[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 202: Setting Foot In Avondale

The cold wind howled, rattling the branches with a ferocity that seemed almost alive.

Xion carefully guided Noxian along the rough path, his eyes flicking between the ground and the faintly glowing map hovering in his vision.

A neon blue screen displayed a town situated at the foot of the mountain.

Avondale was a prosperous town, filled with locals and travelers.

Many who wished to go to the Royal capital would mostly pass through this town while others stayed here for the precious items they could get from the nearby valleys.

And that was going to be their next destination.

They would either spend a night in an inn or continue traveling. In the end, all of it depended on the weather.

As if on cue, thunder rumbled low in the distance, pulling him out of his musings.

Noxian barely noticed the weather turning foul, or the cold wind slapping his face. He bounced with every step, his little feet splashing through puddles scattered along the path.

"I can really have my own room?" the boy asked with his wide sparkly eyes, "Like those nobles?"

Xion chuckled softly, ducking a low-hanging branch. "Of course. A whole room. With a window. And a bed you don’t have to share with anyone."

Even when they’d been under the Archduke’s care, Noxian had slept crammed in with the other servants.

Having his own space was never something he even thought to wish for. His focus had always been surviving one more day until he met Xion.

And after that, all he wanted was to stay with his brother.

The idea of how they lived didn’t even cross his mind. That was until Xion said they would build their own big home.

The boy skipped ahead, practically glowing. "Then... then I want blue curtains! And a bookshelf! Can I have a bookshelf?"

"Of course, you can," Xion replied, ruffling his hair. "You can even have a table and a chair where you can study. How about a special rack for your swords?"

Although Noxian had never said it out loud, Xion knew the kid was fond of swords.

Sure enough, the little purple fur ball jumped excitedly. "Yeah! That would be so good!"

Those little shimmers of life— so pure and bright— bounced from Noxian and went straight into Xion’s heart. Despite the gravity of his escape, a real smile bloomed on his pale lips.

"Hmm," he hummed lightly, "We will live a good life."

As they reached the edge of Avondale, the light tickle of water droplets began to fall from the cloudy sky.

They could only rest in the inn now, at least until the rain stopped.

Xion glanced at the town nestled between the shallow river and the mountain.

The townsfolk did have two rich resources in their hands. No wonder, even at night, the place was still bustling with life.

But then again, anyone heading to the royal capital would have to pass through here. And this little prosperous town welcomed every stranger with open arms.

Lanterns gleamed in windows, casting a warm golden glow into the night, flickering against the silhouettes of people still haggling with shopkeepers.

Xion walked down the cobbled street, which glistened under the thin drizzle and the soft, wavering streetlights.

As the duo walked forward, they could hear people rushing to get home before the rain grew heavier.

Thunder rolled low in the sky, flashing light across the clouds before a deafening boom echoed overhead.

Noxian trembled, his grip tightening on Xion’s clothes. The droplets hitting the ground were getting bigger, carried by the sharp wind.

Xion adjusted the strap of his bag and pulled the cloak tighter around Noxian. "Let’s stay here for the night, yeah?"

Noxian bobbed his head. His lips, though stretched into a smile, were shivering.

And how could they not, when even Xion, an adult, felt the cold creeping deep into his bones?

They stood outside an inn with a crooked sign swaying violently in the wind. The place looked old. Rusty, even.

But in the middle of the night, with the rain now pouring heavily, it was still a far better option than staying out in the open.

Just as they were about to step inside, a large carriage rolled up beside them. ƒreewebɳovel.com

It was black, and like onyx, it shone even in the rain. Its lanterns didn’t flicker like the others.

They glowed. Steady, golden, almost unnatural... like fire meant to lure fireflies to their doom.

Xion frowned, baffled at why such a strange analogy formed in his head.

Then he saw the figure sitting inside.

The pure white eyes stared at him. Her lips—bright, matching the shade of her wine-red hair and the earring that dangled from one ear—were curved into a perfect arc.

One could even call it seductive, not to mention her beautiful face shining under the warm crystal light.

"I am traveling to the south, you see. Why don’t I drop you too?" Serena smiled as she motioned to the seat opposite to her.

Xion was one hundred percent sure that he had never told anyone about his plan other than Noxian. So, how did she know?

His hand moved without thought, gently pushing Noxian behind him as he took a step back.

"I can go on my own, my lady. Thank you for your time," Xion said with a polite bow.

A smile on those red lips widened a bit as Serena chortled.

"You don’t have to be so on guard with me, child. I truly only wish to take you wherever you wish to go."

Another thunderclap rumbled through the sky, louder this time, closer.

The rain hit the ground with renewed urgency, pelting down like silver needles. Despite standing under the inn’s awning, the splashes still found them, soaking the hem of Xion’s cloak and Noxian’s little boots.

"Times are changing, Xion. Just like this terribly gorgeous night," she said, her voice almost lost in the storm. "You never know what the new morning might bring. So, if you truly wish to leave... come with me."

Xion looked at the dark sky, gleaming with streaks of silver, and then at the shivering boy beside him.

A cold breath escaped his lips, fogging faintly in front of his face.

This was Minato-sensei’s girlfriend, after all. If there was anyone outside his circle he could place even a sliver of trust in, it was her.

And somehow, she seemed to know everything.

So, in a spur of the moment, he asked, "Do you think this is right?"

Leaving like this... when he could’ve easily said a proper goodbye to everyone. Was he truly doing the right thing?

Serena tapped her chin with a folding fan— where she got it from, Xion had no idea. The delicate snap of it opening echoed faintly, easily grabbing his attention.

"The rain feels like heaven to the thirsty," she mused, her white eyes glinting beneath long lashes, "and hell to the one already drowning. So, tell me child... is it the rain that’s wrong, or the one who changed what it became?"

Xion couldn’t answer that.

Serena opened the carriage door wider. "There’s no such thing as right or wrong, child. You just do things... and karma handles the rest. Come in."

After all, it was that idiot Archduke’s fault for talking nonsense about "love is ridiculous" and pushing you away. Let him bear the pain of losing you. Maybe that would knock some sense into that dense brain of his.

The priestess of the night snorted inwardly at His Grace and, with a flick of her mental pen, shifted Darius’ name toward the very end of her list of potential sons-in-law.

Xion glanced at the warm interior of the carriage and sighed. He had no clue what Serena was rambling about. But standing out in the rain wasn’t exactly a better option.

So, with a resigned breath, he gritted his teeth and pulled Noxian inside the carriage before stepping in himself.

"Another little cutie," Serena murmured, tapping Noxian’s fluffy head with her fan.

"Maybe I should put you on the list..." she added to herself, just as the carriage rumbled to life, galloping through the wet, glistening road.