Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 273

Chapter 273: ’A Sting’

Florian’s face paled in an instant, blood draining so fast it felt like ice pooling beneath his skin.

’Shit. That was so stupid.’

He clenched his jaw, biting down on the urge to grimace as Alexandria’s head tilted—just a fraction, just enough. Her smile remained, soft and serene, but her eyes... they had shifted. Too sharp now. Too clear. A predator who had caught the scent of something off.

’Idiot. Idiot. I just wanted to end the conversation, grab Azure, and get the hell out of here. Now I’ve practically handed her a reason to start digging.’

Sure enough, she stepped forward.

Slow. Measured. Deliberate. _{freёwebnovel.com}

Her voice was calm. Sweet, even. The kind of gentle curiosity that always came before a blade.

"You were with Drizelous?" she repeated, tone featherlight. "Forgive me, I didn’t realize you two were acquainted."

’I’m not. That’s the problem.’

The smile on her lips hadn’t moved, but it no longer felt polite. It felt practiced. A mask stretched too tight over something watchful. Dangerous. Like standing before a wolf draped in silk.

Her hands folded neatly in front of her dress, fingers laced just a little too precisely. "May I ask... why? What for?"

Florian’s spine went rigid.

He was exhausted. His pulse still hadn’t settled from earlier. But he forced himself to breathe, forced his muscles not to lock up as he met her eyes. Calm. Controlled. Like this wasn’t a trap he’d just stepped into.

"I had to get fitted," he said, voice even.

Her brows lifted.

’Here we go.’

"Fitted? By Drizelous?" she echoed, a rare crack of surprise slipping into her tone. "But he only makes custom pieces for His Majesty. He doesn’t even accept commissions."

Her confusion was real. But something lurked beneath it. Something colder. Heavier. A quiet, poisonous flare of jealousy.

Florian felt it, like a shift in the room’s air.

He should lie. Make something up—something vague and harmless.

But—

’No. The truth is actually better than any lie. If I mess this up, she might think there’s something personal between me and Heinz. I need to steer this before she spirals.’

So he straightened his shoulders and nodded with quiet conviction.

"Yes. I’m not allowed to say much right now," he said carefully, keeping his voice low, steady. "It’s confidential. But I’ve been chosen to represent something important. Something that involves the Crown."

Alexandria’s eyes widened slightly, the faintest parting of her lips betraying surprise she couldn’t quite mask.

Florian didn’t give her time to speak.

"I don’t know the full details yet, but I assume the outfit is to ensure I meet the expectations of someone standing beside the king. Presentation matters." He glanced off to the side, just briefly. "At least... I think that’s why. I haven’t had the chance to ask His Majesty directly."

’Still don’t know why he made me go to Drizelous if it’s such a big deal... but whatever this is, it’s important to him. That’s all that matters right now.’

Alexandria was quiet.

Too quiet.

Then—softly—she nodded.

"Oh. I see..." she murmured, the words drifting like smoke. Something in her expression loosened. Not entirely, but enough. The tension around her eyes faded. Her stance softened.

’It worked.’

She folded her arms slowly across her chest, fingers brushing the edge of her sleeves, like she was bracing herself from a sudden chill. "That must be the project His Majesty mentioned during council," she added, more to herself than him. "He said something was in motion... but he didn’t name what."

Florian managed not to let out the breath he’d been holding.

’Okay. She bought it. She’s curious, yeah—but she’s not suspicious anymore.’

Now all that was left—

His gaze drifted toward the jar.

Azure had gone still. The small dragon sat coiled, no longer thrashing, but clearly still fuming. Smoke curled lazily from his nostrils, irritation radiating from his tiny frame. He looked... done. Not calm, just tired of being trapped.

"I really should get going," Florian said, gesturing gently toward the jar. "I need to return Azure to His Majesty."

Alexandria flinched, visibly startled as his voice broke through whatever thoughts had dragged her away. Her gaze had drifted somewhere distant, somewhere she wasn’t ready to speak about—but now, with a quick blink, she pulled herself back into the present.

"Ah—yes, of course," she said, her tone snapping back into poise. The polished mask slid back over her features, smooth and pleasant.

But then, she hesitated.

Her fingers lingered on the jar.

’Attacked a maid?’

’That’s not like him at all...’

’He’s really like a puppy.’