[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 170: When the Devil Sleeps

Xion was not supposed to be here, and this was not the first time he had felt like this.

Yet here he was again, caught in a situation that he neither planned nor could he fully understand.

As the lazy fog of sleep slowly lifted, his dark eyelashes fluttered against the dim light of the crystal lantern.

His sluggish mind finally stirred, and only then did he register the sight in front of him.

His Grace was resting on the same pillow as him. He was sleeping so soundly that it almost felt like a dream. A good one at that.

It seemed that he had fallen asleep when he was talking nonsense to his grace, and now, both he and Darius were dozing on the makeshift bed.

The Archduke’s steady breathing was even caressing his face with each exhale, warm and oddly relaxing.

But... It was too close!

Instinctively, Xion tried to inch away, moving like a guilty child sneaking sweets.

Yet, before he could retreat even an inch, a large hand resting heavily on his waist pinned him in place. It was not that Darius moved.

Not at all. The archduke was really breathing evenly. That was exactly the reason why Xion did not dare to move recklessly.

They all knew how difficult it was for his grace to fall asleep. At most, Darius would only sleep for four hours, and that was the maximum limit.

Xion wanted to cure the insomnia but by now he was aware that this condition was more of a psychological problem.

It was mostly due to the fact that his grace must have lived in constant risk, which made his body sensitive to threats.

A little change in environment and his grace’s intuition would most likely perceive it as a danger.

Even if Darius had told him once that he slept better with him, Xion did not take his words seriously at all. Because every time they ended up sleeping together, he would wake up alone

Mostly, the archduke was nowhere in sight. So how was that ’sleeping better’?

For someone like him who could sleep for almost ten hours without feeling tired, this was really not scientific.

In the end, Xion had always thought that Darius was simply taking care of him in a roundabout way while also keeping an eye on him.

That was why he was truly startled to find the archduke actually sleeping beside him.

His gaze flickered to the big hand resting on his body, then back to its equally big owner.

His Grace, the devil Archduke, the one feared by the entire continent, looked nothing like the rumors said he would when asleep.

Without the sharp glint of authority in his eyes, without the cold edge in his voice, Darius appeared just like anyone else. Ordinary. Peaceful. And human.

Xion’s deep blue eyes were filled with the reflection of the archduke, and from this distance, he could easily see the dark shadows surrounding those piercing eyes like a perfect ring.

Maybe it was the lingering sleep that made him dare, but his hand lifted on its own accord as he gently pushed aside a mischievous silver strand of hair that had slipped over Darius’ forehead.

His fingertips brushed against the warm skin of the man’s temple before trailing down to the faint darkened shadows beneath his lashes. Without thinking much, he cupped his cheek.

A helpless sigh slipped past Xion’s lips.

"Why must you bear so much?" his voice was no louder than a whisper.

It was more like a confession only the air of the night would carry before disappearing.

"In the eyes of others, you have everything one could ever desire," he continued softly while his thumb gently rubbed against the sharp curve of Darius’ cheekbone, tracing a perfect bone structure.

"Power, fear, loyalty. But still ... you’re not happy."

It was not even a question anymore. From what Xion had learned after staying with them so far, he knew Darius was just doing whatever he could to survive.

That tenacity, however, was like a double-edged sword. He struggled to live, yet had nothing to live for.

His grace was stubbornly clinging to his life with just one motive. ’Live better than others.’

Perhaps, Darius was already aware of the lack of real motive. That was why he was always focused on his enemies and punishing them in a most cruel way he could come up with.

Given his disposition, Xion couldn’t even call it wrong, nor did he have the right to disagree with Darius’ approach.

He did not live the way Darius had. So, how could he judge him based on his own life experience?

However, that also made Xion aware more and more of the distance between them. Even if they were living together, and trusting each other, they were not people from the same world.

Xion had been struggling to find his way of life while Darius was not that different.

It was just ... I feel heavy whenever I am with you.

He chuckled bitterly. "So what’s the point of it all?"

His hand retreated just as gently as he had touched Darius, leaving behind a soft warmth where it had lingered.

"I will cure you," Xion murmured, as if making a vow not just to the sleeping man, but to himself. "And when I do, you better find your happiness."

Then, Xion carefully untangled himself from the archduke’s arm, moving inch by inch like a thief afraid of waking a sleeping dragon.

As soon as he was free, he pulled the duvet properly over the archduke. He smoothed out the creases like a housemaid attending to a beloved child.

A soft and fleeting smile found its way to his lips.

"Despite what they all say, despite you treating me like a fool..." Xion looked at the silver-haired sleeping beauty and chuckled.

However, the smile was uglier than crying, "You really are the first true friend I’ve made in this world ... Rael."

The name left his lips like a secret. "And now, I am afraid." Afraid that I am blind, that I am so stupid, that I can’t even figure out the true faces of the people with my foolish brain.

Without another word, Xion turned away and stepped into the cold night air. The slight chill felt comforting against his warm skin.

Soon, he disappeared into the lingering darkness, leaving behind a tent that still smelled faintly of smoky Cidar with a hint of sweetness.