[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 66: Whom To Serve?

Xion had been asked to change into the outfit provided by Lady Nazia. He did not mind that though.

What puzzled him, however, was Ray’s abrupt request for him to conceal his healing abilities.

"Can you pretend to be a special servant for His Grace? It will make the rest of the journey easier," The knight had hesitantly asked him earlier that morning.

As to what special servant meant, he had directly asked Rael when he went to check his body.

Holding onto his wrist, he looked at the small figure pretending to read from the yellowed parchment.

Due to the energy supplement, Rael’s body was indeed in better condition. However, the moment those blue pills stopped, Moonshade Affliction would dominate again.

"Rae-" Xion narrowly saved himself from using the name again. Old habits were hard to break.

"Your grace, am I your special servant from now on?"

His words made Darius pause, his jaw tightening slightly as he finally turned to face the healer.

That same smile, that same radiance. It was truly...

"You? My servant?" Darius placed the parchment on the side and fixed Xion with his full attention.

Just like back at the inn, Xion sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor, an old habit he had developed while studying. His steady gaze set on Darius, silently waiting for answers.

"Do you even know what a special servant does?" Darius’ voice was tinged with curiosity as he wondered what kind of response he might receive.

"Umm... someone who stays with you all day and night? Takes care of your food, your clothing, all the little things?" Xion scratched his chin while thinking about what more to add.

In his sense, a servant only had those types of jobs. Nevertheless, looking at the tiny smirk and a teasing glint in Rael’s eyes, Xion tried to think hard but to no avail.

Darius had indeed asked Ray to hide Xion in a way so he would not draw too much attention. But it was up to the knight to decide how.

Special servants, as the name implied, were indeed special in their own way. They took care of their master’s every need, from dawn till dusk.

However, unlike the mundane tasks of food and clothing, their true purpose lay in serving their master in bed.

That was the only demand they were expected to fulfill.

Xion as his special servant... The thought was amusing, to say the least. That too, when Xion would have to follow him in his original form.

"How old are you?" Darius asked, even though he already knew Xion was an adult.

"I just turned 16," Xion said, almost blurting out his real age, twenty-four. Actually, it should be twenty-five now.

"You have been an adult for three years, and yet..." Darius trailed off, shaking his head in exasperation. How can someone be so naive at your age?

There were nobles who married as soon as they came of age. At thirteen, they were already ready to start their own families.

Unlike Xion who likely knew nothing beyond his healing knowledge.

Xion was confused at Rael’s cryptic words. He knew he was an adult according to the rules of this world but what was that yet for?

Now, forgive Xion for not understanding the real meaning behind those words.

To him, Rael was only eleven, and with him as Rael’s special servant, it simply meant he would care for him, much like a nanny would for a child.

How could he possibly connect something like pleasure to Rael?

Darius chuckled lightly, "Just be my aide."

Xion’s eyes widened a fraction, and Darius suddenly realized he liked the way he filled all the blue.

"Aide! Yes, I will be your friend!" Xion giggled happily. In his mind, an aide was just another word for a friend.

Considering Rael’s embarrassment over the past few days, he figured this must be his way of asking for a friend. He mentally patted himself on the back for being so smart.

"I’ve always wanted to be your friend," Xion grinned, delighted by how Rael was finally starting to open up to him.

Darius noticed how most of Xion’s smiles tended to be wide, toothy grins. But still, they were radiant, nonetheless.

When Xion was happy, he shone brighter than anyone Darius had ever seen. There was just something about the genuine sincerity in it that made it worth his while.

Hence, instead of countering, Darius remained silent.

To be considered a friend of the archduke, one had to meet strict criteria: noble lineage, an irreproachable character, and, most importantly, unflinching loyalty.

This "friend" was meant to be someone who would obey his every command, serving him with devotion like a personal human dog.

So, why was Xion trying to serve someone? Or perhaps, much like with so many other things, his concept of friendship was simply different?

"Why do you want to serve someone? Why are you not aiming for a higher position?"

Once again, Darius received an unexpected answer, though in hindsight, it was exactly what he should have expected.

Xion stared at him, baffled. "Who am I serving?"

Darius, "... Me. You are supposed to be my aide, remember?"

"Ah, that!" Xion bobbed his head, and a few stray strands of hair shook with his movements. "Of course! I’ll do my best, but..."

He laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "I’ve never served anyone before, though, so you better not get angry at me if I mess up."

Xion threatened the archduke with a silly smile.

Darius just sighed. It was not the first time, and it very likely would not be the last time he had been "threatened" by Xion.

"What about you? What are you going to do when you become an adult?" Xion was curious.

"What do you think I will do?" Darius, entertained by Xion’s brain asked him to guess.

It was not everyday someone tried to guess his ’future’.

Xion tapped on his chin as he pretended to think deeply.

Maybe Rael would work for his father, or perhaps he would earn a territory of his own to rule someday.

Xion was not entirely sure how aristocracy operated in this world. Still, he could not help wondering what path Rael would take.

From what he had picked up, some nobles inherited their parents’ titles directly, while others had to earn them through merit, loyalty, or royal favor. It was all a complex web that Xion barely understood.

What he did know was that his own father, Roberto Vaelis, held the rank of a marquis, a noble just below a duke.

Marquis Vaelis’ role was to support the duke (as for who, Xion had no recollection of), assisting in managing the lands and ensuring everything ran smoothly in the duke’s domain.

So, basically, the duke was like a small king, and the Marquis was like his minister who helped him take care of his territory.

Below that were viscounts, who governed smaller fiefs. In his modern sense, they were like owners of towns or maybe a bigger city.

As for earls...Xion had absolutely no idea what their duties were. Were they also landowners? Advisors perhaps?

He shrugged at the thought. Nobility was strange to him. All these titles, rules, and systems were unnecessarily complicated, at least in his view.

He would not have bothered with them in depth if Rael’s future had not been so deeply tied to these rules.

Kings were at the top of the pyramid and being the archduke meant Rael’s family was directly below the king. Would that not mean that serving the king is the best of the jobs available?

Hence, Xion asked, "Are you planning to serve someone? Perhaps the king?"

Rael deserves the best after all.