The Substitute Healer (BL)-Chapter 51: “Hmph, whatever.

After mobilizing the troops, Arctelle and Soren were assigned to accompany the frontlines as healers, ready to tend to anyone injured and provide support during any encounters with the beasts.

Alongside them was a strong unit.

Alaric, of course, with Gaspar, the vice-captain of the Davenmore Knights, Cael, and several Imperial Knights, including Melissa and Hector. Even Kent, Justin, and Louie were brought along, forming a well-rounded force of fighters and support.

By the time the sun was beginning to rise, the group was already moving toward their destination, running on little to no sleep especially Alaric and Cael, whose exhaustion wasn’t visible in the way they elegantly carried themselves.

Meanwhile, Caelius and Irlian stayed behind with the Davenmore twins.

If the frontline encountered more danger than expected, they could call for reinforcements, or provide backup if needed. With healers like Arctelle and Soren at the front, the team felt more confident, but the tension was still thick as they approached unknown threats especially what the scout had reported.

With a two-day ride ahead and the weight of their mission pressing on them, the group moved with speed and precision. Carriages were left behind, except for the essential supplies and weapons, ensuring that the unit remained mobile and ready for anything. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Every rider knew the stakes, and the tension was almost tangible in the cold morning air.

Arctelle rode gracefully with perfect posture.

Soren, on the other hand, was struggling since he had never ridden a horse before, and now he was awkwardly perched on Alaric’s horse, pressed uncomfortably against the man’s side.

His hands clutched at Alaric’s arm, unsure of how to balance while his legs flailed slightly as he tried not to slip.

He had been meant to ride with Gaspar, but Gaspar had to take the front, forming a defensive wall with Alaric and Cael in case of a sudden attack from the beasts.

Cael had even offered to take Soren himself, but before he could act, Alaric had grabbed him first. That simple act sent Soren into a flustered spiral since Alaric was the last person he’d expect to make any kind of skin-to-skin contact with a commoner, yet here he was, tight against him on a moving horse.

Soren’s mind raced.

’Why is this happening? Why him?’ His face burned as he tried not to bump into Alaric’s every movement that’s sending shivers of embarrassment through him.

His stomach knotted, and his hands gripped Alaric like a lifeline, not daring to look up.

Arctelle noticed immediately and tried to protest but constrained by the urgency of their journey.

But Alaric ignored her, eyes fixed ahead with deadly focus.

There was no time for hesitation.

With danger potentially waiting around every bend, nothing could slow them down. The group pressed forward, horses kicking up dust along the trail as the cold wind and snow tugged at their hair and cloaks.

Soren’s heart hammered in his chest, half from fear, awkwardness and embarrassment.

Every jolt of the horse made him cling tighter and every movement of Alaric’s body against his own sent a flush creeping up his neck against his will.

He hated how aware he was of every small contact, yet he couldn’t help it.

The urgency of the mission left him no choice but to endure, awkwardly trapped in a situation he had no control over. And all around them, the world felt tense yet full of the invisible threat of beasts waiting, watching and ready to strike.

After enduring the awkwardness and the tension of the ride, Soren finally felt like he could breathe. Relief washed over him as they reached their destination at last.

The riders hurriedly but quietly dismounted, careful not to make unnecessary noise while around them, the rest of the unit readied their weapons, alert for any beasts that might appear without warning.

Every rustle of the trees and shifting shadow seemed to make their hearts beat a little faster.

Soren and Arctelle, however, were left under Gaspar’s watchful eye.

Being healers and essential assets to the mission so their safety was a top priority. If anything happened to them, the whole unit would be at a severe disadvantage.

After a moment of scanning the surrounding, Alaric approached Gaspar. "Make sure you keep your eyes on them. As we discussed last time, your mission is to ensure they aren’t in any danger. Do you understand?"

Gaspar’s eyes swept over Soren and Arctelle, assessing them quickly before returning to Alaric. He then bowed respectfully with serious yet calm expression.

"I understand, Your Grace. I will do my best," he replied.

"Hmm... don’t get hurt, okay? Especially you," Cael said with a smirk with his eyes locking onto Soren. Then he glanced at Arctelle, who was standing nearby, clearly trying but failing to catch the prince’s attention.

"Soren, right?" Cael asked.

Soren flinched at the sound of his name and quickly bowed. "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Well... you don’t have to do that," Cael replied, tilting his head, smirk still in place. "Just... don’t get hurt. It’d be a problem if one of our talented healers died, wouldn’t it?"

His gaze never left Soren, completely ignoring Arctelle, who had been hoping for a glance or acknowledgment.

Realizing that he’s being completely ignored, Arctelle’s fists clenched at the slight with a flash of irritation running through him. ’This commoner... what did he do to get His Highness’ attention like this? The prince hasn’t even spared me a glance!’

He then forced a calm, practiced smile across his face, but inside, his pride burned.

"Don’t worry about him, Your Highness," Arctelle said while suddenly placing his hands on Soren’s shoulders, acting as if he were genuinely concerned.

He even made sure Gaspar and Alaric could see the gesture. "I’ll keep an eye on him too, so he won’t be in any danger. As you mentioned, if we put ourselves at risk, it would be a problem, Your Highness."

Cael, however, saw right through Arctelle’s attempt.

He wasn’t particularly bothered, but he did notice how Arctelle’s hand remained on Soren’s shoulder. Alaric shared the same thoughts, though both men masked their true feelings with indifferent expressions.

Gaspar, more experienced in reading such situations, glanced between the prince and Alaric, then looked over at Soren. He was about to speak when Arctelle interrupted again.

"Hey, com... I mean, Soren, please don’t leave my side later, okay? It would be a problem if something happened to you. Just stick with me, and let’s help each other out, all right?"

Inside, Arctelle’s anger simmered. ’Damn this commoner, how dare he make me act like this! Even with our robes on, the thought of touching him makes me want to vomit. I hope a beast skewers him later, or something... I hope he meets his end!’

But on the surface, Arctelle maintained a perfectly innocent expression, even leaning his head against Soren’s shoulder as if he cared.

"I understand, Young Lord..." Soren replied, fully aware that Arctelle’s words were nothing but lies.

"Yup, all right..." Arctelle said, his tone still cheerful while masking the bitterness underneath.

Cael listened in silence to everything Arctelle said with his eyes occasionally drifting to Soren to observe his reactions and Gaspar noticed this immediately.

Having years of experience, he could clearly tell that the prince was paying close attention to Arctelle towards Soren’s behavior but whether Cael’s gaze held suspicion, annoyance, or something else entirely, Gaspar couldn’t be sure.

The prince’s expression revealed little, and his thoughts were impossible to read.

"Hmph, whatever. Do what you want. Just make sure the two of you stay out of danger," Cael said dismissively before turning on his heel and walking away.

Alaric remained where he was, his gaze fixed on Soren and Arctelle.

"Uh... do you have anything else to say, Your Grace?" Arctelle asked.

As he spoke, he deliberately nudged Soren aside and stepped forward, positioning himself between Alaric and Soren, blocking the duke’s view.

Gaspar, noticing the awkward tension raised his hands halfway in a placating gesture, glancing between his lord and Arctelle who clearly had no idea how to read the room.

Soren, meanwhile, maintained a respectful and composed posture. He didn’t avert his gaze, instead staring quietly at Arctelle’s back as it completely shielded Alaric from view.

"Your Grace," Gaspar interjected, "you should follow His Highness now. There’s no need to worry about them. I’ll do my best to protect them and keep them out of danger."

Alaric’s attention shifted to Gaspar, and once again, Arctelle felt ignored as he didn’t even receive the Duke’s answer.

’Argh! Why does no one ever look at me? Why do they all pay attention to this damn commoner instead?!’ Arctelle raged inwardly.

His smile never faltered, but when he glanced at Soren, his eyes turned sharp and hostile making his veins bulged slightly along his neck.

"Very well. I’ll be on my way," Alaric said at last. "We must remain alert at all times so mistakes will not be forgiven. Remember that."

With those words, he turned and left but not before casting one final glance at Soren.

And of course, Arctelle received none.

However, before Alaric completely vanished from their sight, a knight suddenly shouted.

"Get ready! They’re coming!"