Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 171: ’He Doesn’t Remember’

Chapter 171: ’He Doesn’t Remember’

A few hours had passed, and now Florian found himself in Heinz’s office. After Lancelot checked Julius’ room, it was confirmed—the boy had, in fact, received a note.

According to Lucius, Julius had genuinely seemed clueless about the situation, so they set him free. However, Heinz had ordered Lucius to ensure Julius had no recollection of his time in the dungeon.

Florian didn’t know how they would do that. He didn’t want to know.

Lancelot was now in charge of uncovering who had slipped Julius the note. How he was supposed to do that, Florian had no idea.

’And I really don’t want to think about it.’

He had assumed Heinz would dismiss him for the day—he was still utterly drained from everything that had happened. But instead, Heinz had instructed him to follow him back to his office.

Of course, Florian couldn’t refuse.

So here he was, sitting stiffly in a chair while Heinz studied two lists: one detailing the guests at the ball, the other listing everyone in the palace who hadn’t been present, along with their whereabouts.

The only sound in the room was the soft rustling of paper as Heinz flipped through the documents. Then, without looking up, he spoke.

"Do you have any theories, Florian?"

Florian exhaled slowly. "Honestly, Your Majesty... I have no clue."

’None of this is in the novel. I’m starting to forget that I even know how this story is supposed to go because everything happening now... none of it was in there.’

So, to put it simply—he was completely lost.

"But if there’s one thing I do know," he continued, "it’s that whoever killed you isn’t working alone. That much is obvious. However... I don’t think the rogues are the ones helping them now. This feels like something only someone with significant power could pull off."

He hesitated, recalling the mysterious stranger he had spoken to.

The man had talked to him with such familiarity. And what unsettled Florian the most—was that he had felt like he knew him, too.

"But?" Heinz glanced up at him.

Florian hesitated. "It feels like I know him... but at the same time, I don’t. And he spoke to me as if he knew me."

"Familiarity, hm? Perhaps he was trying to manipulate you."

"Maybe. But it’s something worth noting," Florian admitted. "Or... perhaps we should backtrack and look into everyone the original Florian spoke to before I became him." The idea only came to him as he said it.

Heinz leaned back slightly, his gaze sharp. Then, unexpectedly, a glimmer of approval crossed his face.

"That," Heinz said, "is actually a brilliant idea, Florian."

’Actually?’ Florian nearly rolled his eyes.

"But it would be difficult," Heinz continued. "We could ask Lucius for this information since I had him watching you from the moment you arrived. However, he might find it suspicious if you suddenly have no recollection of people you’ve spoken with."

"You could just order him to look into it without making it seem like it’s for me," Florian suggested. "Pretend I don’t even know you’re asking."

Heinz raised an eyebrow. "Again... a brilliant idea."

’More like you seem distracted right now, and your brain isn’t working.’

Instead, Florian simply bowed his head. "You flatter me, Your Majesty."

A smirk tugged at Heinz’s lips. "It’s hard to believe this same brilliant mind was foolish enough to drink from a servant he knew wasn’t on the list of approved attendants."

Florian flinched.

’Ah, there’s the Heinz I know.’

He forced a weak chuckle. "I must admit... that was my fault, Your Majesty."

Heinz seemed amused as he finally set the documents aside. "I must say, it was unusual seeing you act like the original Florian. Almost as if that aphrodisiac brought him back."

Florian stiffened.

’Can he NOT remind me?! I begged him to touch me. I want to die.’

His voice came out strained. "Your Majesty, please... just forget about it."

Heinz tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "What if I don’t want to?"

Florian snapped his gaze away. His face burned.

’This guy... why is he like this?!’

"Your Majesty has been teasing me quite a lot lately," Florian muttered, crossing his arms in a weak attempt to regain some dignity. His heart pounded erratically against his ribs.

Heinz smirked. "You even called me Heinz."

Florian’s head shot up. "I-I did not!"

"You did."

"I didn’t!"

"You did, though."

’Did I?!’ Florian wracked his brain, but no matter how hard he tried—he really couldn’t remember.

✧༺ ⏱︎ ༻✧

’He really doesn’t remember.’

Heinz watched Florian carefully, studying his expression for any sign of recollection. There was nothing. A rare feeling of unease settled in his chest—one he was not used to, one he did not particularly welcome.

He had no idea what had come over him last night. It was unlike him. Helping Florian was one thing, but letting him rest against his chest, holding him there until the healer returned? That was another entirely.

Now, with Florian’s memory conveniently wiped clean, Heinz felt an undeniable sense of relief.

’It saves me from a conversation I have no intention of having.’

Heinz had yet to experience anything intimate in this second life. His past encounters, in his first life, had only been with princesses—dutiful, expected, nothing more. But with Florian?

’Impossible.’

And yet, it had happened.

It was out of obligation, of course. That was all.

And yet—whether he wanted to acknowledge it or not—something about it lingered. The memories clung to him with an unshakable grip. Florian’s expressions, the sound of his voice, the way his body—

’Damn it.’

There were more important matters to focus on. His killer was still out there, still watching, still waiting. He had no clue who it was, and yet here he was, distracted by something he should not even be thinking about.

And worst of all—

He was enjoying this. The teasing, the power he had over Florian, the way he could toy with him so easily.

’Get a grip. This was nothing but a lapse in judgment. Nothing more, nothing less.’

Florian, on the other hand, still seemed caught up in his own emotions—his frustration, his anger at Heinz for keeping the assassination attempts from him. He didn’t even seem to realize that he was practically huffing like an indignant child.

’Ridiculous.’

"Florian."

Florian turned, his flushed face betraying him.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"As a sign of apology, I will grant you one request as compensation."

Florian’s eyes widened. Heinz nearly smirked.

"Anything?"

Heinz nodded. "Anything."

Florian hesitated. "As in anything?"

’He’s making sure there’s no loophole, no trick. He wants absolute certainty that I won’t turn on him.’

"Anything at all," Heinz assured him. "I will not get angry, nor will I punish you. Just request it."