Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!
Chapter 99: ‘Defend The Prince!’

Chapter 99: ‘Defend The Prince!’

Florian and Lucius arrived at the grand doors of the throne room, their footsteps echoing faintly against the polished marble floors. The two knights stationed at the entrance immediately turned their attention to Florian, their gazes filled with awe. He didn’t need to guess why—word had clearly spread about what had happened yesterday. It was written plainly on the faces of the palace staff they’d passed earlier, their expressions a mix of admiration and quiet reverence.

’They really think I’m brave,’ Florian thought, his lips twitching in a faint smirk. It wasn’t entirely unwelcome. Compared to the first time Aden, now Florian, had been dragged into this room for Heinz’s announcement, this moment felt... different. Back then, every eye had been filled with doubt or disdain, but now there was something else—respect, even admiration.

For the first time, Florian allowed himself to stand a little taller. His hard work was finally paying off.

"Let us through," Lucius commanded, his voice sharp yet composed as he raised his hand. The knights immediately bowed their heads and stepped aside, their armor clinking faintly with the movement. One of them reached for the obsidian doors, but Lucius was quicker, pulling out his black stone. The crystal pulsed faintly in his palm as the doors began to shift, the heavy slabs of obsidian creaking open with an almost ominous slowness.

As the throne room revealed itself, Florian felt his chest tighten. The servants and maids from earlier were one thing—but now he was about to face the princesses.

His nerves surged, and he swallowed hard. He hadn’t seen them since the incident, and he wasn’t sure what kind of reception to expect. Would they still hate him? Would they continue to treat him like a fraud, like they had before? Or was there a chance... they might see him differently now?

Lucius’s voice pulled him from his spiraling thoughts. "Go ahead, Your Highness."

Florian took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. ’Whatever happens... it’ll be fine. Don’t expect too much.’ He plastered on a practiced smile and strode forward, the doors shutting with a low thud behind him.

The room was silent at first, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Florian’s gaze swept across the princesses seated near the throne, readying himself for a greeting—or more likely, a biting remark from Scarlett or Camilla.

But instead—

"Prince Florian!"

A soft, trembling voice rang out, and before he could even process who had spoken, something small and warm collided with him. His body stiffened instinctively, his first thought leaping to an attack. But the impact was gentle, and it took him only a moment to realize—someone was hugging him.

Florian froze, his breath catching in his throat. He glanced down, his eyes widening at the sight of light brown hair. "L-Lady Athena?" he stammered.

It was Athena, the usually timid and soft-spoken princess. She clung to him, her small frame trembling as quiet sobs racked her body.

’She’s crying?’ Florian’s arms flailed awkwardly at his sides, unsure of how to respond. He cast a desperate glance toward Lucius, but the butler remained at a distance, his distaste for women evident in his pointed disinterest.

’What the hell am I supposed to do?’ Florian thought, panic bubbling in his chest. He hadn’t been hugged like this in years. The first time had been his mother, and the second... his sister Kaz.

"Prince Florian," another voice said gently, drawing his attention. It was Alexandria, her expression warm but tinged with worry. "She’s been worried about you. Actually... most of us have. None of us expected you to sacrifice yourself for us."

Florian blinked, glancing past Alexandria. The other princesses stood further back, their expressions varying from hesitant relief to their usual coldness. Mira and Bridget looked unsure but somewhat softened, while Scarlett and Camilla glared at him with daggers in their eyes.

’Nothing new there,’ Florian thought, forcing his lips into a neutral smile.

"I-I’m sorry!" Athena’s voice trembled, pulling his attention back to her. She was still clinging to him, her face buried in his chest. "If... if I hadn’t been captured, S-Sir Lancelot wouldn’t have had a hard time fighting, and you wouldn’t have needed to—hiccup—s-sacrifice yourself, and..." Her words dissolved into sobs, her shoulders shaking violently.

Florian stared down at her, his chest tightening. ’It’s not her fault. Why does she think it is?’

"It was very brave of you, Prince Florian," Alexandria added softly, her eyes meeting his.

Florian hesitated, then carefully placed a hand on Athena’s head. His movements were awkward but gentle as he finally wrapped his arms around her in a loose, hesitant embrace. "You’re not at fault, Lady Athena. None of this is your fault. The rogues targeted us—we’re all victims here." He glanced at the other princesses, forcing his voice to remain steady. "I’m just glad it was me and not any of you."

Alexandria’s smile grew warmer, and even Bridget and Mira seemed to relax. Mira stepped closer, her lips parting hesitantly. "It takes a really brave person to do what you did," she said quietly. "And based on your injuries... you fought hard for us."

Florian’s eyes widened when Mira bowed her head. "Y-You don’t have to do that, Lady Mira! Really, it was nothing!"

Bridget adjusted her glasses, her cheeks faintly pink. "I... misjudged you, Prince Florian. I apologize."

Florian opened his mouth to respond, but Scarlett’s sharp voice cut through the moment. "Hmph! I bet he did all this just to get close to us. Or worse, to win favor with His Majesty!"

"Scarlett, don’t start—" Mira began, but Scarlett interrupted her.

"Don’t start what? He lied to us once—what’s stopping him from lying again?"

Bridget surprised everyone by snapping back. "Have you seen his injuries? His Majesty himself said he was poisoned. Grow up, Scarlett."

’They’re... defending me?’ Florian thought, astonished.

Athena finally pulled away, her face streaked with tears. "P-Prince Florian was really brave," she said softly, her voice trembling but firm.

Camilla scoffed, fanning herself. "Hah! You dare talk back now just because he saved you? Let’s not forget this mess is your fault in the first place."

Florian’s smile didn’t waver, though a flicker of annoyance crossed his mind. "I missed you too, Princess Scarlett, Princess Camilla—"

"What exactly is going on here?"

The throne room fell deathly silent.

Scarlett’s eyes widened as she immediately curtsied. "Y-Your Majesty! You’re here..."