can’t I stay? There are still unidentified intruders attacking Rion Castle almost every day. And not all of the gargoyles have been dealt with yet.”

That’s exactly why I have to send you away.

Trying to reason with the stubborn boy was proving harder than expected.

“If it’s dangerous, then I’ll stay with you. I’m not weak. I can take on intruders like that as much as it takes.”

“I never said you were weak. I never asked for your concern. And I never said I was worried about you. I just…”

He needed to say: I just don’t need Your Highness anymore. But the words caught in his throat.

“Lucas…”

“…You can protect yourself now. You’ve grown. You’ve learned to control your abilities. It’s time to go back.”

“I don’t want to! No matter how much you try to convince me, it’s pointless. I’m not going to take a single step out of Rion Castle.”

Maybe softening his tone was the mistake. This wouldn’t end like this. Lucas hardened his heart once again.

“…There are many duties I’ve neglected over the years while caring for Your Highness. How much longer do you expect me to abandon everything to look after you? I’ve done more than enough. Now, it’s time for you to return.”

Leon’s eyes filled with shock. His lips parted, but no words came. Just seeing that expression was enough to make Lucas’s chest tighten with pain. He looked away, unable to bear it.

A heavy silence settled between them. Then, Leon spoke in a broken voice.

“…You said you loved me. You said you’d protect me. And now…”

“I do love you.”

Leon let out a soft sigh of relief. His expression said I knew it, as if he had been waiting for those words. But even knowing that, Lucas could not let his heart waver.

“I love you as I love all the people and animals of Rion. I care for you the same way. You are not someone special. Ours is a relationship founded on a guardianship contract nothing more, nothing less.”

“….”

Leon dropped to the floor. His hand, catching him against the ground, landed on a shard of broken teacup. But despite what must have been pain, he didn’t even flinch. He only stared blankly at Lucas, eyes vacant.

It felt like the broken shard had pierced not Leon’s palm, but Lucas’s heart. He clenched his fists to resist the urge to reach out and hold that hand.

Even so, through the gaps in his wavering resolve, these final words escaped.

“…Still, I haven’t forgotten that you saved my life. If the time ever comes—someday when you’re in need, just call for me. I’ll be there! So please, understand that and take your leave.”

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