[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke
Chapter 307: To Purify the "Evil" Xion

Chapter 307: To Purify the "Evil" Xion

The Caspian Hale that Xion remembered was the son of Viscount Hale, barely more than a passing footnote in the political ledgers of the aristocrats.

However, the floating whispers that drifted past his ears along the way told him something different.

This older Caspian had somehow clawed his way up to the title of Marquis, far surpassing the modest rank of his father.

He was now the right hand of the Crown Prince. Loyal lapdog of the Empire. And, most baffling of all, his kidnapper.

To his own surprise, Xion had fallen asleep again inside the carriage, only waking from the rough jostling as he was picked up.

Were they entering an inn? A mansion? He couldn’t tell.

While patiently waiting for Caspian to leave him alone in this new abode, he stared at the system interface. Five more hours had gone by now.

The silence returned and it took Xion a few moments to truly process what had happened to him.

He had actually been kidnapped on his own wedding day.

A fine gift to leave for Darius, wasn’t it?

His lips curled into a smile, though it left a bitter taste at the tip of his tongue.

The bed beneath him was softer, far more delicate than the carriage seat he had been dozing off on.

And yet, the silken sheets felt like needles against his skin—mocking him with their comfort, piercing through flesh and patience alike.

When he opened his eyes again, the surrounding darkness didn’t unsettle him. In fact, it was almost a relief. Either that, or it was the quiet confirmation that aside from the wind flirting with the curtains, the room was empty.

As for the large bed and the thin almost-transparent screen shielding the steaming bath... he chose not to dwell on it.

At the very least, one thing was finally in his favor. His mana had begun to gather at the tips of his fingers.

The white light sparked faintly, like the flame licking at the wick of the lone candle on the table. It lit up just enough of the room to reveal the shut door and the sliver of wind slipping through the window’s small opening.

"Should we jump out of the window?"

[No, we can’t.] The system’s voice held a trace of guilt. If it hadn’t rushed to reboot, this mess might have been avoided.

[If we went out now, you would freeze to death.] Xion was able to move his body, but survival in the northern winds was another matter entirely.

So even knowing full well what thoughts likely festered in Caspian’s mind, remaining in this room was still the safer option.

Was Xion going to behave like an obedient little prisoner?

Of course, he was.

The echo of footsteps outside the room made that decision for him. Now wasn’t the time to act.

He closed his eyes again and sank into the duvet.

The fabric was freshly laundered, with the faintest trace of floral scent.

Familiar.

He was certain he’d smelled it before, though at the moment, his brain felt like it was running on 2G.

Even when he tried to think, there was no recollection whatsoever...Well, it smells nice.

His mind was still mulling over the wash technique when the door was yanked open with a bang.

The loud crash as it hit the wall was proof enough that this newcomer had no sense of decorum.

"Ah, here he is. Sleeping so peacefully," a woman’s voice rang out, drawing closer with every clicking of the heels against the cold floor. "I do hope we can still cleanse him of the seed of corruption."

"You may rest assured, Your Holiness. I will do my best to help you purify the bad influence." Caspian bowed with utmost respect. Er... might it not be possible to delay the ceremony by just a little?"

Xion’s ears perked up at the mention of the ceremony. Whatever happened in that long pause that followed made Caspian change his mind.

"I mean, we mustn’t delay it any longer. The child of the goddess must be purified as soon as possible."

With his eyes closed, Xion could feel everything more sharply. The heat of a gaze burning into him. And the sudden touch to his forehead.

A painful hiss escaped his lips.

For a moment, he feared his performance had faltered, that they had realized he was conscious. But the next words made him clench his fists while not moving an inch.

"See this?" Her voice was filled with clear disapproval. "This is the result of consorting with the forsaken. Even in such a state, he recoils from divinity. He can’t bear my touch."

There was a clear blame in her voice, condemning Caspian for his misguided thinking.

Then, as if thinking of something tragic, she sighed. "There had been so many victims, Lord Caspian. Many were killed mercilessly. Their lives were ripped apart from them without any grand reason."

A soft hand patted Xion’s head as if lulling him. But the burn that lingered made him clench his fist tighter until he couldn’t feel the pain of nails digging into his palms.

"I know, Your Holiness. It was my negligence. I will prepare for it right away."

That seemed to please Talia because Xion soon heard laughter, a pleased peal of giggles that irked Xion even more.

"I am glad you understand it. He had committed so many atrocious sins and assumed he would never be punished. But when has the darkness ever triumphed over the light?"

"Darius should be punished for his sins and I am willing to offer any help you need."

"I sincerely thank you for your willingness to take this lost child under your care. I don’t want Xion to suffer any more than he already has."

The hand that fell on his hair became gentle, the small fingers even rubbed against his scalp as if soothing him.

But... but!

Talia was doing this on purpose.

Who knew what kind of incantation she was whispering beneath that falsely sweet voice, but it hurt like hell.

The ache managed to force his brain to run back on track, and he soon realized a few things.

Talia’s hatred for him ran deeper than he had assumed. And she was willingly handing him over to Caspian, framing the whole charade as a divine act of mercy.

All the while, she was painting that pervert into some sort of divine helper who was willing to accept his dirty soul.

How utterly absurd.

Had he asked for redemption? No. He had not.

The more they spoke, the more enraged he became.