Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 181: ’A New Visitor’

Chapter 181: ’A New Visitor’

’He just... left?’ Florian thought as soon as Cashew went out of his room. ’Just like that?’

"...As you wish, Your Highness." That was what Cashew had said.

’Is that even Cashew?’ Florian took a few steps back, staring at the now-empty doorway in complete shock. The words replayed in his head, flat and distant, so unlike the Cashew he knew.

Honestly, Florian had just been bluffing. He wanted Cashew to be honest, to explain himself, to let go of whatever was eating him up inside. But Cashew refused until the very end. He hadn’t fought back, hadn’t even hesitated—he had simply left.

’I was just trying to get him to tell me the truth... why did he act like that?’

Florian tried to wrack his brain for what could have caused such a drastic shift. When Cashew left to get food, he was normal. But when he came back—hours later—everything had changed. The moment he stepped into the room, something was different. The nervous energy, the quiet hesitance in his voice, the way he avoided looking directly at Florian...

’Could it be... he got bullied?’ The thought sent a sharp jolt through Florian.

But why now?

Cashew had been a servant for as long as Florian had been here. In the novel, there had never been a single instance of Cashew being bullied—there was never a reason to be.

He was a child, and from what Cashew had told him before, the older maids and servants looked after him. They taught him, guided him. Florian had seen it himself. Cashew was good at his work because he had been trained with care.

No.

It wasn’t bullying.

Especially since...

’It seems like he’s really just worried about me... but why?’ Florian mumbled under his breath. He knew Cashew was fiercely loyal, but this was something else. Something more frantic.

The highest possibility was that Cashew had found out something. Something about the people targeting Florian. That would explain why he was so tense, why he acted like Florian was on the verge of death.

’Hah.’ Florian let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. ’Maybe it’s best he calms down. This is the first time we’ve ever argued... I hope he isn’t too upset with me.’

Cashew was the only one keeping him sane in this world. He couldn’t risk losing him over a single argument. But at the same time, Florian couldn’t give in, either.

’I can’t forget what Arthur said.’ He sat on the edge of his bed, fingers digging into the blankets. ’Levi risked his life for me, even though he has a sick sister relying on him. And that village...’

Florian wasn’t the kindest person in the world, but he had empathy. He knew what it felt like to be helpless. If there was even the slightest chance he could do something, he wanted to help.

So, as much as he wanted to honor Cashew’s wish for him to stay out of danger... he couldn’t.

’I’ll just let him cool off for now. I’ll check on him later, once he’s calmed down.’ Florian mumbled, fluffing his pillows with every intention of getting some rest.

But it seemed he was quite popular today.

A knock echoed from the door.

’Again?’

"Your Highness, it’s Richard."

’Richard... that’s one of Lancelot’s knights. I’m guessing he’s the one guarding my door.’

"Do you need anything?" Florian called out.

"Princess Alexandria is here. She says she wants to speak with you. Should I let her in?"

’Alexandria?’ Now, that was surprising.

"Let her in." Florian stood up, rubbing the lingering sleep from his eyes as he walked toward the door. ’This is a pleasant surprise, but why is she here?’

The door opened, revealing Richard, the knight, and then Alexandria, standing with a bright smile.

"Lady Alexandria, what a lovely surprise."

"Prince Florian, I hope I am not intruding." Alexandria stepped inside, eyes widening as she took in his room. "Oh my, I didn’t know you had so many flowers... and even butterflies. How enchanting."

"Ah, yes. They’re from my kingdom." Florian gestured toward the delicate arrangement as she moved further inside. "It’s a surprise to see that Lady Athena isn’t with you."

’They’re usually together.’

"Oh, she’s in the library at this hour. Apparently, her kingdom had no books in their palace, so she takes every chance she can to read here."

’Oh... that’s sad.’ Florian thought with a quiet hum.

"As for me, I came to ask how you were doing, Prince Florian." Alexandria’s warm smile made something in his chest tighten.

’...She did?’

"I was waiting after your dance with Athena, and your servant, Cashew, was looking for you last night as well." Alexandria’s smile dimmed slightly, her voice softening. "But neither of us saw you for the entire night. I heard you were poisoned and fell ill. I became worried."

’Alexandria’s so nice.’

"I was, but I feel much better now."

"That’s a relief..." Alexandria let out a breath. "His Majesty also disappeared from the party, so I was concerned it might have been serious."

"Oh, it wasn’t... I don’t remember much, really." Florian half-lied, chuckling. He remembered some things, but much of it was still a blur. "His Majesty helped remove the poison."

"Oh my, he did?" Alexandria covered her mouth in surprise.

Florian nodded, exhaling softly as the tension in his shoulders eased. "Yes. I’m relieved he did. Now, I feel much better," he said with a small, genuine smile.

His fingers absentmindedly tapped on the table, as if grounding himself in the present. "How about you? I haven’t gotten the chance to apologize for the test... for traumatizing all of you like that."

Alexandria’s eyes widened slightly before she quickly waved her hands dismissively, her expression warm and reassuring. "Oh, it’s no problem at all! You only did what you had to do, and His Majesty permitted it. If anything, I find it rather silly now, knowing it was all an act."

A small, amused chuckle left her lips, as if the memory of their distress had already faded into something laughable.

’Ah. She’s so positive. ’Florian thought, watching the way her golden curls bounced slightly as she spoke.

’She’s the only one who seems to genuinely like Heinz, besides the original Florian...’ His chest warmed at the thought, an inexplicable fondness curling in his heart. ’I really can’t help but root for her.’

He let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "That’s a relief. Honestly, I was completely shocked that His Majesty gave this role to me. I wasn’t sure if I was doing well... Imagine, having to help choose his wife." His voice carried a tinge of disbelief, a touch of self-deprecating humor.

’I should help her by giving her clues. I really think she’s the best fit for Heinz.’

Alexandria smiled, her gaze unwavering and full of quiet confidence. "Don’t worry. You’ve already done so well."

Florian parted his lips, about to respond—

But suddenly, something shifted.

The moment her words reached his ears, something inside him twisted. His chest tightened, a sharp, inexplicable sensation running down his spine. And then—

"Let go," Heinz’s voice was low, deep, commanding.

A voice that sent a shiver through him.

"You’ve done so well, Florian. Just let it happen."

Florian blinked. The present snapped back into focus, but his hands had frozen mid-motion, his heart pounding violently against his ribs.

’What... was that?’ His breath hitched slightly.