[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 62: A Sheltered Healer is Useless?

Xion’s fingers tightened on Allen’s shirt. His already pale knuckles turned white as bone against the dark green fabric. His heart pounded so violently in his chest that he feared the sound would echo through the corridor.

"H-Hide me," he barely managed to whisper. His voice cracked like fragile glass. Wide, desperate eyes nailed to Allen’s back.

Allen remained silent. He could not answer, not yet.

His eyes were locked on the archduke, whose aura seemed darker than before. An oppressive presence was so suffocating that Allen felt relieved Noxian was not there to witness it.

And Lady Nazia, too. She detested anything unsightly. As for Berry, the old man was likely the only one calmly studying the lifeless corpse with an unflinching gaze.

From years of serving His Grace, Allen had come to recognize the subtle signs of anger, or perhaps, this time, it was merely an annoyance.

However, whether it was the words of the traitor or a past memory those words stirred that had vexed His Grace, it was beyond Allen’s understanding.

When there was no further order, Allen remained where he was, silently shielding the trembling healer from Darius’s view. That was all he could offer to Xion at the moment.

"Your Grace," the alchemist gathered his courage and uttered in a low voice.

To Xion, the sound was nothing short of heavenly.

"Perhaps we should give him a moment to gather himself. The sight might be... a bit much for him."

Xion mentally nodded his head in agreement. It was too cruel for him to stomach.

Darius tilted his head ever so slightly. His venomous eyes, darker than the blood pooling on the floor, narrowed at the interruption.

For a brief, tense moment, the silence stretched. Even Ray, usually quick with words, could not find a way to smooth over the tension.

He was afraid that Xion might attempt to flee upon realizing Darius’s true nature. They could not afford to lose the healer now, not with the sudden sliver of hope for His Grace’s recovery in sight.

"Yes, your grace," Ray bowed. "You need to rest. Please, leave the rest to me."

Darius glanced at his knight and then at his alchemist. It was mildly amusing how they had been trying to shield Xion from his sight. As if he were an animal out for blood.

Was it not Ray who had been trying to warn him about Xion’s closeness?

Humans are so fickle.

Darius hummed lightly.

The ease of his response surprised both Ray and Allen, but what followed sent a chill through them.

With a careless flick of his wrist, the archduke sent the heavy, blood-soaked sword crashing to the floor. It was apparent His Grace was in a foul mood.

"It appears he enjoys being sheltered," Darius sneered, biting the word ’sheltered’ as his gaze fixed on the corner of the familiar robe peeking behind Allen.

Just two days before, this very boy had been complaining to him about Allen’s unruly behavior.

His voice sounded again, devoid of any warmth. "How can he possibly be of any use if he stayed so far from the blood?" How can I use you if you stand so far from me...

Xion flinched at the coldness in the tone.

"I’m not that useless," he muttered under his breath, barely audible even to himself.

Still, Allen heard it. And he was not surprised.

If what the traitor said before his well... punishment was true, and it most likely was, then they must have given the healer something to dull his senses slightly.

Though the one experiencing it would not perceive the obviousness, his behavior would reveal enough for others to glimpse into his heart.

Xion would have blurted the truth without even realizing it, and even if, by some miracle, he managed to lie, the excruciating pain would swiftly expose him.

It was impossible to hide anything from the caster.

Then Allen’s sunset orange eyes lit up with recognition. Ah, he mused, it must be that His Grace is worried about Xion revealing their plans to those imbeciles!

No wonder he appeared so annoyed and enraged. But does the healer even know anything about their plans?

Darius did not linger any longer. He turned the corner of the hallway and vanished from view.

Xion’s legs trembled, nearly giving way beneath him as he struggled to stay upright.

It was the fresh blood still painting the floor that stopped him. His fingers loosened from the crumpled shirt, and he steadied himself.

"Thank you, brother." Xion gasped as he gratefully smiled at Allen. "I thought I was going to die today."

Allen paused, then hesitantly asked, "Then... can you teach me some of your methods? I promise I’ll give you fee, and I will be very attentive."

Xion was more than glad to change the subject, and he jumped at the opportunity.

"Sure," he said, straightening his face, "But I’m a very strict teacher." Xion straightened his face.

He meant to look serious, but with his big, innocent eyes, he only looked endearingly cute.

"Do you even know what ’strict’ is?" Ray scoffed. "And which healer just reveals their secrets like that? Aren’t you worried Allen will steal your methods?"

Xion bit back the urge to roll his eyes, but the sword hanging at Ray’s waist reminded him to keep his composure. Instead, he forced a blatantly fake smile.

"Sir Knight Captain, the more healers know, the better it is for our people. Why should I hide it?"

"You are peculiar. No wonder..." His grace likes you.

Ray trailed off, a chuckle escaping his lips instead of the words he had intended.

His hand raised in the air, and when Xion thought he was going to be smacked, he felt a warm harm ruffling his hair.

"Congratulations on getting a teacher," With his hand still messing with raven black hair, Ray glanced at Allen, whose usually stoic face could not hide the glint of excitement in his eyes.

Confused and baffled by Ray’s smiling face, Xion followed behind the two in a daze.

They entered Xion’s room. Allen stood stiffly by the door while Ray casually took the chair beside the bed.

Xion lazily leaned against the pillow, one foot dangling in the air. His eyes felt heavy, and somehow, he felt rather too sleepy.

When they asked him where he had been, Xion honestly explained how he’d been kidnapped from a roadside stall and taken to some church of sorts.

Even as sleep clouded his senses, Xion couldn’t shake off the question that had been bothering him. "Why is the archduke here? Where is Rael?"

He then smacked his woozy head. "Ah, before I forget, who is the devil? Is he... kind of famous?"

Xion looked utterly puzzled before shaking his head. "He must be famous, of course. Or why else would that lady in gold be looking for him?"

Rather than asking, Xion was muttering to himself.

Ray glanced at Allen, who gave a slight nod.

"Okay, you can sleep now," Ray said, ruffling Xion’s hair once more. "We’ll be on our way."

Xion could no longer fight the weight of sleep pulling at his eyelids. He vaguely heard the door close... twice.

Twice?

Already drifting into unconsciousness, he failed to notice the familiar figure approaching him.