Chapter 26
As Lucas hesitated, trying to pull his hand away again, Leon tightened his grip, weaving their fingers even more firmly together.
“Lucas, think about it. What if I let go of your hand and suddenly turn into a tiger? What if I’m too strong and end up scaring the attendants?”
Leon sighed dramatically, his entire body going limp as if he were utterly exhausted.
“And besides, I feel weak from all the training earlier… What if I really do transform?”
Lucas couldn’t find a suitable counterargument.
With no other choice, he relented, leaving one glove off as he walked out of the room with Leon’s hand still in his.
Even as they strolled through the long corridor, Lucas remained alert, scanning the surroundings.
Meanwhile, Leon bounced along happily, grinning from ear to ear.
“Your Highness, doesn’t that hurt your legs? The marble floor is quite hard.”
“I’m just excited!”
Watching Leon practically float with each step, Lucas found himself lowering his guard slightly.
This was a secluded area, and it was dinnertime—everyone would be busy. There was little chance of encountering anyone.
To be walking without his gloves, outside of his own quarters, and not feeling anxious…
The sensation of warm, bare hands intertwined was unfamiliar. The crisp evening air brushed against his skin, free from the constraint of fabric.
It almost felt as if, at long last, spring had arrived for him.
The castle, once dull and unchanging, now seemed renewed—just because of Leon’s presence.
Dining Hall
By the time Lucas and Leon reached the dining hall, dinner preparations were well underway.
Michelle was already seated, having arrived early for the rare opportunity to share a meal with Lucas.
She knew she couldn’t sit right next to him, but even from a distance, she simply wanted to spend time with him.
“The bread smells wonderful.”
At her remark, one of the attendants setting the table responded,
“His Grace requested this bread specially. It’s soft and fluffy, quite difficult to find in this region.”
“He made a special request…? Was it for that kid—the prince of Theian?”
“Yes, Your Grace. The young prince found the local bread too hard to eat, so…”
“Hah! He worries over the strangest things.”
A tiger’s teeth were plenty strong. Why would that even be a concern?
Lucas had always been too soft—that was his problem.
Michelle frowned as she observed the dishes being arranged.
At that moment, Emma came rushing into the hall, practically out of breath.
“Lady Michelle!”
“Why are you making such a fuss?”
“…I-It’s His Grace!”
“What about Lucas?”
“He—he’s not wearing his gloves!”
Michelle scoffed.
She hadn’t eaten anything yet, so there was no way she had misheard.
“Say something that makes sense. Lucas would never do that.”
“I swear it’s true!”
Emma was known to be chatty, but she wasn’t the type to lie.
Realizing something was truly amiss, Michelle let Emma help her to her feet.
And then—through the window, she saw it.
Lucas. Holding hands with Leon.
With bare hands.
“What in the…”
Michelle’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open.
It was shocking enough that he had removed his gloves.
But to actually hold someone else’s hand?
For a moment, even as she saw it with her own eyes, she couldn’t believe it.
But Michelle was the Grand Duchess.
She quickly collected herself.
She had already witnessed, back in the greenhouse, that Lucas’s curse did not affect the prince.
But this was different.
Lucas had refused to show his bare skin for years.
And yet, here he was, holding hands with a child.
More than that—what was truly unbelievable—was the expression on Lucas’s face.
She hadn’t seen that look in so long.
Her little brother, her precious brother.
Lucas had always been gentle, kind-hearted.
But losing their parents so young, suffering under the weight of his curse—he had grown distant.
Maybe, more than anything, it had been the resignation of a man who had accepted his own misfortune.
For so long, Lucas had shut himself away.
As if hope no longer existed for him.
But now, his expression was the same as it had been when they were children, running through the halls together, laughing.
Michelle clenched her fists, holding back the surge of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her.
She still had her concerns.
Leon was a prince from an enemy nation, and there were too many uncertainties.
But if—because of him—Lucas could find even a fragment of happiness…
Then none of that mattered.
A faint smile played on Michelle’s lips just as Lucas and Leon entered the dining hall.
“Greetings, Lady Michelle!”
Leon stood with his hands neatly clasped in front of him, greeting her politely.
It was impossible, but… Had he grown again in just a few days?
He already carried himself with such maturity.
“Yes, Your Highness. Today, I will be joining you for dinner.”
“Yes! Of course! That’s great!”
Leon’s excitement was impossible to miss.
Without hesitation, he plopped down into the seat beside Lucas.
It was an adult-sized chair, leaving Leon’s legs dangling in the air.
Michelle eyed the sight with a dispassionate expression before commenting flatly,
“Lucas, you need to get new furniture.”
“Furniture?”
Lucas blinked in confusion.
Michelle furrowed her brow.
“A child-sized chair. There hasn’t been a child in this castle for a long time, so I’m sure there are many inconveniences.”
“…I see. Understood.”
Lucas responded evenly, but inside, he was taken aback.
Michelle had always been meticulous, but wasn’t this the same sister who had been wary of Leon just days ago?
Does this mean… she’s starting to accept him?
Relieved, Lucas was about to instruct a servant to make the arrangements.
But before he could, Leon suddenly raised his voice.
“Wow! Does this mean we’re going to a furniture store?”
Lucas opened his mouth to correct the misunderstanding, but before he could, Michelle unexpectedly took Leon’s side.
“Yes, choosing it in person would be a good idea.”
Lucas, who always followed his sister’s words without question, had no choice but to respond accordingly.
“…It’s difficult to decide right away. I need to discuss my schedule with Sion, and Your Highness also—”
“I’ll take care of Sion, so don’t worry about that. And… Your Highness?”
Michelle narrowed her eyes slightly and gestured for Leon to come closer.
Leon, puzzled, tilted his head before stepping toward her.
As soon as he was close, Michelle leaned in and whispered softly into his ear.
“No matter what, make sure Lucas goes to the furniture store.”
Leon’s eyes widened.
Wait… Is the Grand Duchess asking me for a favor?
He swallowed nervously and met her gaze.
In the imperial palace, Judy’s expressions had always betrayed her emotions, making her easy to read. But Michelle was different—no matter how much he studied her face, he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
What do I do?
Leon stood frozen until Michelle added in a quiet voice,
“My brother needs to get some sunlight and be around more people.”
Ah, so that’s what this is about!
“Of course! Leave it to me!”
Only then did Michelle smile and nod.
It was a bright, warm smile.
When she was expressionless, she had seemed intimidating, but smiling like this… she looked strangely similar to Lucas.
The Grand Duchess is a good person, too.
Whew… What a relief.
Feeling reassured, Leon clutched his chest and returned to his seat.
Leon woke up early, eagerly sitting beside Lucas and playing with his hand.
Lucas was usually a light sleeper, waking at the slightest movement, but lately, he had been sleeping more deeply.
He must be catching up on all the sleep he missed…
Excited, Leon placed Lucas’s hand against his cheek, squeezed their hands together, and even kissed his palm.
The best part, of course, was kissing his cheek.
Overcome with joy, he leaned in again, about to press another kiss to Lucas’s face—
But Lucas’s eyes snapped open.
“Ah—!”
Startled, Leon flinched and quickly pulled back.
Lucas blinked a few times, stretching his arms lazily before speaking in a drowsy voice.
“You’re up early.”
“Of course! We’re going out today. The Grand Duchess said so!”
Lucas exhaled a slow sigh as he sat up.
What’s this? Did he change his mind overnight?
Yesterday, he agreed to go…
Feeling nervous, Leon quickly added,
“The chair is uncomfortable. It’s hard to study while sitting on it… So we have to go to the furniture store!”
Lucas studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, his gaze dropped slightly.
Still half-drowsy, he hadn’t realized it earlier—
But Leon was still holding his hand.
Even now, after sleeping through the night.
Yesterday, during training, Leon had seemed more strained than usual. Unlike his usual bright demeanor, there had been a slight weariness to him.
Even if Leon didn’t see his transformations as a curse, the uncertainty of when it might happen must weigh on him.
That’s why he hadn’t let go of Lucas’s hand, not even in sleep.
What should I do?
He couldn’t take an unstable, power-struggling tiger prince outside.
But rejecting him outright would only deepen his anxiety.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Lucas came up with the perfect solution.
“Your Highness, then let’s do this.”
