[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke
Chapter 81: Caped Healer Is Ugly

Chapter 81: Caped Healer Is Ugly

Another thing Xion noticed about Briarhold, which set it apart from the other places he had visited, was a few, and by that, he meant the mass of individuals dressed in grey capes.

Xion did not mind blending in with these people. That was, until he got a proper look at them.

Some were roaming, while others were seated on random corners with boards hanging above their heads.

Cheap clinic for the sick.

"Hey, I told you—five gold coins is the lowest price! My medicines are expensive!" a shrill voice argued sharply.

It sounded like a woman trying hard to disguise her voice as that of a man.

"No wonder they call you fake. That person in the corner must be the real deal." A lady dressed in a violet gown muttered to her companion, who appeared to be the patient.

"Do you think he can treat my arm?" The man asked, his tone uncertain.

"Oh, dear. Of course, he can. We just need to find the right one."

As they conversed, another voice echoed from behind, "I’ve heard the caped healer is terribly ugly. He hides his face, so he doesn’t scare his patients. You guys can use that. Ah, and he is definitely an old man."

The lady in a violet gown turned with a tight frown on her pale face, "But I have heard the healer is a woman. She is indeed ugly or why would she hide her face?"

The overlapping chatter mixed with the loud shouts from the market stalls easily drilled into the cracks of the silent carriage.

Xion, "..." Excuse me?

Xion was lowkey offended. What did they mean by an ugly woman? Why were they treating him as a woman in the first place?

Then, he recalled the description of the robe. It mentioned something about hiding his voice and his age. The system products were working way too well.

A peal of laughter broke through his musings. Was there any need to guess who was giggling?

Xion shot a glare at Rael, who didn’t even bother to hide his blatant amusement.

"You’ve certainly earned yourself a name," Darius remarked, his gaze flicking toward the small crowd gathering around the fake healers. "An ugly healer."

"Whatever," Xion scoffed, pulling his hood over his head. However, even with the hood shielding most of his face, his flushed red cheeks were still visible, much to Darius’s enjoyment.

Like an angry cub. But cubs were ferocious, and Xion didn’t have a single cruel bone in his body. So... what else could he compare him to? Darius pondered, but no creature quite fit.

"Xion?"

Xion snorted before turning his head away.

Even without seeing his expression, Darius could read him perfectly. You better coax me, or I won’t talk to you.

How childish, Darius mused. Yet, only a few seconds later, he found himself speaking first.

"The Nocturne family has a vast garden. You might find something useful there."

"Really?" Xion perked up immediately. His hood slipped back to reveal a face full of eager anticipation.

"Ray will inform them for you."

A bright smile spread across Xion’s face. "Thanks! You’re the best!"

So easy to coax. Like a kitten. Offer them food or a toy, and they’ll let you play with them.

Play... The word lingered in Darius’s mind, reminding him of the night that would soon fall.

After Ferni, he had stopped hiding the tracks entirely. With the tiny, little commotion he had created, he was sure the royals were already on the edges of their seats.

Which also meant the Nocturne family had been informed of his arrival. And that, inevitably, would lead to a welcoming banquet.

What a dreadful custom it was, to welcome another noble into your territory and show him the utmost generosity while subtly telling them how great they were, how rich they were, how powerful they were.

It was all so...tiring.

Darius wouldn’t have stopped here if not for that book. It was an artifact said to be left behind by the sacred angel.

In theory, it should be able to suppress, if not cure, the Moonshade Affliction.

Although he had Xion with him, a genius healer, he had no intention of letting a valuable resource slip through his fingers.

The Nocturne family... you better not disappoint me.

------

Xion might have admired the delicate trinkets that undoubtedly cost a fortune decorating the huge room fit for nobility if not for the item in his hands.

He stared at the formal suit, his brows knitting together in confusion.

"You need to attend the banquet, young master." Lady Nazia informed him.

Xion’s fingers ghosted over the smooth fabric. Even without asking, he could tell it was hella expensive.

"Why?" His voice was quieter than intended.

"It’s your family." The lady bowed slightly, "I will take my leave. Please call me if you need anything." With that, she left him standing alone in the guest room of Duke Nocturne’s castle.

A bitter taste settled on his tongue. Of course. When Rael first mentioned the duke’s family, he knew something like this would happen.

Soren Vaelis, though a pervert, was far from an idiot. He was sharp-minded and calculating. It wouldn’t have taken him long to deduce where, or rather with whom, Xion had disappeared to.

And with the Marquis’ close ties to Duke Nocturne, it was only a matter of time before they came for him.

Rael will be there. Xion patted his chest, restlessly trying to suppress the anxiety bubbling in his ribcage.

Getting dressed did not take long. As he adjusted the finely tailored suit, he couldn’t help but marvel at its precise fit. The measurements were exact, almost as if it had been made for him in advance.

More than the craftsmanship, he was impressed by Lady Nazia, who had managed to produce such attire on such short notice.

He reached for a comb, running it through his hair in an attempt to tame the unruly strands. It had grown longer over time, and now the inky black strands were brushing against his shoulders.

"I should get my hair cut," he mumbled to himself as he ran his fingers to style his hair.

A few long locks covered his forehead as he brushed the rest to the back.

A knock on the door interrupted his styling mid-way. "Come in," he shouted thinking that it must be Lady Nazia.

However, when he turned around, the person at the door made him stumble back.

"You-"

"Long time no see," a familiar voice echoed through the otherwise silent room.