I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince

“What should I write?”

“Just be honest about what has happened. If you find it difficult, let me know—”

Before Lucas could finish, Leon had already grasped the quill and started writing.

His small hands pressed firmly against the parchment, each stroke neat and deliberate—a handwriting far too disciplined for a child his age.

As Lucas watched, one particular line caught his eye.

[Grand Duke Lucas Rion saved my life. He is warm and kind. With his help, I will become a great emperor and return. Please grant me permission.]

Warm and kind?

No one had ever described him that way before.

Children had burst into tears just from making eye contact with him, and even Sion, who frequently forced out compliments to encourage him, had never called him warm or kind.

Frowning slightly, Lucas glanced at the mirror.

The same cold, dark man stared back at him.

This first prince… is surprisingly optimistic.

As he continued to stare, Leon suddenly grinned and tilted his head forward—

Clearly expecting to be patted.

Lucas flinched.

Yet the golden crown of hair remained in his line of sight, completely unmoving.

After a long pause, he hesitantly raised his hand and lightly ruffled the boy’s hair.

Leon laughed brightly in response.

Then he looked up, eyes wide.

“Does this look okay?”

“Yes, it is very well-written. And your handwriting is quite impressive.”

“Then that means we’re done with all the important stuff, right?”

“Yes. We just need to send the letter with the messengers, and then we can eat.”

“Yay! Time for food!”

Leon threw his hands up in celebration, and Lucas found himself smiling despite himself.

The boy hopped down from his lap and darted toward the door, Lucas following at a calmer pace.

Sniff, sniff.

The air was filled with a sweet scent.

Fairy scent.

Leon pressed himself against Lucas’s leg, tilting his head upward.

Not far away, Sion stood with his arms crossed, glaring at them from a distance.

That man always looked at Lucas with that same expression.

At first, Leon had thought, ‘Does he want to fight?’

But since he never actually bothered Lucas, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Still, Leon didn’t like the way he looked at him.

So he glared back, mirroring his intensity.

After a moment, Sion sighed, shaking his head.

“The messengers have just left. Since the letter must first be retrieved from Pretus Outpost, we will have to wait for a response.”

Despite the clear frustration in his voice, Lucas responded gently.

“Well done, Sion.”

Leon felt annoyed all of a sudden.

Why was Lucas so kind to this arrogant knight?

Then, a memory surfaced—his mother’s words.

“Sometimes, what you see on the surface is not the full truth, my dear. A sad-looking face may not belong to a sad person, and the person smiling at you may be hiding a dagger in their heart.”

At the time, Leon had only tilted his head, confused.

He had not understood.

“Ah, my sweet little boy. The palace is a dangerous place.”

He had simply nodded back then, not knowing what she meant.

But now, seeing Sion, he felt uneasy.

What if he was planning to harm Lucas?

Leon squinted harder, tightening his glare.

Sion caught the look, blinking in disbelief before turning to Lucas.

“Your Highness, does the prince have some grievance against me?”

Lucas looked at Leon.

Leon immediately smiled—widely.

Lucas, unfazed, replied evenly, “Not that I am aware of.”

Leon’s smile widened further.

Hah! That’s right.

Sion frowned, then grumbled under his breath.

“Anyway, now that the letter is sent, it’s time for Your Highness to eat.”

“Yes!”

Leon immediately latched onto Lucas’s hand.

Behind them, Sion muttered disapprovingly.

“Your Grace, it is improper to hold the prince’s hand so carelessly—”

Leon froze.

Was Sion jealous?

Lucas never stayed close to Sion—but he was allowed to hold his hand.

Yes. That had to be it!

Feeling suddenly protective, Leon squeezed Lucas’s hand tighter.

Lucas, sensing the pressure, looked down.

“Your Highness, are you frightened?”

“Nope!”

“Then why are you holding my hand so tightly?”

“Am I not allowed to?”

“Well, no, but—”

“Then carry me!”

“…No. Holding hands is fine.”

Leon, not at all discouraged, rubbed his cheek against Lucas’s gloved hand and made a silent vow.

No matter how arrogant and rude Sion was—

He would never let go.

By the time they arrived at the dining hall, the servants visibly stiffened upon seeing them.

It was the same reaction Sion had earlier.

Why were they looking at him like that?

As they walked, the servants bowed respectfully, but Leon caught something in their eyes.

Uncertainty. Distrust.

The same way Raila and Prince Vilter Theian looked at him.

A sense of unease settled in Leon’s chest.

The way the servants looked at him, the way they seemed ready to push him away—it made him feel as though something was wrong.

And his instincts were not mistaken.

He had expected to sit next to Lucas, but instead, the servant pulled out a chair at the farthest end of the table.

“Your Highness, please sit here.”

“I’m sitting here.”

Leon remained firmly attached to Lucas’s arm, ignoring the servant’s request.

Seeing this, Lucas silently lifted him up and placed him directly in the seat beside him.

The servant gasped, voice trembling.

“H-Highness! T-The curse—”

“I’m fine.”

The servant clamped a hand over his mouth, glancing back and forth between Leon and Lucas.

Leon narrowed his eyes at him.

First Sion, now the servants—why were they avoiding Lucas?

It made no sense.

Lucas was the prettiest, kindest, and sweetest-smelling person in the world.

Why was everyone acting so afraid of him?

“I-I… I hope you enjoy your meal!”

With that, the servant hurriedly fled the room.

Leon stared after him, offended.

Such rude behavior in front of his own lord?!

And it wasn’t just that one servant.

All the others soon followed, abandoning their duties, leaving only Leon and Lucas at the table.

Leon turned toward Lucas, expecting him to be angry.

But Lucas looked completely unbothered.

He simply said, “Eat.”

Leon finally looked down at the food in front of him.

Butter-toasted bread, crispy bacon, fried eggs, fresh salad, and a steaming bowl of potato soup.

The smell alone made his stomach growl.

Still, he forced himself to hold back.

He wanted to show Lucas how well-mannered he was.

So, he carefully unfolded his napkin and tied it around his neck.

Then, he glanced at Lucas.

It would be nice if he noticed.

But Lucas was staring out the dining hall window, lost in thought.

“Uhm… Luca?”

At the soft call, Lucas finally turned his attention to him.

Leon, pleased to have gained his focus, quickly thought of something to say.

“You know… the book said that it’s really hard to find fresh vegetables in the north. But we have some right here! How?”

Lucas answered calmly.

“We trade with neighboring nations. We export fine lumber, mana stones, and large blocks of ice in exchange for fresh produce and other goods.”

Leon nodded.

So, the empire was wrong.

He had always been told that people in the north couldn’t get proper vegetables and had to survive on moss and grass.

But clearly, that wasn’t the case.

Taking a bite of his toast, he chewed happily before scooping up a spoonful of soup.

The problem was…

The spoon was too big.

Even when he opened his mouth wide, the cream dribbled down his lips.

Sensing Lucas’s gaze, Leon looked up.

Then, instead of being embarrassed—

He grinned.

“It’s really good!”

“…Yes, I can see that.”

Lucas’s eyes kept drifting toward Leon’s lips.

He tried to ignore it and focus on his meal.

But every time he glanced over, the mess on Leon’s face only grew.

He couldn’t take it anymore.

“Your Highness, come here for a moment.”

Pulling his gloves tighter, Lucas picked up a clean napkin and gently wiped the sauce off Leon’s mouth.

Leon closed his eyes and pouted his lips slightly, remaining completely still.

Lucas figured he was used to being cared for like this.

Had it been his mother? The servants?

Either way, since there was no one else in the room, it wasn’t as if Lucas had much of a choice.

After finishing with his lips, Lucas raised a hand to fix his slightly disheveled hair.

That was when he felt it.

Something soft and furry brushed against his fingers.

“…?”

Lucas froze.

Between his fingers, a fluffy tiger ear had twitched into view.

And behind Leon’s chair, a striped tail flicked from side to side.

Yet the boy himself remained completely unaware, still grinning brightly.