Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 40: ’A Guide To Make Friends’

Chapter 40: ’A Guide To Make Friends’

It was yet another day.

Aden’s fifth day as Florian, and his fifth day in this strange new world. With everything that had happened, it felt like he’d been there for a full month.

But no—just five days.

Still, Florian was starting to settle into the morning routine. Cashew would wake him up. He’d groggily brush his teeth before taking an absolutely enchanting bubble bath. Then, Florian and Cashew would decide on what he’d wear for the day, ensuring he looked every bit the part of royalty. Right on cue, Lucius would arrive after completing his morning duties: securing the palace and reporting to Heinz.

Today was no different. Florian, Cashew, and Lucius were now making their way to the dining area. Breakfast time.

For Florian, however, breakfast wasn’t just about eating—it was an opportunity.

An opportunity to make friends.

As Aden, back in his old life, close friends were a luxury he never had. He had been too busy working multiple jobs to keep his sister fed and cared for. Work was his friend. His sister was his family. There was no room in his life for anything—or anyone—else.

Now, here he was, in a foreign body and a foreign world, being tasked with befriending seven royal princesses, each more intimidating than the last.

’I’ve never even dated, let alone tried to befriend a princess,’ Florian thought, dread pooling in his stomach. ’I just wanted to get close to Alexandria and Athena. Now I have to charm all of them?’

He glanced sideways at Cashew, who was carrying a gentle smile, blissfully unaware of Florian’s internal panic. Cashew wasn’t much help—he was still a child and Florian’s ever-present servant. And Lucius? Well, judging by how often Lucius was by either Florian’s or Heinz’s side, Florian doubted he had any friends either.

As they approached the grand double doors of the dining hall, Florian felt the weight of what was ahead pressing down on him.

Lucius leaned in close behind him and whispered, "Remember, Your Highness. You need to start befriending the princesses."

Florian sighed, shooting Lucius a glance over his shoulder. "I know that. I’m not the problem," he whispered back, feigning confidence.

Lucius nodded at the knights standing guard at the doors. They bowed to Florian before pulling the heavy doors open.

"Good morning, Prince Florian," the knights greeted in unison.

"Morning," Florian replied, trying his best to look calm and composed as he stepped through the doorway.

The moment he entered, the dining hall went silent.

Agitated, frustrated whispers that had been filling the room only seconds ago stopped abruptly. Florian could feel every pair of eyes on him—the princesses, their maids, even the chefs serving food all paused to watch him.

And Florian knew exactly why.

First, there was the lingering tension from his confrontation with Scarlett and the way he had handled it.

Second, and probably the bigger reason, was the fact that Heinz had summoned him three times in the span of five days, two of those times being late-night summons. It wasn’t a stretch to imagine the rumors swirling among the princesses.

Florian’s instinct was to fall back on his usual strategy: avoid eye contact, stay silent, and get through breakfast unnoticed. But he forced himself to stand tall and plaster on a polite smile, ignoring the sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Good morning, ladies," he greeted warmly, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

The greeting caught the room off guard. He could see the brief flicker of surprise on most of the princesses’ faces, though Scarlett and Camilla’s icy glares were palpable, practically burning into him.

Florian swallowed hard but kept his composure. This was going to be a long breakfast.

As Florian walked further into the dining hall, the weight of everyone’s stares felt almost tangible. He could feel their eyes tracking his every step, whispers barely concealed behind raised cups and forks. While the silence was stifling, he took some comfort in the fact that Scarlett had yet to say or do anything antagonistic.

’Still on probation, probably,’ he thought with a hint of dark amusement. ’Not that it makes her any less dangerous.’

Scanning the seating arrangements, Florian decided to return to the empty spot near Alexandria and Athena. It wasn’t exactly welcoming, but at least it was familiar territory. Athena, usually so keen to avoid eye contact, briefly glanced up at him before quickly dropping her gaze again.

’Interesting. She’s staring now? That’s new.’

Florian pulled out his chair and sat, his movements slow and deliberate as if to convey confidence he didn’t quite feel. Across the room, Cashew dutifully headed toward the buffet to fetch him a plate of food. Meanwhile, Florian wrestled internally with how to tackle the massive elephant in the room.

’I’ll start with Alexandria and Athena again,’ he decided, glancing briefly at the blonde and brunette seated beside him. ’Maybe if I keep things light, they’ll actually respond.’

"Good morning, ladies," Florian greeted with a smile that was a touch too practiced. "How have you been?"

Athena visibly stiffened, her hand tightening slightly around her fork. Alexandria, on the other hand, managed to return his forced smile, though the unease in her eyes was hard to miss.

"I have been great, Prince Florian," Alexandria replied, her tone laced with the regal calmness that came so naturally to her. "I spent much of yesterday meditating and devoting time to prayer. It was quite fulfilling."

Florian nodded politely before turning to Athena, who seemed to be doing everything in her power to avoid his gaze. "How about you, Lady Athena?"

Athena hesitated for a moment, her voice soft and barely audible when she finally responded. "I’m... fine. Thank you."

’Well, at least she didn’t bolt,’ Florian thought, trying to suppress a sigh. ’Baby steps.’

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Bridget and Mira watching him with varying levels of intensity. Bridget, true to form, adjusted her glasses in what seemed to be an unconscious gesture, her expression cool and detached. Mira, however, was openly observing him, her sharp gaze practically dissecting his every move.

’Fantastic. The observers have entered the chat,’ Florian thought wryly before deciding to address them directly. Taking a deep breath, he turned toward them with the same forced politeness he’d been wearing all morning.

"Lady Bridget, Lady Mira," he said, inclining his head slightly. "I believe we haven’t had the chance to speak much. How are you both?"

The sudden attention caught both women off guard. Bridget let out a soft huff, tilting her chin slightly as she adjusted her glasses again.

"I am well, as usual," she replied curtly, refusing to meet his eyes.

Mira, however, didn’t flinch or look away. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, her gaze unyielding as she replied, "I am fine. But let us skip the pleasantries, shall we? I’m quite curious, Prince Florian."

Her words cut through the room like a knife, drawing the attention of every princess at the table. Even Alexandria paused mid-bite, her fork hovering in the air as her eyes flicked toward Mira.

"Yes?" Florian asked, keeping his tone as calm as possible despite the mounting tension. When Cashew returned and set a plate of food in front of him, Florian offered the boy a small, reassuring smile.

Mira’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, though it was more analytical than warm. "We cannot deny that His Majesty has largely ignored you during your stay here in the harem," she began, her tone measured and almost clinical.

"And yet, within the past two days, you’ve been summoned by him three times. Meanwhile, he has not seen fit to grace any of us with his presence since his initial announcement."

She leaned back slightly in her chair, her gaze never leaving Florian’s. "Surely, you can understand why this raises questions."

The air grew heavy with unspoken tension. Even Scarlett and Camilla, who had been quietly brooding moments ago, now seemed genuinely intrigued by Mira’s sudden interrogation.

’Ah, there it is. She’s interrogating me,’ Florian thought, masking his unease with a practiced calm. ’Not surprising, though.’

He could feel the weight of every gaze in the room pressing down on him. Swallowing back the urge to sigh, he glanced discreetly at Lucius, who was stationed on the other side of the room. With a subtle nod, Lucius acknowledged Florian’s silent request for backup, though he remained rooted in place, watchful.

’Here we go,’