Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 137: ’And The Winner Is...’

Chapter 137: ’And The Winner Is...’

It was finally the day of the announcement—one day before the ball. The castle was alive with restless energy, tension crackling in the air like an impending storm. By now, word had already spread throughout the Diamond Palace: Heinz would choose only one partner for the ball.

And that wasn’t just any choice.

It was a declaration.

A single decision that sent ripples far beyond the castle walls, shaking the very foundations of the nobility.

Because now, the entire kingdom knew.

Heinz wasn’t simply selecting a dance partner. He was choosing a queen.

The moment the invitations were sent, the aristocracy erupted into an uproar. After years of sitting on the throne, Heinz had never once hosted a ball within the Diamond Palace. This was the first. And with that first came expectations, ambitions, and silent wars brewing beneath every polite smile.

The throne room was steeped in anticipation, the air thick with unspoken thoughts and barely contained nerves.

The princesses gathered, but no one spoke of it outright. They didn’t need to. The weight of what was coming pressed down on them all.

"Prince Florian, good morning. It’s rare to see you in the throne room this early."

Alexandria and Athena approached, their voices breaking through Florian’s thoughts.

’They look better than the last time I saw them,’ he mused, studying their expressions. There was still tension in their eyes, but something had shifted. They seemed steadier—more composed, as if they had accepted whatever fate awaited them.

He offered a polite smile. "Good morning, Lady Alexandria." He turned his gaze to Athena. "And to you as well, Lady Athena."

Athena, ever soft-spoken, gave a small, hesitant smile. Since Florian had saved her life, she had grown more comfortable around him, though she remained reserved. Even during her time with Heinz and the test, she had barely spoken. But she always smiled when Florian was near.

"Good... morning, Prince Florian."

Another voice joined the conversation.

"Good morning."

Florian turned just as Mira entered the throne room—alone. A rare sight.

Bridget was nowhere to be seen.

His gaze flickered to Mira’s eyes, catching the exhaustion buried beneath her carefully composed mask. Her test hadn’t been long ago, and the weight of it still clung to her shoulders. She was trying to conceal it, but Florian had learned to recognize the subtle signs—the faint tension in her jaw, the way her fingers briefly curled into fists before she stilled them at her sides.

"Good morning, Lady Mira," he acknowledged.

Mira forced a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

From the corner of his vision, Florian caught movement. Lucius stood near the far end of the room, watchful as always, his sharp gaze flickering between the princesses. He wasn’t just observing—he was reading them, noting every shift in their emotions.

Judging by the grim set of Lucius’s mouth, Florian didn’t need to guess.

Most of them were barely holding themselves together.

"I’m nervous to find out who won," Mira admitted after a beat of silence, her voice quieter than usual. "I just hope... it doesn’t create too much of a rift between us."

The words weren’t really meant for Florian—they were meant for the other princesses.

Alexandria, ever the diplomat, responded with a kind smile. "Of course not. Whoever won, earned it. I’m sure Prince Florian chose carefully."

Right.

They still believed he had been the one making the decision. That he had the final say.

But in reality—

’I have no idea who Heinz picked.’

If he had to guess—

"Good morning, everyone."

A new voice cut through the air.

"Oh? Prince Florian is already here? And it’s... surprisingly quiet."

Bridget strode in, the picture of composure. If she felt any nerves, she didn’t show it. Her gaze flickered over the room, taking in the unusual stillness, before she arched a brow.

"That’s a surprise."

It was.

Why?

Florian’s eyes moved across the room.

Scarlett and Camilla were already here. Normally, they were the loudest—always the first to pick a fight with him, the first to speak their minds without hesitation.

But now?

Silence.

For Camilla, it was obvious—she was struggling the most. Her usual mask of indifference was slipping, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

And Scarlett...

’I haven’t seen her since she cried and passed out.’

His gaze flickered toward her.

’She admitted to me that she didn’t want to be here... I’m sure she’s being cautious.’

Scarlett stayed close to Camilla, the two whispering in hushed tones.

"That is a surprise," Mira murmured under her breath. "Scarlett is quiet."

Alexandria followed Mira’s gaze.

"Oh my," she murmured, tilting her head. "I didn’t even notice she was here."

Scarlett stood apart from the rest, a shadow against the grandeur of the throne room. Unlike before, she wasn’t running her mouth or glaring at anyone. There was no fire in her stance, no defiance in her eyes. Instead, she looked... small.

Withdrawn. Her presence barely noticeable in the sea of noble poise and quiet anticipation.

A tense silence settled between them. The princesses exchanged glances, a quiet unease lingering in the air.

Florian took the opportunity to think.

’Bridget and Athena are my top candidates—they managed to somewhat pass Heinz’s test. But in terms of chemistry...’

His gaze shifted, landing on Alexandria.

’She had the most chemistry with Heinz. He actually enjoyed speaking with her. Her reaction to his test wasn’t bad either, so she’s probably the top contender.’

Mira and Camilla were somewhere in the middle. They hadn’t stood out much. Their interactions with Heinz lacked a spark, and their responses to his test had been watered-down versions of Alexandria’s.

And then—there was Scarlett.

The only one Florian was certain wouldn’t win. For obvious reasons.

A sharp sound broke through the tension.

Lucius cleared his throat.

All heads turned toward him.

"His Majesty has arrived," he announced, his voice steady, yet heavy with expectation.

The air in the room thickened.

"Oh, Prince Florian..." Bridget mused, her curiosity evident. "Which reminds me—why aren’t you the one announcing the winner?"

Florian let out an awkward laugh. "His Majesty insisted on doing it himself."

Athena, who had been silent all this time, took a hesitant step closer. Her voice was soft, almost uncertain.

"Is His Majesty... doing alright?"

Right.

That was what they had all been waiting to see. Heinz’s test had been ruthless—a cruel, calculated performance where he pretended to be poisoned by them. A test that had forced them to confront the possibility of his death at their hands.

But they should have already known he was fine. He had spent time with each of them afterward, alive and well.

"He’s doing great. No need to worry anymore," Florian reassured her with a small smile.

Athena exhaled softly, relief flickering in her eyes as she returned the smile.

And then—at last—the doors opened.

The air in the throne room shifted.

Heinz entered, and for a brief moment, time seemed to still.

Not a hint of weakness. Not a trace of illness.

Draped in his usual black armor, his long black hair cascading down his back, he looked every bit the untouchable king. His crimson gaze swept across the room, sharp and unreadable, and in that instant, it became clear—whatever torment he had put them through, whatever test he had designed, it had left no mark on him.

A silent breath of relief passed through the princesses—some barely visible, others unmistakable.

Heinz’s lips curled into a smirk. "Mhm? It’s rare to see you all so eager to greet me. It seems you’re all excited for today."

His voice was smooth, effortlessly filling the space.

Florian and Lucius bowed. The princesses lowered into curtsies.

And then—silence.

Heinz strode to his throne with measured steps, settling into his seat with an ease that made it clear—he was in control. His piercing red eyes found Florian’s, holding his gaze with a knowing look.

"As you all know, the ball is tomorrow," Heinz began, his tone as composed as ever. "I trust you’ve had time to prepare. After all, you won’t just be attending—you will be entertaining guests. Noble families from across the kingdom will be watching, waiting, eager to meet the harem of the king."

The word harem carried a weight that made several of the princesses tense.

Their heads remained low. Silent.

Florian, however, stood straight, unaffected. Technically, he was still part of the harem—at least in title. But in reality, his position had become something else entirely.

Heinz leaned back slightly, his smirk deepening. "Now, I won’t keep you waiting. I know you’re all eager to hear which of you I will be accompanying for the entirety of the ball."

The tension in the room tightened.

’This is it...’ Florian thought.

Heinz let the moment stretch, reveling in the anticipation.

"The princess we have chosen," he said smoothly, "the one who has met all the criteria..."

Florian’s mind raced.

’Alexandria. Bridget. Or Athena.’

It had to be one of them.

Heinz smirked.

"Princess Scarlett."

A beat of silence.

Then—

’WHAT?!’

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.