I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 70

The Second Prince of the Theian Empire, Vilter, hurried toward Raila.
One by one, gifts and delegations were arriving to celebrate the First Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony.

Though it was a tradition for every prince, Vilter’s insides twisted with bitterness.

This time, more countries than ever were sending envoys whether because Leon had excelled in diplomacy, or perhaps because of the influence of his Northern guardian.

“Prince Leon must be truly capable even countries with poor relations are sending gifts.”

“Indeed. This ceremony may be for his coming-of-age, but in reality, it feels like a Crown Prince coronation. After all, he’s the first in line.”

“Some predict that His Majesty will officially declare Prince Leon as the Crown Prince during the ceremony.”

“And thanks to that extraordinary power of his, no one even dares think about challenging the Theian Empire anymore.”

It wasn’t just a few nobles — the entire Empire was buzzing with praise for Leon.

“Mother, are you just going to stand by and watch?”

As he spoke, Vilter handed over some documents to Raila.
Raila bit her nails sharply as she read them.

The documents reported that several nobles, once supporters of Vilter, had now shifted their loyalty to Leon.

Raila was the one most choked by frustration.
It was maddening enough that Leon — who should have died long ago — was still alive.
But for the last five years, her father, Duke Kiltan, had hesitated to act, saying it wasn’t the right time.
Meanwhile, Leon had built up achievements so great that Vilter couldn’t even hope to match them.

“We can’t just sit back and do nothing. We have to act. If we let this pass, it’ll be even harder next time. Vilter, you must meet with your grandfather.”

“I’ll bring him immediately.”

“If it’s your grandfather, he’ll surely come up with a plan.”

The mother and son exchanged sharp, knowing glances.

After leaving the Main Palace, Leon went straight to Lucas’s room.
But Lucas wasn’t there.

Where could he have gone?
Lucas wasn’t the type to wander off alone — he hated crowded places.

Leon immediately summoned Ermon and ordered him to find Lucas.
After some time, Ermon returned, looking troubled.

“I checked the Rion Principality’s guest quarters — he wasn’t there.
Nor was he in the dining halls.”

“What about the training grounds?”

“He wasn’t there either.”

“Damn it!”

Leon clenched his fists tightly.
He had expected Lucas to be upset — but to the point of disappearing, leaving even the delegation behind?

Was I too forceful?
Leon’s heart dropped as he recalled Lucas’s cold, distant gaze.

As he struggled with guilt, Ermon spoke cautiously.

“When he left the audience chamber… Lucas looked very unwell.
I tried to follow him, but… I couldn’t get close because of the curse.”

“You should have followed anyway!”

Leon knew it wasn’t Ermon’s fault — but he couldn’t stop the sharpness in his voice.
The fear rising inside him was unbearable.

If Lucas — hurt because of him — collapsed or vanished…

Leon wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.

“Search for him.
No — I’ll go myself.”

Leon slammed the door and rushed out.

Where is he?

Leon had already searched the Crown Prince’s Palace several times, but Lucas was nowhere to be seen.

Then, a distant memory flashed through his mind. One from when they had first met, when they used to play hide-and-seek.

How did I find him back then?

The answer was so simple, Leon almost laughed at himself for missing it.

Calming his mind, Leon focused all his senses on his nose. And then — he caught it.

A faint vanilla scent.

Leon’s eyes widened.

“Lucas!”

Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the scent.

And just as he hoped, there was Lucas.

“Lucas! Lucas!”

Hidden among the bushes, slumped against a wall, Lucas looked as pale as death.

Leon rushed forward and pressed a hand beneath Lucas’s nose to check if he was breathing.
Lucas’s chest rose and fell faintly — he was alive.

But Leon still felt as if his own heart had dropped into a frozen pit.

For the past five years — all those unanswered letters, all that long silence. Leon had often feared he would lose Lucas for good.
Dreaming over and over again of Lucas lying alone in a white, snowy field.

And now, seeing Lucas’s fragile form before his eyes. It was more terrifying than any nightmare he had ever had.

The warmth at his fingertips flickered and faded — it was the breath Lucas exhaled.
Only after confirming that did Leon finally relax.

He quickly pressed various points on Lucas’s body, gently tilting his head to finish the emergency treatment.

Over the past five years, Leon had studied and trained tirelessly to overcome his trauma — the nightmares of seeing Lucas on the brink of death.
His experiences treating soldiers during battles, big and small, had also helped him immensely.

Only after confirming that Lucas’s faint, weak breathing had grown stronger did Leon lift him into his arms and head for the room.

“Lucas, you know…
A wild tiger, when injured, finds ways to heal itself.
It eats bitter herbs it doesn’t like, or rolls over patches of healing plants…
I hoped that you, too, would be able to heal yourself.
That you wouldn’t collapse like this.”

Of course, Lucas, limp over his shoulder, gave no answer.

Swiftly returning to the room, Leon gently laid Lucas on the bed and carefully examined his condition.
It was hard to tell how long Lucas had been sick — his body was that badly damaged.

“…Lucas, what in the world happened to you?”

During all that time without any response, Leon had told himself Lucas must be living well.
He hoped — prayed — that Lucas was doing so well he didn’t even bother to read Leon’s letters.
Believing that was the only way Leon could endure the endless waiting.

But the reality had been nothing like he imagined.
His heart ached so fiercely it was hard to breathe.

Still, Leon stayed calm.
He had always considered the possibility that Lucas might not be well.

He knew that even if Lucas had fallen ill, he wouldn’t have been able to seek proper treatment from any physician.
Left untreated, the damage would have worsened over time.

That was the very reason Leon had studied medicine — for this day.

Leon wiped away the sweat from Lucas’s forehead several times with a warm cloth.
Then he pressed his lips to Lucas’s and gently breathed air into him.

Even though Lucas’s breathing had already stabilized, his consciousness hadn’t returned.

“I have to find out…
Why your body has become like this.”

Leaving the room, Leon made his way straight to the quarters where the Rion delegation was staying.

The sudden appearance of the Crown Prince sent the delegation into a panic, but it was brief.
Soon, Sion — who was handling affairs — stepped forward and greeted him politely.

“Your Highness, to what do we owe the honor?”

“There’s no time for pleasantries. I’ll get to the point. Since when has Lucas been this sick?”

“…”

Sion hesitated, a troubled look on his face.

“I already know. Don’t bother hiding it. He’s in such a state he can’t even be seen by a physician. You know that, don’t you?”

“But, Your Highness… Though relations with the Theian Empire have improved, still—”

Sion tried to explain, but Leon didn’t let him finish.

“Sion. I’m not asking you as the Crown Prince of the Theian Empire. I’m asking you as Lucas’s guardian and the only one capable of treating him.”

“…A physician?”

“I learned medicine.
For Lucas.”

Sion’s eyes wavered deeply. Leon could see right through him — see the loyalty and concern behind those eyes.

Sure enough, Sion let out a heavy sigh.

“…After Your Highness left, the curse around Lucas grew so strong that even I could hardly approach him.”

“Since then? You’re telling me… he’s been in pain for five years?”

Sion nodded grimly.

“Yes. As you know, it wasn’t possible for him to seek a physician’s help. He endured it all alone.”

Sion clenched his fists, exhaling harshly, as if it were his own sin that Lucas had suffered.

Watching him, a fierce storm of emotions welled up inside Leon.

The unknown time Lucas had endured,
The unbearable pain he had faced alone, the guilt felt even by those closest to him— Everything felt wrong.
Everything made Leon angry.

He would change it all now.
He would never again leave Lucas to suffer alone.
He would never again allow anyone else to bear the responsibility for Lucas’s pain.

Leon clenched his fists, but outwardly stayed calm as he spoke.

“Thank you for telling me. From now on, I’ll take care of everything. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

Sion widened his eyes, startled.

Leon turned and walked away. Behind him, Sion bowed deeply, praying silently that his lord would finally find peace.

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