Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35: ’Talk Of The Palace’

Florian let out a long, exhausted sigh as he sank into the worn couch in his quarters. He yanked off his appearance-changing glasses, tossing them onto the nearby table with a mix of relief and annoyance. His feet throbbed, the dull ache a testament to the endless hours of walking, cleaning, and, more importantly, skulking about between Princess Bridget’s and Princess Camilla’s lessons.

"Ah. I’m so exhausted," he muttered to himself, stretching his legs out and rubbing his sore ankles. He leaned back, letting his head fall against the cushion, his mind replaying the day’s events.

After the chaos with Lancelot and Lucius, Florian had begrudgingly returned to his task—spying on the two princesses assigned to him. It had been a grueling effort, and though he was drained, he couldn’t deny that the day had been... enlightening.

For Bridget, Florian had uncovered a surprising side of her. Despite the icy, distant persona she typically displayed, she seemed passionate about constellations and alchemy. She wasn’t as cold, arrogant, or detached as she liked to portray. In fact, watching her delve so eagerly into her lessons had been oddly refreshing. ’She almost looked... human,’ he mused, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

As for Camilla, Florian found himself even more taken aback. She was always early for her lessons—punctual, prepared, and enthusiastic about Concordian fashion. These were qualities he hadn’t expected from her, especially given the way she carried herself around Scarlett.

The fashion instructor had even complimented Camilla’s eagerness to learn, which was a stark contrast to the carefree, slightly haughty image she projected.

’I like her better without Scarlett by her side,’ Florian thought. Without Scarlett’s influence, Camilla seemed softer, more approachable. Even her maids were considerably kinder than the sharp-tongued ones in Bridget’s service. But those little observations were only part of what Florian had learned.

The palace was abuzz with gossip. Heinz summoning Florian twice in one day—once to his office and once to his room at night—had become the latest scandal. And, as Florian discovered, the princesses were far from thrilled about it.

Earlier in the day, while Bridget had been reviewing her scrolls of constellations, her maids had been all too eager to discuss the situation.

"I heard His Majesty summoned him once to his office and then later to his chambers. At night!" one of the maids whispered with a scandalized expression. The professor had momentarily left the room to retrieve some tools, leaving them free to gossip.

Bridget didn’t look up from her scrolls. Her calm, aloof voice cut through their whispers. "And do you know why? It is unlike His Majesty to summon anyone twice in one day...or to summon him at all."

The maid lowered her voice further, though her excitement was obvious. "No one knows, Your Highness. Even Lady Delilah wouldn’t tell us! But some say His Majesty has taken an interest in... him. Of all people!"

Florian had to stifle a groan as he quietly wiped down a nearby shelf, pretending to be engrossed in his cleaning. ’An interest? Oh, give me a break.’

Bridget shook her head dismissively. "I don’t think so. His Majesty did not seem pleased when he called for him during breakfast. If anything, this has to do with his plans to find a bride."

’Oh, she’s really smart.’

"That’s true, Your Highness!" one of the maids gushed. "And surely, if His Majesty is planning to choose a bride, it will be you. You’re the smartest among the princesses and, of course, the loveliest as well."

Florian snorted inwardly, biting back a sarcastic comment. ’Sure, because that’s totally how this works.’

Later, during Camilla’s fashion lesson, Florian found himself surrounded by an entirely different tone of gossip. Camilla and her maids were much less subtle, and the royal seamstress was happy to chime in.

"What if Prince Florian bewitched His Majesty?" one of Camilla’s maids speculated dramatically as she adjusted a hemline on a gown. "I heard his kingdom is full of strange, secretive practices. Those creepy glowing butterflies of his? Definitely magic. Maybe he used some kind of enchanted flower to seduce His Majesty."

Florian rolled his eyes, scrubbing the floor harder to distract himself. ’Bewitched? Enchanted flower? Please. If I had magic, I would be out of here.’

"Or perhaps His Majesty is secretly punishing him," the seamstress added with a sly grin. "I heard he’s fed up with that prince’s constant begging for attention. A man loving another man? Preposterous!" _{freewёbnoνel.com}

Camilla laughed, the sound light and melodious. "Oh, it’s all so curious, isn’t it? Scarlett was fuming when she found out. Especially since he hasn’t summoned any of us since his Majesty announced his plans to choose a bride."

"None of you?" The seamstress blinked in surprise. "Why not?"

Camilla tilted her head thoughtfully. "We assumed it was because His Majesty wanted to be fair to all the princesses..." She trailed off, exchanging puzzled looks with her maids.

"Then how will he choose his bride?" the seamstress pressed.

Camilla frowned, furrowing her brow. "I... didn’t think about that."

’Here’s to hoping that Lucius and Cashew come back with good news,’ he thought, though even that hope felt like a distant wish. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than a knock echoed from his door, startling him.

’Huh? Is it just me, or is something... off with him?’