Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 138: ’Congratulate The Winner’

Chapter 138: ’Congratulate The Winner’

Everyone was shocked—but no one more than Florian.

If he had thought Heinz was confusing before, now he was utterly baffling. Even Lucius, usually composed, looked bewildered, his gaze flickering between Heinz and Scarlett as if searching for some hidden logic. Out of all the princesses—out of every possible candidate—he had chosen her?

Scarlett, who had failed in every aspect of the trials?

Florian’s mind raced, trying to make sense of it, but no explanation came. His stomach tightened as the room filled with tense silence.

"M-M-Me, Your Majesty?" Scarlett’s voice wavered. She covered her mouth, her shock unmistakable. Then, as if instinctively seeking confirmation, her wide, disbelieving eyes darted straight to Florian.

Florian felt the weight of countless stares pressing down on him. The other princesses were looking at him too, suspicion creeping into their expressions. As if he had been the one to make this decision.

’Don’t look at me,’ he wanted to say. ’I have no idea what’s happening either.’

"Yes," Heinz answered, his voice calm, almost indifferent. "No explanations needed. To keep things fair, you all know how you performed in the trials."

That was it? No reasoning? No elaboration? Florian’s jaw clenched. He already knew he’d be the one forced to explain this to the princesses—after all, they clearly thought he had made the decision. Heinz was playing a game he didn’t understand, and it was starting to wear on him.

’Here I thought we were getting along.’

The tension in the hall thickened, hushed whispers slipping through the gaps between the stunned silence.

"Scarlett, come closer," Heinz commanded, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

Florian watched as Scarlett hesitated. She stood frozen for a beat too long, as if her body refused to move. Then, reluctantly, she took a step forward. Then another. Her movements were stiff, uncertain—like she was walking straight into a trap but had no choice.

Florian didn’t blame her. If she had any sense, she’d be terrified right now.

She stopped just before the throne, her posture rigid. Heinz remained seated, completely at ease, as if this were all unfolding exactly as he had intended. Then, he extended a hand toward her.

"Give me your hand."

Scarlett barely reacted. The hesitation was brief, but Florian noticed it—the slight tremor in her fingers, the way her breath hitched before she lifted her hand and placed it in Heinz’s.

A suffocating silence blanketed the hall. No one moved. No one even breathed.

Then Heinz lowered his head and kissed the back of Scarlett’s hand.

The moment his lips touched her skin, Florian saw Scarlett go rigid. Color flooded her face instantly, spreading from her neck to the tips of her ears.

"Y-Your Majesty!" she gasped, instinctively trying to pull back, but Heinz held her hand just a second longer before releasing it.

A quiet, collective inhale rippled through the room. Even the other princesses—some of whom had been carefully schooling their expressions—couldn’t hide their reactions.

"Why her?" A whisper drifted from somewhere nearby—Bridget’s voice, sharp with disbelief. "Did she... actually do well?"

"This is..." Mira murmured, though she didn’t seem capable of finishing the sentence.

Florian barely registered them. His focus remained locked on Heinz, his mind working furiously to decipher what was happening.

’What are you doing?’

Heinz finally leaned back, a smirk ghosting over his lips. "I am honored to have you accompany me," he said smoothly. "I hope you look forward to tomorrow, Scarlett."

Florian saw the way Scarlett tensed at his words, the way her fingers twitched at her sides. She was flustered. No—more than that. She was uneasy.

"I—I am the one who is honored, Your Majesty... I... don’t know what to say..." Her voice was unsteady as she dropped into a curtsy, her head ducking low.

From behind, Florian heard Alexandria exhale. "This is quite surprising, but... good for her."

Florian didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His thoughts were a tangled mess, logic clashing against the reality unfolding before him.

Scarlett had failed. That was a fact. She had struggled through every trial, had fallen short where the others had excelled. There was no reason Heinz should have chosen her.

And yet, he had.

’Why?’

Florian had honestly thought that after his time with Heinz last night, he had begun to understand the king—at least a little. But he should have known better than to underestimate Heinz’s unpredictability.

"For the rest of you, be sure to congratulate Scarlett," Heinz announced, keeping her close at his side. "And worry not... as I’ve mentioned, this test was just one of many in determining who will be queen. Your roles remain the same—mingle with the nobility, charm them. Even if I do not accompany you, show Concordia your worth as princesses of my harem."

His tone was light, but there was an unmistakable weight behind his words.

"I expect you all to meet my expectations tomorrow." Then, Heinz turned his gaze to Florian, his smirk lingering. "You as well, Florian. After all, the ball is for you."

’I’m starting to think Heinz has multiple personality disorder.’

─────── ·𖥸· ───────

After Heinz dismissed the princesses, Florian immediately sought an escape. He could already feel Scarlett’s gaze on him—she clearly wanted to talk. Mira and Bridget, who had been warming up to him, now looked both upset and suspicious. They wanted answers too.

He wanted to avoid them all.

However...

"Prince Florian... you seem troubled."

Florian flinched, his shoulders tensing at the sudden voice. But when he turned and saw who had approached, he let out a quiet breath of relief.

It was Athena and Alexandria.

"Oh, hello, ladies." He quickly composed himself, offering them a polite smile.

"Are you busy right now?" Alexandria asked, casually tucking a strand of pale blonde hair behind her ear.

Florian hesitated for a moment. Was he busy? Not really. Lucius and even Cashew were the ones running around in preparation for tomorrow’s ball. Compared to them, he had nothing urgent to do.

"No, I’m not. Why?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Athena smiled up at him, a touch of shyness in her expression. "Alexandria and I were about to have some tea. Would you like to join us?"

’Oh. Oh, wow.’

Being invited to tea with the two princesses he actually wanted to get closer to? The answer was obviously yes. But Florian was no fool—he knew there was more to the invitation than simple politeness. At some point, the topic of Scarlett would surely come up.

’I don’t mind, though.’

He glanced between the two of them before offering a genuine smile. "Sure."

’After all, they’re the kindest of the princesses. I want to get closer to them.’