Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 177: ’Tonight?’

Chapter 177: ’Tonight?’

Heinz stepped inside without hesitation, his very presence shifting the atmosphere of the quiet room. He carried an air of authority so effortlessly that even the walls seemed to straighten in response.

Cashew, still standing near the door, instinctively moved aside, his movements smooth yet strangely slow—almost reluctant.

"I came to speak with you," Heinz said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Florian suppressed a sigh.

’Again? It’s only been an hour since we last spoke.’

He didn’t let his thoughts show on his face. Instead, he gestured toward the couch with a polite smile. "Please, take a seat."

"Right." Heinz strode in further, heading straight for the couch. His movements were effortless, practiced, and when he sat, it was with the kind of ease that came from a lifetime of power.

Florian, however, found his attention elsewhere.

His gaze flickered to Cashew—

And his breath hitched.

Cashew’s usually soft, uncertain eyes had narrowed.

Just slightly.

But it was enough.

’Is he... glaring?’

A slow frown formed between Florian’s brows. Cashew never looked at anyone that way. Not even when he was scolded. Not even when people treated him unfairly.

And yet—

That expression disappeared as quickly as it had come.

Florian blinked, shaken, but forced himself to turn back to Heinz. He shoved his unease aside.

"What do you want to talk about, Your Majesty?"

Heinz didn’t answer right away. Instead, his sharp, crimson gaze drifted toward Cashew, assessing him.

"Before we talk, can you let your servant leave?" Heinz asked. "This is a private conversation."

Florian hesitated. He hadn’t planned on dismissing Cashew, but—

"Right..." He turned toward the boy, offering a small, reassuring smile. "Cashew, can you go to your room for a bit?"

Normally, Cashew would nod without hesitation. He would bow his head and leave quietly—obedient, reserved, ever-respectful.

But this time?

Cashew didn’t move.

A strange silence stretched between them.

Florian felt his stomach twist.

’What?’

"Cashew?" He tried again. "Hello?"

Cashew blinked—like he had only just realized Florian was speaking to him.

Then, finally, he nodded.

"Alright, Your Highness," he murmured, bowing slightly. "Please summon me if you need anything."

His voice was even. Smooth.

Too smooth.

Then, without another glance, Cashew turned and walked out, leaving Florian frozen in place.

Because—

’He... didn’t even look at or address Heinz.’

Florian’s pulse thumped in his ears. He risked a glance at the emperor, half-expecting some sort of reaction.

But Heinz didn’t seem to care.

If he noticed anything off about Cashew’s behavior, he didn’t acknowledge it.

Instead, he leaned back slightly and spoke.

"I’m sure you’ve already heard about Julius’ death?"

The change in subject hit like cold water.

Florian straightened, his fingers curling slightly against his lap. "Yes... It’s unfortunate. And a bit terrifying."

"Whoever the traitor is, they’re getting bolder," Heinz said, crossing his arms. His tone was clipped, controlled, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it. "If this continues, it won’t take long before the entire palace finds out."

Florian’s frown deepened. "What are our next steps, Your Majesty? Shouldn’t we at least inform the princesses as well? What if they become targets?"

"I’ve already deployed more knights to stay within their wing," Heinz replied. "But I highly doubt they’ll be targeted. So far, it’s been you."

Florian stiffened.

’Right. I’m the only one they’ve tried to kill.’

"Do we have a plan?" he asked after a moment.

"For now, Lucius and Lancelot will continue gathering clues. I can’t get involved yet, or it’ll risk scaring off the perpetrator," Heinz explained. His arms remained crossed as he studied Florian closely. "Besides that, I came here because I was thinking."

Florian straightened. "Thinking about what, Your Majesty?"

"Your compensation."

Oh.

Florian’s gaze dropped slightly.

Right.

With everything that had happened, he had nearly forgotten about that.

"Yes, I understand it’s impossible now," he admitted. "However, can we at least—"

"Let’s go tonight."

Florian’s head snapped up.

"Pardon?"

"We can leave after midnight," Heinz said smoothly, his tone completely matter-of-fact. "If we leave then, we’ll arrive at the village by dawn."

Florian blinked, momentarily stunned.

’The visit... will still happen?’

Scratch that—

’You are coming with me, Your Majesty?’

Heinz gave him a strange look. "Did you think you would go alone?"

Florian quickly shook his head. "I assumed I would be assigned a knight... or that Lucius or Lancelot would accompany me."

"Lucius and Lancelot will be preoccupied with the investigation," Heinz explained. "Besides, this is the perfect time to leave. If the perpetrator is still in the palace, we won’t have to worry about being attacked."

Florian swallowed hard. It made sense, but—

"B-But why you, Your Majesty?"

He had never expected Heinz to personally accompany him.

Heinz raised an eyebrow. "What exactly do you plan to do once you meet the sick sister?"

Florian hesitated.

"You do not have magic," Heinz continued, blunt as ever. "I assume you want to help her get better. And the village as well?"

Oh.

That did make sense.

Florian could have suggested bringing Arcaniors instead, but something about Heinz’s certainty made him hesitate.

Besides...

He didn’t want to risk Heinz changing his mind.

"Well?" Heinz pressed, his gaze unwavering.

Florian hesitated, then let out a quiet breath. "Well... if you do not mind accompanying me, I wouldn’t mind either, Your Majesty."

"That settles it, then." Heinz rose to his feet in a smooth, decisive motion. "Prepare comfortable clothes and a cloak. We’ll be traveling incognito."

Florian quickly nodded, still struggling to fully process what was happening.

"I’ll send Lucius or Delilah to pick you up before midnight," Heinz added as he strode toward the door, his boots clicking against the polished floor.

Florian remained seated for a second longer, his mind catching up with reality.

’I can’t believe this is actually happening.’

Then, jolted by the weight of it all, he shot to his feet and bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Really, I don’t know what to say."

For the briefest of moments, Heinz’s hands twitched. It was subtle—barely a flicker of movement—but Florian caught it before the emperor smoothly concealed it.

"Be sure not to tell anyone where we’re going," Heinz warned, his tone firm. "We can’t risk being followed or attacked."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Florian straightened, stepping ahead to open the door for him.

Heinz halted just before crossing the threshold, glancing at Florian with something unreadable in his expression. There was a pause, heavy yet fleeting, as if he were on the verge of saying something.

Florian waited.

But the words never came.

Instead, Heinz turned away, his voice cool and composed. "I shall see you later, then."

And with that, he stepped outside.

The moment the door shut behind him, Florian exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging with something that felt like relief—or maybe disbelief.

Then, slowly, a grin crept onto his lips.

’Fuck. Finally, one good thing happened today!’

Excitement curled in his chest, bright and almost reckless. ’I can repay Levi for his sacrifice. Ah... Thank God. I hope good things keep coming.’

Of course, he knew better than to expect that.

But still—

It wasn’t wrong to hope.

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