I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 63

After finishing his afternoon duties, Leon was called to Asili’s chambers. When he entered, he found Emperor Frederick already there with her.

Seeing both the Empress and Emperor together could only mean one thing—they wanted to talk about his upcoming coming-of-age ceremony.

The palace was bustling with preparations. In the Theian Empire, it was tradition to hold a grand banquet within a month of a prince turning eighteen, celebrating his entry into adulthood.

Leon barely had a moment to breathe with everything going on, but a conversation with the Emperor was something he couldn’t avoid. It was during that ceremony that Frederick planned to officially declare Leon the Crown Prince.

Leon walked in calmly and took a seat across from Asili. Frederick got straight to the point.

“Your coming-of-age ceremony is just around the corner. That means it’s time to start thinking about a partner.”

Asili smiled warmly, her eyes resting fondly on her son.

“With how handsome and refined Leon has become, there’s a line of noble Omegas eager to become Crown Princess. I’m not the least bit worried.”

Then, turning toward Leon, she asked gently, as if the answer was obvious:

“You’ve already got someone in mind, don’t you? You’re just too shy to tell me.”

Leon gave the same soft smile as always.

“There it is again,” Frederick said with a chuckle. “Always just smiling.”

Asili stepped in with a playful tone.

“I don’t blame him. As a prince, he has to maintain a certain dignity. He can’t exactly ask us to find him a partner outright.”

“Haha, is that so?”

While the two parents continued to exchange lighthearted words, Leon quietly began to rise from his seat—hoping to slip away unnoticed.

But his father’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Leon, this isn’t something you can keep avoiding. You’re at the right age now. A man can’t keep running from responsibilities like this.”

“…Your Majesty, I just don’t think I’m ready yet—”

“No excuses,” Frederick said firmly. “It’s already been delayed enough. You need to start accepting your duties to the empire.”

Leon remained still and silent. Taking his lack of protest as agreement, the Emperor smiled.

“Good. Now go and continue preparing for the ceremony. We’ll talk more about this soon.”

Leon gave a small bow and left the room. As he stepped out, he felt every muscle in his body tighten. His nerves were on edge.

He could feel it deep in his gut—no matter what excuse he gave, there was no stopping the selection process for a Crown Princess now.

Until now, whenever his parents talked about finding him a good Omega, he had laughed it off. But after the coming-of-age ceremony, that would no longer be enough.

“…I’ve been too complacent. This isn’t the time to hesitate.”

Leon rushed back to his office. He quickly wrote a new letter to Lucas, grabbed it, and headed to Rai’s private quarters. The large beast was resting comfortably in a pile of straw, but lifted his head as Leon approached.

“Rai.”

<…Were you crying?>

“I graduated from crying a long time ago, remember? No time for jokes. His Majesty is going to hold a partner selection ceremony soon.”

Rai, who had been ready to tease him, immediately sobered up.

<This is bad. Especially since your heart’s already taken.>

“Exactly.”

Leon placed a saddle with a small pouch onto Rai’s back and slipped the letter inside.

“I need you to head to the North. As fast as you can.”

<Just deliver the letter?>

Leon shook his head.

“No. There’s a chance he won’t read it. You need to tell him too.”

Rai tilted his head.

<He won’t understand me, though.>

“Take Jerry with you. He can speak simple messages.”

<You’re not seriously telling him you’re choosing someone else, right? That would destroy him.>

“Of course not. Say something else.”

<Like what?>

Leon wrapped his arms around Rai’s neck and spoke with quiet urgency.

“Rai, everything depends on this. Go to Lucas and tell him I’m hurting. Make sure he hears it directly from you. Then act like you’re in a rush—like there’s no time. Make it seem urgent. Get in and out quickly.”

Rai’s eyes sharpened with resolve.

<You really are a clever little tiger. Don’t worry—I’ve got this. You can count on me.>

“…Please. I’m trusting you.”

Without another word, Rai sprinted off toward the North. His heavy paws struck the ground with more power than ever.

The next day, Rai arrived at the Grand Duchy of Rion after running nonstop.

The northern wind was bitterly cold. But Rai couldn’t afford to stop. Even as the snowstorm grew stronger and visibility dropped, he kept pushing forward. The snow piled up so high it sank past his ankles, slowing his steps. Snowflakes thickened until it became difficult to move at all.

Reluctantly, Rai decided to take a short rest near a village. A little farther along the road, the nearest village to Rion Castle came into view.

<…Something’s off.>

Rai paced around the village’s edge, tilting his head, searching for a place to rest.

From afar, the Grand Duchy looked different from when he last left it. The buildings were well-maintained, streets cleaner, and people moved with a relaxed air. It seemed the monster hunts had been effective.

But under the overcast sky, the entire village looked ashen and dull. People spoke in hushed, weary voices, as if weighed down by something invisible.

Should I try to listen in?

But Rai, being a half-monster, couldn’t get close enough to hear their whispers. If he showed himself too openly, people unfamiliar with half-monsters might panic—and that would make it harder to deliver the letter.

Realizing this, Rai shook his head firmly. He knew what would happen if he returned without delivering the letter. That fiery little prince would explode—and Rai had no doubts about how terrifying Leon could be when he was angry.

I should just go to Lucas as soon as I can.

He looked up. The snow had started to lighten. In a little while, he’d be able to move again.

Lucas groaned faintly, shifting in bed. No matter how he lay, the pain didn’t ease. The pounding headache had been relentless for days now. The medicine Michelle left at his door every morning no longer helped. At best, the pain eased for a few brief hours each day.

It had been like this for five years, but Lucas never fully got used to the torment. The only consolation was that Michelle had taken over his duties as Grand Duke—something he was immensely grateful for.

“Haa…”

A strained breath escaped Lucas’s lips, just as voices outside his door reached his ears—Michelle and Sion.

Not wanting them to realize just how bad things had gotten, Lucas bit his lower lip to stifle another groan. He needed to keep his color up, to not worry them.

The door opened, and the two stood at a safe distance. Michelle spoke first.

“Even if we can’t come close, it doesn’t mean we don’t hear you. Your groaning echoes through the castle every night.”

It might’ve sounded like scolding, but her expression was filled with concern. Lucas forced himself upright and leaned against the headboard.

That’s when he saw the letter in Michelle’s hand. He didn’t need to ask who it was from—he already knew. And that was exactly why he couldn’t bring himself to read it. He was afraid that the longing would swallow both his mind and body whole.

Michelle clicked her tongue when she saw the look in his eyes, fixed on the letter.

“If you’re going to worry about it, then reply. If not, stop thinking about it altogether.”

Lucas let out a dry chuckle.

“You’re right.”

Sion, who had been watching them quietly, spoke up after a short sigh.

“I heard the Theian Empire will be holding Prince Leon’s coming-of-age ceremony soon. Since we’ve resumed diplomatic ties, we’re planning to send a delegation. Would you consider attending as its head? You’ve been officially invited, and your presence would carry the right weight.”

Lucas’s shoulders flinched.

A coming-of-age ceremony already? Has that much time really passed?
The last time he saw Leon, the boy was fifteen. He must be twenty now.

Even back then, he had already carried himself with the dignity of a strong, proud Alpha. He must have grown into an even more impressive figure by now.

Lucas felt a tug in his chest. The image of Leon crying, unable to say goodbye, still haunted him like a ghost. Maybe if he went and saw Leon smiling, happy, and living well—forgetting all about him—this lingering guilt would finally fade.

Michelle seemed to read his thoughts and spoke gently.

“If it’s still weighing on your heart, maybe going and congratulating him in person will help you move on.”

She might be right. But Lucas shook his head.

“I can’t go, not like this. It would be an insult to appear at the coming-of-age ceremony of the Empire’s prince looking as I do.”

It was the proper thing to say, and yet Michelle scoffed.

“Then should I, as Grand Duchess, go in your place? Or send Sion—who doesn’t even share our blood—to represent our house at our first official diplomatic event?”

Her voice had risen slightly, but she calmed herself before continuing.

“You’re just going to be watching from a distance. What’s the big deal?”

“It’s not that simple. Prince Leon is sharp. Even from afar, he’d notice right away how much I’ve deteriorated.”

If that happened, Leon would worry.
And if, after all these years and all those unanswered letters, Leon’s feelings hadn’t faded…

Lucas couldn’t let that happen.

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