[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke
Chapter 130: The Beginning of It All

Chapter 130: The Beginning of It All

"Teacher, wait for me here. Don’t go anywhere. And don’t eat anything without me testing it first. I’ll be back soon."

Xion hummed lightly. His gaze darted toward Allen’s father who was also looking at him with wide eyes.

"Lord Xion!" The man’s tone changed instantly. "I did not expect to see you here, my lord. How have you been?"

Xion was surprised by this shameless display.

Not once had this man asked about his own son’s well-being. And yet, he spoke to him with such a sincere smile.

Xion merely nodded before turning back to Allen.

"Brother, you have to come back soon," he said while intentionally emphasizing the word brother with a bright, almost childish smile. One that perfectly mimicked a clingy person.

"I don’t want to be by myself. And you know His Grace wouldn’t like it if I complained to him."

Then, just as quickly, the playfulness drained from his eyes as he turned to the man. Allen’s father was standing there, silently observing his interaction with Allen.

"And you," Xion snorted just the way Ray usually did, "I hate waiting the most."

It was a silent warning under the disguise of the archduke’s protective shield.

Xion was not the least bit ashamed to use Darius’ name to suppress someone like him.

Anyway, the archduke was not here, so what was he afraid of?

Just as he expected Allen’s father stiffened. The wide, practiced smile on his face wavered just for a fraction of a second.

But it was enough.

For a man who thrived on manipulation, he understood the implications all too well.

The archduke’s name was not one to be taken lightly. And this boy... This advisor wielded it with the kind of ease only the favored

Still, he recovered quickly.

"A misunderstanding, my lord!" He let out a forced chuckle, rubbing his hands together as if smoothing out the tension.

"Why would I ever dare make you wait? Allen and I simply have a few family matters to discuss. Nothing more, I assure you!"

Allen scoffed under his breath.

Family? Now that was rich.

The older man turned to him with an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head like a father indulging a stubborn child. "Really, Allen, must you be so dramatic in front of Lord Xion? You wound me, my boy."

Xion, watching the exchange, leaned slightly closer to Allen. "Brother," he drawled, the word once again willfully, "you will be back soon, right?"

There was a slight smile in Allen’s eyes as he bowed, "Of course, teacher. I dare not be disrespectful to His Grace’s orders, and more so to yours. I’ll be back in a minute."

Their conversation had only cemented the fact that the certain pretty advisor was very dear to the archduke. So much so that he could even order the best alchemist at his whims.

Was that really the truth?

Xion would beg to differ.

But Nikolai, who had been listening to everything, knew it might just be the truth.

Darius was infamous for his aversion to physical contact. Even the King did not dare get too close to the archduke.

No matter what, this was the man who ruled the entire northern territory with an iron grip.

Because of the extreme weather conditions, even Theodore could not make it as flourish as Darius.

If Thoedore could, he would not be so desperate to marry a woman he despised, to make a pact with the church, to play the role of a devout follower.

All of it was to have more connections and more power in his hand.

Regardless of everything he so desperately struggled for, it all lay in Darius’ feet.

Nikolai had always had a special respect for Darius. He was both strong-willed and carefree. He never cared about what others thought about him before taking action according to his own will.

Such a powerful man was carrying Xion in his arms as if he were cradling a carefully protected treasure.

Meanwhile, he, Nikolai, who truly wished to treat his muse as his own treasure, was met only with disdain.

What an irony...

Nikolai picked up the floral pink drink with a very light amount of alcoholic content and offered it to Xion.

Xion eyed the glass warily.

The last time someone offered him a drink it ended up making his hand bloody.

"It is not too strong, and you won’t get drunk. See," Nikolai gestured toward the ladies and young children sipping from identical glasses as they chatted. "It is safe."

Only then did Xion accept it.

’System, is there something in the drink?’

[I told you I can’t offer you this type of help, host.]

Xion lowered his eyes as if very sad. ’But it is just a drink and not some secret. I did not expect my system to be so useless.’

Xion sighed lightly, ’Should I change my system with the better one if I have enough Merit points.’

That actually triggered the system. [Who said I can’t do it? You are right. It’s just a drink. There is nothing mixed in it. Can the host not think about changing me?]

A smile flashed in his eyes as Xion pretended to be generous, ’If you help me with such tasks, I won’t.’

[Okay! Feel free to ask me about food!]

Xion was amused by the silly system.

But then again, it had barely regained human emotions. So, it was not that surprising for it to be cheated like that.

Anyway, as long as Xion could mold it according to his wishes, there was nothing to worry about.

He finally took the small sip, tasting the slightly sweet astringence that bubbled at the tip of his tongue.

It was actually pretty good.

"Thanks," Xion glanced at Nikolai. "It tastes good."

With the smile on his face, there was a certain radiance in his eyes that made Nikolai’s heart thrum again.

The same thrill, the familiar excitement.

It was dancing wildly in his chest, screaming at him that he had found his muse.

And yet, he could not keep him by his side.

With a soft sigh, the prince bowed his head slightly in Xion’s direction. What else could he do other than to request?

As for his status as a prince, it really did not have the kind of effect he wished for on Xion. Rather, he had made a mistake, and now Xion was even more alert around him.

"Can you give me a chance to paint you?"

Xion silently looked at the prince.

"I promise I will be quick so you won’t have to worry about your body."

All ears had already strained in their direction.

How could they not? The prince himself was standing there.

But... what had they just heard?

The royal prince was asking... No, pleadingwith this pretty-faced advisor?

Most of them knew Xion as the bastard of the Vaelis family, someone who had charmed his way up to the devil archduke.

They had no idea why this person was being so favored by both the archduke and the prince.

Of course, they weren’t blind. His face alone was enough to ensnare hearts. Many had already speculated that the rumors about the advisor being the archduke’s special servant were true.

But that still didn’t explain Prince Nikolai’s interest.

No matter how hedonistic the prince was, he had never touched someone dirty.

Many thoughts swirled in the minds of the onlookers, but the one who was at the center of those thoughts merely shrugged.

"Sure," Xion felt this much was easy to agree to.

They were leaving the day after tomorrow. That meant Nikolai had just one day to paint him.

What could possibly go wrong in just twenty-four hours?