Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234: ’Anger. Suspicion. Worry. Grief.’

Lucius’ brows twitched slightly, but he kept his expression smooth. He had expected nervousness, hesitation—perhaps even the usual wide-eyed, flustered look Cashew always wore when spoken to.

But this?

No stutter. No shyness. No trace of the timid boy who used to fidget with the hem of his uniform.

’So this is what His Highness was worried about.’

Cashew’s gaze met his, unwavering. Cold.

Lucius had opened his mouth to ask why he was standing outside Florian’s door, but before he could, Cashew spoke first.

"Do you need anything?"

His voice was sharp. Even. Unshaken.

Lucius didn’t let his intrigue show, though internally, he was already analyzing.

’No hesitation. No nervousness. Nothing.’

There was no trace of the boy who used to shrink under his gaze. No fumbling over words, no flushed cheeks, no restless hands clinging to the hem of his uniform.

Just a steady stare. Impassive. Guarded.

He remained composed, his tone neutral. "I was simply wondering why you’re standing here instead of waiting inside."

Cashew blinked slowly before turning his gaze back to the door. A long pause stretched between them.

"His Highness is outside of the palace," he finally said. "Not in his room. I wanted to wait."

Lucius didn’t immediately respond. He studied Cashew, taking in every subtle shift in his posture—the way his fingers curled slightly at his sides, the way his shoulders were too stiff, too rigid for someone who was simply waiting.

’Waiting, huh?’

His first thought was that this change in demeanor had something to do with the argument between Cashew and Florian. But even then...

Something didn’t sit right.

And the strangest part?

Cashew’s emotions.

Lucius was used to feeling embarrassment and adoration from the boy whenever he was around Florian. Joy, warmth, admiration.

Now?

Anger.

Suspicion.

Worry.

Grief.

Lucius’ fingers twitched slightly.

’This is the most suspicious set of emotions I’ve seen in a while. And to think they belong to Cashew...’

It didn’t make sense.

Cashew had always been predictable. Simple. His emotions were as easy to read as an open book.

But now, that book was closed. Locked shut.

Lucius exhaled slowly, keeping his expression unreadable.

’I don’t like this.’

Why was Cashew feeling all of this at once?

And more importantly—

’He is hiding something. These emotions do not appear in someone who isn’t hiding something.’

Lucius couldn’t take any chances—not after what had just happened. He needed to keep talking, to dig deeper, to figure out what exactly was wrong with Cashew.

"Prince Florian mentioned that you both argued. He was very distraught about it," Lucius said carefully, watching Cashew’s face for any sign of a reaction.

It was subtle—so subtle that most wouldn’t have noticed—but Lucius did. The slight flinch at the mention of Florian. The way his fingers curled tighter at his sides.

Cashew didn’t respond, but Lucius could feel the shift in his emotions.

Guilt.

Sadness.

’He feels guilty for the fight.’ Lucius thought. But then—there was something else.

A flicker of something stronger.

’Resolve?’

Lucius narrowed his eyes slightly. That was a rare emotion. And if it did appear, it never came alongside guilt and sadness.

’Interesting.’

"May I ask why you argued with him?" Lucius pressed, keeping his voice neutral. "You are aware that His Highness trusts you a lot. He has been through a great deal lately, and you should not worry him further."

Cashew finally turned to face him.

"And what about you, Sir Lucius?" His voice was sharp, the cold edge unexpected.

Lucius frowned slightly. "What about me?"

"What have you done for His Highness?"

Lucius felt something shift.

It was sudden—sharp.

Hatred.

Not just irritation. Not resentment.

Pure, burning hatred.

Cashew hated him.

Lucius’ expression didn’t change, but his mind was already racing. ’Why? What did I do to warrant this level of hatred?’

His interactions with Cashew had always been minimal. Barely anything beyond formalities. He had never gone out of his way to antagonize him.

"It doesn’t seem like you’re doing anything but annoy His Highness," he said. "When he was kidnapped—what did you do? When he was poisoned—where were you? What did you do?"

"You always make His Highness uncomfortable with your advances. You and the knight. Really," he scoffed. "What have you done to help?"

He should have been angry. A mere servant—a child—was speaking to him like this.

Lucius had not been there when Florian was kidnapped. He had not stopped the aphrodisiac before it touched his lips. He had not shielded him from danger, only ever arriving after the damage had already been done.

Cashew’s anger was justified.

’That still doesn’t explain this.’

Lucius inhaled slowly, keeping his voice level. "Did someone speak to you?" His eyes sharpened, searching Cashew’s face for any flicker of hesitation. "Did something happen—"

Lucius frowned. It was rare for her to seek him out directly.