[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 147

Chapter 147: The Royal Court

The grand hall was filled with murmurs of ministers exchanging words that Xion barely understood.

Political matters were never something he was interested in the first place.

Had it not been for the urgency of canceling the royal decree, Darius and Xion would have waited until the morning court session was over.

Nevertheless, Darius had chosen this moment intentionally. The more witnesses present, the better it was for his plan.

They had barely exchanged greetings when King Valaria raised a hand, an indication for them to rise.

His dim golden eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, "I did not expect the Archduke to fulfill his promise so soon," his voice was steady but cold.

His gaze flickered to Darius with thinly veiled displeasure before gesturing to a nearby seat. "Why don’t you take a seat with your guest? There’s something I must address first."

Darius inclined his head respectfully. "Your Majesty is too kind."

Xion wondered if they disturbed the king and that made him displeased with them. However, it was not like he could delay it.

The royal decree was a double-edged sword hanging on his head. If he did not address it as soon as possible, it would look as if he was not taking the royal family seriously which in itself was a felony.

And now that they were here, the king was obviously not happy to see them so early. Angry king only meant bad results for them.

It was really troublesome and... tiring.

Forcing himself not to think about the possible bad outcomes in which he was directly sent to Nikolai’s palace as his future partner, Xion silently followed Darius.

Yet as they moved past the gathered ministers to their designated seats, he felt the sting of the king’s gaze lingering on him.

The way that sickening look lingered on him felt oddly familiar. And it was not a pleasant feeling.

Those sharp eyes studied him, not with suspicion, but something far more unsettling.

Amusement for being here perhaps, or maybe it was contempt about his birth. He was an illegitimate child after all.

Then Xion realized it. That gaze was half similar to Soren’s.

Although it lacked the pervertedness that forced Xion to run away in the first place, the feeling of contempt as if the king were looking at something trivial, something that could be used at will, was just as identical.

A toy. That was all Xion seemed to be in the king’s mind. A pretty doll Darius had picked up to play with.

The idea sickened Xion, but he kept his face carefully neutral.

The king’s attention was soon shifted to some minister. Just a few moments later the court’s murmurs dimmed as a man was dragged forward.

Just a glance at his chained hands and the way he was dressed in tattered clothes, Xion knew he was a criminal.

The man looked in his late thirties but, in this world, where the age was really just a number it was hard to say about his real age.

He was thin and bruised, barely strong enough to stand. With a push from the guards, he was forced down to his knees.

"This," the king stayed silent while reading something from the scroll before nodding to himself as if finally understanding everything.

"Ah, so it’s you." His majesty sighed lightly before continuing, "This man has defied a royal decree. He refused to allow his daughter to wed the lord from the border country I chose for her."

Xion’s breath hitched. Defying a royal decree... just like we’re about to.

The king’s cold smile widened. "For such defiance, there can be no forgiveness."

He sure was talking to the entire court but soon his gaze was back on Xion.

"Take him to the main market square. He is to be flogged thirty times for all to witness. Then he will be taken to the healer."

The pale face Xion trying hard to maintain his neutral facade, "..." No matter how you try to intimidate me, I am not scared! _{ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com}

It’s okay. I am here.