[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23: How old is Rail?

The carriage rumbled along the uneven road, the rhythmic clatter of wheels filling the silence. It went on for a few hours until Xion could not even be bothered by the sudden jerks his body was feeling.

He had been sitting opposite Darius while recalling all the information he had read about Moonshade Affliction.

Honestly, though, there was not much in the books he had read in the mansion. The Marquis' library had a wealth of books, but none had the details of the disease beyond vague symptoms and grim prognoses.

Hence, Xion only had two options. One was to use his system to buy a few books and the other was to slowly observe Darius' condition.

However, none seemed right. He could not buy the books at the moment. Sadly, he did not have that many Merit points.

As for the long-time observation... Xion peeked at the boy, who was once again asleep, or perhaps he was just resting his eyes. This was the person even nobles would not dare to mess with.

Xion knew himself very well. He did not have the cautiousness of the lower class which was necessary if he wanted to survive in this world.

Staying with Darius for too long was like playing with fire. Sooner or later, he would be burnt by the impact. So, the earlier he left the boy, the better it was for his well-being.

Hence, Xion chose his old option. Healing the passers-by and collecting enough merit points so he could buy the books on Mana Disease from his system.

"What?"

Darius' question startled Xion. He blinked as realization dawned upon him. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he forgot to look away from the boy!

"Ah, Ha ha," Xion laughed awkwardly. Staring at a pretty boy like this... Was he not acting like a pervert?

"Can I touch you?" The moment those words left his lips, Xion nearly smacked himself.

Had he stayed with Soren and Caspian for so long that even his words had started to come out as a pedophile?

Eww, Gross.

Scrambling to fix the situation, he nearly tripped over his words. "I-I mean, I need to check your heartbeat. If you don't mind," Xion spoke as gently as possible with a slight smile on his lips.

Darius did not respond right away, and the silence made Xion's thoughts spiral. If he got thrown out of the carriage for being a creep, well, maybe he deserved it.

At least that was better than enduring the whips and other horrifying punishments nobles were infamous for, as he had read in history books.

After what felt like an eternity, Darius finally inclined his head. "Go ahead."

Swallowing hard, Xion reached out hesitantly. His fingers trembled slightly as they touched Darius' wrist. Unlike before, the boy's pulse was steady, but his skin was cold, unnaturally so.

"Your pulse is normal now," Xion murmured, frowning as he held the thin wrist. "But your body temperature... Do you feel cold often?"

The boy hummed lightly as if those freezing hands were not worth worrying about.

Without thinking, Xion wrapped his hands around the small one.

Channeling his mana to the outer surface of the skin, he tried to transmit heat to Darius. "Rail, how old are you again?"

This time, it took Darius even longer to come up with the number. In the end, instead of answering he asked Xion. "What do you think?"

"Ah?" the confused Xion went to grasp Darius' other hand. Holding the two small hands in his bigger ones, he replied, "Ten? Eleven maybe?"

An amused glint reappeared in those piercing green eyes. "Sure. Eleven it is."

Xion, the tiny black-haired healer, was sitting inside, holding both of the Archduke's hands. Both hands!

And yet, here he was, letting an unknown healer touch him. Not just one hand but both hands!