Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 178: ’Strange Behavior’

Chapter 178: ’Strange Behavior’

"Now what do I do?" Florian mumbled under his breath, pacing slightly as he tried to figure out his next move. Heinz had already arranged their trip to the village, but beyond that, he hadn’t given many specifics. How exactly were they supposed to get there? Heinz had mentioned that it would be just the two of them, but that didn’t explain much.

Florian frowned. He wasn’t even sure if he had the proper attire.

"Do I even have a cloak?" he muttered, stepping into his walk-in closet. His sharp eyes scanned through the racks of clothes, a collection dominated by regal purples and deep greens.

His gaze stopped on a long piece of black fabric. He narrowed his eyes. ’Is this...’

He stepped closer, grasping the fabric, and pulled it free from the rack. The weight of it settled in his hands.

"It’s a cloak?" he murmured in disbelief.

Damn.

’Do people in this world just each have cloaks? I did not expect to actually see one here.’

The material felt luxurious against his fingertips, far from the rough or cheap fabric he had imagined. Intricate embroidery adorned the edges—small but deliberate, an indicator of quality. It was an elegant piece, something clearly meant for nobility.

"At least I have this one," he sighed, folding it over his arm. "I should probably prepare comfortable clothing too."

His gaze flickered over the vast selection of garments, and a sigh escaped him. "I’m having a hard time navigating this huge closet. Cashew usually does it..."

Cashew.

His breath hitched slightly as the thought of Cashew resurfaced. ’Heinz said not to tell anyone about this trip. Does that mean Cashew too?’

The boy had been acting strangely ever since learning about Florian’s poisoning. It was subtle, but Florian noticed it. The quiet glances, the hesitant movements—it was like Cashew was constantly on edge, waiting for something bad to happen.

But if Florian didn’t tell him about leaving, Cashew would surely notice his absence.

’It wouldn’t hurt to tell him. Besides, Cashew wouldn’t tell anyone else, so that won’t be the problem.’ Florian figured that Heinz’s secrecy was out of concern that the information would leak, but Cashew wasn’t the type to betray his trust.

That settled it.

He was going to tell Cashew once he returned. ’It’ll probably take him some time to come back. The last time Heinz was here, Cashew didn’t return until hours later.’ Florian relaxed slightly at the thought, turning back to his closet.

"Your Highness?"

Or not.

Florian peeked out from the walk-in closet, spotting Cashew standing near the entrance of his room. The boy’s expression remained as blank as ever, but his face did seem to brighten, even if just a little, upon seeing him.

"Cashew! I’m here inside the closet," Florian called, stepping forward. "You were quick. His Majesty just left."

Cashew hummed in response. "I saw him."

"Oh, really? Does that mean you waited outside?"

Cashew nodded.

Florian blinked. ’Huh. That’s weird even for Cashew.’ Something nagged at him, a quiet but persistent feeling that something was off. ’I really should ask him if something happened. Something’s telling me that something happened.’

"So, Cashew... when you went out to get food earlier, did anything particular happen?"

The change was immediate. Cashew tensed, his body stiffening, and his blinking ceased entirely.

’Hah. I knew it.’

Florian stepped closer, observing him carefully. "What happened?"

"N-Nothing happened, Your Highness. I just... went to get your food," Cashew answered quickly, his head bowing slightly.

Liar.

’Cashew would never lie to me. Why lie now?’

Florian reached out, placing a gentle hand against Cashew’s cheek and tilting his head up so they could meet eye to eye. Cashew, however, refused to look at him.

"Cashew, I know something’s wrong. You can tell me. This isn’t like you."

Cashew shook his head. "Nothing’s wrong, Your Highness... I’m only worried about you. I don’t...want you to die..."

Florian’s heart clenched. Cashew’s voice was tight, his usual composure cracking. He looked like he was about to cry again.

"I’m not going to die, Cashew."

"You don’t know that!" Cashew exclaimed, his voice breaking with desperation.

Florian inhaled sharply. That—

That was the first time Cashew had ever raised his voice at him.

Cashew seemed to realize it too, his eyes widening in horror as he immediately covered his mouth. He quickly bowed. "I-I’m sorry... I’m sorry, Your Highness."

’What is going on with him?’

Florian exhaled, softening his tone. "It’s fine, Cashew. I understand that you’re worried. Really, I do. But I’m too stubborn to die. I won’t die. Ever."

It wasn’t exactly a lie. He had technically already died once. This body had already died once. Aden had already died once.

But Cashew didn’t need to know that.

Even so, Florian could tell that something else was on Cashew’s mind. The boy’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something more, but he held himself back.

And that wasn’t all.

’I could’ve sworn he was glaring at Heinz earlier. He didn’t even acknowledge Heinz, and now... he even waited outside for him to leave.’

Florian studied him for a long moment before sighing and resting a hand atop Cashew’s head.

’I can’t force him to answer.’

But...

This was the first time Cashew had ever refused him. It was strange—unexpected—but at the same time, it reassured Florian. Cashew was comfortable enough to push back, to act like a normal teenager, to lie and refuse instead of blindly obeying. It meant he was growing, thinking for himself. And for that, Florian was grateful.

’Maybe I should change the topic for now—to help him feel better.’

With that thought, Florian pulled his hand away from Cashew’s head.

"By the way, Cashew, I have some good news."

Cashew blinked, tilting his head slightly. The shift in his expression made him look more like the Cashew Florian knew. "Good news?"

Florian nodded, smiling. "His Majesty actually came here because he wanted to offer me any reward I desired as compensation for getting poisoned again."

"Com...pensation?"

"Yes. I told him I wanted to return to the village. Do you remember the boy who helped me, Levi? He had a sick sister back there, and since Levi... is no longer with us, I want to help her. His Majesty agreed, and we’ll be leaving tonight."

Cashew’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. His eyes dulled, the color draining from them as he stared at Florian.

"...What?" His voice came out hollow. "Y-You and... King Heinz are going?"

"Yes."

"Just the two of you?"

’He’s... acting strange again.’

"Yes?" Florian’s response came out more like a question than an answer. He hadn’t expected Cashew’s mood to shift so suddenly.

"Cashew, are you okay?"

But Cashew did not answer his question, instead he said...

"Your Highness, please don’t go."

’Eh?’

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