Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 101: ’All The Stares’

Chapter 101: ’All The Stares’

"I can feel all of their stares."

Florian kept his expression neutral, his gaze steady, but the weight of the princesses’ eyes was almost unbearable. Their scrutiny was sharp, calculating, and in some cases, downright hostile. Especially those stares—Camilla and Scarlett, who just moments ago had been aiming thinly veiled insults at him, now looked at him as if he held the key to their futures. Their sudden change in demeanor wasn’t lost on him, though it only annoyed him further.

It was a big decision, after all. The role Heinz had thrust upon him was significant, and Florian couldn’t deny that it shifted his position within the court. He was no longer just the foreign prince, Heinz’s loyal shadow, or the man others pitied for chasing after the king’s favor. This was different—this gave him something new. Authority. Influence.

And while that should have felt like a victory, it didn’t.

’This helps me stay in Heinz’s good graces, sure... but at what cost?’

Florian’s chest tightened. Being elevated in a court like this came with a price—one he wasn’t sure he could afford. Attention meant scrutiny, and scrutiny was a dangerous thing for someone like him. Florian wasn’t even supposed to be Florian. He couldn’t help but feel the weight of his precarious position growing heavier by the second.

Still, if this was the price he had to pay to get Heinz on his side and bring him closer to his real goal—returning to his original body—then he’d endure it. Begrudgingly, but he’d endure it.

The princesses, already tiptoeing around him with fake smiles and hollow courtesy, would likely become even more careful now. Their gratitude, no matter how forced, would undoubtedly deepen. But what truly gnawed at Florian was the dread creeping into his gut.

’Great. Another responsibility I didn’t ask for. And now I’ve got to come up with some criteria to pick his bride? Fantastic. I don’t even know how this is supposed to help me get back to my real body... but whatever.’

His shoulders tightened as he bit back a sigh. At the end of the day, this wasn’t really about him. This was Heinz’s game—his grand scheme to uncover his killer. Florian was just another pawn on the board, a means to an end in the demon king’s relentless pursuit of justice—or revenge.

"I’ll discuss the details of your role with Florian," Heinz’s voice cut through the room like a blade, sharp and unyielding. "Once we’ve finalized the criteria, Florian will inform your maids. For now, you are all dismissed. Florian, stay behind."

The finality of the words left no room for argument.

Florian flinched slightly at the direct order but quickly composed himself, lowering his head into a bow. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him.

"B-But Your Majesty," a hesitant voice broke the silence, and Florian’s head tilted slightly toward Alexandria. Of all people, he hadn’t expected her to speak up. Her soft tone wavered with uncertainty, but there was an edge of earnestness to it that caught him off guard. "Will we... will we be seeing more of you? You’ve been so busy lately, aside from the week before the village visit."

Florian blinked. Her words seemed genuine, almost concerned. It baffled him. Alexandria came from a holy kingdom, embodying kindness and purity. She didn’t seem like the type to care for someone like Heinz, whose presence exuded darkness and whose reputation was anything but saintly.

The room grew still.

Heinz turned his head, his piercing gaze locking onto Florian like a hawk watching its prey.

’Oh no. He’s looking at me again.’

"Once again," Heinz said, his voice calm but laced with a faint smirk, "that is for Florian to decide."

’Seriously, Heinz?’ Florian swallowed back a groan. ’You just found out I’m not the real Florian, and now you’re throwing me into the fire like this? What is this, a performance review with my old manager?’

The air in the room shifted as all eyes fell on Florian again. He could feel their stares boring into his back—hopeful, expectant, desperate. Florian could practically hear their thoughts, each one silently pleading for him to sway the decision in their favor.

He hesitated for a moment, but then forced himself to speak. "I-I’ll be discussing it with His Majesty," he said, carefully masking his irritation with feigned confidence. "But most likely, I’ll be judging based on... compatibility."

The soft sound of relieved sighs filled the air, a quiet symphony of expectations momentarily satisfied. Heinz, however, simply watched him with an unreadable expression, his dark gaze steady and unwavering.

"Then we shall take our leave," Bridget finally broke the silence, her words measured and graceful as ever.

"We look forward to hearing more about what’s to come," Alexandria added, her voice soft yet brimming with an optimism Florian found strange.

He risked a glance at the departing princesses. Most of them seemed content, if not thrilled, by the announcement. Camilla and Scarlett, however, wore matching sour expressions, which brought Florian a flicker of satisfaction.

But then his gaze landed on Athena.

She lingered at the door, her kind smile gentle and unassuming. When her eyes met his, she raised a hand in a shy, almost bashful wave. Florian felt his heart stutter in his chest.

’Oh man. She’s so cute.’

He wished he’d had the chance to speak to her more. There was something about her demeanor—kind, warm, untainted by the sharp edges of court politics—that reminded him of the type of woman he’d always admired. Back when he was Aden, his dream had been to marry someone as loving and gentle as his mother had been.

But now?

’What a shame Heinz basically owns them all. What a waste.’

The princesses filed out, their footsteps fading into the distance, leaving only Florian, Heinz, and Lucius in the room.

Heinz’s voice pulled Florian from his thoughts. "Lucius, you may leave as well. I need to speak with Florian privately."

Lucius blinked, his surprise evident. "Pardon?"

"I’ll be discussing private matters with Florian," Heinz clarified, his tone patient but firm. "You’ll be in charge of managing and planning the ball. Handle the guest list as well."

Lucius hesitated, glancing briefly at Florian before bowing his head. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

As Lucius turned to leave, Florian caught the faintest flicker of something in his gaze—concern, perhaps? It lingered for only a moment before the butler straightened and exited the room, leaving Florian alone with Heinz.

The click of the door shutting felt deafening.

"I’m sure you’re quite surprised by the sudden role I gave you," Heinz began, his voice smooth, almost conversational.

’Surprised doesn’t even begin to cover it.’

"I am," Florian admitted, lifting his chin slightly as he met Heinz’s gaze. "But I’m sure you have your reasons... so may I ask why?"