[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 185: The Impact of The Boast

The archduke pinched Xion’s fragile neck, dragging him closer until he was practically sprawled over him.

The grip on the golden chain slackened.

With his head resting against Darius’ shoulder, Xion braced himself on his arms, careful not to press against the wounds.

Yet, his subtle attempt to create distance did not go unnoticed, nor was it tolerated.

A flicker of suppressed rage darkened Darius’ gaze.

Darius’ nose glided over the length of Xion’s neck as he took an audible drag.

The tremor in Xion’s body was unmistakable. Just as undeniable was Darius’ own urge to push further.

Then, without warning, he bit down. It was not too hard to leave a proper mark. Rather than his previous attempt to leave his stamp on Xion, this was purely to vent his frustration.

A sharp hiss slipped past Xion’s lips, the sound curling into Darius’ ear like a whisper of temptation.

It pleased him. Too much at that.

The urge to bite again swelled within him. Just to hear that sound one more time.

Because pain meant life.

But then, he remembered, the way Xion had been clawed by that orc. Even if Xion looked fine, he was obviously not in good spirit.

So, considering all aspects, the devilish Archduke decided that just for tonight, he would be merciful. He would forgive Xion. Again.

His grip finally loosened.

Xion wasted no time. He jumped to his feet, putting a safe distance between them before drawing a shallow breath.

One hand cradled the tender spot on his neck as he shot Darius a sharp glare.

What kind of dog habit was this? Biting people at every turn?!

Perhaps the complaint in Xion’s eyes was too strong, because this time, Darius took the initiative to explain.

"Your punishment. For leaving me."

Xion tried to process the words he just heard.

So... this bite was a punishment?

Darius studied the pale-faced healer, taking in his ruffled black hair tangled with twigs, the blood and mud staining his clothes, and the wary tension evident in his small frame.

Yet somehow, when Xion stared at him with those wide blue eyes he still managed to look so endearing.

The urge to ruffle his hair resurfaced, but Darius pushed it aside. Instead, a slow smirk crept onto his lips.

That familiar, dangerous smirk. The one that made Xion even more alert.

"Try that again," Darius pointed to his neck, "and there will be no forgiveness next time."

As for the punishment?

Darius thought, pleased. There was plenty of time to decide on that.

He sure was pleased, but Xion was not. He had been munched on once, and now he was bitten again.

This was the person Xion had been so worried about, and in the end? He wasn’t even asked if he was okay!

Xion snorted, "I’ll leave-"

He had only lifted his feet when a gleaming sword was thrown at him. Well, more like it was thrown in his way.

The silver blade, metallic hilt ... It was his grace’s sword that was quite infamous. There were even nicknames given to the blade.

One of them was the harbinger of death. Though Xion sometimes wondered ... were they talking about the sword, or the man wielding it?

"Stay here."

Xion glanced at the sharp blade, its edge glinting ominously under the dim candlelight, before shifting his gaze to the archduke.

Then, in the most uncivilized way possible, he rolled his eyes.

"Stay here and what? Watch you die? I am going to bring a few things to save you, your grace."

"Ask Allen-"

This time, it was Xion who cut him off.

Perhaps it was the exhaustion from battle, or maybe just as Ray had once said — emotions turn people into fools.

Either way, Xion wasn’t afraid.

"He doesn’t know what I’m going to do." Xion stared at the bloodied man before him. His grace, despite his injuries, still had the energy to argue.

A sigh slipped past his lips. It wasn’t as if Xion didn’t understand. Strange and well beyond the bounds of sanity as it was, this was Darius’ way of showing concern.

"Then tell him."

Sure enough, the Lord of the North was as stubborn as ever when it came to his commands. No one defied him.

But... I really need to leave!

Because Xion’s body was growing numb. A tingling sensation, like a swarm of ants crawling under his skin, crept up from his feet to his ankles.

This must be the negative side effect his system had warned him about.

Even if His Grace refused to voice his concerns, his actions spoke louder than words. The fresh bite mark on Xion’s neck was proof enough.

But Xion had no intention of telling it to anyone and becoming a burden.

In the end, he could only flush slightly and mumble, "I-I’m dirty and need a bath. I also have a few things to collect. I promise I’ll return soon."

Even as he lowered his head in a slight bow, he could feel that piercing gaze locked onto him.

A couple of minutes were spent in heavy silence.

Finally, with numb legs, Xion made his way outside while leaning heavily on Allen for support.

"Teacher, you are not well."

Xion didn’t need the reminder. He could barely stand on his own.

Under different circumstances, he might have tried to reassure Allen. But there was no time.

"Brother Allen, I need to leave."

His words startled not just Allen, but also Noxian, the little shadow tailing them in secret.

Allen parted his lips to protest, but Xion cut him off.

"Don’t speak. Just listen."

What else could the alchemist do but obey his teacher? Without another word, he nodded.

"Take the potions we made and have His Grace bathe in them. If possible, let him sleep in it."

Xion’s mind raced to form a plan as the numbness crept past his knees, making each step heavier.

"I’m going to retrieve something ... something that can cure the Moonshade Affliction."

The words were dropped so casually, yet they hit like a thunderclap.

Allen froze mid-step.

"Teacher..." His voice came out breathless, barely more than a whisper. He stared wide-eyed while his grip instinctively tightened around Xion’s arm.

"No, Brother. You can’t come with me. In fact, no one but me can retrieve it."

The grip tightened even more. Xion nearly winced, but he stayed silent, calmly waiting for Allen to agree.

Sure enough, when it came to Darius, their loyalty ran deeper than reason.

"Is it related to Goddess Myrthia?"

At any other time, Xion would have drawn a firm line between himself and religion. But now when he was on the verge of collapsing, he didn’t hesitate.

"Yeah. It might take a few hours." He patted Allen’s hand, still clenched around his arm.

The hold fell, making Xion smile. Success!

"Until I return, put His Grace in a potion bath. Okay?"

Allen nodded heavily. At that moment, he made up his mind. He would secretly follow his teacher.

Unbeknownst to him, Noxian had the same idea. They both watched as Xion hurried into the dark forest, his figure quickly swallowed by the night.

But when Allen informed Ray about the potions and rushed back, Xion was gone. Not a single trace remained.

"Brother disappeared," Noxian mused aloud. He was perched on a tree branch, swinging his little legs idly. "No one can find him if he doesn’t want to be found."

And he was right.

Because while they were worried, Xion was in his lab.

Just as he reached his lab, the exhaustion struck him all at once. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor, slipping into a deep coma.