Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8: 'Lucius Darkthorn'

"Wait... remind me again, why do the princesses hate Florian if he's a guy? I mean, I get he can get pregnant, but he's still a dude, and the king clearly doesn't like him?"

Aden looked up from his phone, where he'd just finished reading Kaz's latest Chapter of her novel, The Prince's Unrequited Love. His brow furrowed as he recalled the scene he'd just read—two of the six princesses mercilessly bullying Florian, the hapless protagonist, who had only been minding his own business.

Across the room, Kaz lounged on the couch with one leg thrown over the armrest, scrolling through her own screen. She didn't look up as she replied, her voice dripping with nonchalance.

"Because, bro, classic female insecurity."

Aden blinked. "Huh?"

Kaz sighed dramatically, finally setting her phone down and sitting up straight. She gave him a look that screamed, Do I really have to spell this out for you?

"Florian," she said, gesturing with her hands as though presenting a case in court, "is the prettiest member of the harem despite being a guy. Like, stupidly pretty. He's got those delicate features, flawless skin, and let's not forget his outfits—they make him look seductive as hell."

Aden frowned. "Language," he muttered, though his tone lacked conviction.

Kaz waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, the point is, Florian's looks and charm draw all the men's attention. Hot women? That's expected, right? But a tragically hot man? That's rare. It throws off the balance, and the princesses hate it."

Aden tilted his head, considering her words. "So, they're mad because... he's competition?"

"Exactly," Kaz said, snapping her fingers. "And not just any competition. Florian's got that whole tragic backstory going for him too. Men can't help but be curious—like, what's his deal? Plus, his biology makes things... complicated."

Aden raised an eyebrow. "Complicated how?"

Kaz leaned back, folding her arms. "You already said it—he can get pregnant. That's not exactly common, so it makes him even more of a mystery. And you know how men in these kinds of stories are. They love a mystery. The princesses see it as a threat."

Aden frowned, tapping his phone against his knee. "So... that's why there are all those attempted assaults on him?"

Kaz nodded grimly. "Exactly. He's not just a guy in the harem. He's the guy. The one everyone notices, even when he doesn't want to be noticed. That kind of attention breeds jealousy."

"Oh, Florian."

Florian was snapped out of his thoughts, his mind still swirling with everything he remembered about the novel. He looked up and saw Scarlett and Camilla standing in front of him, matching smirks plastered on their faces. _{frёewebηovel.cѳm}

'Right, my name's Florian now. I should really get used to that.'

"Yes?" he replied, keeping his tone neutral.

"Don't be too sad, Florian. We all knew this day would come eventually," Camilla said, tossing her short hair with a dramatic flourish.

"What day?" Florian feigned ignorance, not in the mood to deal with their antics.

"That His Majesty will eventually choose a wife. A wife," Camilla repeated, emphasizing the word as if it were some grand declaration.

'She says it twice to assert dominance,' Florian thought, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he forced a polite smile. 'I've dealt with my bitchy little sister and an egotistical boss. This is child's play.'

"I understand that. However..." Florian trailed off, his eyes widening slightly as a thought struck him—something that brightened his mood just a little.

He didn't have to put up with their nonsense.

'But I'm not that Florian,' Florian thought, suppressing a smirk. While Aden had respect for women too, he was no stranger to pushing buttons when necessary—years of annoying his sister had honed that skill.

Florian clasped his hands over his chest, feigning concern as he bit back a grin. "I'm more concerned about your friendship..."

"Well," Florian said with a practiced sigh, "His Majesty did say he'd only choose one wife. That means you two aren't exactly on equal footing anymore." He placed a hand on his heart, as though the very thought pained him. "I've already accepted my defeat, but oh, I cannot imagine how you both must feel right now—competing against each other for something so important."

'Thank you, Kaz, wherever you are, for teaching me about the pettiness and insecurities of women,' Florian thought smugly. As the two began bickering in hushed tones, their carefully constructed facades cracking, Florian seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.