I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince

Steam clung to Lucas’s black hair, making it glisten under the dim light, while his pale skin shone with a dewy glow. The knights Leon had seen in the Imperial Palace all had rugged appearances, but Lucas… why was he so beautiful?

Leon stared at him, mesmerized, while inhaling the comforting scent that tickled his nose. Lucas chuckled softly.

“It seems the water temperature is to Your Highness’s liking.”

“Maybe because it’s cold outside? I like it even more than the palace baths!”

“That’s likely because this is hot spring water.”

Leon thought that wasn’t the real reason. It wasn’t the hot spring water that made this bath better than the palace—it was because Lucas was here. He wanted to say it, but for some reason, he felt like he shouldn’t, so he only opened and closed his mouth without speaking.

By the time his skin turned a warm shade of red, Lucas handed him a soft cloth.

“Use this to scrub your body.”

Lucas’s hands, still gloved, extended the cloth toward him.

Leon abruptly stood up in the tub and took it, then began scrubbing his shoulders, chest, and stomach with his small hands.

Perhaps I should have brought a smaller cloth?

The one he had given Leon was too large for his tiny hands, causing it to slip and tangle around his fingers. Leon blinked in confusion and asked,

“Huh? Luca, am I doing it wrong? Aren’t I supposed to scrub like this?”

“…No, that’s correct. You’re doing well. Just make sure to clean every part thoroughly.”

Lucas wanted to help, but it was better for Leon to learn on his own from the start. Though clumsy, the boy was meticulous, carefully scrubbing his stomach, legs, and even the soles of his feet.

“But Luca… I can’t reach my back. No matter how much I stretch, I can’t do it.”

Leon wiggled around, struggling to reach his back. The sight was amusing, but seeing him struggle, Lucas knew he had to step in.

After hesitating for a moment, Lucas finally removed his gloves and cautiously dipped his hands into the water. The warmth of the bath seemed to ease his tension slightly.

“I’ll do it for you.”

Leon beamed and handed him the cloth before turning around. As soon as Lucas placed the towel against his back, Leon’s small, rounded shoulders flinched.

“Hehe, i-it tickles!”

“Just bear with it for a moment.”

“Ugh, but it didn’t tickle when I did it myself.”

Lucas carefully scrubbed, mindful not to hurt the boy’s delicate skin. The warmth of Leon’s body mixed with the faint scent of childhood—soft and fresh, layered with the ever-present aroma of dark chocolate. It was strangely pleasant.

So warm and soft.

As he worked, Lucas recalled a distant memory from his childhood—overhearing whispers among the servants.

“Let’s play rock-paper-scissors. The loser has to bathe him. How about that?”

“I’d rather not. Just being near him makes me dizzy—I might pass out.”

“I don’t want to either… Should we just run away?”

Words sharp enough to cut deep.

Those servants had been caught by Michelle and permanently banished from the Grand Duke’s castle. But after that, Lucas had developed a habit of doing everything alone, as if proving he didn’t need anyone.

“An inferior omega raised in an orphanage isn’t fit to be your friend. Stay away from him.”

“We don’t hire recessive omegas here.”

He had heard those words countless times in his past life. He had grown used to them. But being used to something didn’t mean it stopped hurting.

At just fifteen, Lucas had forced himself to handle everything without a servant’s help. Over time, solitude became second nature to him.

Yet, Leon had been raised in the warmth of his parents’ love, cherished by an entire empire. If such loneliness ever reached him, he would suffer far more than Lucas ever had.

“It’s strange… When you wash me, Luca, it tickles, but it also feels nice.”

…Correction. Maybe this boy wouldn’t suffer at all. With his naturally bright personality, perhaps he’d be just fine.

Even now, Leon was happily splashing water around, some of it landing on Lucas’s clothes.

“I imagine the palace attendants struggled quite a bit when bathing Your Highness.”

“Huh? Why? They always said I was good at bathing.”

Even as he spoke, Leon wiggled and squirmed in the water.

“Because you’re so ticklish.”

“Hmm… But it never tickled when they did it. That’s weird.”

It was odd. Whenever Lucas’s bare hands touched him, it felt as if a feather was tickling his skin.

Lucas didn’t respond to that, merely lifting Leon out of the tub. He wrapped him in a dry towel, gently patting him down before dressing him in fresh clothes the attendants had prepared.

Leon’s clean skin gleamed under the dim light, like the sleek fur of a well-groomed cat.

It reminded Lucas of when he used to bathe Luru, the cat. After washing and drying her fur, she would rub her face against him, pressing against his warmth.

As he opened the bathroom door, Leon suddenly latched onto his arm, rubbing his cheek against the back of Lucas’s hand.

“……”

“So soft.”

…Just like Luru’s fur.

Lucas let Leon cling to him for as long as he wanted, waiting for him to let go on his own.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, the Empress’s heavy sigh filled the empty prince’s chamber.

Ashille stared endlessly at the walls, where crooked letters had been scrawled across them. She traced her son’s handwriting with her fingertips, biting her lip hard. Even now, as her heart ached, she refused to shed tears.

She had read his letter so many times that she could recite it from memory. After brushing her hand over his empty bed for what felt like the hundredth time, a voice called from outside.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty… May I enter?”

Judi, Leon’s nanny.

What could it be this time?

A terrible feeling surged through her chest. What if something had happened?

“Come in at once.”

The door opened, and Judi stepped inside. Thankfully, her expression was not grim—she even looked somewhat relieved.

“A letter has arrived from the Principality of Rion.”

“Already?”

Empress Asili bolted upright from the bed. It hadn’t been long since she had sent a reply to the urgent letter. Had something happened?

“Has His Majesty been informed?”

“W-Well… the recipient of this letter is Your Majesty.”

“For me?”

The letter was from none other than the Grand Duke of Rion. Yet, instead of addressing the Emperor, it had been sent directly to the Empress.

Empress Asili hastily tore open the envelope and began reading. Slowly, tears welled up in her eyes.

The letter, written in the Grand Duke’s name, was from her son.

To my beloved mother,

This is Leon.

It’s very, very cold here, but thanks to the kind-hearted Grand Duke Lucas Rion, I’m staying warm and comfortable. How have you been, Mother?

I’ve been so, so worried that you might be crying.

The reason I’m writing this letter is that the Grand Duke said Her Majesty must be missing me a lot. When I heard that, I started missing you too.

But I didn’t cry! Because I’m a brave prince and a tiger!

So please, don’t cry either, Mother.

Today, the Grand Duke taught me how to fall properly so I don’t get hurt even when I transform into a tiger. Now, even if I roll down a snowy hill, I won’t get hurt!

And now, I can take baths by myself, dress myself, and do everything on my own like a strong and independent—

The sheer liveliness of the words made Empress Asili forget her surroundings. Even with the nanny standing right beside her, she broke into sobs.

After crying for a long while, she held the letter tightly to her chest and whispered,

“Thank goodness… Thank goodness.”

She had spent so many sleepless nights, fearing what might happen to Leon under the care of the cold and fearsome Grand Duke.

“Thank you, Lucas Rion.”

And in that moment, she realized—how utterly absurd the rumors about the Northern Grand Duke truly were.

A man who could understand a mother’s heart could not possibly be heartless.

Just as Leon had written in his previous letter, Lucas Rion was indeed kind and gentle.

And for a cursed child who transformed into a tiger, the first thing he had taught him was how to fall safely…

How wise and compassionate he was.

“Your Majesty, what was in the letter? Could it be… about His Highness?”

Judi asked carefully. Empress Asili wiped her tears and smiled.

“Leon is doing well. He’s still just as bright, healthy… and unbearably lovable.”

“Phew… What a relief.”

Judi, who had cared for Leon since infancy, let out a breath of relief, placing a hand over her heart.

Bathed in the golden morning light, the two women sat facing each other, smiling softly.

There was a silent bond between them, one that transcended status—the connection of women who had raised a child together.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Whoa…! That was incredible!”

Leon gawked in awe as he watched Lucas and Sion spar.

Because of Lucas’s potent energy, he had to wear multiple layers of gloves and clothing, and Sion had also donned several layers to protect himself. While the extra layers looked slightly cumbersome, they did nothing to diminish the elegance of their movements.

Lucas was truly an unusual person.

Having spent several days shadowing him and learning all sorts of things, Leon had begun to notice things about him that others probably never did.

“When he gives orders to the servants, reads documents, or wields a sword… his expression hardens.”

Yet, Lucas did smile sometimes.

And there were moments when he looked sad.

Last night, Leon had seen him sitting in front of the fireplace, staring at a portrait of his parents. He hadn’t shed a single tear, but his face had been that of someone who was crying.

At first, Lucas had seemed unshakable. But now that Leon had seen this other side of him, a new wish took root in his heart.

I hope he smiles more… even brighter than he does now.