Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 322

Chapter 322: ’Poisonous?’

"What do you mean, Lady Alexandria?" Florian asked slowly, his voice calm but wary, eyes flicking from her serene face to the butterflies circling lazily around him.

Their soft glow painted blue trails through the air, like harmless spirits dancing under sunlight—but now, they felt like something else entirely.

"They are poisonous," Alexandria replied smoothly, her tone matter-of-fact, as if discussing the weather. She took another sip of tea and smiled. "Actually, I have something of a...strange hobby. Or rather, a fascination. Poisons. Potions. Toxins, in all their forms."

Florian’s spine stiffened slightly.

"It’s something I stumbled upon in the library," she continued, casually brushing a crumb from her lap. "There was a section with dusty tomes from Concordia’s royal court—a surprising number of entries described glowing butterflies. Not just as rare magical creatures, but as insects carefully bred... for poison harvesting."

’Is that... true?’ Florian thought, brows drawing together in quiet concern. He looked at the butterflies again—Luluwing, Dewdrop, Shimmie... their wings fluttered so gently, as if offended by the accusation.

’But I don’t think the original Florian was the type to keep poisonous insects. He was flamboyant, dramatic... but not a poisoner.’

Trying to dispel the uncomfortable twist in his chest, Florian chuckled lightly. "I don’t believe they are, though. If they were, I imagine many of my visitors—or even myself—would’ve keeled over by now, don’t you think?"

Alexandria let out a melodic laugh, lifting her teacup again with grace. "Indeed. But... usually, they’re trained to only release poison toward specific targets."

Her words were soft. Almost playful.

But they felt like a dagger pressed lightly against the back of his neck.

’Wow. She really knows a lot.’

It was true. In the original novel, Alexandria hadn’t shown this side of herself. She was portrayed as kind, soft-spoken, a devout noblewoman from a highly religious kingdom—a character known more for her diplomacy than any interest in venom or obscure toxins.

’Where was this mentioned? Was this an overlooked trait... or something added later?’ he wondered, unsure whether it was the world shifting or his memory playing tricks on him.

She smiled again, that same gentle expression never once faltering. "But then again, I might be wrong. The books were written in Concordia. Perhaps glowing butterflies are more common here in your kingdom, and not poisonous at all."

Florian forced a light laugh, though it felt thin. "Yes, that’s right. They’re very much common here."

He hoped his voice sounded more confident than he felt.

Alexandria nodded, her eyes lowering as she reached for another biscuit. A quiet settled over them—not awkward, not quite peaceful either. Just... heavy.

Florian shifted in his seat.

He glanced at the untouched cookie on his plate, then picked it up and shoved it into his mouth like it owed him something. The taste of butter and sugar barely registered. He reached for his tea and took a sip, ignoring the slight tremble in his fingers.

’Fuck. I don’t know how to continue the conversation for some reason.’ he thought, lowering the cup onto the gold-trimmed coffee table and sliding his notes aside.

He glanced at Alexandria again. She wore an expression of calm contentment, sipping her tea as if the conversation hadn’t just taken a dark turn.

’Come on. Alexandria went out of her way to help me practice, even after I unintentionally embarrassed her... I need to at least make sure she’s having an enjoyable time.’

Florian scrambled mentally for a new topic—anything lighter, anything safer—but before he could find the words, there came a sudden knock at the door.

Sharp. Three taps.

It cut cleanly through the thick air between them.

"Oh? Who could that be?" Florian said, standing up and glancing between Alexandria and the door. He offered a polite smile. "Hold on, Lady Alexandria. I’ll check who that is."

Alexandria waved her hand elegantly, reclining slightly in her chair. "Of course. It’s no problem, Prince Florian."

Florian placed his teacup down on the table and stepped toward the door. The gold inlaid floor was cold under his slippers, the light from the butterflies trailing softly after him.

When he reached the door, he rested his hand on the knob, hesitating for just a second longer than necessary.

’I swear, if this is any of our guests today, I will lose it.’ Florian thought, mentally bracing himself as he turned the door knob. His fingers gripped the brass just a little tighter than usual, the lingering awkwardness from his conversation with Alexandria still clinging to him like smoke.

He opened the door.

His eyes widened instantly.

"Lancelot?" he blurted, blinking in surprise.

Of all people, the last person he expected to find standing at his door was him—the infamously unpredictable, overly flirtatious Commander of the Royal Knights.

’What the fuck?! What is happening?!’

He just stayed there—face buried in Florian’s shoulder, breathing shallow, arms wrapped around him like he was trying to anchor himself to something—someone—solid. The usual smug flirtation, the careless bravado, it was all gone.

’He’s hugging me. He is hugging me. Why is he hugging me?’