Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 259

Chapter 259: ’Learned A Lot’

Florian barely had time to process the maid’s gasp before he saw him—Heinz, walking towards them with that same composed gait, his long black hair swaying with every step. His crimson eyes, sharp as ever, were locked onto Florian, unwavering and unreadable.

’Again? Why the fuck is he here again?’

Florian resisted the urge to sigh. Was Heinz about to pull him away from the tea party—again? The last time had been abrupt enough, but if he did it twice, Florian was going to start thinking the emperor had a personal vendetta against his social life.

As Heinz approached, his lips curved into a faint half-smile. That alone set off alarms in Florian’s head.

Still, protocol was protocol.

The moment he drew close enough, Florian, Alexandria, and Athena immediately rose from their seats. The maids followed suit, dropping into graceful curtsies, their heads bowed.

Heinz came to a stop before them, his gaze briefly flicking over Alexandria and Athena before returning to Florian.

Then, to everyone’s surprise—

"May I join?"

A beat of silence.

Alexandria almost choked on air. "O-O-Of course, Your Majesty!" she stammered, hurriedly straightening as she clasped her hands in front of her. Athena gave a small nod, keeping her head down, her usual reserved nature making her appear even meeker in the emperor’s presence.

Florian, however, was just... confused.

’Since when does Heinz ask to join anything?’

A sudden, unpleasant wave of self-consciousness settled in his stomach. There was something inherently nerve-wracking about having the emperor—who had a habit of dragging him away for serious conversations—sitting in on what was supposed to be a casual tea party.

Heinz, as if completely unaware of the tension he had just caused, moved to the empty seat beside Florian and sat down. His movements were fluid, effortless, as though this had been the plan all along.

His crimson eyes swept over the table, then landed on the three of them. He gestured with a single hand. "Sit."

They obeyed immediately.

The air shifted. What had once been a peaceful afternoon gathering now felt suffocating, the weight of the emperor’s presence pressing down on everyone. Even the maids were visibly more cautious, moving with deliberate precision. One of Alexandria’s maids stepped forward, her hands steady despite the tension, carefully placing a fresh cup of tea and a small plate of biscuits before Heinz.

Heinz paid her no mind. Instead, he leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze drifting between Alexandria and Athena.

"So," he began, his voice smooth yet unreadable, "what have you two been talking about with Florian?"

Florian blinked.

’...Huh?’

That phrasing. Why did he phrase it like that?

Instead of simply asking what the three of them had been discussing, Heinz had specifically asked what they had been talking about with him.

There was an implication there.

Something Florian couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Alexandria tucked a stray curl behind her ear, her violet eyes bright with warmth as she smiled.

Florian’s gaze lingered on her for a fraction longer than necessary, his mind supplying an old realization—out of all the princesses, Alexandria was the only one who had genuine feelings for Heinz.

’Right. She actually likes him.’

Azure, who had tumbled from Florian’s lap when he stood earlier, took the opportunity to claw his way back up. The small dragon settled himself on Florian’s legs once more, but this time, his tiny body was tense. His tail flicked in agitation, and his bright blue eyes darted toward Heinz.

Florian resisted the urge to sigh.

’Now what’s wrong with you? You were fine a minute ago.’

Before he could dwell on it, Alexandria spoke, her voice as light and pleasant as ever. _{freewёbnoνel.com}

"We were just asking Prince Florian about his trip with you, Your Majesty," she said cheerfully.

Florian stiffened.

’...What.’

His head snapped toward Alexandria, but the princess was still smiling, completely unaware of the landmine she had just stepped on.

’I told her Heinz said I shouldn’t tell anyone...I had hoped she wouldn’t say that.’

’What the fuck is he doing right now?’ Florian thought as he cleared his throat. He could practically feel the holes being burnt into him by the maids’ stares and even by Cashew, who had been silent the whole time. "I said it was productive, Your Majesty."

’What?’