Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49: ’All Eyes On Florian’

"Are... are you sure you heard him correctly?" Florian asked, his voice tight with disbelief as Cashew carefully adjusted the lapel of his outfit.

For the past few days, Florian had taken to wearing nothing but satin and silk, garments that the original Florian had apparently deemed appropriate for casual appearances. Most of them were so sheer they left little to the imagination, and Florian had swiftly relegated them to the role of pajamas. They were comfortable, at least, but utterly unsuited for anything beyond the privacy of his room.

Now, though, the summons from Heinz had left him scrambling to dress appropriately. Spending time with the king—Heinz, of all people—wasn’t something he’d prepared for. Not today. Not ever.

’I don’t want to believe it,’ Florian thought, watching Cashew’s deft hands fasten the last button of his coat. The more dignified outfits he’d chosen were newer, tailored for a prince who actually wanted to look the part. ’But Lucius wouldn’t joke about this. Not about something like this.’

Lucius stood off to the side, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his concern clear in the faint furrow of his brow. "I’m certain, Your Highness. So please move quickly. His Majesty does not like to be kept waiting."

Florian clicked his tongue, adjusting the cuff of his sleeve in irritation. "If he doesn’t like waiting, maybe he shouldn’t have waited until the last minute to tell me," he snapped, dragging a comb through his hair with quick, jerky motions.

’What is Heinz thinking?’ Florian’s mind whirled, frustration tightening his chest. ’Why now? Why is he suddenly including me? Is this because Florian—the original Florian—doesn’t adore him anymore? Or is this just some new way to humiliate me?’

Whatever the reason, Florian could already feel the weight of unwanted attention pressing down on him. Everyone would be watching. The garden, after all, wasn’t exactly a private location. Anyone in the palace’s south wing could glance out a window and see them, and the garden itself was a place where nobles frequently wandered.

"What is he thinking?" Florian muttered under his breath, smoothing down the fabric of his jacket. "Shouldn’t he just focus on the queen candidates? They’re the ones who matter."

Lucius tilted his head, studying Florian with a faintly amused expression. "You may not be a queen candidate, Prince Florian, but you are still part of the harem. Why were you so convinced that His Majesty would exclude you forever?"

’Because Heinz doesn’t include Florian in the novel,’ Florian thought bitterly, though he only sighed aloud in response.

"All set, Your Highness," Cashew said softly, stepping back to admire his work. Florian glanced at himself in the mirror—his dark, tailored coat complemented his frame well, and the subtle embroidery caught the light just enough to draw attention without being garish.

Lucius adjusted his glasses, offering Florian an approving smile. "Your new wardrobe suits you, Your Highness."

Florian turned his head sharply, avoiding Lucius’s gaze. "Aren’t you a little too shameless with your compliments?" he muttered, but the faint heat rising to his cheeks betrayed his annoyance.

Lucius chuckled lightly, his usual composure slipping back into place. He gestured toward the door. "Say goodbye to Cashew, Your Highness. His Majesty requested no servants or maids accompany you."

Florian hesitated, glancing back at Cashew, who stood quietly by the desk. Stepping closer, Florian placed a gentle hand on top of his butler’s head. "I’ll be back soon, Cashew."

Cashew smiled shyly, his cheeks pink. "Good luck, Your Highness."

As Florian turned away, Cashew watched him go, a fond expression crossing his face. ’He’s changed so much in just a week,’ Florian thought. ’He reminds me of a younger Kaz... so earnest and sweet.’

Lucius opened the door, holding it for Florian as he took a steadying breath.

’Maybe this is a good thing,’ Florian tried to tell himself, stepping into the hall. ’Maybe I can use this to get on Heinz’s good side... and maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to warn him about what’s coming.’

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Florian bit back a grimace, the whispers growing louder as he and Lucius made their way to the garden. ’I can hear you, you know.’ He forced a polite smile, his footsteps steady, even as his heart raced. The servants and maids didn’t even bother lowering their voices; the buzz of gossip clung to the air like static.

’Stop looking at me like that,’ Florian thought, fighting the urge to glare. He hated how it felt, like Lucius was some overly protective boyfriend. He didn’t need coddling—not from him, not from anyone.