[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84: A Play

"Are you ready?" Ray whispered near Xion’s ear.

The sudden warmth made him shiver slightly. Instinctively, Xion turned his head aside, creating distance between them. He was suddenly reminded of how deeply ingrained his aversion to touch still was.

As long as he wasn’t treating patients, his body remained on high alert. He would instinctively avoid strangers’ touch.. just like now.

Xion had thought he had gotten rid of it. Yet here it was, clawing back to life with full force after that nightmare in Ferni.

He gulped harshly while adjusting the collar of the silken blouse. The clothes were stuffy. Noble clothes were always suffocating, much to his chagrin.

"Yes, I am."

"In an emergency, give me a signal, and I will rush to your side," Ray said in a low voice. This time, he did not deliberately approach him, which Xion appreciated immensely.

As they stepped into the grand banquet hall, a myriad of voices washed over them. The place was gigantic, something much bigger than the cinema hall where he used to watch movies.

The entire hall was decorated with god knows what trinkets. From what Xion understood, if he managed to steal anything from here, he was sure to earn more than he had done by his doing his job.

The crowd of people was separated into smaller groups. People dressed in heavy gowns, feather hats and whatnot were swarming everywhere.

"How lovely is it to see you here, Sir knight captain." A lady in a violet dress bowed which Ray reciprocated with a slight nod.

"Good to see you too, lady Pomferrie."

Xion noticed how strict, utterly devoid of emotions Ray actually looked. Gone was his carefree and teasing smile.

Ah, Xion exhaled lightly. It was Raymond Eldritch, not Ray.

When the lady cast her gaze toward him, Xion stiffened.

"And who might this beauty be?" She asked openly eying Xion from head to toe like some sort of exotic animal at the zoo. Perhaps, in her eyes, he was something to be admired and paraded around like an exotic pet,

Xion had noticed it. It was not just the lady, everyone was glancing in his direction. He knew something like this would happen.

Although he did not have social anxiety, that did not mean he was perfectly fine when so many eyes were staring at him so blatantly!

Every gaze felt like a sharp knife sliding over his clothes, ready to tear them apart and examine what lay beneath.

How appalling...

"This is young master Aijawa. He is the genius advisor of His Grace, the archduke." Ray glanced at Xion from the corner of his eye while carefully avoiding calling the name aloud.

Loud gasps and then more intense eyes. Xion was already feeling tired.

Keep it together, Xion!

"Ah, is that so? Welcome, young master Aijawa! What an unusual name you have, haha..." Lady Pomferrie’s excitement only grew along with her shrill laughter. "It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

Xion smiled reservedly.

Then started the storm of greetings. All of them were handled by Ray. Xion’s deal was to stand there and offer his smile to the speaker.

The plastered smile had turned too fake that it was hurting his cheek muscles now.

"I’ve heard His Grace is looking for a bride, or maybe a groom? What are your thoughts on my nephew, Sir Raymond?"

Another thing Xion had suddenly discovered about this world was that they were very open to homosexuality. In fact, he had seen many nobles flaunting their male lovers just like their female companions.

Wait a minute. Xion frowned slightly. If the archduke is looking for a marriage partner, would that not mean Rael would end up getting a new stepmother or stepfather?

Ray had been replying politely. All of his words were measured until they sounded like a textbook example of how one should tackle irritating people with modesty.

They had managed to keep the people away, but they also had not revealed any important clues!

Should I ask Ray?

If Xion’s guess was not wrong, this was Duke Nocturne and his family. The duke... the leader and the owner of the Vaelis family. He was basically Xion’s master.

"It is so nice to see you, your grace!"

"Your daughter has grown up so beautifully! Really like her mother."

"How I miss the duchess at such a lovely occasion."

He patiently waited for their turn to greet.

"You will see a wonderful play." Rael had said something along those lines in the carriage. At that time, Xion didn’t understand, but now, he knew.