[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 172

Chapter 172: Xion’s Realization

The carriage was moving at a speed that could rival a modern car. That was what Xion thought as he glanced at the blurry shadows of trees whizzing past them.

"Marquis Roberto had been hiding a huge amount of gold, along with rare paintings, and many treasured artifacts. Some are said to be even more valuable than the holy artifact. But now they are all burned to ashes. Even the gold was looted by the people who came to help."

Such were the words he had heard from the soldiers before they started their journey.

Xion, of course, was sitting inside the archduke’s carriage. However, the silence spreading around felt too loud to him, deafening even.

There were countless thoughts rushing through his mind, making him irritated and restless.

He could barely focus on anything, but his eyes couldn’t help but stray to the man sitting across from him.

Darius was busily writing and stamping documents, looking completely unfazed by the burning chaos that had happened.

Xion’s eyes followed the smooth motion of the archduke’s hand, then drifted higher, toward the familiar silver strands of hair tied in that simple, neat fashion.

It was the same style Xion had once decorated with wildflowers.

Just before their departure, Darius had asked him to comb his hair.

Xion, out of habit, complied without protest. It was just a simple favor after all. A lord asking his healer to help him comb his hair was really just an ordinary thing.

Just a common aspect among nobles, nothing more.

Right?

Xion mentally repeated it to himself.

His Grace was merely fulfilling his role as a lord, taking care of his people.

And Xion, well ... he was just another person under the archduke’s protection. Nothing more than that.

He had seen how kindly Darius treated everyone around him.

Ray, who might be the most reckless knight, remained fiercely loyal.

Allen, Nazia, and the servants all followed his grace without question. They did so not because they were forced, but because they believed in him.

So, wasn’t it only natural for Darius to treat Xion nicely too? He was a useful healer, after all.

Normal to let Xion cook for him.

Normal to assign him as his personal advisor.

Normal to allow him to scold and nag without punishment.

Normal to share a bed. Normal to be so attentive about his whereabouts.

Normal to leave a bite mark on his cheek after he accidentally fell asleep on his grace’s lap.

Normal ... No.

There was nothing normal about it!

No matter how Xion tried to convince himself, he couldn’t ignore the changes anymore.

At first, he brushed it all off. He had assumed Darius was just bad at making friends, and so he was childishly possessive because he lacked companions growing up.

But the escalation had been far too sharp. From advisor to fiancé, and from fiancé to ... Husband.

There was only one "such relationship" in his previous life, and that had led him to be accused of stealing his brother’s garments. Of being a sinner. Of seducing someone he shouldn’t have dared to love.

It is the punishment for a pervert. I bet you secretly like it... Those were the words his best friend had said to him.

However, if Noxian’s smile was replaced with disgust, if Allen’s respectful teacher was replaced with curses ...