Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 43: ’The Curious Case of Changed Personalities’

Chapter 43: ’The Curious Case of Changed Personalities’

"I see..." Heinz finally set the papers aside, his expression unreadable. Lucius noticed that today’s focus was on the princesses’ childhoods—a detail that struck him as oddly specific.

’How peculiar,’ Lucius thought, adjusting his glasses before addressing the king. "I believe it may be time to summon the princesses again, Your Majesty—or perhaps dine with them once in a while. It could ease the growing tension."

Heinz rested his elbows on the desk and folded his hands under his chin. "As I’ve told you, I’m busy. That is why I assigned the task of getting to know them to Florian. Or do you think he’ll falter now because of recent events?"

Lucius shook his head slightly. "No, I don’t believe this will hinder him. However, the princesses are growing agitated. They perceive your actions—or lack thereof—as favoritism toward him. This could escalate into further unrest within the harem."

"Let them think what they wish," Heinz replied, his tone dismissive. "I’ll tend to them eventually, especially with the village visit approaching."

Lucius tilted his head slightly, observing the man before him. ’This change in him is unsettling,’ he thought.

Heinz had always been a man who indulged in excess, particularly in flaunting his power. He reveled in the prestige of a harem, parading his authority over the daughters of six kingdoms as if they were trophies. He was a man who ruled like a tyrant, unapologetic in his arrogance, relishing the fear and submission he commanded.

And yet, in the past few days, Heinz had become unrecognizable. His usual ostentation was replaced by a quieter, colder demeanor. He seemed agitated, his temper closer to the surface, and—oddly—more withdrawn.

He had ceased entertaining the princesses, ignoring their visits entirely. Even more surprising, he had begun paying attention to Florian, who had been just as invisible to him until now.

Lucius’s thoughts were interrupted by the sharpness in Heinz’s voice. "I won’t repeat myself, Lucius. Do not test my patience." Heinz pinched the bridge of his nose, visibly irritated. "I will see them when I see fit. For now, ensure Florian continues with his task. That is your only concern."

Lucius bowed his head, though inwardly, unease stirred. As much as he wanted to press the matter, he knew better. Heinz was not the man he once was—his patience was thinning, his temper unpredictable.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Lucius replied, his voice steady despite the disquiet in his chest.

· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·

After his tense meeting with Heinz, Lucius made his way to Florian’s quarters, only to find the prince sprawled across his bed, face buried in the sheets, sulking. Cashew stood by his side, clearly trying—unsuccessfully—to console his young master.

"Your Highness, does Princess Scarlett outsmarting you shock you so deeply that you’ve taken root in your bed?" Lucius inquired, his tone laced with subtle amusement as he approached the defeated figure.

Florian’s muffled voice carried through the room. "Go away, Lucius. This is your fault for telling me to gather sympathy."

Lucius arched an eyebrow, suppressing the urge to laugh. ’My, my... he’s actually upset. That’s unexpected.’ Ever since Florian’s supposed "concussion" and his dramatic declaration of saving himself for marriage—after weeks of shamelessly attempting to seduce Lucius—nothing seemed to faze him anymore. Not even Lucius’s impulsive and inappropriate moment of weakness had truly rattled him.

If anything, Florian had surprised him. What began as fear during that moment had softened into something entirely unexpected: concern. For Lucius.

That concern, simple and unguarded, had been enough to confuse him. More than that, it stirred something deeper.

Desire.

Lucius couldn’t deny it anymore. He had felt a spark of attraction the moment he first met Florian. Back then, it was easier to dismiss as fleeting curiosity. But Florian’s drastic transformation, his sudden resolve, and his moments of vulnerability had drawn Lucius in.

’It’s ironic,’ Lucius thought, watching the prince sulk. ’What started as curiosity about his sudden change has turned into something I cannot ignore.’

"Should I apologize, then?" Lucius asked, biting back a smile as he moved closer to the bed.

Florian shifted, his head turning just enough to fix Lucius with a sharp glare. "Even if you do, it won’t matter. You don’t sound sorry."

"I see," Lucius replied, his voice smooth.

"I gave my all faking those tears," Florian grumbled, frustration clear in his tone. "I pulled every trick I had to get their sympathy!"

"And it nearly worked—until Princess Scarlett intervened," Lucius reminded him with a pointed look. "You have no time to wallow, Your Highness. You must think of a way to win the princesses over again by lunchtime. I spoke with His Majesty—he’s too busy to meet with them regularly and expects you to handle this."

Florian groaned and buried his face deeper into the pillow. "Why? Why is he even looking for a bride if he’s going to rely entirely on me for this? When I offered to help, I thought I’d just offer advice—not be the one courting them!"

Lucius crossed his arms, observing the way Florian’s frustration manifested in a slight pout. ’He’s pouting, and I don’t even think he realizes it.’

"I cannot answer that," Lucius said, his tone measured. "But His Majesty is firm in his decision. It would be unwise to anger him further."

Florian was quiet for a moment, his face scrunched in thought. Then, after a pause, he asked, "Do you... really believe he’s looking for a bride?"

The question caught Lucius off guard. He blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Mhm. What do you mean, Your Highness?"

Florian hesitated, his gaze shifting. Then he shook his head as if dismissing the thought. "Never mind. Let’s just get through whatever we have to do today and be done with it."

Lucius studied him for a moment longer, his keen eyes searching for some hidden meaning in Florian’s words. But there was nothing forthcoming, only that same cryptic demeanor Florian had adopted since his sudden change.

"Very well," Lucius finally replied, his voice soft.

’I thought spending more time with him would help me understand what caused this transformation,’ Lucius thought as he followed Florian to prepare for the rest of the day ahead. ’But the more I’m around him, the more confusing he becomes.’

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