President Baby's Bride

Chapter 10: The Doctor's Warning

Leona sat in contemplative silence, her expression peculiar as she considered the striking contrast between Lucian's past and present. The image of that sickly child fighting to walk, refusing help despite constant falls, seemed impossible to reconcile with the tiny tyrant who casually ordered architectural modifications to solve height differences.

Doctor Cici's playful demeanor suddenly shifted to something more serious, the transformation so striking that Leona straightened instinctively. "Do you understand now? His Highness wasn't born a genius—he forged himself into one. That brilliant mind of his was tempered through endless study and determination. He is, in every sense, a miracle."

Leona found herself nodding. It explained so much: the way he carried himself like he had to prove something to the world, his obsession with control, his refusal to acknowledge any limitations—even those imposed by basic human needs like sleep.

Still, something in Doctor Cici's tone made her uneasy. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"When His Highness decides on something, he never lets go." Doctor Cici's expression grew grave as they fixed Leona with an intense stare that sent chills down her spine. "Never."

"Ha ha... could you maybe make that sound a little less terrifying?" Leona laughed nervously. "You're starting to sound like him with the ominous warnings."

"He would rather die than let go," Doctor Cici continued, their voice dropping to an ominous whisper. "He would take what he wants to the grave, piece by piece, slowly, gradually..." They had switched to full horror movie mode, complete with dramatic pauses and foreboding tone. "Just like when he was learning to walk—every fall, every failure, only made him more determined."

Leona felt ice creeping up her spine. The doctor's words hit uncomfortably close to home. She'd seen that determination firsthand—in the way he'd systematically dismantled every one of her objections to their engagement, in how he'd literally elevated himself rather than accept a joke about his height...

"And now," Doctor Cici's eyes gleamed, "he's decided on you."

Before Leona could process that disturbing statement, a familiar crisp voice cut through the tension: "Are you auditioning for a horror film, Doctor?"

Doctor Cici's demeanor transformed instantly. "Oh, Your Highness!" they cooed, whirling toward the doorway where Lucian stood with Year at his usual post. They bounded across the room with impossible grace and enveloped Lucian in an enthusiastic embrace, pressing his face against their chest. "I've missed you terribly, darling! You never call for me anymore—my heart is breaking!"

Leona's lip twitched. Year's face spasmed as he took several strategic steps backward, clearly familiar with what was coming. The temperature in the room dropped steadily.

"Get. Away. From. This. Crown. Prince. NOW." Each word carried enough frost to start a new ice age.

"But darling!" Doctor Cici whined, snuggling closer. "I'm your beloved physician! We have such a special bond~"

Lucian's small frame trembled with barely contained rage. "IMMEDIATELY!"

With an exaggerated pout that somehow managed to be both ridiculous and elegant, Doctor Cici finally released him.

"Ten steps back," Lucian ordered, pointing with the imperial authority of someone three times his size.

Doctor Cici dutifully counted backward, making each step a miniature performance. "One~ two~ three~ ten!"

Just as they opened their mouth to speak again, Lucian's eyes flashed. "Don't. Move."

Doctor Cici glanced between Leona and Lucian, then broke into a delighted smile. "Oh my! You two even speak alike! Such commanding presence! Truly a matched pair!"

"Am I really so terrible?" they asked coyly, touching their tongue to painted lips in a way that made Leona want to check for nearby exits.

"You're revolting," Leona and Lucian said simultaneously, then froze, looking at each other before quickly turning away.

Year's expression grew strange while Doctor Cici clapped in delight. "See? Perfect for each other! The chemistry is already there!"

"Chemistry?" Lucian muttered. "Like sulfuric acid?"

"Precisely!" Doctor Cici beamed. "Corrosive yet fascinating!"

The doctor's words made Leona cringe—both at the sentiment and the accuracy of the metaphor. Lucian merely cast them a cold look that would have sent most people running. "You may leave now."

He sat down with a newspaper, clearly dismissing them. But Doctor Cici was not so easily deterred. If anything, his coldness seemed to encourage them.

"Now, now, let me examine you properly!" They descended on Lucian with grabby hands and a predatory smile. "We must ensure our little prince is in perfect health!"

Leona instinctively shrank back, though she wasn't even the target. The doctor's intensity was... unsettling. She was starting to understand why Lucian had developed such strong personal space preferences.

"Stop. Touching. Me." Lucian's voice could have frozen fire.

"But His Excellency ordered me to check on you! You remember—June 20th? I must do your regular examination!" Their hands were already tugging at his jacket.

This wasn't an examination—it was straight-up harassment! Though Leona had to admire their dedication to the act.

"This Crown Prince is perfectly healthy," Lucian ground out, batting away wandering hands.

"Nonsense! You work too hard, sleep too little, and threaten too many people. It's not good for your blood pressure!"

Their battle over Lucian's clothes continued until he finally snapped, "DOCTOR CICI!"

They paused, pouting. "So scary when you use my name like that! Call me 'beautiful one' instead—much nicer!"

"Beautiful... what?" Year muttered, looking pained. Leona wondered how many times he'd witnessed this particular routine.

"DOCTOR. CICI." The newspaper crumpled in Lucian's grip, his small face a study in contained fury.

Leona could see him struggling to control his temper. Even demon princes had to respect their lifesaving physicians, it seemed. Though watching his usual icy composure c***k was... kind of entertaining.

"Fine, fine!" Doctor Cici released him with a dramatic sigh. "I was just passing through, checking in! Time to go!"

They paused at the door, glancing back with a wicked smile. "Though I must say, Your Highness, I approve of your taste. The older woman angle is quite... spicy!"

Lucian's eye twitched murderously. "Doctor Cici, I think—"

"No, no, don't think! Pretend I was never here!" They vanished in a swirl of silk and feathers, leaving one floating dramatically behind.

"Every. Single. Time." Lucian muttered, straightening his clothes with precise, angry movements.

"They seem... intense," Leona offered diplomatically.

"They're insane," Lucian corrected. "But they're also brilliant, so we tolerate their... eccentricities."

"Like we tolerate yours?"

His eyes narrowed. "I am not eccentric. I am strategically unique."

"Of course you are, sugar-plum."

"I will have those dungeons renovated."

"See? Strategically unique!"

Year cleared his throat before their bickering could escalate. "Your Highness, about the trade delegation..."

"Yes, yes." Lucian stood, his composure restored. "Try not to cause chaos while I'm gone."

"Would I do that?"

"You turned my entire security staff into nervous wrecks with pet names alone."

"They needed the entertainment! Besides," Leona grinned, "watching you turn purple is good for morale."

"The dungeons are looking better by the minute."

But there was a slight upturn to his lips as he left, and Leona found herself smiling too. Strange how quickly this had become... normal.

Though Doctor Cici's words echoed in her mind: When His Highness decides on something, he never lets go.

She looked at the feather left behind, thinking about determination and choices and tiny tyrants who refused to yield.

What a terrifying thought.