Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 68: ’Something Big is Going On’

Chapter 68: ’Something Big is Going On’

"Me?"

The word fell between them like a stone sinking into deep water. Florian barely breathed, his pulse hammering as his mind scrambled to process what he had just heard.

That couldn’t be possible.

But then... everything was starting to make sense. And at the same time, it didn’t.

In the novel, the rogues had always planned to take the princesses. That was how the story unfolded—how it was supposed to unfold. The only reason Florian had been taken was because he had volunteered.

So why was Levi acting like Florian had always been the target?

His thoughts whirled. Charles hadn’t needed much convincing. If anything, he had seemed a little too willing. At the time, Florian had brushed it off as mere fascination—an unexpected moment of luck.

But was it?

His throat felt tight as he asked, voice careful, measured, "What... changed exactly?"

Levi averted his gaze slightly. His shoulders tensed, like he was weighing how much he should say. Then, finally, he exhaled. "Everything."

Florian swallowed.

"The original plan was simple," Levi continued. "We were told about the harem’s departure, told that the king and the commander of the knights wouldn’t be there. All we had to do was wait within the Dead Forest, intercept them, and take the harem for ransom."

Florian’s breath hitched. ’That’s exactly how it happened in the novel.’ His heart pounded against his ribs. ’So what changed?’

"The night before the kidnapping, we were given new orders," Levi said, voice edged with something unreadable. "We were told to wait farther away because the commander of the knights was suddenly going to accompany the harem. There were more knights than expected. We were ordered to cause a distraction—one that would force all of you into one place, then surround you. Create a situation where the commander would have to choose between protecting you or the princesses."

Levi’s gaze flickered toward him then, his expression unreadable. "But then you decided to volunteer on your own."

Florian’s stomach twisted.

He had assumed his decision had saved the princesses, had shifted the events in a way that prevented unnecessary bloodshed. But now, standing here, he was beginning to wonder—had he just played into someone else’s hand?

His voice came out unsteady. "But why me? What... what could you possibly gain from taking me? You’ve seen it yourself. They left me here. No one’s coming."

Levi studied him for a long moment, arms still loosely crossed. Then, with an unreadable tone, he murmured, "The boss doesn’t seem to think so."

Florian’s breath caught.

"As for why you? I don’t know either. None of us do." Levi’s sharp gaze ran over him, scrutinizing. "Besides the fact that you’re from a foreign kingdom, with... foreign attributes, and that face..." He trailed off before shaking his head. "We could only assume it’s the same as your reasoning earlier on why you’re valuable."

Florian’s mind reeled. Shock and confusion tangled together, his thoughts spiraling. ’This is a huge change. A change I didn’t cause... but I’m still somehow involved.’

The ’boss’ was after him. Or at the very least, he believed Heinz would come for Florian.

Either way, this was no minor deviation.

Florian had expected things to shift slightly from the novel’s original events. That was inevitable. But aside from Heinz suddenly announcing he would find a wife, every major change so far had been triggered by Florian’s actions.

Until now.

His fingers curled into fists as a single, unsettling realization settled in his chest.

’Which means... someone else is pulling the strings.’

Florian exhaled slowly, his gaze sharpening as it landed on Levi. "Why are you suddenly telling me this? You were... so against even saying your name at first."

Levi stared at him for a moment before shrugging. "I was afraid you’d keep showing me your bad acting skills."

Florian blinked. "...Huh?"

His brain stalled. Did he hear that right?

"Excuse me?" His eyes widened, mouth slightly agape. ’He knew I was acting? What the hell? Am I really THAT bad of an actor?¹’

"Y-You knew I was acting this whole time?"

"Yes."

"And you didn’t even bother calling me out?"

"Why should I?"

"You—" Florian inhaled sharply, clenching his jaw. ’He’s not kind. He’s just as much of an ass as everyone here!’

"...are a jerk."

For the first time since meeting him, Levi cracked a small, amused smile. It was faint, barely there, but Florian caught it. And somehow, that only made his embarrassment worse. His spiraling thoughts momentarily derailed.

"But to answer your question more seriously," Levi continued, rolling his shoulders, "I hate nobles."

Florian stilled. ’He hates nobles?’

Levi exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck. "That’s why I didn’t want to talk to you earlier." A beat of silence passed before he added, almost grudgingly, "However... talking to you doesn’t feel like talking to a noble. And a prince at that. My conscience wouldn’t let me leave you completely in the dark. The least I could do was answer your questions."

Florian hesitated. Levi was being... honest. He could hear it in his voice, see it in the way his shoulders were no longer as tense, in the way his gaze didn’t hold the same edge of suspicion it had before.

This was his chance.

Levi was warming up to him.

Maybe—just maybe—he could push further. Ask about the layout of this place. Any weaknesses in their security. Secret exits. Anything.

Levi was watching him now, waiting.

Florian parted his lips, about to speak—

"LEVI! Where the fuck are ya, boy?! We’re starving!"

The sudden bellow from outside the door made both of them flinch.

"Levi! Goddamnit!"

Levi let out a long-suffering sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I have to go."

Florian wanted to stop him, but he knew Levi had already told him more than enough for one night. Pushing his luck would only make him retreat back into that guarded shell. So instead, he offered a small smile. "Alright. Thank you, Levi... for keeping me company."

Levi stiffened. His face turned red almost instantly before he quickly looked away, scowling. "It wasn’t anything special."

"LEVI!"

Levi groaned, shoulders sagging like a man marching to his doom. He reached for the door but hesitated, glancing back.

"I’ll try to come by again," he muttered. "To keep you company, if you want."

Florian’s heart gave an unexpected flutter.

’Now what the hell was that...’

He pushed the thought aside, lips twitching into a grin. "I’d like that."

He waved Levi off playfully. "Now go, or they might actually break the door down."

Levi huffed, nodded once, and with one last look, disappeared through the door.

Silence settled in the room once more.

Florian was alone again.

Alone with his thoughts.