[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97: The Haunted Mansion

Xion ignored the sly smile on Rael’s face as his thought drifted to another issue he had been putting past him. Nikolai’s face reminded him of the lady who kidnapped him.

"You know," Xion spoke thoughtfully, "that woman who kidnapped me looked a lot like Nikolai. She had golden hair. Her eyes were hidden beneath a veil, but I think... they were somewhat yellowish."

There was one royal princess, and she was Talia, his cousin. Of course, that was only true if one ignored His Majesty’s rather lose control over his lower body.

That old man had more illegitimate children than legitimate ones.

And if Xion’s guess was correct... this woman might just be one of them.

"She could be, or she could just as easily not be Nikolai’s cousin," Darius mused, his gaze drifting toward the wooden chest tossed carelessly in the corner of the carriage. "The royal family is far messier than you can imagine."

He had been so preoccupied with dealing with that bastard Soren that he had nearly forgotten about the chest entirely.

Darius thrummed his finger onto his knee. Rumors were already spreading like wildfire throughout the royal capital that one of the holy relics had been stolen.

And, of course, it just so happened that these rumors surfaced right when he arrived in Myrthiana.

Annoyingly enough, they weren’t wrong. But the timing couldn’t have been worse. It only made avoiding unwanted attention that much harder.

For now, it was best to stay far away from anyone associated with the Holy Order.

"I want to go to the church." Xion expressed his wish he had been keeping to himself. "I need to confirm something."

Darius didn’t respond right away. His silence made Xion’s nerves prickle with unease.

He knew this was a risky request, but there was no way he would get another opportunity like this. Once they left Myrthiana, returning would be nearly impossible.

This might be his only chance to confirm his suspicions about the senior who might have transmigrated before him.

"I will not take long, really," Xion anxiously tried to convince Rael. "I promise, I’ll only go when you’re away. I won’t do anything reckless or cause trouble for you!"

Darius sighed lightly, rubbing his temple as if already regretting this conversation. "They are not what they look like. If you want to find out the one who kidnapped you, you can just leave it to me."

Xion shook his head like a rattle, "Don’t care about her." Anyway, she was not after him in the first place. "But I really need to visit the church. This one should be the main church, right?"

"Don’t go alone," Darius could not help but relent under Xion’s pleading gaze. "Take Allen or that kid with you."

A smile broke on Xion’s face, "Sure. Thanks."

Just as they finished their discussion, the carriage rolled to a stop with a heavy creak. Its wheels sank slightly into the overgrown path leading to the inner gate of the mansion.

"I won’t accompany you," Darius motioned Xion to get off.

Despite being curious about Rael’s itinerary, he did not ask any more questions. "See you at night?"

Darius hummed lightly; his gaze transfixed on Xion’s brightened face.

"Bye!" Although it made him look like a scammer, Xion still wore his hood properly, before jumping down.

The bright smile on his face faltered when he blinked at the sight before him. His fingers slowly tightened around the strap of his bag.

Unlike the grand estates of Duke Nocturne, this place looked as if it had been long abandoned. The walls were worn and cracked in so many places, and he could clearly see their once-perfect stone structure now blackened with moss and decay.

Vines twisted like skeletal fingers around the columns, and what must have once been a magnificent garden was now a mess of branches and overgrown weeds.

Xion glanced upward, barely suppressing a shiver as he noticed the thick spiderwebs draping the entryway. As he slowly moved forward, some strands nearly brushed against his head.

"This is the best place to hide," Allen spoke from behind. His calm voice almost made Xion jump.

Of course, it was.

Who in their right mind would expect the Archduke to be living in a place like this?

Xion wasn’t sure if he should admire the sheer genius of it or be deeply concerned by the haunted-looking place.

It looked so eerie even in the evening glow, that he did not dare to think about the sight in the middle of the night.

His thoughts were interrupted when a slow, creaking sound echoed through the doorway. A thin figure emerged from the inner room which Xion assumed must be the living area.

A trembling male slowly walked near them. He looked so old that Xion was fairly certain even a strong sneeze would send him straight through the gates of heaven.

Yeah, he definitely ain’t qualified to be the killer.