CHAPTER 335: MEETING THE RIVAL IN LOVE AND NOT KNOWING IT?

When Xion stepped out for a stroll the next day, there was an odd excitement lingering in the air. Everyone seemed to be busy with something.

Even the guards were more alert.

"The morning is beautiful today, is it not, Your Grace?"

Xion hummed softly.

Nazia had assigned him a helper. A little lady, about the same age as Noxian.

"Be careful, Your Grace," Luna said while helping her lord down the stairs. Her grip was gentle on Xion’s hand as she carefully led him forward.

As he made his way to the garden pavilion, the fragrance of flowers drifted into his lungs. He raised his hand, catching the lazily drifting snow in his palm.

It melted, leaving behind a wetness. Cold.

The North was always cold, and Xion, who was fond of the sun, found himself strangely liking it.

Even the chill of the chair beneath him didn’t dampen his smile.

I wonder when Darius will return, Xion mused to himself, letting the little girl drape a blanket over him.

Luna set a tray of tea and neatly arranged pastries on the table.

"Please let us know if these suit your taste, Your Grace," she said cheerfully. "The chefs have prepared several varieties for you."

She placed a small crystal heater at the center of the table, its soft glow casting a warm shimmer across the surface. Although the pavilion was open from all sides, with these strong crystals, it was cozy enough not to freeze anyone.

"If the cold bothers you, just call." She bowed before stepping back.

Her figure blurred at the edge of Xion’s vision before vanishing completely.

His gaze drifted across the frosted garden. Snow clung to the branches like delicate lace. It was still warm, they said.

Apparently, the real cold would start in about a week, and Darius had already ordered servants to be extra careful with him.

Like this blanket over his shoulders, or the steaming cup of tea on the table.

[You know, host, you haven’t cooked anything in a long while. How about you do it now? I have all kinds of spices.]

’No.’ Xion nearly scoffed at the greedy system.

But indeed, it was also true. Maybe he should cook something for his husband.

Come to think of it, this was the place where he’d first kissed Darius.

The mighty Lord of the North had stumbled to the ground back then. He looked so flustered.

That silly man...

Xion’s lips curved in a bright smile. His hand reached up, fingers brushing the red pendant at his neck. When he woke up, it was already there.

’Why would he give me something so precious?’

[That’s because His Grace loves you. Wasn’t your wedding night proof enough?]

A flush crept from Xion’s ears to his cheeks. He had needed two refreshing reagents just to walk again afterward.

If not for that, he might still be lying in bed, playing the tragic role of a corpse.

He cleared his throat and straightened his expression, trying to suppress the heat rising up his neck.

’One more word and I really won’t buy anything from you. All those precious merit points will rot.’

[No! Oh, my sweetest host across the 3000 realms, surely there’s something you want to buy? A little trinket? A potion maybe? Just one teeny tiny item?]

It wasn’t out of stinginess or to tease the system... maybe it was due to a later notion. Despite the system’s desperate whining, Xion hadn’t purchased anything in weeks.

His eyes remained stubbornly incurable. Each morning, Allen would come to check on him but it brought the same result. No changes.

And with the North so well-managed, his personal needs were already met before he could voice them.

So, there really was nothing he needed to buy.

[What if we start a school here? Think of the educational joy!]

Xion would need different kinds of materials for that, just like they did in Faymere. It had even put Xion in debt.

The system all but rubbed its imaginary hands in glee, only to be flatly crushed.

’Not now,’ Xion replied calmly.

He was waiting. Waiting for the healers he had trained in Faymere to return.

Some wouldn’t make the long journey north, but others... others had promised. And Xion still believed in Bard. The young man was practically sticking to him in Faymere.

What he didn’t know was that those very disciples — those bright-eyed apprentices — were the ones spreading the rumors of a divine healer across the kingdom.

In a world without newspapers or networks, word of mouth was the real king.

And Xion, for all his brilliance, remained blissfully unaware that he had become a whispered legend.

Though, even if he did find out, he’d probably just hide in his room for a week and sulk about the unwanted attention it brought to him.

All he wanted to do was stay with Darius, and preferably, out of trouble.

Yet trouble had a special fondness for him. Even when hidden in such a well-protected corner of the Darkhelm castle, it always found a way to him.

Just like the striking woman with red curls standing there.

Deep in his own musing, Xion didn’t even notice when this lady came so close to him.

"Good day, Your Grace." Dressed in blue silk, she walked with the calculated kind of poise only seen in the noble ladies.

Her soft pink lips curved in a polite smile as she offered a graceful bow.

"Good day to you as well." Xion returned a light nod.

He had no idea who she was, but anyone walking freely in this castle had to carry serious status. Especially if they were able to come this far.

Luckily or maybe not so luckily, he didn’t leave him guessing for long.

"I am Bianca Nocturne, daughter of Duke Nocturne," she said smoothly. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Your Grace."

There was a subtle edge to her tone when she said the title. Whether it was subtle hate or not, Xion couldn’t yet decide on that.

Ah, wait a second, Xion squinted his eyes to see the lady clearly.

Red hair. Pale skin. The Nocturne family name. Wasn’t she also from the vampire clan?

"It’s you," he murmured, and all the brightness from his face dissolved into a slight curl of his lips. A mere pleasantry to greet a guest.

He had no personal grudges with her, but her brother’s actions had left a shadow in his heart.

Still, decency was a habit he should possess as the husband of the Archduke.

"Have a seat," he said, gesturing toward the empty chair with his chin.

He kept his tone polite, but his spine remained straight, alert. In castles, courtesies were often daggers with ribbons. One just could never be too sure.

Luna, who had been ordered not to disturb Xion’s peace, instantly moved.

Her movements were professional as she swiftly prepared another cup of tea for the lady, but her eyes were stern, protective even.

And this time, she didn’t retreat too far.

Protocol of the servants be damned, she thought to herself. If His Grace needed her, she’d be there in a heartbeat.

After all, if not for Xion, her sister would be resting in a coffin instead of walking the halls.

Knowing well that this lady was from the capital and here to wed the Archduke, Luna was even on more alert.

Even the old minister of protection had warned her not to let anyone bully the young lord.

So, instead of standing at the far end where the other servants of Her Highness Bianca were waiting, she stood near the pillar.

Though her figure was partially hidden, her presence was way too obvious.

Sure enough, when Xion didn’t even stand up to greet her, Luna’s blatant behavior of treating her like an enemy made the princess’ facade turn cold.

However, the face that had the capability of charming the masses soon bloomed like a gorgeous flower.

There wasn’t a speck of rage for the culprit of her brother’s death.

If she was planning to take revenge, then all Xion could say was that her acting was immaculate. There was no flaw at all.

But then again, all the nobles were like this, acting like perfect figures when surrounded by the crowd.

Darius was the same. That man was a pervert in private and a cold northern lord in public.

Xion still hadn’t realized that this was the woman who was supposed to become his ’rival in love’.

The silly healer hadn’t heard the name when he got to know the news that day. He was only aware that there was some lady involved with Darius.

"His Grace is truly admired in the capital," Bianca said, taking a sip of her tea. "Many noble ladies spoke fondly of him."

"Of course they did," Xion replied with pride. "He does that to people, you know."

Bianca’s smile seemed to falter before she controlled her expression. "They all say that having you, the divine healer, is the Archduke’s biggest victory."

"Nah, I am the lucky one here." Xion chuckled. "My Darius had that kind of face, you know. The kind that makes people scared, but he is actually a very nice person."

The praises were spilling from his lips one after another.

Darius also has that kind of voice. Of course, women fell all over him. I too fell for him exactly like that.

A certain kitten drunk on love, didn’t notice how the carefully plastered mask on Bianca’s face started to crack every time he mentioned Darius.