Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 265

Chapter 265: ’Yes, I did say that.’

"Yes, I did say that."

Florian couldn’t help the smug little huff that escaped him as those words left Heinz’s mouth. A rare, golden moment of satisfaction bloomed in his chest. He and Delilah had gone straight to the king’s office, and now here they were—with Florian proven right.

Delilah’s expression dropped like a stone in a still pond.

Florian didn’t even know who Drizelous was yet, but watching her composure crack was already more rewarding than it should’ve been.

"But... but why?" Delilah asked, her voice laced with something between disbelief and protest.

Florian turned to her with a pointed look.

’Really? What is the deal with this Drizelous person?’ he thought, eyes narrowing. ’You’re acting like I was just sent to meet the devil himself.’

Heinz didn’t even flinch. "I’m hosting a summit," he said smoothly, flipping through a stack of papers with the air of someone discussing weather. "The first summit I’ve held since I became king. Florian will represent me."

Florian straightened slightly, the weight of those words slow to hit him.

’Represent... the king? At a summit? With nobles and officials?’

Delilah, meanwhile, looked like someone had just poured ice water down her back.

"But... he doesn’t need to go see Drizelous for that, Your Majesty," she pressed, tone edged with urgency. "You know what this could mean to the dukes. Even to the princesses."

’Oh? What would it mean?’ Florian wondered, now officially intrigued—and maybe a little alarmed.

Heinz didn’t glance up. "I get your concern, Delilah. But I don’t have time to explain it further. Just do it."

And there it was—that subtle but deliberate softness in Heinz’s voice. It wasn’t the usual curt command Florian had grown used to. No edge. No bite. No threat.

It caught him off guard.

He looked between the two of them, eyebrows furrowing slightly.

’Why’s he so patient with her? He’s never like that with anyone. Not even Lucius.’

Now that he thought about it, Heinz hadn’t raised his voice once since Delilah walked in. Not even a scolding glance. And Delilah—she was talking back, questioning the king without even flinching.

’Are they... close? Have they known each other a long time?’ Florian mused, mind turning. ’Delilah’s been around since forever, hasn’t she? Unlike Lucius, who Heinz promoted after becoming king... maybe she’s been here since before that. Maybe even since childhood.’

There was no more argument after that. Delilah clearly knew better than to press Heinz further once he had spoken like that. With stiff shoulders and a resigned frown, she bowed low, hand across her front.

"As you wish," she said, voice tight with disapproval.

She turned sharply, her gaze landing on Florian—and gods, if looks could kill.

Florian resisted the urge to grin.

He never picked fights with the elderly. Really, he didn’t. But Delilah had been testing his patience lately, and this little victory? It felt good.

"Follow me, Your Highness," she said crisply, already pulling out her mana stone.

It was the same glowing blue crystal she used earlier, the kind Lucius also carried—an exclusive item, clearly reserved for the palace’s highest-ranking servants. Only the head butler and head maid, it seemed, were trusted enough to teleport within the palace at will.

As soon as it began to glow, Florian felt the shift in the air—the magic pulling at the space around them, bending it. Their surroundings were about to change.

"Oh, bye, Your Majesty," he said suddenly, tossing the farewell over his shoulder as the light intensified.

Heinz looked up.

"Goodbye," he replied, calm and deliberate, his crimson eyes meeting Florian’s for just a beat before returning to his paperwork.

It was the first time he had looked up since Delilah entered.

And Delilah noticed.

The way her lips pressed into a thin, bitter line said everything. Her expression soured further, a storm cloud darkening her features as she turned away.

Then, in a blink, the world around them twisted and shifted.

Light bent.

’Drizelous better not be a monster or some secret dragon or whatever,’ he thought grimly. ’Because if I’ve been sent on a death mission just so Heinz can avoid talking to the dukes, I swear to all that is holy—’

He knew it wasn’t exactly true. Not in the way he was pretending. Sure, Heinz had become slightly more tolerant of him—maybe even fond, in a strange, distant way—but to call it closeness was definitely pushing it.

’That sour look on her old face is priceless.’

’Wait a second... I’ve never been in this part of the palace.’