[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 65: A Tangle of Giggles and Rage

A few days had passed since Xion’s kidnapping, and it had been just as long since he last saw Rael.

The boy seemed so preoccupied that even the meals Xion prepared were often taken by Lady Nazia or, occasionally, Ray.

Although Xion harbored a tiny suspicion that Rael might simply be a bit shy, he chose not to approach him deliberately.

Each morning, Xion would hold his wrist to check on Rael’s physical condition while the boy silently read from his documents.

During those moments, not once did Rael spare him a glance.

That brief interaction was the only time Xion saw Rael. Unlike when they settled in Uzera for a few days, this time everyone seemed to be racing against the time.

Over the last few days, they had only stopped to let the horses rest and then continued.

After a sudden emotional outburst, Rael fell asleep. Thus, Xion very considerately, left him to sleep in the carriage and went to find Noxian.

When he gave Noxian the purple sky the boy refused to let both the bottle and him go.

"Brother, don’t disappear again. I was very worried," Noxian clung to Xion, burying his head against Xion’s stomach. "I know you are an angel but you should not tell that to others."

His lips parted as if he had more to say, but they closed again before he could speak. Noxian really wanted to warn his brother, but he had been strictly warned not to discuss the Archduke with the healer.

So, the poor baby could only purse his lips and to Xion that looked like an adorable pout.

Xion chuckled, "Got it. Let’s keep it our little secret."

He was amused at the way those purple eyes shone brightly at the mention of keeping a secret with him. Sure enough, kids really enjoy things that revolve around mysteries.

"Yes! Our secret!" Noxian jumped but instantly widened his eyes. The moment, his feet landed on the ground, he hastily inspected the bottle in his hand.

"Oh, thank the goddess! It’s safe."

That was how Xion ended up sleeping in an ox cart along with Noxian and Allen.

Allen remained at the edge and both Xion and Noxian had plenty of space to mess around.

Xion first started by poking Noxian’s side, which quickly turned into an all-out tickle war, with Noxian shrieking in laughter as he tried to wiggle away.

When the purple haired boy retaliated by mussing Xion’s hair, Xion grabbed a handful of hay from the cart and let it rain over Noxian’s head like golden confetti.

"Hey! That’s not fair!" Noxian protested, tossing some hay back at Xion, only to have it caught by the breeze and blown into his own face, making Xion burst into laughter.

"Can you settle down before this cart tips over?" Allen sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Oh," Noxian uttered half-heartedly, not taking Allen’s words seriously at all.

Minutes later he settled in Xion’s embrace and both ended up sleeping even before the dark night fell.

Since then, Xion had turned the ox cart into a makeshift home. He had added a few cushions he bought on the way and also used the blanket to hang it like curtains.

Most of the time, Xion would be reading his books. To others, it may have looked like he was daydreaming.

When not reading, he would teach Allen the basics of medical treatments.

The way, Allen had been noting everything so cautiously it made Xion a little flustered. He was just a simple person. Where was someone who looked at him with such a respectful and admiring gaze?

In short, Xion, Noxian, and Allen, all were having a blast. Not to mention the food he cooked.

While on the center of the ox carts and horses, was a big carriage. Its exterior appeared unassuming, simple enough to blend into any crowd.

One glance inside, and even the most discerning nobles would marvel at the luxury within.

However, there was only one thing, or rather, one person, who commanded all the attention.

His tall figure reclined gracefully against the plush cushions of the seat. His chin rested on the back of his hand, a posture Xion was very familiar with.

His long silver hair gently swayed with the rhythm of the evening wind.

As the caravan drew closer to the royal capital, the temperature noticeably rose with each passing mile. This was also one of the major reasons why Darius hated going to Myrthiana.

He, who had the body to withstand the coldest hail of the north, was irked by the rising temperature.

The silence in the carriage felt stifling even to Ray, who had been following on his horse.

Darius glanced at his palm. His long, bony fingers traced the crack on the wooden cork. It was yet another thing that grated on his nerves.

He had never liked fragility, nor had he ever fancied broken things. Without a second thought, he inverted the bottle, letting the green aurora inside twist and swirl under the influence of his mana.

The crystal inside had long since been thrown out. It was such a low-quality piece, incapable of lasting more than a couple of weeks at best.

Such useless things had no use for the archduke. And yet, here it was, a tiny blue crystal, no larger than a fingernail, carefully nestled within a polished wooden case.

Ironically, the case itself held more value than the meager object it contained.

But Darius most certainly had not placed the crystal inside to safeguard it from breaking. Of course not. Would that not be an absurd waste of such an exquisitely crafted case?

He had only done so because the box had been empty. Rather than leave it unoccupied, he had simply tossed in something insignificant, something less wasteful than nothingness.

He pushed a thin tendril of his own mana, a faint green hue that easily mingled with the bright-colored sand inside.

It coiled and twisted until the vague silhouette of a cloaked figure materialized within the shimmering cage.

It had been several days. Five long days, to be exact, since Xion had given him the gift.

"I adore you, and it will never change. I will love you as long as you don’t ask me not to."

Those words had somehow made their home in the deep recesses of his mind, and now they refused to budge.

Darius was well aware that Xion had said it like an elder to a child. How laughable.

A smirk crept onto his pale face.

What will you do if I throw you away after using you? Will you hate me then?

It was not even a question, really. Darius was simply curious to see what other emotions might surface on Xion’s face. Something he was far more familiar with than a blinding smile.

Perhaps rage, disgust, or even blatant hate.

Black Box-

Darius, "I will throw Xion after using him. Oh, I am so looking forward to the disgust and hate in those eyes."

Xion smiled gently, "We will see about that."

One eternity later...

Darius desperately holding Xion’s hands, "Hate me. Curse me. Use me. I don’t care! But don’t you dare leave me!"

Xion, still smiling gently, "We will see about that..."

Note- Okay, don’t hate Darius for his thinking just yet!!!

While it may seem like he’s planning to use Xion, it’s not out of malice. It’s simply how he’s learned to function.

Darius has never actively sought to harm Xion or any innocent person, at least, not intentionally. His cruelty is reserved for his enemies.

But things are about to shift. Gradually, as Darius grows more reliant on him, Xion may just become the one thing he craves, perhaps more than anything he’s known.

So, yeah...