Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 236

Chapter 236: ‘My prince is back.’

Alexandria smiled, her hands clasped neatly in front of her as she tilted her head slightly. "You seem tense, Sir Lancelot," she observed, her voice light yet perceptive. "Is something wrong? You look stressed."

Lancelot straightened his posture, keeping his expression composed, his features carefully schooled into neutrality. "I am simply carrying out my duties, Your Highness," he responded smoothly. "That is all. I am not stressed."

Alexandria pursed her lips, clearly unconvinced, but she let it go with a soft hum. "If you say so."

Lancelot’s gaze flickered between the two of them. "And what are you two doing out here? Where are your maids?"

"Oh, we’re just taking a stroll," Alexandria answered breezily, waving a delicate hand as if to brush away any concerns. "Stretching our legs, enjoying the fresh air." Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she grinned. "And, of course, gossiping."

Lancelot gave a slight nod. ’Ah. That explains it.’ Women of their standing often indulged in gossip—it was one of the few pastimes they could enjoy freely within the confines of the palace. He had little interest in their topics, but he understood the appeal well enough.

A brief silence settled between them.

Lancelot took the moment to observe them more closely.

Athena remained quiet, as always, her gaze lowered, though he could tell she was listening intently. A stark contrast to Alexandria, who carried the conversation with effortless charm and confidence.

’Strange,’ he thought idly. ’I used to flirt with women like them without a second thought.’ A teasing smile, a well-placed compliment—it had been second nature to him.

But now? Nothing. Not even the slightest flicker of interest.

Ever since Florian, it was as if something inside him had shifted.

No one else seemed attractive to him anymore.

Alexandria suddenly perked up. "Has Prince Florian returned yet?"

Lancelot’s brows furrowed slightly. He hadn’t expected that question. "You knew he was gone?"

Alexandria’s smile remained, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes. "Oh, don’t worry. It’s nothing suspicious. Prince Florian told me himself yesterday."

Lancelot’s gaze flickered to Athena, noting how she remained silent, merely observing.

Before he could ask, Alexandria continued as if anticipating his thoughts. "Athena went to visit his highness’ room earlier, but Cashew was standing outside. Just waiting." She paused, twirling a strand of her hair between her fingers. "She thought it was a little odd, so I told her Prince Florian was away."

Lancelot remained quiet for a moment, his expression unreadable.

’They shouldn’t have known... but then again, if Florian trusted them enough to tell them, there’s no reason to be suspicious.’

Even so, he tucked the information away in the back of his mind.

One could never be too careful.

After all, what harm could the princesses do?

Lancelot inhaled, steadying himself, already preparing to excuse himself. There was still much to do, and lingering here would accomplish nothing.

But then—

His mind caught onto something. Something Alexandria had said.

Cashew.

Lancelot’s sharp eyes flickered back to her. "You mentioned that Cashew was standing outside of Prince Florian’s room." His voice remained even, but there was a slight edge to it now, a subtle shift in his demeanor.

"Why was he there?"

Lancelot’s brows furrowed. ’That’s... unusual.’

’Unless he had a reason to be silent.’

’How could I have overlooked this?’ Lancelot clenched his jaw. ’I should look into that.’