Chapter 20
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Leon clasped his hands together politely and bowed.
“Hello. I am the prince of Theian—”
But Michelle, cold as an ice witch, did not acknowledge his greeting.
“Lucas, what exactly do you think you’re doing? It’s not enough that you’re protecting an enemy prince—now you’re also ruining the precious greenhouse?”
A deep crease formed on Lucas’s forehead.
Leon tilted his head, glancing up at him.
That expression—it was the same one he made when his mother scolded him.
Come to think of it, Michelle had introduced herself as his sister. That meant Lucas was getting scolded.
Realizing this, Leon quickly stepped forward to shield him.
“Grand Duchess! Please, hear me out!”
At last, the ice witch turned her gaze toward him.
Her stare was sharp enough to make most people faint on the spot, but Leon’s golden eyes didn’t waver as he met her gaze head-on.
“His Grace did nothing wrong. He wanted to train properly today, but I was the one who insisted on playing instead. And the flower… I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have picked it, but it looked so much like Lucas that I wanted to give it to him as a gift. Could you please forgive me just this once?”
Well, look at this.
Just moments ago, the prince had been acting like an oblivious child, but now he had straightened his posture and was delivering a perfectly respectful plea.
So, he had been properly educated after all.
“And if I refuse? What will you do then?”
As a dominant Alpha, Michelle’s anger alone was enough to make most people tremble or even collapse.
Even other dominant Alphas struggled to meet her gaze.
But the little brat before her? He responded in a clear, unwavering voice.
“Then I will take the punishment instead!”
“Oh? Is that so? Then I’ll just have to—”
Just as Michelle was about to say something drastic, Lucas quickly grabbed Leon by the waist and lifted him off the ground.
At the same time, he spoke urgently.
“Sister, let’s discuss this privately. You’ve been unwell with the changing seasons, and we haven’t spoken in some time. I’ll entrust His Highness to Sion for now and meet you in the study. Please wait there. I’ll call for a servant to assist you.”
Michelle glanced between Lucas and the prince clinging to his neck before exhaling sharply.
At the very least, the child knew how to show proper respect.
Michelle was naturally cold and firm, but—much like Lucas—she had a soft spot for people.
The boy must feel lonely, she thought. He traveled all the way here alone, cursed, and isolated. No wonder he clings to Lucas like a chick following its mother hen.
There was no need to intentionally hurt a child like that.
“Fine. But if you don’t have a good explanation, you’d better be prepared.”
“…Understood.”
Michelle watched as Lucas carried Leon off, practically fleeing the scene.
Leon, peeking over Lucas’s shoulder, bobbed his head in another polite bow.
For some reason, he was grinning widely, his cheeks flushed red with delight.
Michelle pursed her lips, suppressing a scoff.
“Children… truly dangerous creatures.”
High above, a large-beaked bird flapped its wings and retreated into its nest.
Moments later, soft chirping spread through the greenhouse—an alert to the other animals.
The ice witch just smiled. That means she’s angry. Stay in your nests. Don’t come out.
At that warning, all the creatures in the greenhouse let out quiet cries of agreement.
Michelle covered her ears, muttering under her breath.
“Why is this place so noisy today? I thought we had good caretakers. Have they been neglecting the other animals in favor of raising a tiger?”
Deciding to investigate later, Michelle took Emma’s hand as her attendant finally arrived.
For now, it was time to hear whatever excuse Lucas had prepared.
Meanwhile, with Sion and Leon
“Sion, can’t I go back to Lucas?”
Leon pleaded, but Sion only frowned deeper.
His expression was always stern, but today, he looked particularly grim.
“No.”
“But being away from Lucas is really, really scary.”
“Don’t lie. I’ve already observed that you’re far braver than you let on. And didn’t you hear His Grace earlier? He told you not to move an inch from my side. I won’t be tricked today.”
Leon pouted.
It seemed Sion was absolutely determined not to let him go anywhere today.
That only made him feel more anxious.
“Sion, is the Grand Duchess really that scary?”
Sion hesitated before answering.
“She is a dominant Alpha and was the Grand Duke before her injury. So, to you, she must seem intimidating. But she is also a remarkable person… and quite beautiful.”
As he spoke, Sion’s expression grew oddly dreamy.
Leon ignored that and asked another question.
“Then, is she the strongest person in this castle? Even stronger than Lucas?”
“In terms of hierarchy, yes.”
Does that mean she holds as much authority as His Majesty the Emperor?
Hearing Sion’s words only made Leon more anxious. By now, Lucas was probably getting scolded by Michelle all alone…
Whenever Leon was scolded by his mother at the imperial palace, Judy would always be there to hold his hand. But Lucas had no one beside him—so it was bound to be much scarier for him.
I have to protect Luca… But Sion is the problem. How do I escape?
Leon fidgeted restlessly, but there was nothing he could do. Sion stood watchfully by the door, fully alert. There was no way to slip past him.
If I were in my tiger form, I could escape…
After training with Lucas, Leon had become much faster and more skilled at concealing himself while in his tiger form. He was certain he could pull it off.
Imagining the terrifying Michelle towering over Lucas, scolding him, while Lucas sat there miserably—maybe even crying—only made Leon more desperate.
He had never wished so earnestly to become a tiger before.
Leon repeated the thought in his mind over and over.
Transform, transform, transform! Please, let me change!
And then—
“Y-Your Highness?”
A sensation of shrinking rushed through his body, and suddenly, his hands became soft, furry paws.
Leon had transformed.
The moment Sion reacted, Leon bolted out the door.
“Your Highness! Stop right there!”
Sion’s boots thundered against the floor, echoing through the halls, but Leon—now on four legs—was much faster.
Weaving between armor displays and statues, he expertly evaded pursuit, using a gap behind a decorative suit of armor to shake off Sion completely.
Only after Sion’s footsteps faded into the distance did Leon let out a quiet breath.
“Grrr… (Sorry, Sion. But I had no choice—I have to save Lucas!)”
But wait… how had he transformed this time?
It was the first time he had successfully changed forms exactly when he wanted to.
Repeating his desperate wish to protect Lucas—that had triggered the transformation.
So Lucas really is the key!
Leon was thrilled at his discovery, almost tempted to roll around on the floor in excitement.
But first—saving Lucas was the priority.
Perking up his ears and sniffing the air, Leon’s heightened senses immediately picked up a familiar scent.
Lucas’s warm vanilla fragrance lingered in the air like a trail, guiding him straight to the study.
Stealthily, Leon slipped from shadow to shadow, making his way toward Lucas.
Inside the Study
At that very moment, Lucas sat across from Michelle, facing her stern, unyielding gaze.
Arms crossed, her expression was as sharp as a blade.
“Take a look at this.”
Lucas handed her a sealed letter bearing the imperial crest of Theian.
As she took it, he began detailing everything that had happened—why he had taken in Leon, and the careful reasoning behind his decision.
Michelle listened in silence, nodding occasionally as she absorbed his words.
At last, she sighed.
“I understand. But!”
Just then, Leon—who had finally arrived outside the study—flinched at Michelle’s raised voice.
Had she caught him?!
Pressing himself against the wall, he pricked his ears forward, straining to listen.
“You’re too attached to him. You won’t let him out of your sight for a single moment.”
Leon’s fur bristled.
Was she trying to separate him from Lucas? No way!
Lucas’s steady voice followed.
“Sister, he’s just a child. I can care for him without neglecting my duties—there’s no need to worry.”
“I’m not worried about your work.”
“Then what—?”
“I’m worried that you’ll give too much of your heart to him. And when the time comes for him to leave… what then? It will hurt both of you.”
Leon’s ears drooped as he processed Michelle’s words.
She didn’t want Lucas to grow attached to him.
She wanted them to separate eventually.
She really didn’t like him.
“There’s no need to worry,” Lucas reassured her. “The only things I concern myself with are the peace of the North and your health, Sister.”
A deep sigh escaped Michelle.
Even through the thick walls, Leon could hear it clearly.
And that sigh made his heart sink.
