[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Where Should Xion Run To?

Xion tugged his hood lower until it fell to his chin. His feet moved in a frenzy as he paced inside the room.

No matter how hard he tried to think of a solution, nothing seemed to work.

All of his solutions halted at one point. Eli. He had left her once. He could not bring himself to do that again.

From the way things were, it was already clear enough that Soren had asked Caspian's help and that had dragged poor Eli into this quagmire.

Were they thinking about using Eli as a pawn?

He recalled what he had seen just a moment ago. Eli was standing quietly beside Caspian Hale.

Xion's tense shoulders eased just slightly as he studied her. Her face was normal. It was calm, though void of her usual warm smile.

Xion was relieved to see that, at least, she was not in as bad of a condition as he had left her in. But that sense of calm was fleeting.

Xion couldn't stay here much longer. If he did not find a way out within the next few minutes, Soren would undoubtedly drag him back to the marquis' estate.

And this time, Soren was not going to respect any brotherly boundary. The young master's hungry gaze had already told Xion so very clearly.

The thought of being chained to that gilded cage made his stomach churn.

His steps resumed their frantic pace as his mind looped through possibilities before discarding them just as quickly.

The old man won't help me against someone like Soren. No one here will.

Xion stopped abruptly before silently moving toward the door and pressed his ear to the wooden frame.

The muffled sound of voices reached him through the partition. One voice was low and familiar, though he could not place it immediately.

And then it all clicked.

His heart sank even further as he froze in place. The realization crept up on him like ice spreading through his veins.

The old man's son.

How could he have forgotten? Last night, Xion had noticed someone assisting the old man. It was a silent male who hardly spoke any word.

At that time, Xion did feel something amiss. Nonetheless, he threw it at the back of his head due to his own troubles. Only now did he piece it together.

Raymond Eldritch was the one who supported the old man when he treated his leg. It was Ray!

His legs almost gave up as he staggered back. A fresh wave of panic rose in his stomach.

His heart, a restless beast, was so loud that Xion wondered if those outside the room could also hear it.

He patted his chest in an attempt to calm his unrhythmic beats. Calm down, Xion. We can do it. All we need to do is just find a little hint, and we can run away.

Xion encouraged himself while taking a few deep breaths. Soren Vaelis, Caspian Hale, Raymond Eldritch, and his scary master.

He silently stepped away from the door after locking it from inside. His gaze drifted to the huge window once again as he bit on the inner flesh of his lower lip.

The thought of jumping returned, but his gaze flickered back to Eli and Caspian standing below. Their postures were relaxed, but Xion knew better than to mistake that for inattention. _{fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓}

He slumped back against the wall as he dragged a shaky hand through his hair. The sound of talking grew louder. Those people were arguing about something, and that only meant one thing for Xion. They would soon enter the room.

His eyes immediately darted between the door and the window. Think. Think! He muttered under his breath.

The object landed with a loud crash. It rolled onto the cobblestone below a few times before stopping near the huge old tree's jumbled roots.

The door burst open with a crack, slamming against the wall so hard it nearly ricocheted. A few splinters flew onto the floor along with the broken handle Xion had locked just a few minutes ago.