I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 66

“I thought about it every night, Lucas. About how much I wanted to sleep with you.”

Maybe it was too soon.
Maybe Lucas would be startled and try to run.
But if he did… Leon would simply catch him.

Yet all those worries were meaningless.
Lucas was still in his arms.
That simple fact made Leon feel dizzy with joy.

He pressed his nose against Lucas’s nape and inhaled deeply.

“Do you hate it?”

“…….”

“I’m asking if you’re going to reject me again.”

Leon slowly dragged his lips up from Lucas’s neck to his earlobe, then nibbled gently.
A sweet taste spread through his mouth.

“I believed that once I became an adult, you would finally recognize me as your mate.
Why don’t you just be honest, Luca?
You like me too.”

Leon had debated endlessly over what tone he should use when they met again.
Should he speak politely?
Should he sound tender and kind?
Or should he use the innocent, playful way of speaking Lucas always loved?

But after countless sleepless nights, Leon finally understood— He didn’t want to approach Lucas as a boy anymore.
He wanted to stand before him as an Alpha, someone strong enough to claim him.

“Your Highness, I am here on behalf of the Rion Duchy—”

Leon couldn’t wait any longer.
He crushed Lucas’s words with a kiss.

The feel of Lucas’s lips — softer, warmer than he had even imagined — made his head spin.
It was so hot, it felt like his lips were burning.

Leon gripped the back of Lucas’s head firmly and tilted the angle, deepening the kiss.
He pushed his tongue between Lucas’s lips, hungrily exploring him.
At that moment, it felt like he could devour Lucas’s whole.

Even when Lucas pushed back with all his strength, forcing their lips apart for just a second, Leon couldn’t stop.
The thirst only grew stronger.

Leon quickly closed the distance again, crashing their lips together.

He had waited far too long for this.
Even a moment apart felt unbearable.

He seized Lucas’s wrists tightly and plunged even deeper into the kiss.
When he finally pulled away, it was only to growl lowly: “Luca, stay still.”

“…….”

“You really think I’ll let you go again?
Give it up.”

Sweet, intoxicating scent filled Leon’s body, flooding through his veins.
Every cell inside him felt alive, dancing with excitement.
Even the shallow, desperate breaths Lucas tried to take — Leon wanted to devour them too.

“Luca… Lucas…”

Leon’s voice, trembling and breathless, reached Lucas’s ears.

Lucas hadn’t meant to get swept away.
But from the moment Leon had come close, he couldn’t think straight.

The instant Leon touched him, it was as if all of his senses had agreed — together — to betray him.

Without even realizing it, Lucas found himself responding.
And when he noticed that aching need in himself, it terrified him.

I can’t let this continue.

The voice of reason screamed inside him, snapping him awake.

I raised this boy.
How could I possibly kiss him like this?

It felt like the blood in his body froze solid.

Sensing the sudden coldness in Lucas’s body, Leon reluctantly released his lips and stepped back.

Lucas, trying to steady his breathing, realized how hot his face must be. Shame flooded him — sharp and overwhelming. He bit his lip hard, trying to push it all down.

It took a long, agonizing moment for his flushed face to return to normal.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lucas found the strength to speak.

“I came here because I heard Your Highness was ill. Now that I see you’re well, I’ll take my leave.”

“…Ha.
You think I’m well?”

Leon leaned in close, their faces almost touching.
Lucas didn’t even blink as he replied: “Yes. You seem more than healthy — strong enough to overpower me.”

“That’s not true. You must have heard it too, from your informants.”

Lucas flinched ever so slightly.

Leon closed the distance again, pressing their bodies together.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? The moment I saw you, my body suddenly felt normal again.”

The truth was, it wasn’t Leon who had been healed — it was Lucas.

He could feel it clearly now: His body was full of life, overflowing with vitality, for the first time since Leon left.

It was infuriating.
Disgusting.

His own cursed body, reacting like this — reacting to Leon.

The warmer his blood grew, the colder his mind became.

He had to leave.
Now.

“No matter the reason,” Lucas said quietly, “if Your Highness is feeling better, that’s all that matters.
Sion will take over as leader of the delegation. As for me—”

“Lucas, you know that’s ridiculous, don’t you?”

Leon chuckled softly, but Lucas couldn’t deny it.

He knew. He knew all too well how much of a diplomatic insult it would be for the head of a delegation to abandon his duties and return home. Especially when this was the very first delegation sent after formal diplomatic ties had been established — and during Leon’s coming-of-age ceremony, no less, an event where the entire Empire would be showering him with love.

In the end, though it was a weak excuse, Lucas had no choice but to speak. The thought that he must return home was consuming his mind. But before he could act on it, Leon leaned in close and whispered quietly in his ear:

“I won’t let you leave. I’ve already instructed everyone in the Crown Prince’s Palace — the moment they see you even thinking about stepping outside, they’re to report it directly to His Majesty.”

Leon gripped Lucas’s wrist tightly, refusing to let go. His hand clung with enough strength to leave a bruise.

Even though Leon spoke so casually, Lucas could feel the desperation at his fingertips. Because of that, he couldn’t bring himself to say anything harsher.

It’s fine. Once the coming-of-age ceremony is over, everything will be over. After that, Leon will have no reason to keep holding onto me. The ceremony to appoint the Crown Princess will follow, and I can leave without looking back.
Lucas comforted himself with those thoughts.

After a long silence, Leon glanced around the room, as if wanting Lucas to see.

“Do you like the room?”

Only then did Lucas shift his gaze, following Leon’s. The room was filled with sunlight pouring through the windows, small plants decorating the sills, white floors that matched the blue walls, a large bed covered in soft sky-colored sheets, a luxurious desk, and even a table for entertaining guests.

It didn’t look like a temporary reception room. It looked like a room carefully prepared for someone special.
Leon shrugged and said casually,

“I decorated it just for you, Lucas.”

“…I’m only here as the head of the delegation…”

“All the delegation members are my guests anyway. Besides, you can’t exactly share a room with someone else, can you?”

Lucas was struck silent. Leon had hit the mark. Lucas did need a private room because he couldn’t easily stay with others. But he had never wanted it to feel this heavy.

“A simple room would have been enough.”

Leon shook his head firmly.

“As the Crown Prince of the Theian Empire, it’s only right to treat my guardian and the head of the delegation with proper hospitality. If you refuse, people might think you and your ward don’t get along.”

With no more arguments left, Lucas turned his head away. In the end, he had no choice but to stay.

Living in the room Leon had prepared, Lucas did his best to avoid encountering others. He took all his meals inside the room, and he managed the delegation’s affairs through reports and written orders.

Yet despite Lucas’s efforts to stay secluded, Leon found a new excuse every day to visit.

If Leon had come alone, Lucas might have coldly turned him away. But every time, Leon would bring attendants who waited just outside the door.
Lucas, afraid the noise might draw attention, could only force a polite smile and let him in.

On the first day, Leon barged in with a cart full of food, insisting that Lucas couldn’t refuse a simple meal.
The next day, he came himself, claiming he needed to discuss the delegation’s schedule.
The day after that, he appeared again, saying they needed to set an audience date with Their Majesties.

Lucas tried to handle Leon as calmly and professionally as possible, but truthfully, he didn’t entirely hate Leon’s visits.
That realization made Lucas hate himself even more.
So he tried to push Leon away — without causing any diplomatic issues.

But whenever they were together, Leon would casually brush his hand against Lucas’s, stare at him for far too long, or subtly release his pheromones, trying to envelop Lucas completely.
It made Lucas feel like he would lose his mind if he stayed any longer.

The warmth of being together and the cold rationality warning him it was wrong clashed violently inside him.

Lucas was afraid.
Afraid that if he wasn’t careful, these strange feelings would grow even stronger before the coming-of-age ceremony.

“…Sir Lucas?”

A voice called him back to reality. It was Ermon, speaking from outside the door.

“His Highness Leon says he wishes to dine with you after he finishes his morning schedule. How shall I reply?”

“…Tell him I’m not feeling well today. It would be best to postpone.”

Ermon hesitated, then politely asked,

“If you tell me your symptoms, I’ll fetch some medicine.”

“It’s not something that can be cured with medicine. Please just deliver the message properly.”

There was a long silence, and then Lucas heard footsteps retreating.
He felt guilty. Leon wouldn’t take this rejection lightly, and Ermon might suffer for it.
Still, Lucas had no other choice.

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