[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke
Chapter 86: Blue Cattleheart Butterflies Are Poisonous...

Chapter 86: Blue Cattleheart Butterflies Are Poisonous...

Xion’s memory was fragmented at best. Blank in some places, muddled in others. It was not just the life of little Xion Vaelis slipping through his grasp, even the remnants of his past on Earth were fading.

He could not recall the faces of those students who were running after him, of Takumi, of his family.

Even Minato-sensei’s features had begun to blur out of focus, and Xion had to force his mind to patch the empty spaces with his own imagination.

Yet, no matter how much time passed, the ones who sought to drag him into the dirt always seemed to wear the same face.

Just like the one approaching him now.

Xion took a sip of the crimson liquid bubbling in the glass. The wine was sweet. The saccharine flavor softened on his tongue and before he knew it, half the glass was already gone.

Wines should be tasted slowly. If you can’t even appreciate the mellow sweetness, what’s the point of drinking it? You might as well drink water!

Xion shook his head slightly. Sorry Minato sensei, but I am not drinking it for enjoyment.

Another half-glass disappeared just as easily.

He was only swallowing the cold beverage to get through the night. As the red stained his lips and teeth, he briefly wondered if he had started to resemble the vampire himself.

The empty glass barely touched the table before a shadow loomed over him.

"So, you indeed were with His Grace," Klein smiled, his pointed fangs peeking from behind his lips. "I’m glad I get to meet you, Lord Xion."

Lord. A moniker used for all noble children, excluding the royals, of course.

Xion stared at the offered hand, and for a moment, he wanted to smack it away. No, Xion we can’t. That would only invite more trouble.

So, he plastered his fake smile back on his face before lightly shaking his hand, "It’s a pleasure to meet you too, lord Klein."

Lord Nocturne, the title was solely reserved for the head of the house which Klein had yet to attain, so addressing him as Lord Klein was the best option.

"Oh, drop the formalities, little butterfly." Klein feigned shock before his lips curled into a slow smile. "You don’t mind if I call you that, right?"

I do. I mind you standing near me. I mind you breathing the same air as me...

"Why are you calling me that? I am no butterfly, my lord."

Xion noticed how his voice lacked warmth, devoid of the polite veneer he was supposed to wear. It was cold and distant, but how could it not be?

Being the child of a marquis was not that great of a deal when it meant bowing before someone like the Nocturne family.

Klein opened his palm, and a butterfly fluttered into existence. Its delicate blue wings shimmered under the light. A magic projection. Something not just anyone could master.

The heir of a duchy was trying to impress a mere illegitimate child of a marquis.

Xion found it almost laughable.

Almost...

"They’re quite the spectacle, aren’t they? Just like you."

Klein tilted his head slightly, his red bangs falling over his eyes. They obscured whatever lay hidden behind them as he carefully observed Xion’s reaction.

But Xion remained unaffected.

"The way their glassy wings catch the light, fluttering so delicately... so blissfully unaware of the predator lurking nearby. It’s rather entertaining."

His open palm curled into a fist, crushing the butterfly until it disintegrated into golden dust. It sprinkled onto Xion’s shoes like ashes of the dead.

Seeing no response, Klein extended his hand once more, this time offering a fresh glass of liquor.

"Another drink?" His voice was smooth, coaxing even. "I assure you, it tastes great. And with the way you drank the first one, you seemed quite fond of its sweetness."

Xion’s fingers brushed against Klein’s as he accepted the glass. "Thank you."

"What an honor... Lord Klein personally offering a drink..."

"He’s showing favor to the marquis’ illegitimate son?"

Xion paid no mind to the hushed whispers.

Xion ignored the itch rising in his throat and took a sip.

This time, he let the mellow flavor settle on his tongue, allowing the rich floral scent to bloom fully in his senses. It was, admittedly, a fine wine.

"Blue Cattleheart Butterfly," Xion murmured almost to himself but being so close, Klein heard it loud and clear.

"What?" Klein’s red eyes shone brightly. He was more than just intrigued.

Xion tilted the new goblet, and the liquid swirled slowly at his whim.

It was a false pretence of being in control, one that could shatter anytime just like the glass that suddenly exploded in his hand.

It splintered in his grip, jagged shards biting into his skin before slipping down and leaving a thin gash across his palm.

Crimson welled up against his hand.

Across him, Klein swallowed audibly. His hungry gaze stayed on the delicate beads of blood trailing down Xion’s palm as it stained the dark carpet below.

A soft chuckle left Xion’s lips. He didn’t miss the way Klein’s fingers twitched, as if barely restraining the urge to reach out.

"Blue Cattleheart Butterflies are pretty," Xion spoke in a light tone, "They are blue and black."

The hall was hushed now as they strained their ears to catch what they were talking about. They could not see Klein’s face and he sure was using it to his advantage.

Xion deliberately shook his hand heavily, and a few drops directly fell on Klein’s azure blue suit.

One landed dangerously close to his lips and the older male did not waste a second before licking it away.

So much about not getting any attention.

"But they hold a poison that makes their predators lose their senses. Incredible creatures, aren’t they, Lord Klein?"

Klein’s gaze locked onto Xion. There was an ominous glint in those bloody eyes. The same hunger Xion had seen in the fragments of his memory.

Then, Klein laughed. A rich, booming sound echoed through the hall. And as if on cue, the other nobles joined in.

Like mindless goats, they were following whatever Klein was doing. But goats were innocent and sweet. These people were not.

"No wonder I feel so drawn to you." Klein shook his head with a small chuckle. "I really want to be friends with you, Lord Xion."

His words were a signal, and like a well-rehearsed performance, the nobles returned to their idle conversations.

After all, being friends with Lord Klein meant a higher position. And they could not afford to make the said friend unhappy.

A waiter was already cleaning the debris. The servant paid no mind to what they said. He did his job just like how Eli used to do.

Xion felt his head throbbing from all the noises. Everything was a mess, and he despised messes.

Klein, smiling more genuinely this time, pulled out a white handkerchief and moved his hand toward Xion’s limp one.

The blood still trickled down, but Xion barely felt it. The sharp, piercing pain in his head drowned out everything else.

"Here, let me help you bandage it."

Xion might have believed his concern, if not for that stare. That ravenous, lingering gaze, fixed on the crimson staining his skin.

I want to hide.

The eerily pale fingers inched closer, and he had to forcefully bite down the urge to push Klein away. But he didn’t.

Bear it for a while. Xion repeatedly ensured himself that Ray would come soon.

Just as Klein was about to hold him, another hand— a bigger and colder one— clasped around his own.

Before Xion could react, an arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him back into a tight embrace.

In the middle of the banquet, with countless eyes watching, Xion found himself back-hugged by a stranger.

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