[BL] Accidentally Becoming the Healer of the Deranged Archduke-Chapter 230: Darius Wants All Of Xion

A crush could spiral into many different emotions.

Love. Hate. Regret. Grief.

But there was something even more dangerous than all of these combined. Obsession.

Darius moved through the silent hallways of his Wing, each step echoing softly against the polished stone. His expression was calm, almost lazy, with an airy smile lingering at the corner of his lips.

Honestly, he couldn’t even name the exact moment it had begun.

Was it when Xion had dared to scold him, and he had let him go without punishment? Or maybe it was the moment Xion had shielded him from orc blades, with his thin back.

Perhaps it was the moment he first tasted the delicate dishes Xion had crafted.

Or maybe... it had been even earlier.

The first time the clumsy healer had stumbled into his arms, blinking up at him with wide, frightened eyes.

Darius chuckled quietly to himself, a low, velvety sound that could have sent Xion on another swoon.

It didn’t matter when. The result was the same.

He had fallen.

No, he had plunged, headfirst, straight into a pit he could never crawl out of. Not that he wished to.

At first, it was simple curiosity.

He wanted Xion nearby — like a pet, like something precious, he could keep close and shelter. That was all. At least, that’s what he had told himself.

But the years apart had stripped away every single illusion.

When Xion had left, taking his small, bright presence with him, Darius had learned the full depth of the hollow carved into his chest.

For four long years, he had watched. He had diligently studied and learned from the people living in his kingdom.

He noticed how they reacted when someone left them so suddenly. How they grasped at things that slipped away. How they regretted too late.

He was not going to be like them.

So he had planned it all with meticulous care. The art of seduction was far more delicate than war.

Darius smiled faintly as he turned a corner.

Xion was afraid of coldness. Then he would show him warmth.

Xion craved kindness. Then he would become gentle.

Xion wanted safety. Then he would build him a fortress.

Anything Xion desired, he would give. And in return, all he wanted was a simple word.

Everything.

All of Xion. His smiles, his frowns, his shy glances, his sleepy mumblings.

His entire soul.

Because now that he had seen Xion again, all he wanted was to take a bite of that soft, milky skin.

This was just the beginning.

He would woo Xion slowly, sweetly, tenderly.

And by the time Xion realized what had happened, it would be too late.

Darius’s lips curved into a soft, predatory smile. He could hardly wait.

He arrived at the door of the newly built kitchen — a place that hadn’t even existed in this part of the castle before.

Darius, who once ate merely to survive, now had a fully functioning kitchen stocked with all the spices, herbs, and ingredients Xion could ever want.

He had ordered the finest cocoa beans months ago. Hot chocolate, the first drink Xion had ever made for him, was the one he had welcomed him back with. He knew Xion’s taste.

The head chef bowed low, moving quickly under Darius’s gaze. The dishes were delicate, colorful, painstakingly arranged in beautiful patterns. They would soon be ready for feasting.

As he waited for the chef to be done, Allen approached him.

"Your Grace, how should those people be dealt with?"

Allen was referring to the group of clergy members the Knight Commander had cast into the dungeon. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Sever their fingers, one at a time. Leave them to rot."

Left with such wounds in this bitter cold, they would wish for death long before it came, especially in that dungeon.

"I understand," Allen replied but the alchemist didn’t swiftly move to handle the orders.

"He is fine," Darius said curtly.

Allen hesitated, wanting to ask more, but one glance at the Archduke’s stone-hewn face which was void of emotion, made him sigh in defeat.

Teacher Xion was fine. This was good news, and he needed to tell that brat who had been causing headaches to both Ray and Lady Nazia.

If not for Lady Serena, Allen was sure he’d be forced to witness a clash between the Northern Knight Commander and Noxian.

It definitely wasn’t a pleasant thought. With a sigh, Allen bowed and took his leave.

Meanwhile, Darius guided the trolley of steaming dishes back toward Xion.

Even as the chefs and servants gawked at the Archduke personally handling everything, none dared to breathe a word of their disbelief.

The corridors remained empty, save for the soft whir of trolley wheels gliding over polished marble.

Darius didn’t mind the silence.

He preferred it this way — a world where only he and Xion existed. Other than the secret guards, the servants were instructed to stay away from the main bedroom.

The door to the room came into view, slightly ajar from when he had left earlier. Warm light spilled from the crack, a gentle golden hue that seemed to call to him.

He knocked once. A habit he was trying to form. After all, knocking on his own room still felt absurd, no matter how he justified it.

"Xion?" His voice was low, almost coaxing.

There was a muffled yelp, followed by the sound of something falling.

Darius’s smile deepened.

He pushed the door open fully, maneuvering the trolley inside with effortless grace.

Inside, Xion was tangled messily in the blankets, eyes wide and hair tousled like a frightened kitten.

It took every ounce of Darius’s iron control not to cast the food aside and devour him then and there.

Darius soundlessly averted his gaze. If anything else had changed in the past few years, it was his desire for Xion. When they were staying together, Darius didn’t have such thoughts.

He even had a faint disgust. How can someone touch and kiss others? Was that not repulsive enough?

For Darius, letting Xion touch him had been his limit. Anything he had seen in those brothels had been a horrendous sight.

But if it were to be replaced with the present Xion... Stop it.

Reining in his rampant thoughts, Darius set the tray carefully on the bedside table.

"Come here, Xion," Darius said, his voice dipping into that smooth, dangerous softness that made Xion shrink back without thinking.

"I— I don’t!" Xion stammered, cheeks glowing red as he scrambled to fix the blankets, his body language screaming embarrassment.

"Then, I can come to you," Darius said indulgently, pulling the chair closer to the bed. He sat down like he owned the entire room — which he technically did — but somehow his gaze made it feel like he owned Xion too.

"I brought you food."

"No need-"

As if on cue, the rich, mouthwatering aromas from the dishes filled the room, and Xion’s stomach gave a very loud, very unfortunate growl.

Darius chuckled under his breath, almost purring. "Eat first. You can glare at me later."

However, the way Xion was almost buried in the duvet cave made Darius suspicious.

That was, until he caught a glimpse of soft white skin peeking from one side.

The sight made Darius’ eyes narrow. Why was Xion... naked?