[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 278: Public Displays of Affection

Like a proud little child who had accomplished something grand and was now begging for praise from his family.

That was exactly how Xion looked at his lover.

Those wide eyes, as if filled with stars, blinked up at him, shining with eagerness, waiting... Ah, no, yearning for praise.

Darius chuckled softly, his heart melting into a puddle. He reached out and gently patted Xion’s head, a doting smile curving his lips.

Then, unable to resist, he pinched the younger man’s cheek with affection.

"You made it in such a short amount of time. Sure enough, only my Xion is so amazing."

His words were spoken very lightly, filled with pride and yet, it was exactly those words that made Xion’s eyes sparkle even more.

Still caught in the gentle cheek pinch, Xion’s grin widened until it almost reached his ears. Drunk on happiness, the silly kitten giggled. "I’ll give it to you."

It was such a straightforward answer. There was no scheming, no thoughts of ’what I will get in return’ in Xion’s gaze.

Just a simple person whose first instinct was to give something precious to the man he loved.

"Congratulations, Your Grace," Ray said with a bright grin, his sharp canines showing. He bowed slightly toward Xion. "Your hard work will not only save those suffering from the plague, it’ll give them hope. Thank you for what you’ve done."

The people present sure heard what Xion said but they had no clue what it was for. The knight commander’s words made their hearts tremble with excitement.

It was the cure for the purple plague!

A loud, collective gasp rippled through the hall. Only then did Xion realize something was wrong. Very, very wrong.

He tilted his head to peek behind Darius, and his blue eyes widened in horror.

More than twenty people were there. All of them staring at him with astonished expressions.

Flustered beyond reason, Xion ducked back behind Darius, hiding like a frightened kitten seeking refuge in his owner’s arms.

Those piercing gazes were so strange that he didn’t even bother with the title Ray had addressed him.

It wasn’t Lord Xion, but His Grace, just like the Archduke. That alone was enough for everyone present to piece things together.

"D-Did I bother you?" Xion’s voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s buzz.

He really wanted to smack himself. Why had he run around like an idiot? He should’ve stayed hidden, should’ve waited for Darius to return...

Darius gave a soft laugh, brushing his hand through the dark strands.

"Anyone can be a bother, sweetheart. But never you." His arms tightened, bringing Xion even closer into his embrace.

Xion suddenly hissed.

"His Grace Xion is not wearing shoes, Your Grace," Ray said, eyes narrowing toward the bare feet pressing against the cold marble floor.

Darius leaned slightly back, his gaze falling to the snow-white toes curling together from the chill.

Before Xion could react, Darius bent slightly and scooped him up like a child.

"Wait, I—!"

Too late. He was already in Darius’ arms, being carried back into the courtroom.

Xion stared, wide-eyed, at the vast hall, the empty chairs arranged for the audience. He didn’t even register the two or three people huddled on the bloodied floor before he was placed on the white throne.

Right there, before the ministers, nobles and guards who had followed in a stunned trance, their cold sovereign bent to one knee.

And he took delicate beauty’s feet in his hands. Very carefully, gently... as though they were made of glass. His broad palms rubbed over them, trying to warm the chilled skin with his own heat.

The ministers watched in horror. Their jaws fell to the ground, but not a single soul dared to speak.

Was the sun rising in the wrong direction? Was the world about to end?

They were witnessing something sacred. Or scandalous. Or maybe both.

A storm of thoughts raged in their minds, but oddly enough, most shared one very specific thought: If I had a beauty like that... I’d treat him the same.

Some eyes turned filthier. Like the royal envoy, slumped on the floor in a pool of his own blood. If not for his servant’s quick work, he might’ve fainted.

Though his finger had been reattached, it was crooked, twisted at an unnatural angle. Not everyone had that damned Allen’s level of skill.

Cradling his mangled hand, enduring the throbbing pain, the envoy’s gaze locked onto the pair at the front of the hall. His lips twisted into a malicious smile.

"Where are your shoes, Xion?" Darius’ voice had a hint of coldness, his eyes were narrowed at the tender feet, turning red from the brunt of cold.

"I-I forgot," Xion mumbled. This was the same tone Darius used to talk to him when they first met.

At that time, Rael, a kid who was trying to ’act’ like a mature person, was an endearing sight to him. He had always thought of the boy as an adorable child.

But now...

His toes curled the moment Darius dragged his fingers down the sensitive arch of his foot.

When he tried to pull away, the archduke caught his ankle.

Just like last night, when Xion had tried to run or more like crawl away, only to be dragged back into those stubborn arms.

The same dark haze danced in those green eyes.

Just one look, and Xion felt his spine stiffen. Surely, this seductive demon wouldn’t do anything inappropriate in front of so many people. Right?

Xion would soon realize that there was no one more shameless than his seemingly cold lover.

Because Darius pressed his lips to the curve of his ankle!

The tremor ran down Xion’s spine, and his long eyelashes quivered. He wanted to say something, but his tongue felt like a knot, unable to form any comprehensible words.

What was he even supposed to say? Don’t kiss me, don’t touch me? But thinking from the general perspective, it was just a featherlight touch, very gentle very soft, so wasn’t it him who was being too sensitive?

The blush spread across his cheeks, blooming over his ears. He bit his lip and looked away, not daring to meet Darius’ gaze.

Darius looked terrifying, Xion thought. I rushed here and interrupted him... and now he even has to worry about me.

Just as Xion debated whether to apologize, he felt something fuzzy over his feet. They were now covered with a pair of soft shoes lined with white fur.

After completing the task of bringing the shoes, Ray stood silently beside the throne. He was, frankly, enjoying this far too much.

The wide open mouths of the ministers, and especially that astonished look on these old foxes’ faces was truly a sight to behold.

None of them left the hall. How could they? The cure for the Purple Plague still needed discussion. Yet not a soul dared to speak.

They remained silent, waiting as His Grace personally slid the shoes onto the black-haired angel’s feet.

And then gave Ray a quiet order—one they could guess without hearing. It was to escort the blessed child to his chambers.

Yes, just one look at that raven-black hair and those pure, glassy eyes, and everyone knew.

There was no doubt that His Grace Xion was indeed the blessing of the Goddess, just as the rumors had claimed.

Poor, silly Xion had no idea what kind of storm he’d stirred up just by showing his face in front of the ministers.

He was far too busy thinking how to coax his cold lover.

Because Darius hadn’t even spared him a single glance after helping him with the shoes!