Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 96: ’Calm’

Chapter 96: ’Calm’

A loud thud jolted Florian awake.

His breath caught in his throat as his eyes snapped open. For a moment, everything was wrong—the air too heavy, shadows too deep, suffocating the room. His heart raced, pounding so hard it felt like it would break through his ribs.

’Shit—did they find me? Am I back there?’

His instincts took over. In a heartbeat, he bolted upright, muscles taut and ready to fight—or flee. The panic was razor-sharp, lancing through his body as his gaze darted around the room, searching for threats.

And then he saw it.

A small, crumpled figure on the floor beside his bed.

Cashew.

The boy was sprawled awkwardly, fingers tangled in the sheets as if he’d tried to climb onto the bed and failed. His thin shoulders trembled, messy hair sticking to his damp forehead. Even in the dim light, Florian could see the way Cashew’s tiny hands clenched against the fabric in frustration.

Florian’s breath came out in an uneven rush, the remnants of panic still gripping his chest. ’Not a prison. Not the kidnappers. Just... Cashew.’

The realization hit like a wave, knocking some sense back into him. But before relief could fully settle, a choked voice broke through the stillness.

"Y-Your Highness—"

And then, without warning, Cashew burst into tears.

"You’re back!" he sobbed, his voice raw with emotion. His words tumbled out in a desperate rush. "Y-You’re really back! May I... May I hug you?"

Florian’s heart clenched painfully.

Cashew’s small body was trembling so hard he could barely get the words out. He had fallen trying to reach him, and now he was asking permission just to hold onto him.

Something inside Florian shattered.

He didn’t hesitate.

He opened his arms.

The instant he did, Cashew launched himself forward, burying his face into Florian’s chest. His sobs came in shuddering waves, each one tugging at Florian’s fraying composure. Small fists clung to his nightshirt as though letting go would make Florian disappear again.

"I was so scared," Cashew whimpered, voice muffled against the fabric. "I-I didn’t know what to do! If you had died or—or if they had taken you away forever, I—!" His words broke into hiccupping sobs. "I’m sorry! I couldn’t do anything! I—"

"Hey, stop that," Florian murmured, his voice rough with guilt. He cradled the boy gently, resting one hand on the back of Cashew’s head while the other rubbed slow, comforting circles on his back. "You have nothing to apologize for. You’re just a kid, Cashew. None of this was your fault."

Cashew shook his head furiously, his voice breaking. "B-But... I want to go wherever you go!" He lifted his tear-streaked face, eyes shining with fierce determination despite the tremble of his lips. "Even if it’s dangerous—I want to go!"

Florian’s chest tightened.

Memories flickered through his mind—sharp and bitter.

This had already happened once.

In the first life, Cashew had endured this exact nightmare. The fear, the helplessness. Had he cried like this back then too? Had he stayed up at night wondering if Florian would ever return? Had he carried that weight alone?

The thought gnawed at Florian’s resolve.

He’d left Cashew behind in that life—left him powerless, left him waiting. And now, the boy was practically begging not to be abandoned again.

Guilt settled heavy in Florian’s gut.

He swallowed hard, fingers tightening slightly around Cashew’s trembling frame. ’God, the real Florian and I have been terrible princes to him, haven’t we?’

Letting out a slow sigh, Florian gently pulled back just enough to meet Cashew’s tear-streaked gaze.

He mustered a small, teasing smile despite the ache in his chest. "I’ve been a pretty bad prince, huh? Making my little servant cry like this."

Cashew sniffled, wiping at his swollen eyes with the sleeve of his too-big uniform. "N-No, Your Highness, it’s not—"

Florian ruffled his hair, shaking his head. "No, it is. But..." His voice softened as he rested a hand on Cashew’s head. "I’m glad you’re telling me all this now."

Because for once, Cashew wasn’t holding it all in.

For once, he was letting himself be vulnerable.

And for once, Florian was here to hear it.

He pulled the boy close again, letting him take the comfort he needed. "I’ll be more careful, alright?" His voice dropped to something quieter, something just for the two of them. "So you won’t have to cry like this again."

Cashew nodded weakly against him, his sobs finally easing into soft sniffles, though his grip never loosened.

Florian held him tighter.

He didn’t deserve this. Not when he wasn’t even the real Florian.

A sudden knock on the door shattered the quiet, followed by the slow creak of it opening.

Florian’s arms instinctively tightened around Cashew, feeling the boy flinch slightly in his grip. For a moment, Cashew’s hold on him faltered, but Florian didn’t let go.

Standing in the doorway, bathed in the dim glow of the hall light, was Lucius.

His sharp gaze landed on the two of them locked in a tearful embrace, and his expression immediately twisted into one of shock. His brows furrowed, his mouth parting, undoubtedly preparing to reprimand Cashew for such an egregious breach of etiquette.

"What in the world—"

Florian turned his head sharply, fixing Lucius with a glare so cutting it could have sliced through stone.

’Don’t you dare.’

Lucius froze mid-sentence. His words died in his throat, and his lips pressed into a thin, irritated line. He exhaled slowly through his nose, his eyes narrowing as if weighing whether this was a battle worth fighting.

It wasn’t.

He knew better than to challenge that look—not just the glare of royalty, but the glare of someone who had seen too much.

"...Very well," Lucius finally relented, his tone cool but tinged with reluctant respect. He crossed his arms, his silver eyes flicking between the two of them. "I suppose you must be feeling better if you have the energy to play."

’Oh, you’re just jealous because I would never hug you.’

Florian let the sharpness in his eyes dull, though an edge of defiance still lingered. He gave Cashew’s back a gentle pat. "Hey, you’re good now, right?"

Cashew sniffled, nodding against him. His face was still blotchy, his breathing uneven, but he was calmer. Florian gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze before finally releasing him.

As Cashew stepped back, still hurriedly wiping at his eyes, Lucius cleared his throat. "How are your wounds, Your Highness? I was informed they were rather severe when you were brought back." His gaze flickered over Florian, subtly assessing him with that ever-practiced, calculating eye.

Florian flexed his fingers briefly, rolling his shoulders. The sharp, biting pain that had gnawed at him earlier had dulled into a faint, lingering ache. "They’re fine. Healing magic really is something else," he admitted, stretching slightly for emphasis.

Lucius nodded, his expression softening ever so slightly. "Indeed. The court’s mages outdid themselves this time." He paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Though I suspect your resilience played a part as well."

Florian merely shrugged, brushing off the observation. He wasn’t in the mood for praise—or scrutiny. "What brings you here?"

Lucius straightened, slipping seamlessly back into his formal demeanor. "The king has summoned the harem for an important announcement. I was sent to inform you."

Florian wasn’t surprised.

’He did say he was going to make an announcement.’

He exhaled softly, rolling his shoulders one last time before a faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips.

’But ah, it feels good to not be so afraid of Heinz.’

"Alright then."

He turned to Cashew and lightly tapped his shoulder. "Let’s get ready."

Cashew, though still slightly teary-eyed, nodded earnestly. "Y-Yes, Your Highness!"

Lucius watched the exchange, a flicker of curiosity flashing in his eyes, but whatever thought had crossed his mind, he kept to himself.

"I’ll wait for you outside," he said simply before stepping back into the hallway, pulling the door closed behind him.

The moment he was gone, Florian let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.

’This day is just getting started.’

His gaze drifted downward to Cashew, who was doing his best to compose himself—straightening his uniform, smoothing out the wrinkles, despite his reddened, puffy eyes.

Florian’s lips twitched in amusement. "You look like a mess, you know that?"

Cashew’s face immediately flushed pink with embarrassment. "I-I’ll fix it right away!"

"Relax." Florian reached out, ruffling his hair with uncharacteristic warmth. "Just don’t trip over yourself again."

Cashew’s lips quirked into a small, shy smile, determination flickering in his gaze as he quickly set to work tidying himself up.

Florian leaned against the bedpost, watching him with a faint smirk.

’For some reason... I have a good feeling about today.’

Blissfully unaware of the worried glances Lucius had cast at him before leaving.

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