[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 52: Xion belongs to me now, does he not?

"I lived with my teacher before I was taken to the Marquis’ estate," Xion nervously flicked his gaze to Rael’s inquisitive eyes. "Even if I don’t have money, I still have a few medicines with me. My teacher wanted me to sell them if I ever needed to."

Xion forcefully plastered a small smile on his face, hoping it would put some sincerity into his words. Inside, though, he was mentally giving himself a thumbs up.

He had managed to come up with a story that not only explained why he had special items but also subtly hinted at the reasons behind his decision to run away.

How wonderful!

Rael’s grip on his chin loosened. Without another word, the boy leaned back into his pillow.

This much should be fine, Xion pondered. By the looks of it, Rael obviously believed him. freewёbnoνel.com

Darius did believe him, however, his query was never what Xion had assumed it to be.

Why is Xion not like other humans? Why does the boy possess such a blinding brilliance?

A few of such queries somehow agitated him. He, who knew every single thing his retinue was doing, found himself unable to decipher even the slightest detail of his new healer.

But he had enough time to unravel all the riddles and mysteries. Did he not?

After all, Xion belonged to him now.

The Archduke closed his eyes briefly, as if relishing the delectable thought, before opening them again.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips, while his bony fingers absently traced the cold pendant resting against his chest.

The ache had always been consistent, thrumming stubbornly through his entire body. It had been such a long time, twelve years to be exact, since his condition worsened.

But now...

The shallow puffs of his breath grew easier, and he almost marveled at the sensation of his own body. It felt light, untethered, and free.

His fingers brushed over the outer golden edge of the green locket.

Perhaps it was due to the fact that the tiny gem had been eating his mana for years. Over time, its once pristine white surface had gradually shifted. And now it resembled the pale color of his eyes.

Whenever his illness flared, the pendant would then use the reserved mana to save his body.

It was not a cure, but a carefully planned buffer that allowed him to slow the progression of his condition and delayed the inevitable march toward early death.

Yet, despite its usefulness, it never gave him a moment of true relief. Atleast, not like this.

He had figured out how to shrink his body to save on heavy consumption of energy and slow down the deteriorating process.

For the first time in years, Darius felt his body so... comfortable.

The effect of the medicine was so good, it made Darius think about all the plans he had made for his future. He might need to change those.

"Do you know what this pendant does?" Darius stopped fiddling with the shiny jewel. His focus was entirely on Xion.

"It regenerates your body, or at least, helps in some way," Xion replied honestly. Anyway, there was no point in hiding what he had already figured out.

If he denied it, that would only raise more suspicion.

Even though Xion had only been with Rael for nearly a week, it was evident to him that the child had suffered greatly. It was inevitable for him to be vigilant.

No wonder despite being eleven, Rael still managed to look scary.

"How do you know?" Darius patted the space beside him, silently inviting Xion to join him.

This time, the healer did not bother anymore.

Like a child who would overlook any grievance the instant he received some sweet delights, the naive Xion too forgot how, only minutes before, his heart was hammering in his ribcage from fear.

With a sunny, harmless smile, he plopped on the bed, right beside Rael.

"I saw it when I first met you. But I only figured it out just now."

Xion casually covered Rael properly with the duvet before slipping his legs inside as well.

"I know you have too many things to do. But there is an old saying, Body is the temple. We worship it for a better life."

Xion spoke so gently, so tenderly that the words I hate temples, could not slip past Darius’ pale lips.

Following Xion’s movements, Darius shifted down. A soft hand slid through his long hair. Delicate, thin fingers gently moved across his scalp.

Darius had no idea whether it was his weakness, or if his body had always been this sensitive. A slight numbness tingled through his head and flooded his limbs.

A low groan of comfort rumbled in his throat, and he subconsciously tilted his head closer to the light touch.

The dichotomy between his desire to let Xion stay there longer and the need to remain vigilant over Xion’s mysterious past caused a dull throb in his head.

It was not even the real pain. Rather, it was the phantom of the lingering ache which had always crowded his senses.

And strangely, Xion’s touch seemed to soothe even that.

"From now on I will take care of your food. We need to make a proper menu for you. We also need to make your body strong. Only then can we fight your problem..."

Xion babbled about his plans. He did not dare to mess with the heavy layer of the mana regenerating and protecting the organs.

The only reason Rael was still able to function so normally, despite the severity of his condition, was because of his rare innate talent.

He had a natural ability to hold a vast amount of mana in his body, which served to protect and sustain him for longer than most could manage.

Considering this, Xion directly ruled out the idea of using only modern ways to cure his body.

It would be unlikely, if not impossible to have any benefit by using medicines that could only treat the flesh and not the mana rampant.

He would have to figure out some other way. Perhaps this was why he did not see Moon Affliction in the "Book of Mana Disorders".

The curse, as Rael had enunciated it, was undoubtedly some high-level crisis. And unfortunately, Xion did not have enough Mall level to buy the high-level Books as of yet.

His musing only halted when a soft snoring sound tickled his ears. He looked at the sleeping child and tenderness overflowed from his smiling eyes.