Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 64: ’Predators and their Prey’

Chapter 64: ’Predators and their Prey’

Arthur circled him like a predator, his sharp eyes scanning for weakness. Florian knew the routine—it was a test. Arthur wanted to see him break, wanted to see fear flicker across his face.

But Florian kept his breathing even, his shoulders loose. He could feel the weight of his own heartbeat against his ribs, but he wouldn’t give Arthur the satisfaction of knowing it.

"I’ll give you credit," Arthur said, his voice almost amused. "You’ve got guts. Most nobles in your position would be begging by now. You moved on quick from that little outburst you did."

Florian didn’t answer. He just tilted his head slightly, as if unimpressed. Silence could be just as powerful as words when used correctly.

Arthur’s smirk twitched, irritation creeping in around the edges. "Nothing to say?" He crouched down slightly, lowering his voice. "You were mouthy just now. Trying a new tactic already?

Florian clenched his jaw but said nothing. The mention of Charles made his skin crawl, but he couldn’t let it show. Not even a flicker. He had to control the narrative.

Arthur sighed dramatically, straightening up. "Well, I hope you’re comfortable," he said, stepping back toward the door. "You’re going to be here for a long time."

Florian met his gaze, steady. "We’ll see."

Arthur’s smirk returned, but this time, it didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was a certain glint to it that almost, keyword, almost made Florian’s confidence falter, it was the same look Arthur had in one of Florian’s nightmares.

’It’s so hard to keep this facade up knowing what he’s capable of doing to me.’ Florian thought, trying his best not to glance at the fork he hid below his hay bed. ’Well, as long as he doesn’t notice the fork. I’m fine. I just have to endure his thoughts.’

Arthur’s smirk deepened, a glint of satisfaction flickering in his eyes as he took a slow, deliberate step forward. The dim torchlight cast long shadows across his face, making the sharp angles of his features seem even more menacing. His presence filled the small room, the air thick with unspoken threats.

Florian forced himself to stay still, to keep his breath steady even as his pulse began to pound against his throat.

’Don’t react. Don’t flinch. He wants you to. Don’t give him what he wants.’

Arthur stopped just within arm’s reach, tilting his head as if studying something fascinating. Then, with agonizing leisure, he lifted a hand.

Florian stiffened.

Not now. Not again.

His skin crawled at the mere thought of those hands on him. The ghost of memories that didn’t belong to him threatened to rise—pain, fear, helplessness—but he swallowed them down. He refused to give Arthur the satisfaction. He had to be stronger than that.

Arthur chuckled, dark amusement dancing in his gaze. "Tense, aren’t we?" His fingers hovered inches away from Florian’s cheek, his movements slow, deliberate, like he was savoring the anticipation. "What’s wrong? Suddenly, you’re quiet again, Your Highness."

Florian gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay still even as every muscle in his body screamed at him to move. To shove Arthur away. To fight. But he knew better. Reacting now would only make things worse.

’Breathe. Think. You’re not powerless. You just have to find the right moment.’

Arthur’s fingertips brushed against a stray strand of Florian’s hair. The touch was light, almost gentle, but it sent a sickening wave of revulsion through him. His hands curled into fists at his sides, his nails pressing into his palms.

Arthur’s grin widened. "I like this look on you," he mused. "So stiff, so controlled. But I wonder..." He trailed a finger down, barely grazing Florian’s jaw. "How long will you last before you break?"

Florian’s stomach twisted, panic clawing up his throat, but he forced his voice to remain level. "Longer than you think."

Arthur let out a low hum, as if entertained by the challenge. His hand moved lower—toward his collarbone.

Florian braced himself, his breathing shallow now, his entire body screaming at him to move. To do something before Arthur went any further. His heart pounded against his ribs, sweat prickling at the back of his neck. He was running out of time.

Then the door creaked open.

Arthur barely had time to react before a sharp voice cut through the thick, stagnant air.

"If anyone gets to touch him first, it’s me."

Charles.

The room’s atmosphere shifted instantly, a near-tangible crackle in the air. Arthur hesitated for just a fraction of a second before pulling back, irritation flashing across his face. The dim torchlight flickered wildly, casting jagged shadows along the stone walls, distorting the tension hanging between them into something almost monstrous.

Florian exhaled sharply, his pulse hammering in his ears. His muscles remained taut, every fiber of his being screaming to bolt, to fight, to do anything but stand still. Yet he forced himself not to react, not to draw attention to his shaken state. Not now. Not yet.

’That was close. Too close.’

Arthur clicked his tongue, disappointment evident in the slow shake of his head. "Way to ruin my fun, Charles."

Charles leaned against the doorway, arms folded, his stance deceptively relaxed. Though his smirk was lazy, there was a sharpness in his gaze, a dangerous edge that made Florian’s stomach twist.

"You don’t get to damage the goods before I’ve had my fun," Charles said, his tone light yet carrying an unmistakable weight of possession. The words slithered through the air like something vile and unseen, wrapping around Florian’s throat.

Arthur inhaled deeply, then let out a slow breath, amusement curling at the edges of his lips. "Always so greedy."

Florian swallowed hard, his mind racing. If Charles hadn’t stepped in...

’No. Don’t think about it. Focus on what this means.’

His gaze flicked between the two of them, taking in the minute shifts in their posture. The unspoken challenge that simmered beneath Arthur’s facade of ease. Charles had control here—not Arthur. That meant something.

"Greedy?" Charles scoffed, his eyes dragging back to Arthur. "Who do you think is keeping this operation together? Besides..."

His sharp, piercing gaze snapped to Florian, settling on him like a predator sizing up its prey.

"...you usually don’t go for males."

Arthur tilted his head, lips curling into a lazy grin. "I’m willing to expand my tastes."

Florian’s breath hitched. A cold chill slid down his spine.

’They’re talking about me like I’m nothing. Like I’m not even a person. A prize to be won. A piece of property to claim. Have they already forgotten I’m here for ranso—’

Wait.

A thought struck him, sharp and dangerous. His stomach churned at the idea, but alongside the revulsion, something else stirred. A cold, calculated clarity.

’What if... I use this?’

The mere thought sent a sickening wave through him, bile rising in his throat. But beneath it, the plan took shape, cruel and necessary.

’They want me for my body. It disgusts me, but if I can make them think they have the upper hand... If I can make them drop their guard just long enough...’

Charles let out a scoff, turning slightly toward Arthur. "Fine. But let’s wait before we test him out. We still need to find a buyer, considering His Majesty doesn’t seem too eager to respond to the ransom note. We’re waiting on the boss’s instructions."

Florian’s stomach twisted into knots.

’Boss? I thought Charles was the boss.’

His mind whirred, trying to process. In the novel, Charles had been the mastermind—the one orchestrating everything. But if there was someone above him...

’That means there’s more to this than I thought. Someone else is pulling the strings. Someone powerful enough to give orders to Charles. That’s important. That’s something I can use.’

Arthur let out a low chuckle, a sound that made Florian’s skin crawl. He shot a final glance toward him, eyes gleaming with amusement.

"We’ll come back for you soon, Little Prince," Charles murmured, his tone almost mocking, almost affectionate—and all the more chilling because of it. Arthur smirked and followed him out, the heavy wooden door creaking as it shut behind them.

Florian stood frozen in the silence, his breath unsteady, his pulse a frantic drumbeat beneath his skin.

’I’m not sure if I can really go through with this... but...’

He clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms. This was the only option. He had no weapons, no allies, no way out. If he wanted to survive, if he wanted to escape, he had to become something they didn’t expect.

’Seduction is a weapon, just like any other. And as much as I hate it, this might be my only shot.’

His jaw tightened, his resolve hardening like steel.

’If I have to play their game to win... then I’ll make them believe exactly what I want them to.’

The game had changed.

And Florian was going to play to win.

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