[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke

Xion's brow furrowed under his hood. 'Why would there be so many deaths?'

The system didn't answer right away.

The host was in a fragile state, both emotionally and mentally.

Being bound meant it also shared the strange dreams of the past that had been haunting Xion ever since they began.

With new memories, the system had started unlocking the hidden mechanism that had allowed him to act more human than before.

'Protect Xion,' those were the words embedded in its core.

However, there was also no other way around it. If Xion didn't know, things would definitely spiral out of control.

[You really want the truth?] it asked, trying to gauge any reluctance.

'That's why I asked.'

[Fine.] It sighed like a burdened human. A few of its codes even vanished like breath in the air.

The tone shifted to a cautious one as it said, [But don't say I didn't warn you.] It was a tone that didn't suit its personality at all.

'Just tell me everything. Don't hide a single thing from me.' Xion was tired of all the hidden mysteries by now.

All he wanted was to live with his lover in peace and quiet. So, why was it so difficult?

[Your dear husband has been busy. He's planning to slaughter every last one of the royal guards and their idiotic king, Silas. Using them all as a sacrifice for your health recovery.]

Xion's fingers curled tighter into his lap, knuckles turning white from the sheer force.

System, though, wasn't done yet.

[And because he's hopelessly in love, he struck a deal with Father Anton—offering his own eyes so you could see.]

Ah, so that was why Darius had been so secretive about this meeting.

[If he swings his sword, there will be a massacre. Sure, some will call it justice. Others will call it war. But in the end, all of it will be on his shoulders.]

If Darius killed Silas, all the royal guards would inevitably fight back.

Bodies were bound to fall. And the karma of so much death… it won't wash away in this lifetime.

Xion blinked, trying to process everything. He'd known Darius was reckless. Brutal, even. But this… this was a blatant suicidal act.

Because no matter the reason, after this, Darius would be labelled as the biggest rebel in history, painting him as a heinous monster.

What he didn't understand was the reason behind it all. Why so much hatred for Silas?

[You can stop it.]

'How?'

[Seduce him, duh.]

For a second, Xion didn't know if he should smack his system or pity the artificial thing that couldn't understand human emotions properly.

Silence felt like a better answer.

[Ask the Archduke to cancel the hunt. Without it, there's no stage for his plan. No slaughter. And if you save those lives, your merit points spike high enough to buy the cure. Not just for you… but for him, too.]

'For him?'

[The karma he's about to bind himself with will crush him. Even if he wins, he loses. You're the only one who can keep that from happening.]

While Xion fell into the contemplative silence, Darius kept glancing over.

Xion didn't notice. Or rather, he didn't let himself notice.

The truth was, if he acknowledged Darius right now, the whole trembling thing inside him might crack.

It might ignite either into a plea to tell him everything or a desperate need to stop him.

But what could he tell Darius, when he didn't yet know the full truth himself?

So instead, he kept his hood low, his hands folded still in his lap.

The cold wind swished inside, blowing the silver hair.

Despite the faint itch where it brushed his cheek, Darius' gaze remained focused on one person before dropping down.

Once. Twice. Again and again, until it became a rhythm more tense than the creak of the carriage wheels.

His shoulders were tense, his jaw tight from holding back the words between his teeth until they hurt.

Darius could not pinpoint a single time Xion had ever ignored him —because there were none.

Xion hadn't scolded him when he had failed to protect him on the night of their wedding.

When Xion had been stolen from his side like a jewel torn from its setting, and he had been left to tear apart half the guards in his fury to get him back.

There was no anger when he had lost control in their bed, his hunger outstripping his restraint, leaving Xion unable to get up for two days.

Not even… gods, there were too many not evens to count.

Sure, Xion would playfully glare at him with his misty eyes, and... that was all.

All of it was evidence exactly how far he had pushed, how much he had taken, and how much Xion had endured without ever truly turning away.

Darius had always told himself he wanted more than those gentle smiles.

Xion's joy, his grief, his frustration, even his rage... the Archduke had wanted all of Xion.

He wanted to see the sparks, to have him lash out, to hear him shout until his throat went hoarse. To stop burying it all and instead let Darius bear the weight of it.

Because that was what love was supposed to be, wasn't it?

However, now that Xion was doing exactly that — sitting across from him in this suffocating carriage with his hood drawn low and his face hidden like a locked door...

Darius felt himself sinking into an abyss so black and deep it felt like his lungs had been caged.

The wheels rolled over the stone, and the entire carriage jolted, harshly rattling the two passengers.

Darius was quick to reach for Xion.

After steadying Xion, he opened his mouth to speak, "I..."

Xion didn't let him.

Unlike the patience he had gotten so used to, he received a tilt of Xion's head.

As if he was silently telling him not to speak anymore.

The air inside the carriage was cold. Yet nothing compared to the hollow ache clawing at him from within.

If Xion truly turned his back on him…

I will have nothing left to live for.