I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince - Chapter 72

“O-Oh, God…”

You must not let those two stays together.

The meaning was impossible to understand.
Was this hint about Leon?
If so, was the other person the Grand Duke of the North?

Thinking back, Leon had completely changed after returning from the North.
Though he had always been gifted from a young age, many nobles had worried about him because of his pure and gentle nature.

However, after his journey to the North, he demonstrated overwhelming ability in every way, even winning over many of the reformist nobles to his side.

On top of that, hadn’t he overcome the imperial illness that had been passed down through generations?
The Northern Grand Duke must have done something to him.

“Are you telling me to separate Leon from the Grand Duke?”

The smoke before him gave no answer.
It simply coiled in place for a moment—then, all of a sudden, thick smoke started to fill the room.

“Kugh…!”

It was hard to breathe. Vilter could feel the black smoke forcing its way into his body, spreading throughout him.
When the pain became unbearable and he screamed, the smoke rushed fully inside him.

How much time had passed?
When Vilter finally opened his eyes, he realized the pain had faded.
An unimaginable power was surging through his body.
When he clenched his fist, he felt as if he could crush anything.

“With this power, I can do anything.”

Leon’s coming-of-age ceremony would never happen—because he would be dead before then.

In his mind’s eye, Vilter could already see Leon being swallowed up by black smoke.
The thought alone made his heart race.

Leon quietly stepped outside after making sure Lucas was still asleep.
Ermon, who had been waiting nearby, immediately approached him.

“Your Highness, an urgent matter has come up.”

“What is it? We’ll talk on the way.”

The two of them walked toward Leon’s office as they spoke. It was Ermon who opened his mouth first.

“Several of the attendants at the prince’s palace have fallen ill.”

Ermon, mindful of Leon’s feelings, didn’t say more—but Leon understood immediately.
They must have collapsed from being affected by the curse’s aura.

If Their Majesties, who were already displeased with Lucas, found out about this, it would cause serious trouble.

Leon quickly came to a decision and ordered:

“Go to the attendants who know about this and make sure they stay silent. Provide whatever support is needed to treat the sick as well. We can’t afford any bad rumors spreading when we have such an important event coming up.”

“But, Your Highness, even if we silence them, if the sickness continues, the rumors will spread anyway.”

Ermon was right. And they couldn’t simply leave innocent attendants to suffer under Lucas’s influence.

“Change the assignments. Pull the attendants away from the area near Lucas’s room. Lucas can manage without attendants anyway. Instead, reassign some members of the delegation to that wing.”

“Understood.”

“And keep the other attendants busy with preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony. We need to distract them.”

“Yes, I’ll see to it immediately.”

With that, Ermon hurried off.

Leon also resumed his walk toward the office, ready to catch up on work.
However, at the fork in the hallway, he spotted the Emperor and Empress approaching side by side.

For Their Majesties to come personally—it could only mean one thing.
They already knew about Lucas.

Leon sensed it instantly, but he kept his expression perfectly calm and greeted his parents with a smile.

“Were you on your way to see me?”

“Yes. Let’s talk in your office.”

When they arrived, the three of them sat down around the central table.
Shortly after, a servant brought warm tea and placed a cup in front of each of them.

Normally, whenever the family gathered, the atmosphere was warm and lively.
But today, the air was ice cold. The only one smiling was Leon.

Sipping his tea, Leon spoke lightly:

“The preparations for the coming-of-age ceremony are going smoothly. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Asili frowned deeply.

“Stop pretending. You’re hiding something from us, aren’t you?”

Leon gave a faint smile.

“In that case, it’s good we’re having this talk. I know exactly what you’re worried about.
But Lucas—”

“Silence!”

Frederick, who had been struggling to hold back his anger, finally exploded.
Leon fell silent, respectfully listening to his father.

“You are the prince who will one day lead the Theian Empire. After your coming-of-age ceremony, we planned to officially name you Crown Prince. But now you say you want to marry the Grand Duke of the North? A man cursed, no less! Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

Even the kind-hearted Empress Asilia, who usually stood by Leon’s side no matter what, said nothing this time.
Her expression made it clear: This matter would not be overlooked.

“You have a mouth—use it. Explain yourself.”

Leon calmly set down his teacup. He took his time before speaking.

“What are your thoughts on my own curse?”

“Curse?!” Frederick thundered.

“It is a curse, isn’t it? The terrible curse that has plagued the Theian bloodline for generations. A prince who turns into a tiger was never meant to inherit the throne.”

Crash!
Clatter!

The teacup Frederick threw flew across the room and shattered against the wall.
But Leon didn’t even blink.

Father… I’m sorry.

Leon apologized only in his heart, but outwardly, he stood firm without backing down.

“It was Your Majesty’s decision to entrust me to Grand Duke Lucas Rion in order to control my curse. And thanks to him, I mastered it completely. However, Your Majesty—”

Leon lifted his eyes and looked straight at his parents, his voice steady and strong.

“Lucas didn’t do anything special to heal my curse. He didn’t use magic, nor any medicine.
He simply stayed by my side. And yet, my curse was healed. What do you think that means?”

The Emperor’s and Asili’s eyes widened.

“Is that… really true?”

“Then Grand Duke Lucas…?”

Leon nodded.

“Just by being with him—just by touching him—I was healed. No, it became more than healing. The curse turned into a blessing. Because Lucas made it so.”

At Leon’s words, both the Emperor and Empress were left speechless.
Sensing this was the right moment, Leon moved closer and gently took the Emperor’s hands in his own.

“Father, Lucas is that kind of person. He saved me. He is more capable than anyone, and his heart is warmer than anyone’s.”

“…”

“And his curse doesn’t matter. I will cure it myself. More than that—without Lucas, there’s no telling when my own curse might return.”

In the end, the Emperor and Empress could do nothing but rise and leave without winning the argument.

Because they still remembered too vividly— the desperate days when they had been forced to send their young son away to a cold and distant land.

After Their Majesties left for the main palace, Leon quickly took care of his remaining work.
Among the reports brought by his knights was news that Vilter’s movements had recently become suspicious. Leon ordered a deeper investigation.

By the time he finished, it was already evening.

Since the attendants were ordered to stay away, I’ll have to take care of Lucas’s meals myself.

Leon immediately went to the kitchen, personally preparing a tray of fresh bread, soup, and roasted meat.
He even hummed softly to himself as he carried the food toward Lucas’s room.

To think the day would come when I could simply walk over to see Lucas.
Leon’s steps grew quicker, lighter.

It felt as though he was making up for five years of lost sleep.
Even though Lucas’s body was much healthier now than it had been back in Rion Castle, strangely enough, he found it hard to get out of bed.

After a long, deep sleep, he finally stirred, washed up, and came out into the room— only to find Leon already there, cheerfully setting food out on the table: fresh bread, warm soup, and roasted meat.

The prince of the palace, personally setting food for a guest.

Lucas quickly rushed over, trying to take over the task himself, but Leon gently pressed a hand down on his shoulder.

“You’re still recovering, Lucas. Just rest.”

Even if that was true, letting the Crown Prince serve him was too much.
Before he could object again, Leon scooped up a spoonful of soup and brought it to Lucas’s lips.

“…”

“Eat. You need to regain your strength.”

Lucas stared at Leon in disbelief.
Leon, smiling mischievously, deliberately brushed the spoon lightly against Lucas’s lips.

That sudden touch snapped Lucas awake, and he quickly stepped back.

“Please don’t do this. It’s uncomfortable.”

No matter what, he couldn’t let this continue.
His heart, still heavy with sleep, threatened to weaken, but he forced himself to hold firm.

Leon slowly lowered the spoon and stared at him— his expression calm, his thoughts unreadable.

Lucas couldn’t predict what Leon would do next.

But even if he could predict it, it wouldn’t change anything.

He had to draw a clear line.

Lucas closed his eyes briefly, steeling his resolve—and when he opened them again.

“…!”

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