[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 38: A Song of Angel

Nazia stepped into the dimly lit room. The sight, even for someone as experienced as her, made her stomach churn. Blood painted the stone floor, congealing in some places while still trickling in others.

The lifeless body, twisted and mutilated, bore marks of a struggle that even death could not hide. The metallic stench in the air suffocated her every breath.

She frowned and her jaw tightened. While trying to suppress her disgust, she knelt and began to inspect the remains.

Moments later, the rhythmic tap of boots echoed in the corridor. Without even turning around she knew it was Raymond Eldritch.

Ray spared the corpse a glance before kneeling beside the lady, "Didn’t expect his Grace to be done this quickly." His voice carried a tone of nonchalance and even faint admiration.

"Healer was here..."

At that, Ray let out a faint sigh.

Without another word, he grabbed a broom and began the grim task of gathering the fleshy debris that scattered across the floor. "Normal thieves don’t fight with such precision."

Nazia gave a brief nod. "An assassin, then."

Ray inspected the severed fingers and scars running down the man’s arms. "A highly trained one, too. He wouldn’t have risked entering without significant skill. His intent was clear: kill His Grace or at least injure him heavily."

Nazia’s frown deepened as she glanced toward the study table. Blood still smeared the edges of the archduke’s chair. "I should fetch His Grace a new set of clothes.

She was about to move but recalling that glare, she stopped.

"Don’t," Ray said with a dry smirk, "His Grace would have called us if he needed something. You know better than to risk his ire, my lady."

He grabbed a thick cloth and began wrapping the corpse without any hint of disgust, all the while muttering, "I hope that silly healer won’t do something stupid and get himself killed."

Nazia stiffened at that. "He was carrying his Grace in his arms, afraid that..." she found it hard to speak further, "That, His Grace must be afraid of this dead man."

Ray, "..."

How long will it take for the silly healer to notice that "Rael" is the Archduke? And his Grace is the nightmare others didn’t even dare to whisper about. How can he be afraid?

His master had been interrogating his enemies since he was a child. Torture was practically second nature to him!

He snorted, "If anything, this thief got lucky. That was probably the shortest interrogation His Grace has ever conducted." I’d wager it was that silly healer’s arrival that made him speed things up.

Meanwhile in Xion’s Room . . .

The soft glow of a magical lantern cast warm light over the small chamber.

Darius, now freshly bathed, was dressed in a soft blue shirt and grey pants. The clothes were, without a doubt, two sizes bigger than his frame.

The healer had helped him roll his sleeves, and now he was silently sitting on the edge of the bed.

Xion stood behind him, gently drying the child’s hair with a soft towel. "Just a minute. It will be over soon," he said softly while a light smile graced his lips.

Darius repeatedly blinked his emerald eyes. There was something peculiarly soothing about the healer’s touch - no, about Xion’s hands - that he could not ignore.

Against his better judgment, he found himself almost enjoying the quiet care being lavished upon him.

"There we go," Xion smiled while combing the now-dry silver locks.

After making sure that Rael was comfortable, he walked over to the bowl of noodles he had prepared earlier.

He placed his hand on the ceramic bowl, and the warm noodles started emitting hot steam.

He set the bowl on the low table beside the bed before kneeling beside Rael. "Baby must be hungry, right," Xion coaxed gently. "Let’s eat while it’s hot."

Rael did not move, and silly Xion mistakingly thought Rael was silent due to his fear. Of course, after everything Rael had endured, fear and shock were natural.

Without waiting for a response, Xion took the spoon and scooped up some broth. He blew on it softly before bringing the spoon to Rael’s lips. "Here. I promise you’ll like it."

For a moment, Rael did not react. Then, as if humoring the healer, he opened his mouth and took the spoon in.

Xion smiled in relief. His actions only made Darius even more amused.

"Good boy," Xion praised, ruffling the child’s hair affectionately. Then, he slowly fed Rael the vegetables, the noodles and the broth, one spoonful at a time.

Looking at the pitch-black darkness outside, Xion helped the still-silent Rael into the bed and covered him in a duvet.

"Close your eyes. You’ll feel much better after some rest," he murmured, pulling the child into a protective hug.

Nonetheless, those green eyes remained fixed on his face. Xion noticed how they seemed to swirl with thoughts that made them turn darker, shrouded with something haunting he could not put his finger on.

However, Xion was too focused on making Rael calm. Thinking a bit, he hummed a lullaby he had heard in his old life.

"Hush, little one, the stars shine so bright,

An angel is here to guard you tonight~"

Xion patted Darius’ back in a rhythm to his song.

"With big glowing wings, they chase away fear,

Sleep safe and sound, for the angel is near~"

Perhaps it was the inherent talent of the original body, Xion’s voice was melodic like an angel’s whisper. It drilled softly into Darius’ ears, and he slowly closed his eyes.

Looking at the peacefully sleeping boy, Xion leaned forward and pressed his lips onto his forehead, "Have a good dream, sweetheart."

He had been treating so many patients, and then he utilized his energy to make noodles. A little bit of the residue mana was consumed in heating the food.

His stomach let out a low rumble in a protest of hunger, but the day’s exhaustion had started pressing on him.

His eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment, and the urge to eat something waned against the seduction of sweet sleep.

Xion’s head tilted forward. It softly rested against Rael’s long silver locks. Within minutes, he was asleep.