[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62: A Sheltered Healer is Useless?

Xion’s fingers tightened on Allen’s shirt. His already pale knuckles turned white as bone against the dark green fabric. His heart pounded so violently in his chest that he feared the sound would echo through the corridor.

"H-Hide me," he barely managed to whisper. His voice cracked like fragile glass. Wide, desperate eyes nailed to Allen’s back.

Allen remained silent. He could not answer, not yet.

His eyes were locked on the archduke, whose aura seemed darker than before. An oppressive presence was so suffocating that Allen felt relieved Noxian was not there to witness it.

And Lady Nazia, too. She detested anything unsightly. As for Berry, the old man was likely the only one calmly studying the lifeless corpse with an unflinching gaze.

From years of serving His Grace, Allen had come to recognize the subtle signs of anger, or perhaps, this time, it was merely an annoyance.

However, whether it was the words of the traitor or a past memory those words stirred that had vexed His Grace, it was beyond Allen’s understanding.

When there was no further order, Allen remained where he was, silently shielding the trembling healer from Darius’s view. That was all he could offer to Xion at the moment.

"Your Grace," the alchemist gathered his courage and uttered in a low voice.

To Xion, the sound was nothing short of heavenly.

"Perhaps we should give him a moment to gather himself. The sight might be... a bit much for him."

Xion mentally nodded his head in agreement. It was too cruel for him to stomach.

Darius tilted his head ever so slightly. His venomous eyes, darker than the blood pooling on the floor, narrowed at the interruption.

For a brief, tense moment, the silence stretched. Even Ray, usually quick with words, could not find a way to smooth over the tension.

He was afraid that Xion might attempt to flee upon realizing Darius’s true nature. They could not afford to lose the healer now, not with the sudden sliver of hope for His Grace’s recovery in sight.

"Yes, your grace," Ray bowed. "You need to rest. Please, leave the rest to me."

Darius glanced at his knight and then at his alchemist. It was mildly amusing how they had been trying to shield Xion from his sight. As if he were an animal out for blood.

Was it not Ray who had been trying to warn him about Xion’s closeness?

Humans are so fickle.

Darius hummed lightly.

The ease of his response surprised both Ray and Allen, but what followed sent a chill through them.

With a careless flick of his wrist, the archduke sent the heavy, blood-soaked sword crashing to the floor. It was apparent His Grace was in a foul mood.

"It appears he enjoys being sheltered," Darius sneered, biting the word ’sheltered’ as his gaze fixed on the corner of the familiar robe peeking behind Allen.

Just two days before, this very boy had been complaining to him about Allen’s unruly behavior.

His voice sounded again, devoid of any warmth. "How can he possibly be of any use if he stayed so far from the blood?" How can I use you if you stand so far from me...

Xion flinched at the coldness in the tone.

"I’m not that useless," he muttered under his breath, barely audible even to himself.

Still, Allen heard it. And he was not surprised.

If what the traitor said before his well... punishment was true, and it most likely was, then they must have given the healer something to dull his senses slightly.

Though the one experiencing it would not perceive the obviousness, his behavior would reveal enough for others to glimpse into his heart.

Then Allen’s sunset orange eyes lit up with recognition. Ah, he mused, it must be that His Grace is worried about Xion revealing their plans to those imbeciles!

No wonder he appeared so annoyed and enraged. But does the healer even know anything about their plans?

"You are peculiar. No wonder..." His grace likes you.