I Became the Cure for the Cursed Prince

Lucas knew that Frederick, the Emperor of Theian, was not a fool.

The second prince’s cruel and violent tendencies would have been evident from childhood. A ruler as shrewd as Frederick would never want to pass the throne to a ruthless tyrant like him.

That left only one option—the first prince.

Yet, according to the original novel, he was fated to die from illness.

“But what if the key to saving the first prince lies in the North?”

It was entirely possible.

The vast lands of the North contained rare herbs, mana stones, and all kinds of powerful monsters.

If his guess was correct, then the Grand Duchy now held the upper hand—the Empire needed something only they could provide.

With that advantage, Lucas could dictate the terms of their negotiations.

He rose from the sofa, his mind set.

“Grant them permission to enter Fort Pretus. That much should not cause any significant problems.”

Fort Pretus was an outer fortress Lucas had built on the eastern border near the Black Forest.

It was meant to facilitate diplomatic exchanges and trade with neighboring nations while preventing unnecessary conflicts.

“Understood,” Sion replied.

“Also, before we receive the delegation, the knights will accompany me on a reconnaissance mission. We’ll head toward the Black Forest. That’s where the Empire’s scouts were last seen—whatever they’re looking for might be there. We leave tomorrow. Prepare accordingly.”

Silence.

Despite his orders, Sion did not respond.

It was unlike him—he had never once questioned Lucas’s commands.

Yet now, he seemed hesitant, his lips pressed into a tight line.

“What is it?” Lucas asked.

“…Have you slept at all, Your Grace?”

Lucas blinked.

“What?”

“I saw the study lights on until dawn—again. Do you even know how many days it’s been?”

Lucas said nothing.

Sion pressed on, his tone softer.

“Lady Michelle is also worried. If it’s only reconnaissance, I can go alone.”

“No,” Lucas said firmly. “I need to go myself. Prepare as instructed.”

Sion clenched his jaw.

“…Understood, Your Grace.”

With a reluctant bow, he exited the study.

As he walked down the cold, empty corridors, he heard the door close behind him.

Turning back, he stared at the shut door and let out a quiet sigh.

“How much longer does he plan to carry everything alone?”

They had grown up together.

He knew Lucas better than anyone.

Despite the curse, despite the weight of his responsibilities, Lucas had never strayed from his path.

He threw himself into battle without hesitation.

He oversaw affairs of state with unwavering dedication.

He tended to his people just as diligently as he wielded his sword.

As a lord, there was no one more competent, more steadfast.

But as a friend…

Sion worried.

He worried that one day, Lucas’s exhaustion would catch up to him.

That the weight of his burdens would crush him.

He had always wished that Lucas would find an Omega who could be by his side—someone who could understand him, share in his struggles.

But with his curse, that was impossible.

“If only there was someone who could withstand his curse…”

Sion silently prayed for a miracle.

Then, shaking off his thoughts, he turned toward the knights’ barracks.

Leon sulked, crouched in a corner, whining softly.

He had transformed into such a magnificent form… yet he wasn’t even allowed to show it off?

Did they really think he wouldn’t figure it out?

“This is all Duke Keaton and Layla’s fault!”

He understood why he had to stay inside.

But what he couldn’t understand was why his father wasn’t letting him go to the North.

He had gained such an incredible ability, and he had already asked for it as his birthday wish.

Instead of embarking on an adventure, he was stuck in his room, unable to leave.

“Whiiine… When can I go…?”

Leon’s tail drooped.

He hated Duke Keaton and Layla for keeping him locked up.

Still, he was resilient.

Even if his father was worried now, he was certain that one day, he would get to go.

Clasping his front paws together, he prayed.

“Mighty Emperors of Theian… Lord of the Sun… Please let me go to the North. I promise I won’t… well, I won’t pull pranks all the time. And I won’t tease Judy. And I won’t… hate Vilter… too much.”

Just then, voices drifted in from outside the door.

His ears twitched.

Normally, he wouldn’t have been able to hear them.

But with his enhanced tiger senses, every word was crystal clear.

“Hic!”

Leon crept toward the door, pressing his ear against it.

The voices grew louder.

“When are the knights leaving?”

“Tomorrow. Count Eric is going with them, so we have to make sure the prince doesn’t notice.”

“Where are they going?”

“I don’t know. It’s a secret mission. We’re not supposed to talk about it.”

“Of course not.”

Leon’s eyes widened.

“A secret mission…?”

His tail flicked.

His golden eyes gleamed with curiosity.

If Count Eric was leaving…

Then his teacher—the one responsible for watching over him—would be gone.

And if that were the case…

“This is my chance!”

Leon’s mind worked quickly.

The palace attendants were always the ones who knew the most secrets.

And Judy—lively, curious, and always full of gossip—was rarely wrong.

A diplomatic delegation that included knights?

“They’re definitely going to the North.”

Otherwise, why else would they send a delegation with knights at this time?

And the fact that even the attendants didn’t know their destination?

Suspicious.

Leon’s whiskers twitched with excitement.

He rubbed his paws over his face, enjoying the sensation of his fur.

Then—an idea struck him.

“That’s it!”

Right now, he was a tiger cub.

That meant:

He was small.
He could hide easily.
He could climb walls.
His senses were sharper than ever.
He was incredibly fast.

So…

If he wrote a letter to his father explaining everything, then snuck onto the delegation’s carriage, he could secretly travel to the North.

And once he got there, he would hunt a monster, bring it back, and shock the empire with his incredible strength!

“And I’ll get to play with the fairy again!”

Leon purred in excitement.

His plan was perfect.

Climbing onto his desk, he prepared to write his letter.

But then—a problem arose.

“Wait… how am I supposed to hold a pen like this?”

He stared at his paws.

His claws weren’t made for writing.

Frowning, he pressed his paw against the wooden desk, scratching it lightly.

Thin grooves formed beneath his claws.

“Oh! I can carve the words instead!”

With his sharp claws, Leon began to scratch out his letter on the wooden surface.

[To His Majesty the Emperor, whom I respect dearly.]

As the proud son of the Theian Empire, I, Leon Theian, must travel to the North to become a strong and courageous prince.

However, I must be cautious, so I will go secretly without letting anyone find out.

Tomorrow, I will hide inside the delegation’s carriage. Please do not worry. I will return safely and in great health.

I love Her Majesty the Empress as well.

Leon sat back, nodding in satisfaction.

“This should do. He’ll scold me when I return… but that’s fine.”

If it meant he could meet the fairy again and play in the birch forest, he didn’t mind getting in trouble.

To make sure no one found the letter too soon, he stacked several books over the carved writing, hiding it completely.

Then, he leaped onto the opposite wall.

His claws dug into the stone, leaving marks, but climbing wasn’t too difficult.

“I should test my skills first. I’ll sneak to the greenhouse and back!”

The delegation was leaving early in the morning, so he just needed one test run.

Taking a deep breath, he scaled the wall, reaching the window.

Back when he was human, this window had been too high for him to open.

Now?

It opened effortlessly with a light push of his paw.

Grinning, he tapped his paws together in excitement, then jumped down into the bushes below.

He had been a little worried about the landing—but he didn’t feel a single bit of pain.

“Hehe!”

His tail lifted high, his chest puffed out in pride.

He focused his ears and nose, carefully avoiding the palace guards as he moved silently through the shadows.

“This is amazing! If I had transformed sooner, I could’ve pranked Layla every day!”

Suppressing a giggle, Leon crept toward the greenhouse.

That’s when he spotted several attendants moving hurriedly.

Hiding behind the bushes, he observed them carefully.

Soon, he saw a familiar knight approach the attendants, exchanging a few quiet words before walking away.

“So this is their departure point.”

Since this was a secret mission, they were probably departing through the greenhouse, traveling discreetly through the forest.

The distance between his room and the greenhouse was exactly half the distance to where the delegation was supposed to leave from tomorrow.

Curling and uncurling his claws, Leon did the math.

A huge grin spread across his face.

“Perfect.”

Now, all he had to do…

Was wait for morning.