[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Who Hurt Xion?

"I need to inform my patients. As for those who need more medicine, I will leave them with the neighbor shop...." He muttered to himself while taking another sip.

The blandness of the liquid spread across his tongue, and he nearly grimaced.

It even had a slight bitterness as an aftertaste. He could not help but wrinkle his nose. Ew.

Xion had a rule. Never waste food.

So, even if his tongue recoiled at the thought of having intimate contact with the white, transparent liquid, he still forced himself to swallow every drop.

Gulp... Finally, no more.

His brows furrowed in disgust, and he finally could not hold back. He turned to Rael, "This does not taste good."

His words caused the corners of Darius’ lips to curl up.

The Alderwood Mist, a centuries-old blend, was cherished by royalty for its ancient origins and elusive flavor.

Having grown accustomed to its taste over the years, Darius had nearly forgotten how he, too, had once disliked its subtle bitterness. Until now...

"Then don’t drink it. I’ll have them bring something else." Something sweet...

"Nah, it’s fine." Xion waved his hand dismissively.

Darius’ earlier smile disappeared, and his face became cold.

The sudden shift made Xion clamp his mouth shut. That was until his arm was grasped.

The hasty movements toppled the empty cup to the floor. The delicate porcelain shattered into tiny, sharp shards.

Xion let out a sharp cry as Darius yanked him with a painful force.

"Hey! That hurts!" Xion twisted his hand, struggling to free himself from the vice-like grip. How can this child be so strong?

No matter how hard Xion struggled, he could not break free.

"You are hurt."

Each syllable sounded strange. The words were heavy and clipped as if Darius were having difficulty articulating them. His venomous gaze, though, stayed affixed on the slender wrist in his hand.

There was an unsettling countenance on his small face. Those eyes, once bright like precious gems, now appeared dull, and dare Xion say, almost hollow.

Like a missing piece of a puzzle suddenly falling into place, Xion’s mind snapped into focus as he glanced at his wrist.

Dark red and purple marks marred his arm. They were definitely from Nikolai’s death grip from earlier that morning.

"This?" Xion shrugged, nonchalantly, "It really isn’t a big deal."

It really was not an issue. It was just his skin was a bit too tender and sensitive. With time, the finger marks had turned faint purple, and on his pale white skin, they appeared far more alarming than they really were.

"You are hurt," Darius repeated with an unnerving calmness.

Xion had no idea why, but his sixth sense indicated him to run, to get away from Rael.

"Who was it? Who did this to you?"

How can a soft, childish voice sound this ominous? Xion was scared.

If there was one thing Xion trusted, it was his instincts, and right now, they were screaming at him to avoid provoking Rael.

Xion gulped and stopped struggling with his arm. "I-It was a patient."

Worry? Of course not.

For a brief moment, Darius entertained an absurd thought. Can they drown the darkness in me?